Sports Performance

Sports performance is the applied scientific study of what it takes to excel in athletic competition. It draws on exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, nutrition and performance analysis to understand the factors that determine performance levels and to develop the knowledge and skills to help athletes improve. It is a discipline that sits at the interface of theory and practice, demanding both scientific rigour and the ability to apply knowledge in the dynamic, pressured environments of professional sport.

At Hartpury University, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year in professional placement and a work placement, giving you direct experience in the professional sports industry alongside your academic study. You will develop a solid foundation in professional practice, studying psychology, physiology, strength and conditioning, performance analysis and other areas that shape athletic development. The programme is designed to encourage you to reflect on what professionalism looks like in sport and to develop your own professional identity as you grow into the role of a sports practitioner.

Industry experience is central to the course, giving you the opportunity to build an employability network and apply your learning in real-world settings.

Graduates from sports performance programmes work as strength and conditioning coaches, performance analysts, sport scientists, physiologists, sports nutritionists and high-performance coaches. Many find roles with professional sports clubs, national governing bodies, elite academies, the armed forces and sports technology companies. The scientific and analytical skills developed through the degree are also valued in health and exercise promotion, rehabilitation and sports medicine.

Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in strength and conditioning, sport science or related disciplines, which provides more specialist preparation for high-performance roles and academic careers in the field.