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Sport and Exercise Science BSc Honours

  • UCAS code: C600
  • Full time
  • 3 years

This Sport and Exercise Science degree will prepare you for a rewarding career at the forefront of this in-demand sector.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £25200

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: AAA-AAB
  • IB: 34-36 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

This three-year Sport and Exercise Science degree will develop your in-depth understanding of the subject. You'll build a firm foundation of knowledge in the area's key disciplines of physiology, nutrition, psychology and biomechanics, and graduate ready to take on a challenging role in an industry with high demand for graduates. 

Your learning is by our expert staff, along with industry partners and applied practitioners. You can be assured your education is right at the cutting edge of sport and exercise science.

You will have opportunities to work with athletes from Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle Eagles, performance athletes across Newcastle University's teams, in the community with Newcastle United and in the University wellbeing hub. This allows you to gain the practical experience of working in sport and exercise science related careers.

You'll become a confident sport and exercise professional with a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of the topic.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Your first year provides you with foundation knowledge and skills in the key discipline areas of sport and exercise science. You'll study a range of topics spanning physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, psychology, bioenergetics and the principles of exercise, nutrition and health.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Human Physiology and Practical Skills 20
Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health 20
Bioenergetics 20
Introduction to Biomechanics 20
Anatomy 20
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology 20

You will build on the knowledge and skills obtained in your first year. You will develop your understanding of the application of sport and exercise science to human performance, exercise behaviours and health.

You will study applied biomechanics, sports psychology, sports nutrition, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning and research methods.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Principles of Strength and Conditioning 20
Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology 20
Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition 20
Research Methods for Sport and Exercise Science 20
Exercise Physiology 20
Applied Biomechanics 20

You'll further develop your knowledge and skills through a multidisciplinary approach to sport and exercise science. You will study modules in lifestyle and disease, elite performance, as well as sport and exercise medicine.

A research project allows you to study a sport and exercise topic in detail, under the supervision of our expert research staff.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Sport and Exercise Science Research Project 40
Sport and Exercise Medicine 20
Factors Affecting Elite Performance 20
Lifestyle and Disease 20
Career Development for the Sport & Exercise Scientist 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You'll learn through a combination of lectures, practical laboratory classes and small group seminars.

You also have the chance to attend optional research talks, aimed especially at first-year students, as part of our biomedicine+ programme.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assessments

  • Coursework

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Group work

  • Practical sessions

  • Presentations

  • Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

With access to our state-of-the-art sports and exercise facilities for research and teaching, you'll have access to cutting-edge equipment during your time at Newcastle University. Using our industry-standard facilities and equipment will prepare you for your future career.

We place a strong emphasis on the development of key practical skills, both in the laboratory and in the field. These will be attractive to employers in sectors including:

  • professional sport
  • industry
  • health promotion and education

Research skills

You will complete a final-year research project in an area that interests you. You'll gain practical experience planning, conducting and evaluating research – all skills that are sought-after by employers.

You may also have the opportunity to work alongside scientists from affiliated research institutes. You'll develop advanced scientific skills and get insight into a career as a researcher.

Chat with a Sport and Exercise Science student

Jack

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be based at our Newcastle city-centre campus, in the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Sciences. The School is in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, which is also home to Dentistry, Medicine, Psychology and Pharmacy, encouraging inter-professional collaboration.

We've invested £32 million in brand-new facilities for sport and exercise science research and teaching. They include:

  • an environmental chamber to enable the simulation of altitude, temperature and humidity
  • gait track
  • biomechanics laboratory
  • physiology laboratory 
  • high-performance suite
  • nutrition kitchen
  • blood preparation and analysis lab

The facilities also support performance and recreational sport. They include an eight-court sports hall, four squash courts, strength and conditioning gym, spin studio and gym.

Situated next to Newcastle’s RVI hospital, we’re one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.

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Support

We provide plenty of support to help you successfully move from school to university study. We’ll help you settle in quickly and are here if you have any issues.

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

As a sport and exercise science graduate with a strong foundation in science and applied research approaches to sport and exercise, you'll be highly sought after by employers.

Sport and exercise science graduates have a number of career options including jobs in the following:

  • national governing bodies
  • UK Institutes of Sport
  • professional sports clubs
  • pharmaceutical and food and drink industry
  • health services
  • education

Graduates with a strong background in sport and exercise science are ideally suited to fulfil emerging roles that overlap the fields of medicine, exercise and health promotion.

With an exercise science-related degree, you could also:

  • undertake medical and health-related research in universities and research institutes
  • work in hospitals and public health laboratories
  • take a further degree (MSc or PhD qualification) before embarking on permanent employment

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

25200

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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