BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Sciences, a sport and exercise science degree examining human performance, physical activity, health and wellbeing. Core topics include statistics, research methods, critical and analytical thinking, and ethics and professional practice. The final year centres on a compulsory Independent Research Project supervised by an academic member of staff, while optional modules include a placement within a sport or exercise community and can draw on content from other departments. The first year establishes foundations through Introduction to Anatomy and Exercise Physiology, which covers the body's systems in lectures and laboratory practicals, alongside Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology and Introduction to Physical Activity, Diet and Health. Options in that year have included Introduction to Sociology of Sport and a language module offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study. The second year develops research capability through Research Skills for Sport and Exercise Sciences, covering quantitative and qualitative methods, research ethics and study design, alongside Advanced Sport and Exercise Physiology and Advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology. Optional modules here span areas such as Nutrition for Sport and Health, Sports Development and Sport, Health and the Environment. The final year applies learning in Applied Exercise Physiology in Sport and Health and Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, and centres on the compulsory Independent Research Project, a supervised written dissertation. Later options include Active Communities Placement, Futures in Sport, Exercise and Health, and Physical Activity, Sport and Inequalities.
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
A level: AAB IB: 35 with 665 in higher level subjects.
See the highest paying Biology & Sport Science degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 59%: 355 offers from 605 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 20 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 94%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Sports and fitness occupations: 20%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 95 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 33%
- North West: 11%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 12%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 17%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 80 students who started
- A levels: 99%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Academic Skills for Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Introduction to Anatomy and Exercise Physiology
- Introduction to Physical Activity, Diet and Health
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise Industries
- Example optional modules
- Research Skills for Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Advanced Sport and Exercise Physiology
- Advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Example optional modules
- Independent Research Project
- Applied Exercise Physiology in Sport and Health
- Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £41,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Sport and exercise sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University do next?
85% 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 Sciences at Durham University?
91% 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 Sciences at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 163 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University?
59% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 355 offers from 605 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University 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 Sciences at Durham University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.