Sport and Exercise Science

Sport and exercise science applies the methods of natural and social science to the study of human physical activity, sport and exercise. It examines the physiological responses to training and competition, the biomechanical principles underlying movement, the psychological factors that influence athletic performance and participation, and the social and historical dimensions of sport as a cultural institution. The discipline draws on biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and sociology to build a comprehensive understanding of how and why people move, and how physical activity and sport can be optimised, promoted and understood.

At Nottingham, this three-year programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich year, a year abroad and a work placement, making it one of the most comprehensively structured sport and exercise science degrees available. The foundation year provides the scientific and academic grounding needed for degree-level study. The sandwich year and work placement give you structured professional experience in sport science, coaching, health or fitness settings, and the year abroad broadens your academic and personal perspective on sport and exercise science in a different national context.

You will develop both laboratory and field skills, working with physiological measurement, biomechanical analysis, performance testing and sport psychology methods across the programme. Nottingham's research environment and its sports facilities provide a strong context for developing these skills at a high level.

Graduates move into sport science support roles with professional sports organisations, health and fitness management, coaching, sports development, physical education teaching, clinical exercise physiology and public health. Many continue to postgraduate study in sport and exercise science, physiotherapy or strength and conditioning.