BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence provides the perfect place for you to study and kick-start your career in sport with our Sport and Exercise Science course.

Key facts

Award BSc (Hons)
Start date September 2021
Duration 48 months
Mode of study Part-time, Full-time, Campus based
UCAS Code CC61
Study abroad opportunities

Accreditations

We're Sports University of the Year 2020

Overview

Find out more about Changes at Stirling, including how you'll be taught, start dates and how we're making campus safer.

Become a Sport and Exercise scientist with our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree and you can transform lives and sporting careers.

As Scotland’s official University for Sporting Excellence, we place Sport and Exercise Science at the heart of everything we do. We prepare athletes for success on the world stage and improve the health of the nation through physical exercise. It’s why we're 1st in Scotland for sports research (REF2014).

Study our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree and you’ll learn from our experts in sport and exercise physiology, nutrition, genetics, medicine, health and physical activity.

Our research and performance analysis laboratories enable you to develop your scientific and practical skills in a world-class learning environment. Our course will prepare you for the many career opportunities available in Sport and Exercise Science. Our research ranges from molecular mechanisms through to the whole body level.

Our campus features a 50m swimming pool, a golf course, ten tennis courts and seven sports pitches all on sight. The Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2017 ranked our sports facilities 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK.

Top reasons to study with us

We're the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide Sports University of the Year 2020

We're experts in sport and exercise physiology, nutrition, health and physical activity

Excellent performance analysis laboratories and world-class sport facilities used by our Olympian athletes and sport novices alike

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for your country/region

Please select your country/region of residence:

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

SQA Highers
AABB - by the end of S5
AAAB - by the end of S6

GCE A-levels
BBB

IB Diploma
32 points

BTEC (Level 3)
DDM

Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics

Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Other Scottish qualifications

Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.

Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.

SWAP access course - for mature students only. Please check the SWAP progression routes document for details.

Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.

Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B

Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics

Other qualifications

English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions

English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.

Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics

Advanced entry

Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.

Other qualifications
Advanced entry may by possible depending on your qualifications. To find out more go to our advanced entry page.

Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics

Additional information

General entrance requirements apply

If you’ve taken exams over two sittings, repeated an exam, or been upgraded, the entrance requirements may be higher.

Other routes of entry

If you’re an international student and don’t meet the required academic and English-language criteria for entry onto this degree, there are other options. You could take our International Foundation in Science, Computing and Engineering which prepares you for entry onto our degrees. Delivered by INTO University of Stirling on our Stirling campus, you can benefit from excellent teaching and supportive English language training. Successful completion of the International Foundation in Science, Computing and Engineering provides guaranteed progression to this degree.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

IELTS: 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 with minimum of 162 in each skill
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 with minimum 162 in each skill
Pearson Test of English (Academic): 54 with 51 in each component
IBT TOEFL: 80 with no subtest less than 17

For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses

Course details

Our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree is delivered jointly by the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport and the Faculty of Natural Sciences, combining a wide range of expertise to ensure an unrivalled student experience.

The course provides you with the knowledge and experience to become a sports and exercise scientist and work in areas such as sport, health or science disciplines, or to pursue a career in research or teaching.

Human Anatomy and Physiology

You'll study the structure and function of the major physiological systems in humans including exploration of the response of humans to particular stimuli and integrated understanding of physiological control mechanisms.

Biomechanics and Motor Control

We'll introduce you to the basic anatomy of the human musculoskeletal system and biomechanics of human movement including assessment of gait and factors influencing control of muscle movements in relation to sport and ageing populations.

Psychology

You'll be introduced to psychological techniques that can be used to improve performance in competitive sport, and to promote behaviour change to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary time.

Sports Medicine and Nutrition

Various modules in the programme provide an understanding of the role of exercise and nutrition in developing a healthy lifestyle and consider the other medical aspects related to diet and exercise that are important for maintaining health while participating in sport and exercise.

Physiology of Sport and Exercise

You'll develop an understanding of the regulation and integration of multiple physiological systems during exercise. These modules cover the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, neuromuscular function and skeletal muscle metabolism and detailed exploration of how these systems/pathways respond and adapt to exercise and environmental stimuli.

Applied Exercise Physiology

You will gain both an understanding and practical experience of laboratory-based exercise physiology assessments for athlete performance assessment as well as understanding functional capacity in patient populations.

Cell and Molecular Physiology

Throughout the degree, you'll encounter an in-depth account of the structure and function of animal cells, focusing on the roles of organelles in specific aspects of cellular function, discuss how hormones influence cellular activity through receptor binding and the activation of signal transduction pathways and develop practical skills in modern molecular biological techniques.

Specialisation and independent research project

You'll gain a broad perspective of these themes throughout your degree programme and in the final year you can specialise with chosen readings modules leading to the final semester when an independent research project will be completed.

Modules

The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery in the current academic intake of this course. These may be subject to change in future years as the University regularly revises and refreshes the curriculum of our taught programmes.

Course details

Teaching

Our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree has been awarded five star excellence for our teaching by the QS World University Rankings 2020. In addition to conventional lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and laboratory practical sessions, web-based technology is used to support the teaching course.

Assessment

Assessment is by a combination of coursework, group project work, group and individual presentations and examination.

Study abroad

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

Find out more about studying abroad.

Contact

Dr Naomi Brooks, Course Director

01786 466478

fhss.sport@stir.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Select fee status:

Academic year:	2020/21	2021/22
Scottish students	£1,820*	£1,820 ^*
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland	£9,250	£9,250
European Union students	£1,820	£17,900
Overseas students (non-EU)	£15,600	£17,900

* This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.

You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.

Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Note for EU students

The Scottish Government has confirmed that EU students enrolling in the 2020/21 academic year will be entitled to free tuition fees in Scotland. EU students will retain that status for the duration of their four-year degree.

This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

For EU students starting studies in academic year 2021/22, we will award an automatic scholarship of up to £30k over the duration of your course. This is subject to eligibility criteria.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Funding opportunities

See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.

Students domiciled in Scotland and the EU

The University of Stirling offers undergraduate funding opportunities for students domiciled in Scotland or the EU. To find out if you’re eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.

EU students

For EU students starting studies in academic year 2021/22, we will award an automatic scholarship of up to £30k over the duration of your course. This is subject to eligibility criteria.

Students domiciled in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (RUK)

The Undergraduate Choice Scholarship provides a £1,000 cash award to all students from England, Wales or Northern Ireland who meet the conditions of their offer and select the University of Stirling as their Firm or Insurance choice on UCAS.

The University also offers the Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, which is awarded to selected students and provides a £1,000 cash award per year for years 1-3 of study. To be considered for the Merit Scholarship, students require a minimum of AAB at A-level or equivalent.

In addition, students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland who enter in year 1 and progress successfully through years 2 and 3 will receive our Honours Year Scholarship, which covers the cost of undergraduate tuition fees in the Honours year of study.

You don’t need to apply for the awards listed above - we'll automatically identify your eligibility as part of the admissions process.

To explore other scholarships and learn more about funding opportunities, use our scholarship finder.

Students domiciled overseas

The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.

Cost of living

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling.

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.

After you graduate

Sport and Exercise Science higher education provision provides an impact of £3.9 billion in added income to the UK economy each year. This is equivalent to supporting over 147,300 jobs. (Sport and Exercise Science Education: Impact on the UK economy, May 2019 report)

Students who graduate from our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree are prepared for the many career opportunities working in sport, exercise and science.

What jobs can you get with a BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree?

Sports science support of athletes
Health and fitness monitoring
Physical activity promotion
Coaching
Teaching
Physiotherapy, dietetics and other allied health professions

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

Graduates have gone on to postgraduate taught (Masters/MSc) and research degrees (MPhil/PhD).

More than 95% of all undergraduates were in employment or further study fifteen months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020, HESA)

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

What our students said

View more student stories

Danielle Joyce
Scotland
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

I wanted to continue swimming whilst studying and knowing Stirling was the University of Sporting Excellence made me want to study here.

Read Danielle's story

Markus Van Der Westhuizen
South Africa
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

The ability to shape your own career using the skills taught at Stirling is such a valuable asset

Read Markus's story

James Ross
Northern Ireland
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

I was initially attracted to the University of Stirling due to the world renowned reputation for sports and exercise science, alongside amazing sports facilities. Once I came to the open day and saw the campus, I knew where I’d be going!

Read James's story

View more student stories

Flexible study

This course is not available as a combined degree.

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Key facts

Accreditations

Discover Uni

What our students said

Flexible study

Related courses

What next?