Sport & Exercise Science BSc (Hons)



Our facilities include a Biomechanics Lab, Physiology Lab (with a climate and altitude chamber) and a Human performance Lab

Overview

100% of graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation in the latest review (HESA 2019/20).

This course will provide you with a sound grounding within the three core areas essential to any applied sports scientist, being Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics and Sports Psychology.

Alongside these key areas, you will also gather an introduction to other essential components and gain practical experience that will enable you to develop skills that will benefit any level of performer. 

There is the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of this course.

Science students working in the Biomechanics Lab at Sighthill campus.

Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as full-time)

Duration:

6 years

Start date:

Sep

Course details

Our Sport Science degree will start out with teaching you all about the principles and seeing how these apply to the improvement of sport performance. As you move through the course, you will gain skills in collecting and interpreting data from specialist areas including: exercise physiology, biomechanics and nutrition.

We focus on independent learning and the preparation to carry out scientific studies in the associated areas to help you to become a confident applied Sports Scientist.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    Face-to-face lectures, applied practical classes, workshops, tutorials
  • briefcase

    Work placement

    There is the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of this course, some previous placements have included: Performance Analyst for Partick Thistle; Strength & Conditioning Coach for Edinburgh Rugby; Sport Science Support for Hibernian FC; Active Schools Coaching.

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.
  • study abroad

    Study abroad

    You'll have opportunities to study abroad. We have links with the following universities:

    • German Sport University Cologne
    • Deakin University, Australia
    • San Diego State University
    • San Jose State University
    • Victoria University, Australia

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Anatomy & Physiology in Sport & Exercise Science
  • Application of Science to Sport and Exercise
  • Foundations of Sport and Exercise Science
  • Sport, Exercise and Wellbeing 

Year 2

  • Exercise Training 
  • Sport & Health Nutrition
  • Skill Acquisition
  • Volunteering & Employability

Year 3

  • The Research Process in Sport & Exercise Science
  • Introduction to Biomechanics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Year 4     

  • Intermediate Exercise Physiology
  • Intermediate Sport Psychology
  • Scientific Review and Statistics
  • Intermediate Biomechanics

Year 5

  • Health, Lifestyle, and Exercise Behaviour
  • Assessment and Conditioning   
  • Work Based Learning in Sport & Exercise Science
  • Scientific Research Project – Proposal Stage

Year 6

  • Advanced Exercise Physiology
  • Scientific Analysis of Human Movement
  • Scientific Research Project

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Sport and Exercise Science?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

The University does not sponsor students to study on part-time programmes in the UK under the Student Visa route. International Applicants must therefore have other valid immigration leave to study on this programme.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB including Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE at Grade B. National 5 C in Maths (excluding Applications of Maths). Higher Applications of Maths can be accepted in lieu of National 5 Maths.
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BBCC including Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE at Grade B. National 5 C in Maths (excluding Applications of Maths). Higher Applications of Maths can be accepted in lieu of National 5 Maths.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies

A Level

  • BCC including Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • Grades H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level including Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE.
  • Grade O4 at Ordinary Level in Maths.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

  • Minimum grades DM (Distinction, Merit) in a related subject.
  • A Level grade C.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 including a Science (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, PE)  at minimum grade 5.
  • 5 points in SL Maths (excluding Maths Studies).

T Level 

  • Grade M
  • T Level must be completed in a Science subject or A Level Science may be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

Minimum Year 2

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC including Biology

A Level

  • BBB including Biology

HNC

  • Pass in a related subject* with A in the graded unit.

*Fitness, Health and Exercise, Sport & Exercise Science, Applied Sports Science, Applied Biological Science, Sports Coaching, Sports Coaching with Development of Sport, Sports Therapy (Soft Tissue Therapy).

HND Next Gen

  • Pass HND Next Gen Physical Activity and Health with grade Merit.

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass in a related subject* with grade A in all SCQF level 8 Graded Units.

*Sports Coaching with Development of Sport, Coaching and Developing Sport, Sports Coaching and Development, Sports & Exercise Science, Applied Sports Science, Applied Biological Sciences, Fitness, Health and Exercise                                                                                   

In addition, you must pass one of the below units from each section:

One of the following: 
Mechanics for Health and Fitness Professional (DW64 35)
Sports Mechanics (FX9L 35) (DD2T 35)
Human Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics in Sport (J2AP 34)

AND (one of the following):
Psychology of Sports Performance (FX9V 35) 
Psychology of Sports Coaching (FW61 34) 
Psychology of Sport and Exercise (J422 34)
Applied Psychology in Sport and Exercise Performance (J429 35) 

 

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages  to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland *£305 *£305
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland *£1,157 *£1,157
Overseas and EU *£2,530 *£2,785
Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Measuring stretch and speed of movement using computer technology in the Sport Injuries Rehabilitation lab.

Career opportunities include:

  • National Health Service
  • Postgraduate courses in physiotherapy and other disciplines
  • Clinical exercise specialist
  • Teaching/lecturing
  • Research degrees and career
  • Leisure industry
  • Schools activity coordinators
  • Strength and conditioning coaching
  • Further education lecturing and tutoring
  • Sports development
Staff and an athlete working with exercise bike in sports science lab