Sport and Exercise Science
Sport and exercise science applies the principles of physiology, psychology, and biomechanics to understand how the human body responds to physical activity and how performance and health can be improved through systematic training and intervention. It is a discipline that matters both in elite sport, where marginal gains make the difference between winning and losing, and in public health, where the evidence base for exercise as a therapeutic and preventive measure continues to grow. The combination of laboratory science and practical application makes it one of the most dynamic areas of applied health and performance research.
At Teesside University, this four-year, full-time programme includes a foundation year, providing a supported entry point for students who need to build their scientific preparation before the main degree. As you progress, you will study how the cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems respond to training, how the brain and psychology shape performance and participation, and how biomechanical analysis can reveal inefficiencies and injury risks in movement. The programme engages with data and its analysis as a growing dimension of sport and exercise science, equipping you with the quantitative skills needed in both research and applied professional settings.
The typical entry tariff is 56 UCAS points, and the foundation year makes the degree accessible from a wide range of starting points.
Graduates from sport and exercise science programmes work as sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, performance analysts, fitness instructors, exercise rehabilitation specialists, and health promotion officers. Professional sport clubs, national governing bodies, universities, the NHS, gyms, and public health organisations all employ graduates from this field. Many go on to postgraduate qualifications in physiotherapy, sport rehabilitation, sport psychology, or strength and conditioning.
The foundation year route ensures that students who arrive from different starting points are well prepared for the rigorous scientific content of the main degree.