Sport and Exercise Sciences

Undergraduate Degree with Foundation Year School of Life and Health Sciences

Improving human health has never been a bigger global challenge. Get the specialist, practical skills you need to play a part in advancing athletic performance, prevent injuries and help athletes with recovery.

Sport and Exercise Sciences
Entry Tariff

112 UCAS points (or equivalent)

Foundation Year entry: 64 UCAS points (or equivalent)

UCAS Code

C602

C600 (if choosing Foundation Year)

Duration

3 years (full-time)

4 years (full-time) if opting for the additional placement year

4 years (full-time) if opting for Foundation Year entry

Start date

September 2024

Degree Type

BSc (single honours)
Course also available with Foundation Year

Modules

These modules are those we currently offer and may be subject to change.

This course is offered as a degree with foundation year – a four-year programme which provides an additional foundation year at the beginning of the degree, that will give you academic and practical experience, as well as the skills you need to ensure you are equipped to successfully complete your chosen degree.

£2,000 Foundation Scholarships for all home students  

Find out more about our degrees with a foundation year  

 
 
 

This course offers all students the option of a one-year paid work placement, to boost your employability even further. If you choose this route, you will take the placement following year two of your course, and then return to complete your degree.

Why take a placement?

A placement year is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable work experience, to build on the career skills we will teach you on this degree. The connections you make on the placement will improve your career prospects further, and equip you with the skills you need to secure graduate-level employment.

How we support you

The University's Placement and Work Experience Team are experts at helping you to secure a placement. They will work closely with you from the start, helping you research potential employers, discover placement opportunities, create and pitch your CV, and will coach you to perform well in interviews. We aren't able to guarantee a placement, but our sector-leading advisors will give you the best possible chance of securing one.

Find out more about how we'll support you  

We understand that your plans might change once you start your programme. If you decide not to do a placement, you will have the option of completing the three year version of your programme.

Whatever your choice, you will have access to many opportunities for work experience through our Placement and Work Experience Team, and access to face-to-face and 24/7 online careers support.

Study Abroad

This course has the option of studying abroad as part of your degree in your second semester of second year.

With Roehampton Abroad scholarships of up to £1,000 and Turing Scheme funding available, you could spend a semester at one of our partner universities across the globe, with destinations including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.

Find out more about where your degree could take you here.

 

Skills

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Make a difference to humanity with a degree in sports and exercise sciences. 

With this highly ranked course, gain the knowledge and skills to carve out a sustainable career in the health sector.

You’ll gain a strong foundation in the science behind the human body, optimal athletic performance, prevention of injury and athletic recovery by studying three fundamental disciplines:

  • Physiology: Delving into the intricacies of bodily functions.
  • Biomechanics: Unravelling the mechanics of movement and underlying forces.
  • Psychology: Exploring the impact of thoughts on behaviour. 

You will study the latest developments in the field, develop skills in providing sport science support, and have the option of completing a Work Place Learning modules giving you hands-on vocational experience as part of your degree. 

Along with practical laboratory skills (analytical and qualitative), you’ll develop the attributes you need to succeed in the workplace, including:

• Written and spoken communication

• Problem-solving

• Teamwork

• Attention to detail.

You’ll also gain an understanding of the ethics and best practice involved in working with patients.

Your employability is our priority from day one. An optional paid work placement and study abroad option gives you the opportunity to gain professional experience between Years 2 and 3.

When you graduate, you’ll meet the necessary requirements for two Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) accredited qualifications:

• Level 2 gym instructor

• Level 3 personal trainer (subject to endorsement)

These are industry recognised qualifications that you will have the option to apply for, following completion of the necessary modules within the course.

 

How you will learn

Experience a dynamic, contemporary curriculum in state-of-the-art facilities. 

Working in both small groups and individually, you’ll enjoy a mix of lectures and practicals as you work through progressive modules, including:

• Principals of Human Nutrition: addressing the roles of food and drinks and nutrients in maintaining health, dietary requirements, and dietary reference values (DRVs).

• Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology: Learn and appreciate how theory, research and practice relate to one another.

• Biomechanical Analysis of Movement: uncover the application of mechanical principles to the study of how people move.

In Year 3, you’ll have the chance to shape your own studies by conducting research on a self-selected topic. This enables you to explore and develop current knowledge in a chosen area of sports and exercise science before you graduate.

Alternatively, you also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement and/or relevant employability tasks in their 3rd year. The placements and tasks are individualised.

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Throughout the course, you’ll be supported by a dedicated and passionate team of lecturers and sector professionals.

You’ll work in exceptional learning facilities, including:

• Sport and Exercise physiology laboratories equipped for cardiopulmonary testing, biomechanical analysis, lactate measuring, VO2 max, and more.

• Other facilities include a walk-in environmental chamber, our BodPod, on-campus gym and sports courts and sports clubs

• High-spec computer suites, supported by a team of expert laboratory and IT technicians.

You can take advantage of our partnerships with some of London's world-class sports organisations, including Crystal Palace FC, the Lawn Tennis Association Fulham FC, Hercules Wimbledon Athletics Club.

How you'll be assessed

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Push yourself with real-world assignments.

Throughout the course, you’ll experience a wide range of assessments that enhance your understanding and practical skills, while giving you a taste of industry practices. These include:

• online tests

• written examinations

• laboratory reports

• presentations

• essays

• research and data collection projects.

You’ll leave Roehampton with an in-depth understanding of both the theory and the hands-on applications of sports and exercise sciences, ready to take the next step.

In your third year you'll have the option to complete your final year dissertation project in either a ‘by-research’ or in a ‘by-practice’ format. The former is a traditional format suited to those particularly interested in the generation of new knowledge (research). The latter is a novel format, not widely available elsewhere. It is designed for those particularly interested in the provision of sport science support to clients.

This ensures a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical concepts and hands-on applications, preparing you for a well-rounded exploration of sports and exercise sciences.

Career options

Shape the future of public health.

If you’re ready to learn, we’ll help you gain the confidence and opportunities to achieve.

Our Careers team is on hand to help from the start of your studies until after you graduate. Under their guidance you’ll benefit from a wide range of support, including:

• CV building

• Interview preparation

• Mentoring

• Industry connections

• Work experience

• Volunteering opportunities

• Job fairs

• Introductions to future employers.

Our graduates go on to work in different specialisms within sports and exercise sciences, such as:

Exercise Physiology

• Sports Performance Enhancement

• Sports Nutrition

• Biomechanics

• Strength and Conditioning

• Sports Psychology

• Physiotherapy

 

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Many take on a wide range of roles within the sports and exercise science industry, such as:

• Sports science support

• Performance analysis

• Coaching

• Sports development

• Sports administration

• Sports psychologist

• Personal training

With our BSc Sports and Exercise Science degree, you can also continue on to postgraduate study – PhD, MSc, PGCE and begin an academic, research, or teaching career.

Our careers team is available to support you from the start of your studies until after you graduate. We will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and meet and learn from successful graduates working at the top of their careers. You’ll also have opportunities to work with our partners across London and beyond, and to attend a Roehampton jobs fair where you can find out about graduate opportunities and meet employers.

Application Info

How to apply

Undergraduate programmes

 

If you need any help or advice with your application, or just want to ask us a question before you apply, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We welcome applicants with a wide range of qualifications, including BTECs, A-levels and T Levels.

When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential. In some cases, we will make you a contextual offer. Contextual offers ensure that all applicants have a fair opportunity of gaining a place with us, regardless of their background. Find out more about contextual offers.

Detailed advice on applying for an undergraduate degree is available on our How to apply page.

Tuition fees and funding

September 2024 entry tuition fees

Year 1 fees, see links in table below for more information.

UK EU and International Placement year
£9,250 £15,750 £998

Entry tariff

We welcome applications from students studying T Levels.

For all courses we also accept a wide range of other qualifications and experience. Contact us to find out more.

When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential, and can offer flexibility in entry requirements. Find out more about our Contextual Offer scheme.

Specific entry requirements

A-level / BTEC (or equivalent qualification) required in a science, sports science, PE or Psychology subject.

GCSE (or equivalent) requirement: Maths Grade C / 4.

Contact us for further information.

Specific entry requirements

  • IELTS: 4.5 / 5.0 / 5.5 
  • UCAS International Equivalents (64 entry tariff) 
  • 5 GCSE / GCSE passes at grade C/4 or in an international equivalent 

​General entry requirements

International students

Validation and curriculum review

What is validation?
Validation is a formal process through which the University approves a programme (content, teaching, learning and assessment) as being of appropriate standard and quality. This is a normal process used throughout the university sector.

The University expects to publish details of the validated programme in the academic year prior to the start date of the programme. You are advised to check the University website at that time to ensure that you have up-to-date information. In the meantime, if you require information you should contact 0208 392 3232.

What is curriculum review?
Curriculum review is the regular and systematic monitoring and reviewing of programmes. It is a normal process in the sector and it is the way by which the university ensures that your course remains up-to-date and relevant. The process may result in changes to the content, structure and/or assessment of the programme.

The University expects to publish details of the re-validated programme by 31 March in the academic year prior to the start date of the programme. You are advised to check the University website at that time to ensure that you have up-to-date information. In the meantime, if you require information you should contact 0208 392 3232.

Contextual offers

When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential, and can offer flexibility in entry requirements.

Find out more  

Need help before you apply?

Course Facilities

Image -  Our state-of-the-art Sport and Exercise Physiology Laboratory  
  With a huge range of physiological assessment equipment where you can measure lactate threshold, VO2 max, and speed of power output for improving athletic performance in a range of physical and sporting activities.    

Our state-of-the-art Sport and Exercise Physiology Laboratory 

With a huge range of physiological assessment equipment where you can measure lactate threshold, VO2 max, and speed of power output for improving athletic performance in a range of physical and sporting activities.  

Image -  A walk-in environmental chamber  
  A purpose built climatic-controlled chamber where you can investigate exercise performed in hot and cold environments.    

A walk-in environmental chamber 

A purpose built climatic-controlled chamber where you can investigate exercise performed in hot and cold environments.  

Image -  Our BodPod  
  Which measures an individual’s body composition.    

Our BodPod 

Which measures an individual’s body composition.  

Image -  Our Biomechanics Laboratory  
  With advanced optical motion tracking systems and Kistler force plates mounted in the floor to measure ground reaction forces.    

Our Biomechanics Laboratory 

With advanced optical motion tracking systems and Kistler force plates mounted in the floor to measure ground reaction forces.  

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Our Students

“I really enjoy how accessible it is to use the facilities and equipment in the Sports Science laboratories. By having access to the amazing sports science facilities and equipment, and with in-dept lectures about the equipment and how they are used, my knowledge of being a sports scientist has really improved.” 

Ben Seneviratne, BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences  

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