No doubt one of the best decisions I have ever made. From day one, the lecturers, sports lab team and PhD students create an open, supportive and knowledgeable approach to learning, which will help to springboard you throughout your degree.
Claire
No doubt one of the best decisions I have ever made. From day one, the lecturers, sports lab team and PhD students create an open, supportive and knowledgeable approach to learning, which will help to springboard you throughout your degree.
Claire
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UCAS code:
C600Location(s):
CanterburyThis course is also available with a Foundation Year.
Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year
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Overview
Explore the science behind sports performance and physical activity under the guidance of a dynamic team of research-active staff.
You will study a range of topics, all with an emphasis on real-life application. Choose from pathways in sport and exercise sciences, competitive sport performance or exercise and health outcomes.
Our labs give you the opportunity to measure and assess physical activity in athletes. You can also gain experience in our consultancy service, SportsLab, using your knowledge to help athletes improve their performance.
Why Study Sport and Exercise Science?
Sport and Exercise Science is a great choice if you want to focus your studies on the relationship between exercise and the human body. It involves exploring the body at a cellular level and analysing the impact of sport and exercise on the body as a whole.
On our applied Sport and Exercise Science course you'll explore sports performance and the factors that affect behaviour in sport. You'll gain a solid understanding of the science behind sport and exercise while developing practical skills in our dedicated labs. Key areas that you'll study include biomechanics, physiology, psychology and sociology.
We offer excellent resources in our dedicated labs, so you can carry out research and apply yourself using specialist equipment including: eye tracker technology; brain imaging equipment (EEG); reaction timers; gas analysis systems; cardiac screening equipment; 3D imaging; isokinetic and balance dynamometry; sprint timing systems and other sport/exercise related equipment (treadmills and weights, for example).
Entry requirements
A typical offer would be 88-112 UCAS Tariff points to reflect the tariff points.
88-112
UCAS Points
All about the course
Throughout the course, you'll study modules that focus on:
- Sport and Exercise Biomechanics – the analysis of human movement during sport, exercise and rehabilitation.
- Sport and Exercise Physiology – the study of the energy provision, system physiology, physiological responses and adaptations.
- Sport and Exercise Psychology – the cognitive, emotional and behavioural consequences of participation in sport or physical activity, the ways in which physical, motor and perceptual skills are learned and coached.
- Sport and Exercise Sociology – sociocultural relations, historical development of sport, sport media relations, sport in stratified societies, sport subcultures and global sport development.
If you are a combined honours student, you will have the flexibility to study more or less of these disciplines, depending on what and how you choose to study in your other subject.
If you are a single honours student, you will have the choice of selecting one of three pathways when you complete your first year of study. These are:
- Sport and Exercise Science (Sport Performance) – allowing you to focus your studies on the science of competitive sport.
- Sport and Exercise Science (Exercise & Health) – allowing you to focus your studies on the science of physical activity, fitness and wellbeing.
- Sport and Exercise Science – allowing you to study a broad range of areas related to the science underpinning health, fitness and competitive sport outcomes.
If you are a single honours student, all of these pathways include the core modules of Research Methods and Career Skills Development in Year 2 and either Applied Research Study or Research and Career Planning in your final year.
Module information
Please note that the list of optional modules and their availability may be subject to change. We continually review and where appropriate, revise the range of modules on offer to reflect changes in the subject and ensure the best student experience.
In Year One combined honours students will take three core modules. These modules differ depending on the combining subject. They have been set to meet the learning needs of the combined honours subject and align with the specific combination. You can see the list of core modules for each combination here.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You will be taught through a combination of real and virtual lectures, seminars, practical sessions, labs, workshops and tutorials.
Seminars and tutorials in smaller groups will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and other sessions. In addition, you will meet with your personal academic tutor on a regular basis.
All courses are informed by the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015-2022.
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for workshops, seminars, coursework and examinations.
Each module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before and/or after class to support your learning and development. Your allocated personal academic tutor will help you review your performance, and support your independent learning.
Your overall workload typically consists of 10-14 contact hours per week. You will also undertake 15-20 hours of independent learning and assessment related activity each week.
During each semester you will normally study three modules, so each module will have a 10-12 hour commitment per week.
The teaching team consists of highly qualified academics, supported by a skilled technical team. They have a range of expertise and experience across the breadth of disciplines in science generally, and sport and exercise science specifically.
The majority of staff hold the highest academic qualification (doctorate), with a small number of staff working towards achieving this standard. Staff are research-active and many of the teaching team are at the forefront of their research fields in the UK and beyond. They have substantial experience in delivering research led and research informed teaching.
You can find out more about the current teaching teams on our Sport and Exercise Sciences Staff web pages. You should note that members of the teaching team might change.
Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars.
We will develop your professional coaching skills and enhance your knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of sport coaching.
Dr Andrew BalsdonProgramme Director, Sport Coaching Science
National Student Survey 2020
of our Sport & Exercise Science students were satisfied with the quality of their course
How you’ll be assessed
The course frequently provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Many modules contain practice or 'formative' assessments or similar submissions for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Formative or practice assessments and submissions are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.
The formal or 'summative' assessments on each module are planned to take account of two inter dependent aspects - the acquisition of relevant theory / principles, and the development of both academic and practical skills.
Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios,
presentations, your final year project (dissertation) and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
National Student Survey 2020
of our Sport & Exercise Science students were satisfied with the academic support
Your future career
The Sport and Exercise Science degree opens up routes into teaching, through the PGCE (e.g. Physical Education), and prepares you for further postgraduate study at all levels through to PhD. It also qualifies you for roles in sport, physical activity and health administration and research, health and fitness publishing, as well as the expanding leisure industry.
In addition, it provides an excellent foundation for careers in the public sector, including the medical professions (cardiac rehabilitation, physiotherapy, health promotion and medical sales), whilst both the armed and police forces have looked favourably upon our graduates.
Wherever your career aspirations lie, a successfully completed Sport and Exercise Science degree will equip you with both the specific and generic knowledge and skills that may provide that essential ‘edge’ when trying to make a mark in today’s competitive job and postgraduate degree market.
Christ Church gave me a chance - they saw my potential based on the skills and experience I'd gained in the marines. Now four year later with a degree and MSc in Exercise Physiology I'm about to start a PhD.
HarrySport and Exercise Science student
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18
of our Sport & Exercise Science students were in jobs or further study 15 months after finishing their course
Combination courses
Combines well
Biology
BSc
Combines well
Tourism Studies
BA or BSc
Combines well
Applied Criminology
BA or BSc
Combined UCAS Codes
| Courses | UCAS Code | Placement Year |
| American Studies | CT67 | - |
| Applied Criminology | MC96 | - |
| Biology | C1C6 | - |
| Business Management | NC16 | N1C7 |
| Dance | WC56 | - |
| Digital Media | GC46 | - |
| Early Childhood Studies | CX63 | - |
| English Language | QC36 | - |
| English Literature | CQ63 | - |
| History | CV61 | - |
| Marketing | CN65 | N5C7 |
| Psychology | CC86 | - |
| Tourism Studies | NC86 | - |
Fees
The 2020/21 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK / EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 | £13,000 |
| Part-time | £4,625 | N/A |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
Please read the 2020/21 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding 2020/21 tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Surprising Terms
You will require 55% in the year two Research Methods and Career Skills Development module to select the Applied Research Study module in year three.
Specialist Facilities
As a student of Sport and Exercise Sciences, you will have access to our well-equipped laboratories that are used to measure and assess sport and exercise performance. You will also have the opportunity to work within our consultancy unit SportsLab, through which we work with professional athletes, conducting performance-related tests and using our expertise to help athletes boost their performance either as an individual or as a team.
One member of staff within the Section of Sport and Exercise Sciences broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest 100km treadmill run (6 hours, 40 minutes and 35 seconds) – completed in our laboratory!
Industry Links
Our course, research and consultancy work are continually developed with consideration of advances and relevant stakeholder needs within the wider health and fitness industry. We are currently one of 12 Universities working with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) to develop professional standards in the sector which are aligned with Higher Education qualifications.
Selected staff are accredited by or registered with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), the British Psychological Society (BPS), the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and/or the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Many members of the teaching staff hold coaching qualifications awarded by a range of national governing bodies.
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