Sport and Exercise Science

Sport and exercise science applies the methods and principles of physiology, psychology, biomechanics and nutrition to understand how the human body and mind respond to physical activity, training and competition. It is a discipline with both scientific rigour and practical relevance, concerned equally with optimising athletic performance and with understanding how physical activity promotes health across the population. It sits at the intersection of biology, psychology and applied science, and it develops analytical skills that are useful in sport, health, fitness and education settings.

This four-year full-time degree at Nottingham Trent University includes a foundation year, which introduces you to the scientific aspects of sport, exercise and physical activity for health. The foundation year provides the conceptual grounding and practical experience needed before you progress into the main degree, combining theory with plenty of hands-on application that develops the skills employers look for and prepares you for further study. Throughout the full degree you will study exercise physiology, sport psychology, biomechanics and research methods, developing the ability to apply scientific understanding to real problems in sport and health contexts and to communicate your findings to different audiences.

Graduates work across sport performance, health and fitness, physical education, sport coaching, strength and conditioning, sport science support and research. Roles in professional sport, national governing bodies, public health, gyms, rehabilitation settings and schools all draw on sport and exercise science graduates. The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate training in physiotherapy, sports medicine, clinical exercise science and related health professions.

Further academic study at master's or doctoral level is a common path for those who wish to work in research or specialist performance environments.