Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons) at University of Northampton

Our Sport and Exercise Science course focuses on the scientific principles that underpin sport and exercise. Our course is practical-based, stimulating, well-structured and research-informed, covering a range of topic areas including biomechanics, physiology and psychology. The practical elements of our Sport and Exercise Science course make use of purpose-built laboratories to develop your knowledge and understanding of the key issues within sport and exercise science.

We will support you to achieve your career and study ambitions, which is why if you complete our Employability Plus Gold programme or Changemaker Gold certificate alongside your studies and if you haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating* we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you, or support you into postgraduate study.

Course Details

Evidence supporting the need for exercise for fitness and health is now widely accepted in industry, education, medicine and sport. This increasingly important role has led to a demand for scientific evidence to improve sport performance making sport and exercise science one of the most rapidly advancing areas of study. Our course aims to develop your critical skills, allowing you to investigate and analyse issues from a scientific perspective, as well as enhancing your personal and transferable skills.

Our purpose-built laboratories allow you to develop your physiological, biomechanical and psychological practical skills. The first year of the course provides you with an introduction to the core disciplines which underpin the academic analysis of sport, allowing you to develop your knowledge, understanding and practical/laboratory skills. In years two and three you can choose from a range of modules, allowing you to tailor your studies towards a particular area of interest within Sport and Exercise Science.

In year one you will gain a sound understanding of the fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Science studying topics such as biomechanics, physiology, fitness training methods and psychology. Once you’ve developed your theoretical knowledge you will explore more specialised areas of sport and exercise science, such as anthropometry and biomechanical analysis, along with further work in the main science-based subjects. In year two you will combine the compulsory core modules (Sport Research Methods) with selected modules from across the subject area. You will have the opportunity to contextualise theory in practical sessions and courses will be underpinned by research methods.

The optional career and employability module in the first year gives you a head start when thinking about future careers or further academic study, allowing you to think about potential specialisms that you’d like to find employment in or study at postgraduate level.  The final year of study will enable you to develop a critical understanding of the scientific principles underpinning sport and exercise performance. Further specialisation within a specific sport and exercise discipline culminates in an individual piece of research work on a topic of your choice.

The course modules are delivered within the classroom, sports hall and laboratories in a structured manner. All sessions are supported by our online learning environment, NILE. You can expect two hours of online or face to face contact time each week for each module. Classes are delivered in a variety of methods including lectures, seminars and practical sessions. Our aim is to provide you with opportunities to become actively involved in your learning. For each two hours of contact time you have there will be an additional two – three hours of non-contact directed study. Personal tutorials, and meetings with a personal academic tutor are additional to the time spent in the class.

Our academic staff are enthusiastic and experienced teachers that are actively involved in research in their specialist areas. Our careers and employability module ensures that you are well-prepared for employment.

For further information about this course please download the Sport and Exercise Science Module list.

Methods of Learning

The Sport and Exercise Science course is delivered through well-designed, coherent and up-to-date modules that cover a wide range of topics. Our teaching staff are all active researchers in their specialist areas and this feeds into the content of the modules. We aim to provide an environment that maximises your engagement, involvement and enjoyment. In addition, you will undertake a variety of activities and encounter new challenges that support your learning, such as your ability to undertake performance analysis and measurements. Throughout the course, you will be exposed to different project designs and will develop your ability to apply both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research questions.

Assessments

You will be assessed through coursework and examinations on the BSc Sports and Exercise Science course.

Scholarships

EU and International Scholarships

We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

Sir Thomas White Scholarship

The Sir Thomas White scholarship will support and acknowledge an academically gifted student, with the proviso that the selection panel is confident that there is…

TD Lewis Scholarship

The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

The Chancellor's Fund

The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

Wilson Endowment Scholarship

The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…