Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,155 per year -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
A105
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Investigate the scientific methodologies and theories of sport and exercise science
- Promote exercise, inclusion and positive behaviours for better overall health
- Enhance your practical and lab skills in physiology, psychology, biomechanics and nutrition
- Work with renowned sports organisations and elite clubs to enhance athletic performance
- Stand out by applying your learning to work experience opportunities and live projects
Join us to enhance your scientific and analytical understanding of sport and exercise – ultimately aiming to improve both performance and health.
You’ll explore a wide range of captivating topics – from anatomy and biomechanics to physiology, psychology and nutrition.
The foundation year is suitable either if you don’t meet the entry requirements for the degree, or if you’d like further preparation before you start. You’ll gain the knowledge and confidence you need to progress onto the course.
![Sports Teaching Two students in the physical lab, female student on bike and male student taking the time.](https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/olp/page-promo-cards/sports-teaching-quality-banner.jpg?iar=0&hash=D21FD541585FE98763CC4F0A1904514B)
Teaching quality
![ug open day with tef logo final](https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/olp/page-promo-cards/ug-open-day-with-tef-logo-final.jpg?iar=0&hash=2FDED2B83815E7BE810DF15EE987BA12)
Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
How you learn
The foundation year has been designed to prepare you for your undergraduate degree, develop your subject knowledge of sport and physical activity, and explore interesting, contemporary issues. You will also enhance your academic, professional, and personal skills, providing you with the foundation to progress successfully in your undergraduate degree and future career in sport and physical activity.
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
Throughout the course, you will acquire knowledge about how the body responds to and adapts to exercise. You’ll learn through teaching, working and doing – learning strategies to optimise sports performance and understanding techniques that promote positive behavioural changes for better overall health.
You’ll learn from accomplished staff who are actively engaged in research across all levels of sport. Because Sheffield is home to sports clubs in every major sport in the UK, you will benefit from our fantastic local ties with elite clubs and organisations. From football to ice hockey, basketball to rugby, Sheffield offers a diverse sporting landscape.
You learn through:
- Lectures, seminars and workshops
- A virtual learning environment (VLE)
- Work-based learning experiences
- Placements
- Field trips
- Practical activities in both simulated and in-situ environments
- Independent study
- Research opportunities
Key themes
You’ll explore theoretical, philosophical and practical aspects of sport and exercise science, offering insights into graduate roles in sports, physical activity and other professional settings. You’ll study topics like physiology, biomechanics, psychology, nutrition, coaching and physical activity – as well as key skills in digital capability and critical thinking.
This degree is aligned to the jobs market and growth in the sector. Performance analysis, strength and conditioning are all areas with growing career opportunities, so you will gain in-depth knowledge in these areas.
With flexible course pathways and assessments, you’re able to customise your studies based on your future career aspirations. Then in your final year, you can really focus on where your passions take you. Build your learning around your aspirations.
Course support
The course is designed to help you demonstrate your learning outcomes – with authentic assessment activities relating to real-world scenarios, your specific goals and your skills development.
Throughout your studies, support will be available through various individuals who will enable you to reach your potential through academic, professional and personal development.
These support roles include:
- Course and Module Leaders
- Your Academic Adviser
- Your Student Support Adviser
- Your Employability Adviser
- Central services like counselling, Library and IT
Course leaders and tutors
![Gabriella Penitente](/assets/images/4to3aspect.png)
Gabriella Penitente
Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise BiomechanicsStaff profile for Gabriella Penitente, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics.
Applied learning
Work placements
There’s a mandatory short placement at the end of your third year. Over a minimum of 120 hours, you will be learning while you work and preparing to progress into employment after you graduate.
Previous examples of placements have been taken at British Diving, Sheffield Eagles, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Basketball England.
You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements between your third and final years. This gives you further valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Field trips
On field trips you will be able to understand how your learning is applied first-hand to real-world situations, gaining valuable insight into working practice.
Networking opportunities
Your employability is enhanced by the involvement of employers and industry partners – from the real-world projects you complete to the opportunities to build networks at careers fairs and workshops.
We invite specialist industry experts to deliver guest lectures and share context-specific examples of the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need. And our ties to various sporting organisations and facilities both locally and nationally will give you superb opportunities to gain industry connections as you prepare for your career.
We have previously provided the opportunity to attend conferences e.g. the BASES student conference, where students can present their work and network with students, applied scientists and academics from around the world.
![Photo of a female football player holding a football](https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/olp/short-promo-banners/square-buildings-other-333-sports-park.jpg?iar=0&hash=DF1CED4B8FD7C01B5A3210A524A2294F)
UNIPRO Football Coaching
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Applied sport and exercise science
- Sports science support
- Strength and conditioning
- Physical activity coordination
- Sports nutrition
- Performance analysis
- Health advisory positions
- Exercise referral
- Sports development
- Personal training
- Research and further study
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- The UK Sports Institute
- Higher education and further education institutions
- Governing bodies and federations of sport
- Professional sports teams
- The National Health Service
- Primary and secondary education establishments
You’ll enhance your professional standing, as this degree aligns with the standards set by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) for Gym Instructors and working with individuals with long-term conditions.
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
![Students outside Collegiate Library](https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/olp/page-promo-cards/global/gi0006-collegiate-library.jpg?iar=0&sc_lang=en&hash=8FEC3A2356C95F3EAE06C8E519F38796)
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Find out about sports and physical activity at Sheffield Hallam University.
Equipment and facilities
Students have access to world-leading facilities and equipment to explore physical activity, sport and health, and help develop their practical skills.Our sport-specific training facilities and research laboratories include:
- The UK Sports Institute
- The Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park
- Physiology and biomechanics lab
- A strength and conditioning teaching lab
- A physical activity suite
- A performance analysis suite
- An environmental chamber
- Sport psychology consultation rooms
Media Gallery
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 64
This must include at least 24 (Grade D) from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- DDE at A Level.
- MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Pass overall from a T level qualification with D or E from core.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent.
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent.
- Science at grade C or 4 or equivalent.
GCSE English and mathematics equivalent
equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
ACCESS
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Access to HE Diploma, with at least 45 level 3 credits.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill.
If you do not have any of the qualifications above but have relevant experience you are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Foundations Of Sport And Physical Activity
Introduction To Investigating Contemporary Issues In Sport And Physical Activity
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Coaching Sport And Physical Activity
Scientific Principles For Health
Scientific Principles For Sport
The Impact Of Sport And Physical Activity
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Applied Sport And Exercise Science
Multidisciplinary Approaches To Sport And Exercise
Optimising Wellbeing
Elective modules
Alternative Physical Activities
Analysis Of Sport And Games
Event Management For Sport And Physical Activity
Exercise Prescription For The Prevention Of Disease
Sport As A Tool For Social Change
Sports Club Development
Sports Facility Management Simulation
Technology For Sport And Physical Activity
Testing And Analysis In Sport And Physical Activity
Year 4
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Independent Project In Sport And Physical Activity
Interdisciplinary Approaches To Sport And Exercise Science
Elective modules
Approaches To Talent Development
Coach Education And Development
Economics And Finance Of Sport
Entrepreneurship And Innovation For Sport And Physical Activity
Exercise Prescription For Long Term Conditions
Health Promotion
Innovative Practical Pedagogy
Major Sport Events
Nutrition For Sport And Physical Activity
Performance Analysis Of Sport
Programming And Prescription Of Training In Sport And Physical Activity
Sport And The Media
Sport, Brands And Culture
Sport Data Analytics
Sport Injury
Sport Journalism
Teaching As A Profession
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2025/26 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
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Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Sport and physical activity courses (PDF, 341.9KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.