Sport and Exercise Science
Sport and exercise science applies the principles of physiology, psychology, and biomechanics to understand how the human body performs, adapts, and recovers. It is a discipline built on empirical research and scientific method, asking why some training approaches produce better results than others, how the mind shapes physical output, and what movement mechanics reveal about both performance and injury risk. The field serves both elite sport and public health, connecting the science of athletic performance to the broader project of improving physical activity and health outcomes across populations.
At Manchester Metropolitan University, this three-year, full-time degree provides the tools to work in both high-performance and health settings. Whether your ambition is to help athletes perform at the highest level or to improve quality of life for people recovering from illness or injury, the scientific foundations you develop will be relevant. You will examine how the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems respond to exercise at different intensities, explore the psychological factors that influence motivation, performance, and resilience, and analyse movement patterns using contemporary laboratory methods.
The programme includes a sandwich placement year and work placement opportunities, giving you the chance to develop professional skills in real sport, health, or rehabilitation settings alongside your academic studies.
Graduates pursue careers as sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, performance analysts, exercise physiologists, and personal trainers working with professional sports organisations, national governing bodies, universities, and health providers. Others move into exercise referral, rehabilitation, and public health roles, applying their knowledge of physical activity to community and clinical settings. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in sport science, physiotherapy, sports medicine, or coaching, developing specialist expertise for clinical or high-performance roles.