Sports and Exercise Science
Full-time
Part-time
Three year
Five year
September 2025
In a nutshell
If you have a passion for sport, exercise, and improving health or athletic performance through science, our BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree is designed for you. Whether you aspire to work with elite athletes, support community health initiatives, or pursue a career in performance and lifestyle enhancement, our course offers the perfect platform to achieve your ambitions.
The course will equip you with expertise across core disciplines including physiology, psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, research methods, and digital skills. You will have the flexibility to tailor your studies by choosing modules in strength and conditioning, performance analysis, applied sports science practice, or lifestyle medicine, allowing you to pursue a specialised interest or explore a broader perspective in sport and exercise science.
Our experienced academic team includes specialists who have worked with elite athletes, professional sports clubs, the NHS, Blue Light services and various health and industry sectors. They bring cutting-edge research and practical insights directly into the classroom, ensuring you develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills critical for employment or further study.
You will have access to our extensive sport and research facilities, including the human performance laboratory, strength and conditioning suite, performance analysis workshop, body composition room, and exercise physiology lab.
Additionally, extensive placement opportunities with local and national sports clubs and health organisations will give you real-world experience and a competitive edge in your career.
Accreditations and Recognition
We have received programme accreditation from both the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA), acknowledging the high industry-accredited standard of teaching.
You will:
- Develop skills to assess an individual's health, fitness, and performance requirements, and create tailored sport and exercise science interventions
- Gain versatile, transferable skills highly sought-after by employers across various industries
- Benefit from studying in our advanced facilities, including human performance laboratories, performance analysis facilities, and our strength and conditioning suite
- Improve your knowledge and skills in real-world environments through our compulsory placement module
- Have the chance to work in a range of applied settings including elite sport and with local sports teams and their athletes, as well as in schools and in the wider community
- Be supported by world-leading experts in the field of sport and exercise sciences
options available
students accepted
Course accreditations
01
010
This is for you if...
You want to explore how science enhances health, fitness, and elite athletic performance
You are passionate about applying sport and exercise science to transform lives and improve performance
You're interested in hands-on learning and practical experiences in sports settings
You want to develop an excellent transferable skills set that will provide a springboard into multiple careers
You want to study on a course that is recognised by multiple accrediting bodies; a benchmark of quality
All about the course
Our course blends scientific theory with real-world application, preparing you for careers in sport, health, and performance industries. You'll study key disciplines, including physiology, psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, strength & conditioning, performance analysis, and digital skills, developing a strong foundation in sport and exercise science for the modern sports scientist.
With a flexible structure, you can tailor your studies by selecting specialist modules of your choice. Practical learning is central to this course, with access to industry-standard facilities such as human performance labs, strength and conditioning suites, and performance analysis workshops.
A compulsory placement module ensures you gain hands-on experience in professional settings, from elite sports teams to community health organisations. This real-world exposure enhances your employability and helps you build industry connections.
Taught by experienced academics and industry professionals, this course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science, ensuring it meets the highest standards. You’ll have opportunities to engage in research, apply cutting-edge methodologies, and gain professional certifications that enhance your career prospects.
Whether you aspire to work in elite sport, health promotion, research, performance analysis, strength and conditioning, or applied sport science, this course provides the skills, knowledge, and practical experience to succeed in a range of industries.
Bioenergetics and Nutrients
Gain a fundamental understanding of energy metabolism and nutrition in human performance. This module provides a strong foundation for advanced study in metabolism, energetics, and nutrition.
Digital Tools and Skills for Sport and Exercise Science
This unique module supports your transition into higher education, focusing on study skills, digital literacy, and career exploration. You will explore AI and digital tools that enhance learning and their relevance to sport and exercise science careers.
Human Physiology
Investigate the function of major organ systems and how they regulate homeostasis. Using cutting-edge lab equipment, you will develop practical skills to analyse physiological adaptations as true physiologists do in the world sport and exercise science.
Introduction to Sports Biomechanics
Learn core principles of mechanics and biomechanics, collecting and analyzing movement data to optimize human performance. You will learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret basic biomechanical data in relation to sports performance and understand the application of these principles to optimising human performance.
Introduction to Sport Psychology
Explore key psychological theories related to motivation, confidence, and individual differences in sport. You will examine how psychological factors influence performance and apply research to real-world sporting contexts.
Introduction to Sports Science
This module introduces you to the field of sports science and the competencies required as a Sport Scientist. You will be introduced to the concepts of research in sports science through hands-on practical experience. This module will also develop your academic, personal and professional skills to facilitate a successful progression through university and into employment in sports science.
Principles of Training: Health and Performance
This module covers key training principles for sports performance and health. You will study exercise prescription, movement analysis, and foundational anatomy. You will explore the development of cardiovascular fitness, strength, power, speed, and flexibility, applying these principles to enhance athletic performance.
Applied Strength and Conditioning (optional module)
This module provides you with an applied understanding of the theoretical principles of training to enhance athletic performance.
Biomechanics and Performance Analysis
Apply biomechanics and performance analysis concepts to assess and improve sports performance. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, you will gain hands-on experience in data collection and analysis.
Exercise Physiology
Build on first-year foundations to explore the acute and chronic physiological responses to exercise. You will examine cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine adaptations and assess factors that limit performance through practical, lab-based experience.
Lifestyle Medicine 1 (optional module)
Explore health and exercise applications beyond performance settings. This module focuses on exercise as a tool for optimising health and preventing disease, preparing you for roles in public health and preventative medicine.
Psychological Assessment and Strategies for Athletes
This module will focus on psychological assessment and strategies for athletes. You will explore key needs analysis methods used to understand athletes’ psychological needs. Additionally, you will examine psychological strategies that athletes can apply to enhance their mental performance and overall athletic success.
Psychology of Exercise and Health
In this module students will examine health, lifestyle and exercise-related behavioural conditions (such as obesity, addictive behaviour, sedentary behaviour, eating disorders) and their relation to widely used behaviour change models, and the biopsychosocial perspective. Students are encouraged to think of those issues most relevant to sports and exercise populations, as well as the general public.
Research Methods and Study Design
Develop essential research skills for both academic and professional contexts. You will learn to design studies, critically evaluate evidence, and apply statistical analysis to interpret research outcomes through both theoretical and practical sessions.
Sports Nutrition
Gain a strong theoretical and applied understanding of sports nutrition. This module explores the principles of nutritional strategies, from recreational athletes to elite performers, ensuring optimal fuelling for performance and recovery.
Dissertation
Undertake an independent research project on a topic of your choice, working closely with a supervisor. You will develop expertise in research design, data collection, analysis, and synthesis, demonstrating critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for professional practice.
Placement
Gain practical experience in a vocational setting, applying sport and exercise science theories to real-world challenges. You will develop transferable and industry-specific skills, enhancing your employability while reflecting on evidence-based practice.
Your choice of pathway from:
Advanced Strength and Conditioning
This module will provide you with an extended understanding of the principles governing the training of elite athletes focusing on application of the latest research to a real world environment. You will also study Advanced Topics in Exercise Physiology in semester one and Biomechanics and Skill Acquisition in semester two.
Applied Human Performance
This module aims to integrate your knowledge of physiology, nutrition, biomechanics and psychology towards the improvement of sports performance in an athlete. You will apply this knowledge to develop a critical understanding of the practical needs of the athlete. You will also choose two optional modules - modules available to you may include Advanced Topics in Exercise Physiology, Advanced Sport Psychology Practice, Critical Issues and Topics in Sport Psychology.
Advanced Performance Analysis
This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and expertise to actively practice the discipline of Performance Analysis within an elite setting. You will utilise industry standard equipment to assess, monitor, review and improve performance in athletes/teams. You will use multiple methods to increase performance productivity in your clients. You will also study Advanced Topics in Exercise Physiology in semester one and Biomechanics and Skill Acquisition in semester two.
Plus your choice of one module in each semester from the following:
Semester one
Lifestyle Medicine 2
Build on your knowledge from Lifestyle Medicine 1 by exploring the impact of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. You will examine their causes, risk factors, and how lifestyle interventions—physical activity, nutrition, and holistic approaches—compare to medical treatments in improving health outcomes.
Advanced Topics in Exercise Physiology
Explore physiological and environmental factors affecting athletic performance across diverse populations. You will apply advanced testing methods to assess physical performance and interpret data to inform training strategies.
Applied Sports Psychology with Teams
Explore the application of sport psychology within team settings. This module focuses on integrating theory and practice, allowing you to implement psychological strategies to enhance team dynamics.
Semester two
Advanced Topics in Sports Nutrition
Evaluate the role of nutrition in optimising training adaptation and performance. You will develop practical skills to create individualised nutritional strategies for athletes across different sporting contexts.
Advanced Biomechanics
Examine how movement skills and techniques evolve for performance and injury prevention. Using video-based technology, you will develop advanced practical skills to assess and improve athletic movement.
Critical Issues and Topics in Sport Psychology
Analyse emerging themes in sport psychology, critically evaluating theories, research, and interventions. You will assess the current landscape of sport psychology and propose future research directions.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Health and Society
In the School of Health and Society, we are focused on enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients, service users and athletes and our commitment to public involvement help us retain our strong focus on real-world issues.
The University has received approval for a new health building on the Frederick Road campus which will create brand new teaching spaces. Construction will begin in late 2024, with completion expected by Autumn 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub, supporting popular healthcare courses and community services. It will feature sustainable design elements and provide modern clinical facilities to enhance student learning and community engagement. Find out more about our new Health Building.
In time community healthcare clinics will also take place there as partnerships are developed to explore research opportunities and to provide a range of therapeutic sessions.
Sport and Exercise Science Facilities
You will have access to some of the best facilities in the UK, including our purpose-built well-equipped Human Performance Lab, Strength & Conditioning suite and our Exercise and Physiology Laboratory. These facilities include:
- FT700 Ballistic Measurement System
- Multiple sets of Hawkins portable force plates
- 5 AMTI Force Plates situated in a 35m running track
- Qualysis ‘OQUS’ 10 Camera real-time motion analysis system and Markerless motion capture
- Kin Com and Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometers for muscle strength testing
- Portable Kistler force plates
- Various timing systems such timing cells and laser speed guns.
- EMG (electromyography) systems used to measures the electrical activity of muscles and to gather information about the muscular and nervous systems
- Esaote AU5 Ultrasound used to study skeletal muscles, tendons, ligaments and blood flow
- We have a range of cycle and rowing ergometers, four treadmills, and three online gas analysis systems with 12 lead ECG.
- We can perform blood analysis with our Analox GM7 Multi-Assay Blood Analyser and Biosen desktop system to measure blood lactate, glucose and a range of other blood substrates
- BodPod and Seca advanced body composition analysis systems
- A dedicated performance analysis workshop using Nacsport and Wyscout software
- Two team GPS systems including Catapult and GPExe
- HiPod system for field-based video analysis
In addition, we have the usual equipment found in sports science labs such as:
- Polar heart rate monitors
- Harpenden skinfold callipers
- Wingate tests
- Hand grip dynamometers
- Height, weight monitors
- Blood pressure assessment devices
- Spirometers
- Altitude simulators
Take a 360 tour of the facilities.
What about after uni?
The sport and exercise science industry is rapidly expanding in the UK, offering a diverse range of career opportunities. Graduates can pursue roles in sports science support, coaching, health and fitness, teaching, sports development, postgraduate study, and research.
The Strength and Conditioning career route prepares you for roles as a strength and conditioning coach, with opportunities for internships at leading organisations such as Sale Sharks, Manchester Storm, and the English Institute of Sport. The Performance Analysis career route can lead to careers in elite sport as match analysts, scouting and recruitment analysts, talent identification specialists, or technique analysts. The Applied Sport and Exercise Practice career route equips graduates for roles in professional sports teams, health settings, and community-based initiatives.
Many graduates continue onto postgraduate study to further develop research and applied skills. Previous graduates have secured roles at Manchester City Football Club, Salford Red Devils Rugby League Club, Quintic Consultancy, Fitness First, and the NHS. Others use their degree as a stepping stone into teaching or further education.
This degree also provides transferable skills that are highly valued in non-sport sectors such as data science, management, and the Blue Light services, ensuring strong career prospects beyond sport and exercise science.
If you are interested in further study, we also do offer a variety of postgraduate courses which can further enhance your career:
- MSc Strength and Conditioning
- MSc Performance Analysis
- MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology
- MSc Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Training
- Pre-registration health qualifications such as Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Physiotherapy
Career Links
The school partners with many external organisations to support learning, research and translation of practice. We have well established partnerships with Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils whereby our students and staff benefit from working with high performance athletes in placement and research settings. Recently, we have also established a formal partnership with British Wrestling emphasizing our commitment to supporting national governing bodies. In addition to these formal partnerships we also work extensively with many teams and organizations including British Lacrosse, Manchester Storm ice hockey, and most local/regional association football teams.
What you need to know
Applicant profile
We welcome students who have a strong interest in sport, exercise, and health, combined with good academic skills and an enthusiasm for science. Whether you come from a background in sport, coaching, science, personal training, data analysis, or are looking to change career direction, this course offers a dynamic and supportive environment to develop your expertise.
Ideal candidates are motivated, hardworking, and committed, with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Applicants may join straight from school at 18 or after gaining industry experience. A passion for applying scientific principles to enhance performance and health is key to success in this course.
English language requirements
International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5, with no element below 5.5, is proof of this.
GCSE
GCSE at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent) including English Language, Maths and Science. Equivalents accepted. You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS Tariff points
112 UCAS tariff points, including a science or sports-related subject.
A level
112 UCAS tariff points including at least one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Psychology, PE, Sport Studies.
BTEC National Diploma
DMM to include Sports Science, Sports Studies or Applied Science.
T-Level
Merit
Access to HE
112 UCAS tariff points.
Scottish Highers
112 UCAS tariff points to include Maths and/or Science.
Irish Leaving Certificate
112 UCAS Tariff points with Bs in science subjects and:
- English - Higher H6 (D3), Ordinary O5 (C3)
- Maths - Higher H6 (D3), Ordinary O5 (C3)
International Baccalaureate
112 UCAS tariff points.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).
How much?
Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,535 per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,650 per year |
Additional costs
In addition to course fees, students can opt to purchase a course uniform which costs approximately £70. In addition, students may incur other expenses during placements. An optional cost may be incurred to undertake a First Aid qualification should the student wish to do so. Costs are approximated based on the current academic year.
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our International Scholarships.
All set? Let's apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545
Enrolment dates
UCAS information
Course ID C610
Institution S03
