...is about the performance of individuals and teams in competitive situations or extreme conditions. It largely concentrates on elite activity and on the application of science to help athletes to maximise performance

...utilises the same core scientific disciplines but applies these to broader range populations with a focus on health and disease, fitness and rehabilitation

Exercise physiologists study how body systems function during exercise and how they respond to long-term exercise training. This includes the study of physiological variables such as those related to: metabolism; respiration; body composition; muscle function; the nervous, pulmonary and cardiovascular systems and nutrition. These may then be used to investigate physiological responses to training and help athletes maximise their physiological potential, or to provide insight into the causes of cardio-respiratory disease and its prevention, for example.

Biomechanics is the application of the principles of Newtonian mechanics to the study and understanding of human movement and the muscular and skeletal systems. The optimum performance of any athlete is constrained by these principles, just as all injury results from the mechanical failure of one or more biological tissues. Topics studied in this discipline include: the physics of motion; mechanical principles involved in skilled sporting performance; mechanics of sports injury and rehabilitation and the techniques of biomechanical analysis of performance. As well as helping athletes and coaches understand what makes particular techniques work to improve performance, there are strong links between the study of biomechanics and the engineering of sports equipment both to improve performance and reduce injury risk and to the work undertaken by physiotherapists and orthopaedic medicine specialists seeking to understand conditions such as osteo- arthritis and cerebral palsy.

Motor control is the study of the mechanisms that enable human movements to be produced and controlled and how movement skills are learned. Motor Control scientists ask questions about what needs to be controlled when we perform skilled tasks, how we learn to do this, and how we are able to co-ordinate the vast range of both simple and complex movements that are involved in this performance. This can be applied to helping our understanding of an athletes ability to develop the appropriately high level of skill necessary for a winning performance in their sport but also is necessary in the design of rehabilitation routines to help, for example, patients recover function following stroke or spinal cord injury.

Sport and exercise psychology is concerned with the thoughts, feelings and emotions of individuals and how these influence human behaviour in sport and exercise settings. Topics include: psychological health and well-being; anxiety; motivation; group processes; social influences; psychological skills training; personality and adherence to training or rehabilitation programmes. The psychology of an athlete is fundamental to their ability to perform optimally in any given environment and to the development of effective coach-athlete relationships. But, psychology also plays a fundamental role in the understanding of pathological behaviour such as exercise addiction and eating disorders.

A Level or Advanced Higher: AAA-ABB from 3 A2/Advanced Higher including a science subject OR both Psychology and PE in place of a science at A2. General studies excluded.

We consider applications on an individual basis and an offer will depend on the information given on your UCAS form. Applications are assessed from a combination of the following; the balance, nature and quality of A2, AS and GCSE subjects (or equivalents); the referee's comments and your personal statement.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF): We will consider applicants with either the Applied Science or Sport and Exercise Science Extended Diploma. Our typical offer in both cases is DDD. For students taking the BTEC Sport and Exercise Sciences Extended Diploma, we would also expect applicants to achieve Distinctions in 12 out of the 14 following units: Anatomy for Sport and Exercise, Sport and Exercise Physiology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Research Methods for Sport and Exercise Science, Research Project in Sport and Exercise Sciences, Sports Biomechanics in Action, Exercise, Health and Lifestyle, Fitness Testing for Sport and Exercise, Analysis of Sports Performance, Sports Nutrition, Sports Injuries, Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology, Laboratory and Experimental Methods in Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Please note that we do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence), Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness) or Sport (Outdoor Adventure) unless accompanied by at least one A2 qualification from Biology, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Psychology. In this case distinctions would be required in the BTEC and A in the A2 level.

International Baccalaureate: 38-34 (with 18-16 at HL) including 6 in a science and another science or science-related subject at HL.

Irish Leaving Certificate: AAAAAB-AAABBB including an A in a HL science and another science or science-related subject at HL.

Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.

Cambridge Pre-U: D3/D3/D3-D3/M2/M2 including Pre-U Biology plus one other science or science-related subject.

Science subjects: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.
Science- related subjects: Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, ICT, P.E, Psychology, Science in Society, Statistics and Sports Science.

If you are interested in this programme, apply via UCAS for the standard BSc programme above. We will provide you with further details of the placement and study abroad schemes in year one, and you can transfer at the end of year two (subject to academic performance).

Read more about Industrial Placements

If you are interested in this programme, apply via UCAS for the standard BSc programme above. We will provide you with further details of the placement and study abroad schemes in year one, and you can transfer at the end of year two (subject to academic performance).

Read more about Study Year Abroad

A Level or Advanced Higher: AAA from 3 A2/Advanced Higher including a science subject OR both Psychology and Sports Science/PE in place of a science at A2. General studies excluded.

International Baccalaureate: 38 (with 18 at HL) including 6 in a science and another science or science-related subject at HL.

Irish Leaving Certificate: AAAAAB including an A in a HL science and another science or science-related subject at HL.

Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.

Cambridge Pre-U: D3/D3/D3 including Pre-U Biology plus one other science or science-related subject.

Applications are assessed from a combination of the following; the balance, nature and quality of A2, AS and GCSE subjects (or equivalents); the referee's comments and your personal statement.

Science subjects: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.
Science- related subjects: Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, ICT, P.E, Psychology, Science in Society, Statistics and Sports Science.

This is a double credit module and provides the foundation for all further study in physiology. It introduces students to each of the core body systems as well as providing a grounding in such topics as biochemistry and in molecular and cellular biology. As well as formal lectures the module makes innovative use of online learning support materials and assessments.

One of the main proposes of this double credit module is to help students bridge the gap between school level and university level learning. Using a wide variety of teaching and learning methods including; lecturers, seminars, tutorials and workshops, students develop their verbal and written communication skills through group and individual activities, engage in scientific debate and criticism and practice a range of transferable laboratory and IT skills. As part of this module students are expected to take a minimum of 25 hours worth of experience outside of the course: these can include the completion of sports governing body coaching awards, volunteering or short work placements.

Students study modules in each of the core sports science disciplines in their first year: in this module the focus is on the mechanics of human movement. Our approach recognises the varying scientific and mathematical backgrounds of students entering the BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree schemes and is designed to ensure that all students receive grounding in the fundamental concepts of the mechanical study of sport and exercise on which the more advanced modules in mechanics and biomechanics are based. The objective of the module is to develop students understanding of and ability to conceptualise human motion clearly and unambiguously in a sports or exercise context. This will be developed through the analysis of the Newton's Laws of Motion and their implications to human physical activity, including an exploration of force and its concepts, including: gravity, friction and impact of momentum, work and energy. In addition to formal lectures, teaching is undertaken in small group tutorials and laboratory practicals and specially developed online workshops using the University's Virtual Learning Environment.

Building on the material covered in the foundations of physiology module, this unit begins to focus on the application of physiology to the study of human physical activity and in particular the control and function of the heart and respiration. Topics covered include the factors responsible for controlling blood pressure and flow of blood to tissues and the ventilation of the lungs, respiration and the control of these processes. Throughout an emphasis will be placed on how and why the systems and their control are important for exercise.

This double credit module is designed to help students develop the skills required of a professional sport and exercise scientist from data handling and interpretation and the statistical analysis of experimental data to the consideration of ethical issues in sports science practice. Students are also encouraged to start the process of thinking about their career options and are given guidance and practice in CV writing and the completing of job applications through to interview practice and client handling. As with the first year tutorial and skills module, students are expected to undertake additional experience through the development of their coaching skills, volunteering or short work placements. This is an ideal opportunity for those wishing to complete a PGCE after graduation to obtain the classroom experience increasingly required for acceptance on these courses.

This module includes: group processes, cohesion, collective efficacy, leadership, behaviour modification, social influence, socialisation, talent development, and gender issues in sport and exercise. Practical work will include developing and delivering a theory-based team-building intervention as well as a lab-report centred around group dynamics.

In this double credit module students will develop their understanding of the prominent theories of motor control and learning guide research and practice by exploring the key variables that influence the learning, retention and transfer of movement skills. Topics covered will include: stages of learning, theories of learning, the dynamical systems approach to learning, the role of feedback and the distribution, variability and principles of practice.

Based on the solid grounding in both pure and applied exercise physiology obtained in the first year, students, through this double module, now embark on the detailed investigation of the physiology of sport and exercise and in particular the biochemical processes comprising aerobic and anaerobic metabolism and how this is related to performance and of the regulation of the cardiovascular, ventilation and the acid based systems. Topics covered include: maximal oxygen uptake, excess/post-exercise oxygen consumption and the lactate threshold; the physiological responses to both acute and chronic exercise in the endurance and anaerobic performer; nutritional requirements for performance or health and physiological adaptations to activity and inactivity for performance or health.

Many of the previous modules studied on this course necessarily focus on an individual discipline within the sport and exercise sciences. This double module is designed to allow students to reflect on the relationship between these disciplines and on the implications of these relationships for the their practical application. Following a series of key note lectures by researchers from each of the core disciplines and smaller group tutorials, students undertake two major literature based projects: one investigating the interdisciplinary nature of sports injury and second exploring the importance of the need for an awareness of the other disciplines within sports science when undertaking and interpreting the result of experiments in a single discipline.

This module brings together the disciplines of biomechanics and motor control to investigate the experimental and clinical techniques used to objectively assess human movement. The techniques used to measure motion including; video analysis, 3-dimensional motion tracking, force platforms and in-shoe pressure measurement devices will be investigated from a theoretical standpoint and through lab-based practice. How the data resulting from these measurements is used in practice will then be discussed through the use of contemporary clinical and research examples in both biomechanics and motor control.

Through their application to core sporting activities - running, jumping, throwing and striking - the biomechanical principles learnt in Year 1 and Year 2 are applied to the investigation of current research themes in the study of sports performance. A core theme through this module is the importance of modelling in various forms to assist in the objective and systematic analysis of complex human activity.

This module explores the role of medicine and nutrition while examining the health benefits of exercise. Students will gain a critical understanding of sports medicine and the nutritional and practical dietary needs for those involved in sport and for maintenance of health. Topics covered include: the importance of exercise as prevention for cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic psychiatric diseases; the management of sporting injuries on and off the field of play; the principles and practice of rehabilitation; sports medicine provision; the role of nutrition in enhancing performance and nutrition and its relationship to health and rehabilitation.

This is a double credit module and provides the foundation for all further study in physiology. It introduces students to each of the core body systems as well as providing a grounding in such topics as biochemistry and in molecular and cellular biology. As well as formal lectures the module makes innovative use of online learning support materials and assessments.

One of the main proposes of this double credit module is to help students bridge the gap between school level and university level learning. Using a wide variety of teaching and learning methods including; lecturers, seminars, tutorials and workshops, students develop their verbal and written communication skills through group and individual activities, engage in scientific debate and criticism and practice a range of transferable laboratory and IT skills. As part of this module students are expected to take a minimum of 25 hours worth of experience outside of the course: these can include the completion of sports governing body coaching awards, volunteering or short work placements.

Students study modules in each of the core sports science disciplines in their first year: in this module the focus is on the mechanics of human movement. Our approach recognises the varying scientific and mathematical backgrounds of students entering the BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree schemes and is designed to ensure that all students receive grounding in the fundamental concepts of the mechanical study of sport and exercise on which the more advanced modules in mechanics and biomechanics are based. The objective of the module is to develop students understanding of and ability to conceptualise human motion clearly and unambiguously in a sports or exercise context. This will be developed through the analysis of the Newton's Laws of Motion and their implications to human physical activity, including an exploration of force and its concepts, including: gravity, friction and impact of momentum, work and energy. In addition to formal lectures, teaching is undertaken in small group tutorials and laboratory practicals and specially developed online workshops using the University's Virtual Learning Environment.

Building on the material covered in the foundations of physiology module, this unit begins to focus on the application of physiology to the study of human physical activity and in particular the control and function of the heart and respiration. Topics covered include the factors responsible for controlling blood pressure and flow of blood to tissues and the ventilation of the lungs, respiration and the control of these processes. Throughout an emphasis will be placed on how and why the systems and their control are important for exercise.

... If in doubt, please contact us to verify course content and availability. Whilst the University endeavours to ensure that the information on this website is accurate at the date of publication it does not accept liability for any inaccuracies. The University reserves the right to change or cancel its courses or services at any time without liability even after students have registered at the University. The University's contract with its students does not confer third party benefits for the purposes of Contracts (Right of Third Parties) Act 1999.