About this course
Your foundation year is the start of your journey where you’ll be introduced to scientific aspects of sport, exercise, and physical activity for health. You’ll take part in lots of practical sessions to apply your theory, developing skills sought by employers and preparing you for potential postgraduate study.
Building on your passion for sport and exercise, we’ll support you in understanding the how and the why of optimising athletic performance.
The course covers various disciplines, including psychology, physiology, biomechanics, performance analysis and nutrition. You’ll get hands-on and apply your knowledge to real-world challenges in our excellent lab facilities.
More than 30 sports and leisure organisations support this course, including the British Olympic Association, Derby Rugby Club, and
the British Association for Sport and Exercise Science. These links get you valuable industry experience alongside learning the theory.
Sport and Wellbeing Academy
Each year a number of our Sport Science students get the chance to work in our Sport and Wellbeing Academy. This exciting opportunity allows you to apply some of the theory you've learned in a real-world environment and develop the skills needed for working in industry. Working alongside our experienced Senior Exercise Practitioners you'll have the opportunity to deliver exercise programmes to help improve the health and wellbeing of the local community.
You can also work with local schools to implement 'The Daily Mile' which improves the fitness and concentration of their pupils. NTU's sports teams are currently in the top ten in the BUCS league (British Universities and Colleges Sport). Our aim is to reach the top and working in the Academy gives you the opportunity to work with our teams on their training, performance and nutrition to make this dream a reality. Find out more about the Academy...
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Get work experience in our Sport and Wellbeing Academy. You'll work on improving the health and wellbeing of the local community, schools and our sports teams. -
Top 20 in the UK for teaching quality in Sport Science (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024) -
Top 10 University for Sport in the British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Championship
What you’ll study
During your first year you’ll be introduced to key topics in sport and exercise science, such as anatomy and physiology, psychology of health and wellbeing, and current topics in sport. There’s also a focus on developing your academic and professional skills. These are year-long modules which will really set you up for success in your degree and your career after graduation.
Sport and exercise scientists improve performance, and at NTU that's what we are passionate about. We help sportsmen and women raise their game while keeping them healthy and limiting the risk of injury. Just as sportsmen and women need the support of sport scientists, industry, healthcare, education and the public sector need conscientious, critical thinkers who know how to interact well with others, set and achieve goals and enthuse those around them. We will teach you how to do all of this and more.
Who will teach me?
The Sport Science team addresses contemporary issues within sport, exercise and physical activity. We take a reality-based approach to education where you are encouraged to put theory into practice. We provide you with multiple opportunities for hands-on learning through innovative teaching methods, lab work, industry placements and consultancy.
Sport at NTU
As well as offering a wide range of sporting activities organised by the Students' Union, the NTU is in the top 10 of all UK universities competing in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league, which take place on Wednesday afternoons throughout the year. From rugby and football to swimming and rowing, there is chance to get involved with sports at all levels. Find out more about the sport and lifestyle programmes at NTU.
Fitness, Training and Testing (20 credit points)
Learn how to assess fitness levels, gauge training effectiveness, and pinpoint areas for improvement. Perform these tests, prioritize client needs, and communicate key findings while recommending training techniques for better performance.
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (20 cp)
Understand the body's major physiological systems in relation to sport and exercise through practical experiments. You’ll learn anatomical terminology and the locations of organs, muscles, and bones.
Academic Skills for Sport and Exercise Science (20 cp)
Develop your key academic skills such as writing, research, and collaboration. You’ll gain valuable research skills and learn how to critically use and evaluate information sources.
Professional Skills for Sport and Exercise Science (20 cp)
This module runs for the whole of your foundation year and focuses on enhancing your professional skills through learning tasks. It emphasizing the importance of engaging in extra and co-curricular activities for professional growth.
Current Topics in Sport (20 cp)
You’ll be introduced to current topics in sport science, coaching, management, nutrition, and health. Exploring current research, you’ll write a persuasive article that addresses one of the current topics introduced in this module.
Psychology of Health and Wellbeing (20 cp)
Explore the impact of exercise on health and wellbeing in this module. Study evidence showcasing psychological benefits of physical activity. You’ll gain practical insights into applying theories to promote physical activity, focusing on strategies and interventions for improved health and wellbeing.
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Physiology (20 credit points)
This module provides the foundations of the key human systems (both anatomical and physiological) and their responses and
adaptations to sport and exercise.
Foundations in Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 cp)
Examine the psychological consequences of engaging in sport and exercise, as well as the mental factors that impact on quality
sport and exercise experiences.
Introduction to Human Movement Science (20 cp)
Learn about the theoretical and practical aspects of biomechanics relevant to understanding motion of the human body and the forces generated or experienced by the human body.
Sport, Culture and Society: a Critical Introduction (20 cp)
Explore the importance of the social sciences in the understanding of sport and in the education of every sports professional.
Foundation Nutrition (20 cp)
Learn the essential principles and concepts of nutrition, focusing upon the structure and function of nutrients, the effects of
consumption and the methods for assessing nutritional intake and status.
Developing Academic and Research Skills (20 cp)
Get an overall perspective of the research process in the context of sport, exercise, health and leisure management, and learn the research skills necessary to successfully complete your studies.
Core modules:
Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology (20 cp)
Through theoretical and practical study, you will learn how bouts of physical exercise alter the body’s structures and functions and how these concepts can be applied to training.
Practical Applications in Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 cp)
This module introduces the concept of evidence-based practice and frameworks of assessment, intervention and evaluation to address issues in sport, coaching, and social and exercise psychology.
Analysis of Human Movement Science for Sport (20 cp)
Building on the biomechanical principles studied in Year One, you will develop the skills required to explain measurable human movements and forces using biomechanical theories.
Integrated Applied and Professional Skills (20 cp)
Using enquiry-based learning, you will continue to learn about the research process and gain an understanding and experience of how research is conducted within sports and exercise science.
Sport and Exercise Nutrition (20 cp)
Understand the role nutrition has on an athlete’s performance. You’ll study the physiological and biochemical processes the human body performs to access the nutritional components of the food we eat. Following an evaluation of dietary needs, you’ll be able to design a nutritional plan to optimise training and performance in sport at all levels.
Optional modules - choose one module from:
Clinical Exercise Physiology (20 cp)
Develop your understanding of how disease states affect physiological processes to impede exercise capacity and how exercise training can improve health and wellbeing.
Sociology of Sport, Health and the Body (20 cp)
Develop a critical understanding of the active body in society by connecting fundamental theories and concepts with personal experiences, professional challenges, and popular cultural examples.
Core modules:
Sport Project and Dissertation (40 cp)
You will produce an original and independent piece of work in a specialist area of sport and exercise science depending on your focus of study.
Applied Sport Science (20 cp)
Adopt a multidisciplinary approach to sport and exercise science and develop case studies that apply at disciplines of sport and exercise science science.
Optional modules - choose one from:
Strength, Power and Endurance for Sport and Exercise (20 cp)
This module typically focuses on six topics related to applied exercise physiology and strength and conditioning research.
Advanced Topics in Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 cp)
You will become familiar with selected areas such as motivational climate, athletic identity, mental toughness, psychology of injury and morality in sports. The emphasis of this module will be placed on current primary research.
Performance Analysis (20 cp)
Explore a range of performance analysis approaches and methodologies using industry-standard hardware and software. You’ll learn the skills for collating, preparing, and analysing performance data before developing recommendations to maximise performance.
Transforming Sport: Sustainability and Social Justice (20 cp)
Study and challenge the accepted beliefs and practices of those who govern and promote sport. Drawing on a variety of topics, this module presents a case for sport sociology as an agent of positive change in sport.
Choose one from:
Applied Human Movement Science for Sport (20 cp)
This module addresses, in the context of biomechanics, how to improve and / or optimise human performance and to understand how human performance can be affected by or result in dysfunction.
Current Topics in Sport and Exercise Nutrition (20 cp)
This module provides the fundamental knowledge and understanding that underpins the relationship between nutrition and exercise performance.
Challenging Critical Issues in Sport (20 cp)
You'll analyse complex problems such as sports injury, drug use in sports and inequality and develop potential solutions using positive social changes.
Talent Development in Sport (20 cp)
This module will explore a critical view of the role of talent development in sports, focusing on the psychosocial, environmental, and personal factors that can influence the talent development process.
Choose one from:
Performance Skill and Expertise in Sport (20 cp)
This module outlines how human movement and motor programs are initiated, controlled, learned, taught and performed.
Environmental Sports Physiology (20 cp)
This module outlines some physiological adaptations that occur when the human body is exposed to an extreme environment.
Disease, Illness and Injury (20 cp)
Investigate injury management and illnesses that occur in sports and exercise. You'll examine the epidemiology, mechanisms and risk factors and the use of strategies to avoid and lessen the occurrence of sports injuries and illnesses.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
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How you're taught
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- lectures - covering the key theories
- seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
- practical sessions - using our extensive range of industry-standard facilities
- workshops - this includes surgery sessions where you’ll meet with your lecturer in small groups to discuss any problems or work through challenging topics.
The rest of your time will be spent carrying out independent study such as reading textbooks and lecture notes, and working on exercises.
Study abroad opportunities
Get ready to embark on an adventure with our study abroad programs at partner universities or by getting a work placement overseas. Both opportunities will boost your employability, build lifelong friendships, and allow you to experience the world in a whole new way.
Research informed teaching
Our research is tackling real-world issues – and the people working on this research will be teaching you. It also informs the subjects you’ll be studying with us so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 100% of NTU's Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
How you're assessed
People excel in different ways, and we want everybody to have the best possible chance of success. That’s why we’ve adopted a range of assessment types, including:
- coursework, including group projects, case studies, dissertation and other assignments
- practical assessments, such as individual and group presentations, laboratory assessments and reports
- exams and tests, including formal exams, written tests and multiple-choice.
Careers and employability
Your career development
This course will enable you to develop and apply a range of essential, transferable management skills greatly respected by employers.
Our recent BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science graduates have secured roles at companies including:
- NHS
- Northampton Saints Rugby Club
- Derby College
- Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur Football Clubs
- Excel Sport Coaching
- International Football Association
- David Lloyd
- Ministry of Defence
They have gone into a wide variety of job roles, including:
- Respiratory Physiologist
- Assistant Performance Analyst
- Sales and Marketing Consultant
- performance analyst
- Community Football Programme Worker
- Junior Sports Science Intern
You can also undertake further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees.
Throughout your time with us, you will have many opportunities to:
- put theory into practice
- gain valuable experience
- develop the skills that will prepare you for the career of your choice.
Placements
Top 10 for the number of sport science students on year-long placements (HESA 2021/22)
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with various career programmes and events.
On this course, after your second year, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you a chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.
Our recent Engineering students have taken placements across a wide range of companies, including the NHS, Nottingham Forest Academy, Leicester Tigers Rugby, local councils, and swimming clubs. They secured varied roles such as Physical Activity Coordinator, Trainee Sports Scientist, Performance Analyst and Strength Conditioning Coach.
You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you complete your placement, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.
Find out more about work placements.
Throughout your time with us you will have many opportunities through the placement and consultancy projects to put theory into practice, gain valuable experience, and develop the skills that will prepare you for the career of your choice.
Currently, over 30 sport and leisure organisations support this course, providing you with invaluable industry experience, including:
- British Olympic Association
- England Hockey
- Nottingham Forest Football Club
- Derby Rugby Club
- British Association for Sport and Exercise Science.
As well as the new placement option, you will undertake research and consultancy projects with various leading organisations and agencies during this course.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their businesses.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Erasmus Darwin and CELS Buildings with access to facilities including an environmental chamber, biomechanics lab, and nutrition suite:
We have the stimulating and creative environment needed to equip students with the knowledge and transferable skills to put them ahead of the graduate crowd. We provide first-class facilities that enhance the quality of our education and push the boundaries of our research, these include:
The University has a wide range of sporting and health-related facilities across three of our campuses. You will have access to:
- sport coaching
- sports injury clinics
- fitness suites
- specialist facilities
- more than 40 sports clubs.
Sport, Exercise and Health Physiology Laboratories
Our laboratories are fully equipped with specialist facilities. You will find high-quality, dynamic learning environment to cater for different types of exercise testing and physical activity.
British Olympic Association (BOA) Approved Environmental Chamber
This chamber enables us to simulate climates anywhere in the world, from Everest to Egypt. Olympic athletes have used the chamber to acclimatise to extreme competition environments.
Biomechanics and Performance Analysis Suite
Our Biomechanics and Performance Analysis Suite includes isokinetic and isometric dynamometers for assessment of force produced by muscle groups of the body. You will also find a 3D camera motion analysis system.
Culinary Skills Teaching Kitchen and the Clifton Sports Hub Nutrition Suite
You will have the opportunity to develop your cooking skills and deliver cook and eat sessions in our Culinary Skills Teaching Kitchen and the Clifton Sports Hub Nutrition Suite.
IT, Sport Psychology and Management Suites
The School also features IT, Sport Psychology and Management Suites. These are used for analysing following:
- matches
- statistics
- nutrition
- coaching
You will also have a host of sporting clubs and societies to get involved in.
Your campus
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
Your city
Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. As well as offering a great social scene, it’s one of the UK’s key sporting hubs, home to the iconic Trent Bridge Cricket Ground; Notts County (the world’s oldest professional football league club) and two-time European Cup-winners Nottingham Forest; the Nottingham Tennis Centre, the National Ice Centre, and the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont; plus rugby union, rugby league, hockey and ice hockey teams.
Entry requirements
UK students
- Standard offer: 72 UCAS Tariff points from three A-level or equivalent
- Other requirements: GCSE - English grade C / 4, Maths grade C / 4 and PE or Science grade C / 4
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
You may be interested in this course if you want to study sport science but haven’t studied a PE or Science subject at A-level or equivalent, or if you don't meet the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to three different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
- Academic entry requirements: 72 UCAS Tariff points from three A-level or equivalent. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
- Other requirements : GCSE - English grade C / 4, Maths grade C / 4 and PE or Science grade C / 4
- English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
You may be interested in this course if you want to study sport science but haven’t studied a PE or Science subject at A-level or equivalent, or if you don't meet the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
