BSc Sport and Exercise Science
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science, a sport and exercise science degree exploring human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and psychology in relation to physical activity and athletic performance. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, and Communication & Writing. Students may optionally undertake a placement year or study abroad, and an optional foundation year is also available. The first year establishes fundamental knowledge through compulsory modules such as Coaching and Skill Acquisition, Principles of Sports Biomechanics, Academic and Research Skills for Sport and Exercise, Principles of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Principles of Sport and Exercise Physiology, and Introduction to Anatomy for Sport & Exercise. The second year advances scientific competencies through compulsory studies like Physiological Assessment for Sport, Exercise and Health, Research Methods for Sport and Exercise, Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Biomechanical Assessment for Sport and Exercise, alongside optional choices covering nutrition, strength and conditioning, physical activity and health, injury rehabilitation, and notational analysis. The final year focuses on applied practice and independent research via compulsory modules including Applied Sports Science and Independent Study for Sport and Exercise, while optional modules allow students to explore advanced topics in sports physiology, strength and conditioning, sport psychology, biomedical implications of exercise, nutrition, rehabilitation, biomechanics, and performance analysis.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC (At least a grade C (or equivalent) from a Science subject, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Education or Psychology) T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM (in Sport related subject) GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6. Must include passes in compulsory Level 3 subjects English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 96%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 92%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 55%
- Left higher education: 45%
What graduates do next
Based on about 58 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 64%
- Working and studying: 12%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Other Health Professionals: 55%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Information Technology Professionals: 5%
- Caring personal services: 5%
- Therapy professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 140 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 9%
- East Midlands: 53%
- West Midlands: 19%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 2%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- The CASES Undergraduate Endorsement Scheme awards endorsement to sport and exercise science degree courses that can demonstrate the requisite mapping of knowledge and skills (totalling 79 competencies) that provide undergraduates with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills essential to enter into the profession.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Coaching and Skill Acquisition
- Principles of Sports Biomechanics
- Academic and Research Skills for Sport and Exercise
- Principles of Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Principles of Sport and Exercise Physiology
- Introduction to Anatomy for Sport & Exercise
- Physiological Assessment for Sport, Exercise and Health
- Research Methods for Sport and Exercise
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Biomechanical Assessment for Sport and Exercise
- Nutrition and Metabolism for Sport and Exercise
- Strength and Conditioning
- Physical Activity and Health
- Injury Rehabilitation for Sport & Exercise Science
- Applied Notational Analysis
- Applied Sports Science
- Independent Study for Sport and Exercise
- Applied Sports Physiology
- Applied Strength and Conditioning
- Applied Sport Psychology and Behaviour Change
- Biomedical Implications of Exercise, Activity and Health
- Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism for Sport and Exercise
- Applied Rehabilitation and Risk Reduction
- Applied Biomechanics
- Advanced Performance Analysis
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Sport and Exercise Science at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £22,000 after 3 years, £26,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £31,000. The £26,000 median after five years is £12,000 less than the UK median for Anatomy, physiology and pathology.
What do graduates of BSc Sport and Exercise Science at University of Derby do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Sport and Exercise Science at University of Derby?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Sport and Exercise Science at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 112 UCAS points.
Is BSc Sport and Exercise Science at University of Derby accredited?
Yes. The CASES Undergraduate Endorsement Scheme awards endorsement to sport and exercise science degree courses that can demonstrate the requisite mapping of knowledge and skills (totalling 79 competencies) that provide undergraduates with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills essential to enter into the profession.
Does BSc Sport and Exercise Science at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Sport and Exercise Science at University of Derby?
55% of students continued into their second year, and 45% left higher education.