BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

On this course you’ll gain the scientific knowledge and develop the practical and translational skills that are necessary to succeed in areas such as elite sport, sport and exercise medicine or societal health and wellbeing.

Year 1

• Anatomy and physiology 
  This module will develop your knowledge and understanding in anatomical language and human anatomy of the musculoskeletal system, as well as the physical and chemical principles that underlie physiological functions and metabolic processes. The concept of integration and control in physiology will be developed, beginning with the study of cell membrane function and leading to an appreciation of human physiology through an understanding of systems. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Perception and action 1
  This module is intended to introduce you to the main topic areas in perceptual-motor control, development, learning and performance. It will provide you with the opportunity to gain practical experience in exercise, sport coaching and exercise settings, and gain an understanding of how the sport sciences can be applied to practical activities. This module also aims to introduce you to effective reflective practice techniques. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Measurement in sport and exercise
  This module will provide you with a foundation for the study of science at undergraduate level. The basis for the module will be the context, planning and execution of experimental work, along with analysis and presentation of experimental data. A substantial component of study will involve activities in effective written communication and the writing of laboratory reports in particular. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Sport psychology 1
  This module will introduce different approaches of psychology and the study of the psychological aspects in exercise and performance. It will cover some theoretical approaches and methods of scientific enquiry. It will also include the application of psychological methods in the development and optimisation of sports performance and exercise participation. This module will provide you with many examples of sport and exercise psychology in action. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Nutrition, health and disease
  This module will familiarise you with the fundamental principles of human nutrition as a multidisciplinary perspective relating to human health and well-being. You'll explore key concepts of nutritional requirements, food chemistry, macro and micro-nutrient functions. You'll also explore the relationship of diet to health, with special reference to over and under nutrition states. You'll examine dietary recommendations for the maintenance of health and well-being, and you'll consider the assessment of food intake in this context. You'll review the factors determining food choice, and you'll explore the role of nutrition in the context of physical activity. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Biomechanics
  This module will extend your knowledge of human anatomy and the musculoskeletal system, whilst introducing the basic biomechanical concepts and terminology required to analyse skilled and common movement patterns. This module will provide a clear understanding of the internal and external forces that act on the body, which you use to develop a comprehensive understanding of performance determinants. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

Year 2

• Perception and action 2
  This module is designed to develop your application of interdisciplinary scientific principles and evidence-based practice associated with perceptual-motor skill development and performance. Specifically, you'll become proficient at evaluating practice with systematic procedures and engaging in reflective practice to recommend improvements in the development of perceptual-motor skills. You'll also learn to analyse the interdisciplinary performance demands associated with perceptual-motor skills and devise innovations to improve its development or performance. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Sport psychology 2
  This module is intended to develop your understanding of sport and exercise psychology. The module has been designed to advance your knowledge of theory and practice in the psychological preparation of sport performers, and as such will integrate the notions of research informing practice and practical experience informing research. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Biomechanics 2
  This module has been designed so you can apply your knowledge of biomechanics to the practical element of analysing human movement. You'll develop awareness of the available equipment, techniques, and methodological considerations involved with biomechanical analyses. At the end of this module, you'll be able to conduct a biomechanical investigation and link your understanding of Newtonian principles to sporting performance. Assessment methods: 100% coursework. 
• Sport and exercise nutrition
  This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the nutritional requirements of athletes and the metabolic responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. In particular, it will focus on fuel utilisation during endurance, and explore the nutritional requirements of different ‘athlete types’. The module will also reference evidence supporting the use of nutritional strategies in optimising performance and training. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Research methods
  This module is intended to develop your understanding of the research process in the area of applied human sciences. It will provide you with knowledge about main research principles and methodologies for data collection and analysis. You'll gain practical experience in developing a research proposal and analysing data with parametric and non-parametric statistical methods, using both MS Excel and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Assessment method: 100% coursework. 
• Exercise physiology and laboratory testing
  This module will develop your knowledge of exercise physiology and a range of the laboratory procedures and skills used in the assessment of athletic populations. Building on the physiological knowledge developed at Level 4, the module will cover the acute and chronic responses to both high and low intensity exercise. It will also develop your ability to explain the fundamental factors that determine muscle strength and power as well as agility and quickness. The module will focus on the responses of the key physiological systems that support exercise performance and the design of training programmes to optimise improvement and minimise or delay fatigue. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.

Year 3

• Clinical and applied biomechanics (optional)
  This unit will develop your ability to have a clear understanding of the functional mechanics of the body and the biomechanical underpinning of injury mechanisms. It will provide an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the functional properties of a dynamic musculoskeletal system and subsequent mechanisms of injury. These include muscles, bones and soft tissue behaviour. You'll critically evaluate the concepts, theories and applications underpinning soft tissue, tissue damage, muscle mechanics and mechanical models, bone, cartilage and load bearing capacity, and clinical gait analysis. Assessment methods: 100% coursework. 
• Research project (compulsory)
  This module will provide you with an opportunity to plan, carry out and report an extended piece of research in sport or exercise science. You'll be assigned a research topic from a list supplied by members of academic staff, according to preferences that you specify. The topic list will cover the major disciplines in sport and exercise science. You may also have the chance to carry out a project that you'll propose yourself, subject to appropriate forward planning and supervisory support. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Applied sport psychology (optional)
  This module will help extending theory and research into the field to apply sport psychology into practice. You’ll learn to facilitate optimal involvement, performance, and enjoyment in sport and exercise. It will enable you to apply psychological principles of human performance in helping athletes consistently perform in the upper range of their capabilities and more thoroughly enjoy the sport performance process. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Environmental exercise physiology (optional)
  This module is designed to develop your understanding of the role of nutrition and technological aids in optimising performance in different environments. You’ll critically evaluate the use of nutritional supplements and new technologies to support athletes in optimising their training and performance. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Clinical perception and action (optional)
  This module is designed to develop critical evaluation of the scientific literature and applications underpinning the interdisciplinary nature of human performance with particular focus on neurophysiological and perceptual-motor aspects, as well as the construction and evaluation of rehabilitation and management programs. You’ll cover a range of clinical conditions that affect human performance, for instance: stroke; diabetes; heart conditions; pulmonary disease; cancer; osteoporosis; Alzheimer’s; developmental disorders; musculoskeletal injuries; etc Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Placement & employability (optional)
  This module will develop the skills, competencies and behaviours to align yourself with your chosen career path. You will explore how reflection and mentoring can impact on career development and learning within an applied setting; identify and perform a variety of professional development strategies; involve yourself in professional networking and successfully complete a period of work experience. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

Sports and Exercise Science uses scientific principles and techniques to enable people, from Premier League footballers to those using the gym once a week, to perform to their optimum performance level.

This course opens up many careers, from coaching and personal training to going into teacher training. You could also work on exercise referral programmes within clinical environments, rehabilitation programmes, corporate fitness initiatives or human science research.

Make best use of all the opportunities we’ll give you for vocational training courses through Sports Coach UK and national sport governing bodies. The Academy of Sport also runs a Sports Ambassador Scheme, where students can volunteer or be employed by the University to deliver sports coaching, fitness and mentoring sessions across London.

Recent graduates have gone onto jobs such as cardiac rehabilitation physiologist, exercise therapist, sport science consultant, childhood obesity programme coordinator, technical representative for physiological/mechanical analysis equipment, and international sales manager for exercise science equipment.

Others (like alumnus Daniel Walters) have developed their own sports-related businesses, or have taken postgraduate teacher training qualifications.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Study hours

Year 1 class contact time is typically 9-12 hours per week plus individual tutorials and independent study.

Research

Our impressive research record means that teaching is informed by current, cutting-edge research, and because we have a focus on applied research, you can apply your learning to real world settings.

Support

We will support you throughout your studies. The University provides all students access to the virtual learning environment, Moodle, so materials and online support are available when you need them.

We provide one-to-one support via our professional tutoring system. Your tutor will help you understand coursework feedback, offer guidance as you plan your career, and advise you on work experience to ensure you get the most out of the course.

Teaching is also supported through seminars, online learning environments and specialist advice sessions for topics such as statistics and research methods. In addition to the facilities provided by the university, our laboratories have dedicated computing and experimental equipment.

Personal Tutoring

As an undergraduate Applied Sciences student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU. The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

In your first semester you will attend a series of weekly personal tutor group sessions to introduce you to elements such as the module structure and the Moodle site, as well as workshops on assessment expectations.

Entry

• A Level CCD or;
• BTEC National Diploma MMM or;
• Access to HE qualifications with 39 Merits and 6 Passes or;
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 96 UCAS points
• Level 3 qualifications must include Maths, Science or Sport
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).
• We welcome qualifications from around the world. English language qualifications for international students: IELTS score of 6.0 or Cambridge Proficiency or Advanced Grade C.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 160 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 102 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.