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Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate

Student on an exercise bike with other students observing and taking notes

Explore how the human body responds to exercise and understand how sport and physical activity influence health and wellbeing.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

C600

Start date

September 2026

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The information on this page is for 2025-26 entry and should be used as guidance for 2026-27 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

This course explores the impact of physical activity on the human body. Apply scientific principles to enhance performance, aid recovery and promote long-term health and wellbeing, and develop knowledge and skills relevant to roles in sport, fitness and wellbeing.

This course aims to help you learn using a range of approaches. These include problem-based learning, case studies and laboratory classes, which blend scientific rigour with practical and professional experience and knowledge.⁴
Explore the physiological, psychological and biomechanical factors that influence human performance. Develop verbal, non-verbal and active listening skills, and have the opportunity to apply your learning in sport and exercise contexts.
Develop your skills and ability to prescribe exercise programmes, and then evaluate and monitor their effectiveness on the human body.

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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Diverse career pathways: gain knowledge and skills relevant to roles in sport, health, education and exercise. Graduates may choose to pursue opportunities in areas such as athlete support, community health or teaching, or continue with postgraduate study in sport and exercise-related fields.
Hands-on experience: gain invaluable practical experience, including potential opportunities to work with professional athletes.² Previous students have gained a year of experience with professional sport teams (Southampton FC, Fulham, Coventry City FC, Solihull Moors FC, Birmingham City Women FC), governing bodies (English Institute of Sport) and several local schools.
Research-informed teaching: learn from active researchers and practitioners who are experts in various areas of sport and exercise science.
Specialist facilities: utilise our modern laboratories for sport science, biomechanics and our newly refurbished Strength and Conditioning suite, along with a comprehensive range of industry-standard portable equipment for field-based assessments.⁴
Strong employer links: benefit from our robust connections with local professional sports teams, schools, and NHS clinical services (such as cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation).² Staff act on a consultancy basis working with leading industry partners, elite and novice athletes. Some of our staff are members of leading professional bodies such as BASES, the Higher Education Academy (HEA), and the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA; staff are subject to change).

Coventry University welcomes Birmingham City Women FC

The squad of 24 players visited the university’s Alison Gingell building for midseason strength testing.

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What you'll study

Modules

Professional Practice for Sport and Exercise Science – 30 credits

Build your confidence and skills in key areas of sport and exercise science, including physiology, biomechanics and psychology. Learn how to carry out practical tasks safely and effectively in both lab and field settings.⁴

You’ll be introduced to the professional standards, behaviours and expectations needed to succeed in the sport and exercise science industry. Start developing your communication skills, learning how to present information clearly to different types of audiences, from teammates and coaches to clients and professionals.

Compulsory

Fundamentals of Functional Anatomy and Human Movement – 30 credits

Explore how the body moves by learning the basics of anatomy and biomechanics. Look at how bones, muscles and joints work together, and how forces and motion affect performance and injury.

Gain hands-on experience in practical sessions using biomechanical tools to analyse movement and spot potential risks.⁴ Through a mix of theory and practice, understand what affects performance and how to assess movement safely and effectively.

Compulsory

Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Psychology – 30 credits

Learn how people develop and improve their movement skills, and how psychology plays a key role in sport and exercise performance. Explore how we control movement, how to create the best environment for learning new skills and how motivation, confidence and focus can impact success.

Test out ideas in practical sessions and tutorials, using research and hands-on activities to build your understanding. Gain key knowledge and experience that you can apply in real coaching or performance settings

Compulsory

Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Physiology – 30 credits

Explore how the human body works during sport and exercise, focusing on key systems like the muscles, nerves and energy systems. Learn how these systems work together to support movement and performance, and how exercise affects them.

You’ll be introduced to the basics of nutrition and how it supports physical activity. Through hands-on practical sessions, apply what you’ve learned in real-life scenarios, helping you build a strong foundation for future study in sport and exercise science.

Compulsory

Modules

Applied Sport and Exercise Science Practice – 30 credits

Supplement your previous knowledge and skills by learning how to assess a client’s needs using a more complete, whole-person approach. Apply what you’ve learned in areas like physiology, psychology, nutrition, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, and performance analysis to real-world scenarios - especially those found in team sports.

Explore how to balance both individual and team needs and get hands-on experience collecting and applying data in realistic, often unpredictable environments, outside the lab. Design effective, personalised interventions using an interdisciplinary approach. These experiences could take place off-campus but will most likely use our contemporary Strength and Conditioning suite.⁴

Compulsory

Applied Strength Conditioning – 30 credits

Learn the key skills and knowledge you need to coach strength and conditioning effectively, following industry standards like CIMSPA. Explore biomechanics, physiology, athlete testing, periodisation, return-to-play strategies and how to monitor performance.

Gain hands-on coaching experience in areas that can include Olympic lifting, plyometrics and speed training, while learning how to use data to support athlete development, all within our fully equipped on-campus facilities. Reflect on your own practice and apply what you learn to real-life scenarios, helping you prepare for professional roles in elite sport, fitness, or rehabilitation.

Compulsory

Interdisciplinary Application of Sport and Exercise Science – 30 credits

Explore the latest developments in sport and exercise biomechanics, psychology and physiology, and learn how to apply them to real-world situations. Explore current scientific research to understand how these areas work together and influence performance and wellbeing.

Develop your skills in testing and analysing data using an interdisciplinary approach, helping you make informed, evidence-based decisions in sport and exercise settings. Strengthen your ability to apply theory to practice and create effective solutions based on up-to-date research.

Compulsory

Research in Sport and Exercise Science – 30 credits

Build your research and analytical skills to better understand how sport and exercise science is studied. Explore both quantitative and qualitative research methods and learn how to critically analyse information to solve problems and make discoveries.

Develop the ability to choose the right research design to explore fresh ideas and questions in sport and exercise science. Practise sharing your findings clearly through both scientific and non-scientific communication, helping you present your work to different audiences effectively.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

UK Work Placement– 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement² undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement² undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Modules

Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Physiology – 30 credits

Build on what you’ve learned about how the body responds to exercise, both in the short term and over time. Apply this knowledge to real sports and exercise situations, adapting to different environments, exploring new training methods and examining hot topics in exercise physiology. The focus is on developing a curious, evidence-based approach to current ideas, theories and practices in the field.

Compulsory

Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Psychology– 30 credits

Explore current topics and important ideas in sport and exercise psychology. Gain a clear understanding of the role of a practitioner in different performance settings and learn how to apply psychological skills in real life. Study the philosophy behind the practice, ethical issues and professional standards, with a focus on the BASES Code of Conduct and how it guides ethical decisions in practical situations.

Compulsory

Independent Research Project – 30 credits

Conduct, analyse, interpret and communicate, via a scientific research paper and oral presentation, a piece of investigative research in a specialised area of sport and/or exercise. You will be supported and guided by your supervisor. However, you are expected to demonstrate increasing independence, high levels of organisational and time management skills, technical skills and awareness of research ethics and/or health and safety.

Compulsory

Optional modules

Availability of optional modules may vary depending on student demand.

Choose one of the following optional modules.

Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics – 30 credits

Build on your biomechanics knowledge by applying it to real-world problems in sport, health and performance. Explore more advanced analysis techniques for both simple and complex movements, helping you understand how to improve performance, reduce injury risk, or enhance quality of life.

Design and carry out your own biomechanical assessments, collect data and learn how to evaluate your findings critically. Explore the latest research and debates in biomechanics, learning to think scientifically while recognising the strengths and limits of different approaches. By the end of the module, you should have the practical and theoretical skills to work confidently in both lab and field-based biomechanics roles.

Interdisciplinary Approaches in Physical Activity and Health – 30 credits

Explore how to create inclusive and engaging environments that help people become more active and reduce time spent being inactive. Look at current issues in exercise and health and learn how physical activity can promote health and wellbeing at every stage of life.

Dive into research and evidence to understand how physical activity affects health, the barriers people face in staying active, and what helps them stay motivated. Explore public health strategies and interventions for different populations, gaining the knowledge and confidence to support others in making positive, lasting changes to their lifestyle.

Optional

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include: 

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical workshop sessions
practical lab sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including on

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. The assessment methods may include:

tests
essays
group work
presentations
reports
projects
coursework
individual assignments
practical assessment.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A level	BBC to include Physical Education or Biology. Excludes General Studies.
BTEC	DMM in the BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in a Biological or Sport Science based subject. Excludes Health and Social Care.
International Baccalaureate	27 points to include 5 points in Biology at Higher Level.
GCSE	GCSE maths, English and two sciences at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
Access to HE	The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits above Merit of which 15 must be in Biology or Sport Science related units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

South East Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation course. Upon successful completion this should provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year	Not available
EU	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £18,300 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

This course is delivered at Coventry University main campus, primarily in the Alison Gingell Building.

You will benefit from the outstanding facilities for sport and exercise sciences in the purpose built Alison Gingell building, including extensive sport and exercise science laboratories, gait analysis track and environmental chamber⁴.

Sports Therapy Student learning

Sports Therapy Clinic

The Sports Therapy Clinic is run by final-year undergraduate Sports Therapy students under the supervision of qualified staff, with second-year students providing a supervised massage clinic.

Strength and conditioning suite

Strength and conditioning suite

Our multi-purpose suite is equipped with multiple Olympic lifting platforms, a 20m gait analysis track, an anti-gravity treadmill and a 3D motion capture system.

Environmental Chamber

Environmental chamber

Our environmental chamber helps us to test the effects of a wide range of environmental conditions, such as temperature and barometric pressure, on the human body.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

The multi-disciplinary and applied nature of this degree course aims to prepare you for a potential future career in sport or exercise, including scientific support, exercise training, health promotion and rehabilitation.

On successful completion, you will be able to:

demonstrate the key skills of a sport and exercise scientist: reflective practice; evidence-based practice; interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary practice; generic and specialised practical skills; health and safety (e.g. good laboratory practice) and ethical considerations
research, critique and present scientific information to scientific and other recipients
demonstrate problem solving and apply scientific information
design and implement scientific investigations, including data collection, analysis and interpretation.

The leisure industry is a major employer in the UK and many of our previous graduates have gone into managerial and service delivery roles in leisure and health centres, as well as teaching and research. Graduates who are more interested in the medical and health applications of exercise science can choose to go on to work within cardiac and other rehabilitation teams within the NHS, or with local councils within sports development or exercise for health schemes.

Where our graduates work

Some of our previous graduates have gone on to work with sports teams including Coventry City FC and British Cycling.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Further study

We have a range of postgraduate courses that graduates would be well prepared to progress onto, enabling them to gain specialist skills relating to development of teaching, sporting potential or lifelong physical activity. PGCE courses allow entry to teaching careers and our more specialist MSc programmes in sport provide opportunities for graduates to develop skills in a more specific area of study.

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How to apply

BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.

Apply via the portal

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
HLSU245

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and membershipsons

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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