Course in brief

This course is one of the best-established sport science degrees in the UK and retains a leading reputation for its innovative approach to learning as well as its provision of resources and facilities.

The course and the laboratories you will use are both accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and facilities include a thermal chamber, physiology labs, biochemical analysis labs, an altitude chamber and a biomechanics laboratory.

Learning in small class sizes, you’ll gain expert knowledge of the effects of sport and exercise on the human body and have plenty of hands-on opportunities to improve your lab skills. You’ll work on consultancy projects with clients to solve real problems. Previous students have worked on projects including a Fire Instructor Health Study, Brighton Marathon Heart Study and a new Cancer Rehabilitation Programme.

In your final year you can choose to complete a period of professional experience with one of our partners, including top teams and international sports initiatives, as well as local organisations such as the Sussex County Cricket Club and Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club. You’ll benefit from course staff who are easily accessible and world leaders in sport research, including Professor Yannis Pitsiladis, one of the leading scientists for the World Anti-Doping Agency.

This course offers the chance to specialise. Depending on option modules chosen, you will graduate with Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons) or one of the following awards:

  • Sport and Exercise Science with PE
  • Sport and Exercise Science with Nutrition
  • Sport Science
  • Exercise and Health Science

 

We are one of just 10 institutions nationally, selected by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), to become a CIMPSA Higher Education Partner. We are part of their pilot programme to develop CIMPSA endorsed and quality assured degree programmes to improve students’ employment prospects. The partnership also offers many benefits for students studying this course.

 

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

UCAS code C600

Full-time 3 years

Approved by the British Association of Sport
and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Undergraduate
Endorsement Scheme

Our next open day for this course will take place in the autumn. Register your interest now and we will let you know when you can book your place.

Register your interest

Apply now with UCAS

Start in 2018: how to apply

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level ABB–BBC (128–112 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DDM–DMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range. 

We will generally make you an offer if your predicted grades are at the top of this range. If your predicted grades are towards the lower end of this range we may still make you an offer if you have a good GCSE (or equivalent) profile or relevant non-academic achievements.

Applicants studying a mixture of A-levels and BTEC will be made offers based on the above grades.

International Baccalaureate
32 points including English at Standard level 5 or Higher level 4, and maths at Standard level 4.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. Must include level 3 units in science-related subjects. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 24 credits at merit or above.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
Minimum of five subjects including English language and maths. We do not accept Functional Skills or Key Skills as a GCSE equivalent. 

Students must be in the process of re-taking the required GCSE(s) or offered the University of Brighton equivalency test.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country
 
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For academic preparation courses.

Course in detail

 Course structure 

The course's theoretical material has a strong scientific and mathematical underpinning. You will get a lot of hands-on experience, improving your lab-based skills in our BASES-accredited laboratories.

In terms of choice, one third of the second year and half of the third year consist of optional modules. The remaining half of the third year consists of your dissertation and an Applied and Integrated Studies module. For your dissertation, you will be in control of your own study and look at aspects of sport and exercise science in the wider world.

You can choose to go on a placement as part of a choice module in your second year, designed to give you first-hand experience and help guide you toward your post-graduation career path.

Previously we took a group of 30 students to Peru to study the effects of altitude on human physiology and investigate why some individuals tolerate altitude and some do not. As part of the project, the students built a school and climbed Machu Picchu.

Find out all the latest news on our sport and exercise science course, students, staff and research.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, we will inform you of any improvements or innovations to the curriculum through our admissions portal.

 

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Areas of study

Throughout the course you will apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems in sport or exercise contexts. You will have the option to focus your degree on nutrition, strength and conditioning, health and physical education.

Core material in year 1 will give you a thorough introductory grounding, covering aspects of physiology, psychology, anatomy, biomechanics, research methods and study skills.

In year 2 you will further explore these areas and have the option to go on a six-month overseas exchange. A number of our students have studied studying in Europe, the USA and Canada for the second semester of their second year.

In year 3 you will develop your research method skills and complete a dissertation involving in-depth independent study. Options form half of the year and you may choose to complete a professional placement.

Sports_Science_Students_22

Year 1

Modules

  • Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Fundamental Biomechanics
  • Foundations of Sport and Exercise Physiology
  • Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology
  • The Scientific Study of Sport and Exercise
  • Sport and the Body
  • Exercise for Health and Physical Performance
SPORT_EXERCISE_SCIENCE_23NOV17_037

Year 2

Core modules

  • Functional Physiology of Sport and Exercise
  • Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise
  • Sport and Exercise Psychology
  • Research Methods

Options* for Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons)

  • Exercise Referral and Rehabilitation
  • Performance in Environmental Extremes
  • Strength and Conditioning
  • Performance Analysis
  • Nutrition for Physical Activity
  • Sport Psychology in Action
  • Sport for Development and Peace
  • Globalisation and Sport
  • Outdoor Adventurous Activities
  • Games 
  • Marketing, Communications and Advertising

Options for the four specialist pathways can be found from page 12 of the programme specification (link in the Course Statistics panel below)

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

BrightonUni-Oct15-047

Final year

Core module

  • Dissertation

Options* for Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons)

  • Advanced Performance Analysis
  • Science of Physical Training 
  • Applied Sport Psychology
  • Advanced Strength and Conditioning
  • Personal and Professional Development in Sport and Exercise Science (with a sport science focus)
  • Physiological Aspects of Exercise, Nutrition and Health
  • Injury and Rehabilitation in Sport and Exercise
  • Applied Exercise and Health Psychology
  • Exercise, Sport and the Brain 
  • Personal and Professional Development in Sport and Exercise Science (exercise and health-focused project)
  • Expedition Physiology
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Level 6 Practical Activity
  • Practical Aspects of the Law and Regulation of Sport
  • Theory, Sport and the Future
  • Racism in Sport and Popular Culture
  • Sport and Deviancy

Options for the four specialist pathways can be found from page 12 of the programme specification (link in the Course Statistics panel below)

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

 

BrightonUni-Oct15-046

Laboratories

Accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). our laboratories are equipped with the latest modern facilities.

You will have access to a -10 to +50°C hot-cold chamber, an altitude/hypoxic chamber that rises to the equivalent of 5500m, 3D motion analysis, ground reaction force plates, a DXA bone scanner, exercise physiology laboratories, biomechanics laboratories and three biochemistry laboratories.

Over the past year, our laboratories have appeared in BBC Horizon, BBC Bang Goes the Theory, BBC South East and more recently filming for Sky TV. They have also been used to test out products for exercising and weight loss and to prepare athletes for the Olympics and Paralympics.

SPORT_EXERCISE_SCIENCE_23NOV17_035 

Staff profile

Dr Alan Richardson Course leader

Alan is the course leader for the Sport and Exercise Science degree and leads the Physiology for Sport and Exercise, Expedition Physiology and Dissertation modules. He has won three teaching and learning fellowships – each evaluating technological teaching interventions within the school – and the national ‘I’m a scientist get me out of here’ competition for the Human Limits Zone.

Alan’s research focuses on the physiological changes of and human tolerance to hypoxia and severe heat exposure. He worked as a research exercise physiologist on the Centre for Aviation, Space and Extreme Environment Medicine Xtreme Everest Project in 2007 and 2009, carrying out cardiopulmonary exercise testing in trekkers ascending to Everest Base Camp.

Since then Alan has lead a research consultancy project (2013) with the National Fire Service investigating the immune function and inflammatory responses to repeated fire exposures in Fire Service instructors. Alan is continuing to work with the Fire Service investigating the use of undergarments for thermoregulation.

Alan lead a research project taking 30 Sport and Exercise Science students to Peru and undertaking a large number of physiological tests before, during and after the three weeks in Peru. While in Peru students and staff helped rebuild a school and then trekked for four days to Machu Picchu.

If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to contact Alan by email at A.J.Richardson@brighton.ac.uk.

Alan Richardson

Course statistics

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Careers and employability

A degree in sport and exercise science will open up opportunities in sports governing bodies, health promotion, teaching, professional sport, medical sales and paramedical training. You will also be well prepared for postgraduate study and research.

Some of the roles that our graduates have secured include:

  • Technical director for the English Institute of Sport
  • Head of physiology for the English Institute of Sport
  • National development manager for England Netball
  • Sport psychologist for British Rowing
  • Olympic sports physiologist for BBC Born to Win
  • Applied physiologist for Canadian Olympic Team
  • Altitude physiologist for British Athletes
  • Sports physiologist for British Rowing
  • Physiotherapist at Norwich City FC
  • Endurance physiologist for British Athletics
  • Research fellow for the Ministry of Defence
  • Research fellow on Xtreme Everest Expedition
  • Strength and conditioning coaches at many elite teams including Arsenal FC, Leicester Tigers RFC and the English Institute of Sport.
Sports 4

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,040 GBP

 

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2018–19.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Eastbourne

Sunny, friendly and relaxed, there’s lots to do and enjoy in Eastbourne – music and arts festivals, theatre, galleries and sports – and all against the backdrop of the beach and the beautiful South Downs.

Eastbourne hosts some major sporting events, from Eastbourne Extreme – one of the biggest extreme sports festivals in the UK – to Eastbourne International, an annual tennis tournament where some of the world’s finest players prepare for Wimbledon.

Eastbourne has a close-knit community feel. From where ever you are on campus every place you need to go is around 15 minutes away on foot – the beach, the town centre and the South Downs. There is a great selection of clubs, pubs, restaurants and shops and always plenty of student-friendly deals on offer.

   Eastbourne Festival

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Located in one of the sunniest towns in the UK, our Eastbourne campus sits between the hills of the South Downs National Park and the south coast.

The campus has extensive sporting facilities, including a sports hall, fitness suite, climbing wall, swimming pool, three gyms, a dance studio and an artificial training pitch. For sport and exercise students, there are also exercise physiology labs, a human movement laboratory and an environmental chamber.

Professional-standard facilities on this campus include the Leaf Hospital Clinic, specialist practical skills rooms, culinary arts studio and accredited sports science laboratories.

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Accommodation

Eastbourne

Our Eastbourne hall of residence, Welkin Halls, is in the residential Meads area, next to the Hillbrow and Welkin site and within walking distance of Darley Road. The train station is about 20 minutes away on foot.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. We recommend Unihomes when you’re balancing learning with placements, shifts and other commitments, because they give you more choice and flexibility.

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

Find out more on our accommodation webpages, and if you have any questions, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accomeastbourne@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 643810.

Welkin Halls

Welkin bedroom


  

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

Eastbourne campus map

Find out more

Sport and exercise news

Sign up for advice about open days, new courses and opportunities in this subject area.

  • Year of entry
  • Providing this information will help us make our updates even more relevant to you.
    Please make sure you read our privacy notice

Our next open day for this course will take place in the autumn. Register your interest now and we will let you know when you can book your place.

Register your interest

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Student views  

Charlotte Woolf

"I graduated from Brighton in 2009 with a BSc Sport and Exercise Science and am currently running a large fitness centre in Ghana. I am also the sports physiologist for an exciting new show in Africa called Ghana's Fastest Human. We are attempting to find the next Usain Bolt by providing talented Ghanaians the opportunity to race and receive professional coaching, tutoring and field testing to demonstrate their raw talent and help them become real athletes. Following this program I will be moving to the Caribbean to re-invent fitness holidays at a luxury retreat.

"My degree set me up for a career in fitness on many levels. From it, I furthered my education and specialised in a Physiology masters. I also became a personal trainer and athletic strength and conditioning coach and have worked around the world coaching. My degree not only set me up with an academic qualification on paper, but it taught me a range of academic, vocational and practical skills and knowledge that prepared me for my career in the sports industry.

"Your degree can be instrumental in you building a satisfying and successful career if you use it wisely and take every opportunity you can. My advice to other students is to make a business plan of where you want to be and how you are going to get there. Get as much experience as you can and don't be scared to challenge yourself outside of your comfort zone. Work hard, and with determination and educated effort you can get anywhere you want to be."

Charlotte Woolf in Ghana

Ewan MacFarlane

"During sixth form I was undecided whether or not to apply to university, but visiting the campus gave me a positive image of university life and certainly encouraged me to apply to courses. Eastbourne is renowned for being a sleepy seaside town that comes to life in the evening, with several bars and clubs dotted around.

"This year I have been involved in organising the Healthy Lifestyle Programme, part of the university’s consultancy work. This is a 12-week exercise programme designed to educate clients about physical activity and their lifestyle choices for the future. It has been a great opportunity to work with members of the public while applying the theory learned throughout my studies at the university."

Ewan Macfarlane

Gareth Turner

“I studied the Sport and Exercise Science BSc at the university’s Eastbourne campus and graduated in 2007. I enjoyed this degree, taking a particular interest in the physiology of sports performance and environmental physiology. I was well-supported along the way by the staff: Dr Neil Maxwell, Dr Jamie Pringle, Dr Gary Brickley and Dr Paul Castle.

“I decided to continue my studies to masters level to gain more applied experience in the hope to pursue a career in sports science. The Applied Exercise Physiology MSc in Eastbourne enabled me to do this in a setting where I continued to learn, while being encouraged to find applied opportunities along the way. 

“I completed my MSc in November 2008 and was fortunate enough to get a job in sports science quickly after finishing my MSc, working for the Lucozade Sport Science Team. I am now working with British Athletics as a physiologist for their endurance and altitude training programme alongside studying for a PhD, jointly funded by the University of Brighton and the English Institute of Sport.”

Gareth Turner

 Karina Fox 

"I chose the course at the University of Brighton as it was one of the few sport and exercise science courses that offered flexibility in both module choices and assignments in the second and third year. It had also been recommended to me by previous teachers who said it would be good for me as it included the three disciplines I enjoy – anatomy, physiology and psychology. 

"The course is very flexible and allows you to develop your interests in the specific areas of sport science you are interested in. The course lecturers are very helpful in offering their time to help you with the work, and the organisation of the course is very good. I am enjoying learning how the body works in different environments and how to use a variety of equipment in the labs.

"When I first came to look at Eastbourne I felt very comfortable and at home. It is a busy town with a great nightlife, and everything within the area is nice and close – only a walking distance away." 

Karina Fox

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