Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per year
International/EU: £17,155 per year -
How long will I study?
3 / 4 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?
C600
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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.
Accredited by
The course meets the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity’s professional standards for the Gym Instructor award. The degree provides the knowledge, application, and skill development to allow students to gain this industry qualification. The award is optional, with additional assessments needed to prove that the standards have been met. This is an entry level fitness qualification which is a requirement to gain employment within practical exercise settings.
Employability
100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Teaching quality
How you learn
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
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 second 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 second 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.
UNIPRO Football Coaching
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.
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.
Student Success Story
'I found a new passion for developing athletes like myself.' BSc Sport and Exercise Science graduate Will now works as a Sport and Excercise Scientist at Barnsley FC after starting as an intern.
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
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
- 112-120
From at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications one of which must be in Physical Education, Sport Studies or a Science subject (such as Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology). We do not accept General Studies. For example:
- BBC- BBB at A Level including relevant subject(s).
- DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject(s).
- Merit overall from a Health or Science T level qualification.
- A combination of qualifications including relevant subject(s) which may include AS levels or EPQ.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• Approved Access to HE Diploma in a sport science or science-based course. Normally we require 15 of the level 3 credits to be graded at distinction level with 6 of these distinctions from science units.
You also need to demonstrate an ability to
• study academic subjects at degree level
• debate topics and issues
• draw on conclusions from written material
• study independently as well as a member of a group
• use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods
• successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations
This is normally achieved by completing academic study at level three or above in the last four years.
* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent
• equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.
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
Coaching Sport And Physical Activity
Scientific Principles For Health
Scientific Principles For Sport
The Impact Of Sport And Physical Activity
Year 2
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
Study Abroad - Sport And Physical Activity
Technology For Sport And Physical Activity
Testing And Analysis In Sport And Physical Activity
Year 3
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 fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
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.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sport and Physical Activity (PDF, 144.2KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
