Sport and Exercise Science

Join us to enhance your scientific and analytical understanding of sport and exercise – ultimately aiming to improve both performance and health.

You’ll explore a wide range of captivating topics – from anatomy and biomechanics to physiology, psychology and nutrition.

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Throughout the course, you will acquire knowledge about how the body responds to and adapts to exercise. You’ll learn through teaching, working and doing – learning strategies to optimise sports performance and understanding techniques that promote positive behavioural changes for better overall health.

You’ll learn from accomplished staff who are actively engaged in research across all levels of sport. Because Sheffield is home to sports clubs in every major sport in the UK, you will benefit from our fantastic local ties with elite clubs and organisations. From football to ice hockey, basketball to rugby, Sheffield offers a diverse sporting landscape.

You learn through:

Key themes

You’ll explore theoretical, philosophical and practical aspects of sport and exercise science, offering insights into graduate roles in sports, physical activity and other professional settings. You’ll study topics like physiology, biomechanics, psychology, nutrition, coaching and physical activity – as well as key skills in digital capability and critical thinking.

This degree is aligned to the jobs market and growth in the sector. Performance analysis, strength and conditioning are all areas with growing career opportunities, so you will gain in-depth knowledge in these areas.

With flexible course pathways and assessments, you’re able to customise your studies based on your future career aspirations. Then in your final year, you can really focus on where your passions take you. Build your learning around your aspirations.

Course support

The course is designed to help you demonstrate your learning outcomes – with authentic assessment activities relating to real-world scenarios, your specific goals and your skills development.

These support roles include:

Work placements

There’s a mandatory short placement at the end of your second year. Over a minimum of 120 hours, you will be learning while you work and preparing to progress into employment after you graduate.

Field trips

On field trips you will be able to understand how your learning is applied first-hand to real-world situations, gaining valuable insight into working practice.

Networking opportunities

Your employability is enhanced by the involvement of employers and industry partners – from the real-world projects you complete to the opportunities to build networks at careers fairs and workshops.