Study sport and exercise science and graduate with a university degree

How do sport, exercise and physical activity benefit health and wellbeing? How do our body systems respond to acute exercise and adapt to training? What factors influence our participation in physical activity and ability to benefit from it? This course explores these issues by studying the body’s systems, their regulation and the effects of exercise.

You’ll study biological sciences such as cell biology, genetics and molecular biology alongside sport and exercise physiology, nutrition, and sport and exercise psychology. This gives you knowledge of the disciplines underpinning Sport and Exercise Science, develops your knowledge of scientific methods and provides a basis for understanding the role of exercise in improving health and athletic performance.

Year 1

Highers BBBB.
A-levels BBC.
IB Diploma with a total of 32 points.
HNC or HND with Bs in graded units.

Access courses and other UK/EU and international qualifications are also welcomed.

Year 2

Scottish HNDs in relevant subjects with B's in graded units and with specific subjects.

General entrance requirements apply.

International students can study our Undergraduate Certificate if they do not possess the necessary entrance requirements to be admitted directly to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree course.

Other information

If examinations are taken over two sittings, or there are repeats or upgrades, the entrance requirements may be higher.

Required subjects

One of Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics at Higher (B), A-level (C), IB Higher Level at 4 or equivalent.

Other qualifications not mentioned above must include science-based subjects.

Mathematics at Standard Grade (2), Intermediate 2 (C), GCSE (C) or equivalent. English Standard Grade (2), Intermediate 2 (C), GCSE (C) or equivalent.

Applicants with English Standard Grade (3) will also be considered, although alternative entry conditions may be made in this case.

information on possible sources of funding

Full-time (three modules per semester).
Part-time (one or two modules per semester).

Teaching is delivered in eight semesters, with an extensive research project conducted in the final year. A wide variety of project topics is available and reflects the active research interests of the academic staff contributing to this degree course.

In Year 1, you will gain a strong grounding in biological science and an introduction to the study of sport and exercise, with further outline modules in cell biology, physiology and Sports Studies. Both field skills and laboratory skills will also be introduced.

Year 2 considers issues and concepts of Sports Studies and the psychology of sport, examining the relationship between stress and performance in sport. You will also further develop your knowledge and skills in biological science and sport and exercise. Subjects such as evolution, genetics and biodiversity – exploring the diversity of the animal and plant kingdoms – are studied. Statistical Techniques are taught, learning how to analyse environmental and biological data sets.

Further advanced level modules are delivered in Year 3, studying areas such as the physiology of sport and exercise which considers adaptations to exercise training and the challenges of environmental extremes. Animal cell biology looks ar the basic components of animal cells, their functions and how these functions are regulated in health and disease.

Understanding exercise and diet in developing a healthy lifestyle is explored during Year 3, considering medical issues which affect physical activity. Exercise is also studied, in both laboratory testing and in psychology, considering the factors which influence a person’s decision to exercise.

The Honours year offers further modules in proteomics and molecular techniques as well as discovering the techniques and methodological assumptions underpinning sport and exercise science research. Students examine and learn how to critically analyse research, before undertaking a dissertation.

Year 1

• Introduction to Cell Biology
• Laboratory Skills 
• Field Skills
• Introduction to Physiology
• Introduction to Sports Studies I and II
  

Year 2

• Sports Studies Issues and Concepts
• Evolution and Genetics
• Psychology of Sport
• Statistical Techniques
• Biodiversity
  

Year 3

• Physiology of Sport and Exercise
• Animal Physiology
• Sports Medicine Health and Wellbeing
• Applied Exercise Physiology
• Animal Cell Biology
• Psychology of Exercise Physical Activity and Health
  

Year 4

• Sports Research
• Readings in Sports Studies
• Proteomics
• Molecular Techniques
• Dissertation
  

In addition to conventional lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and laboratory practical sessions, web-based technology is used to support the teaching course. Assessment is by a combination of coursework, group project work, group and individual presentations and examination.

Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, the first choice for students to study sport. Excellence is at the heart of everything we do in sport, from our innovative research – the best in Scotland - improving the health of the nation, to preparing athletes for success on the world stage.

Our scenic campus is home to a suite of sports facilities, across 310 acres, all open to students, including a 50m swimming pool, a golf course, a fitness centre, an eight-court sports hall; nine grass and artificial pitches and 10 tennis courts to name but a few.

Participating in sport couldn’t be easier, with 1,500 members of the Sports Union, which has almost 50 different clubs where you can meet new people and enjoy your sport of choice.

If performance sport is your focus, then our International Sports Scholarship Programme (ISSP) or national scholarship programme Winning Students could provide you with the funding and flexibility to compete at the highest level.

Sport and Exercise Science offers a breadth of study across two Schools. Teaching is delivered by experts in their field and enhanced by cutting edge knowledge from our researchers.

Further investment in sport, health and exercise laboratories means students can develop their skills within a world-class environment.

You have the opportunity to study abroad through Stirling's well-established connections with several international universities.

• Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence
• 1st in Scotland for sports research (most recent Research Assessment Exercise)
• 1st in Scotland for Sport and Education (The Times Good University Guide, 2012, and The Complete University Guide, 2012)
  

This course is delivered jointly by the School of Sport and by the School of Natural Sciences, bringing the expertise of both to ensure an unrivalled student experience.

All courses are delivered by experts in their varied fields and the course content is shaped by the latest research.

A major benefit of the School of Sport is its integrated nature, with both academic courses and a sports development service, which manages a suite of world-class sports facilities, working together.

Stirling has recently invested in state-of-the-art sport, health and exercise science facilities and our research staff are leaders in their field.

Academic strengths

Students are able to tap into the staff expertise which spans across a wide variety of sport and exercise science subjects.

Research and teaching staff work side-by-side, sharing their knowledge with one another and imparting this knowledge to students through seminars and lectures.

This ensures students develop a wide skills-set, developing scientific enquiry and critical evaluation, essential in the modern workplace.

Dr Whalley is Director of Learning and Teaching for Biological and Environmental Sciences in the School of Natural Sciences.

He has a BSc Biochemistry and a PhD Cellular Physiology and his main area of expertise is in cell signalling and membrane cell biology.

Careers in the sport sector account for around three percent of all jobs in Scotland according to a recent study by Cambridge Econometrics. This is set to increase even further with major sporting events, including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup 2014 providing a number of exciting opportunities for well qualified students.

Graduates have gone on to postgraduate study, research, jobs in the sport and leisure sector such as in sports development, sports science support of athletes, health and fitness monitoring, physical activity promotion, and coaching, as well as into the teaching profession and other disciplines such as physiotherapy.

Employers who have benefitted from Stirling graduate expertise include local authorities, commercial and voluntary sport organisations and governing bodies of sport.