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Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences BSc (Hons)

Key Information

Course code

C607

C63P, C609 with placement

Start date

September

Placement available

Mode of study

3 years full-time

4 years full-time with placement

Fees

2026/27

UK £9,790

International £17,400

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Entry requirements

2026/7

BBB-BBC (A-level)

DDM-DMM (BTEC)

30-29 (IB)

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Overview

Our Brunel Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences BSc is designed for students interested in learning how sports science can be used to optimise athletic development, sports performance, as well as how it enhances health and wellbeing.

You’ll learn how the human body works on physiological, biomechanical and psychological levels and how to apply this knowledge to training methods, mental techniques and nutritional strategies that enable people to consistently perform at the upper ranges of their abilities. Crucially, you’ll gain insight into how the mind and body respond to the demands of sport and exercise and how they react under intense conditions such as strenuous physical activity or competition.

This course is endorsed by The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). 

At Brunel, you'll be part of a university with a rich sports heritage, including several Olympians: James Cracknell (Rowing), Heather Fell (Modern Pentathlon), Kate Walsh (Hockey), Bryony Pitman (Archery), Montell Douglas (Running), and Toby Olub (Bobsleigh), as well as Paralympians Tom Aggar (Para-rowing), James Fox (Para-rowing), and Natasha Baker (Para-equestrian). If you want to see what our alumni are capable of, don’t forget to check out Montell and Toby on the TV show Gladiators, and also cheer for Montell on Strictly Come Dancing 2024.

Why study with us?

Brunel is the second-ranked university in London for Sports Science (Complete University Guide 2025).
Learning and sports facilities to study, train and keep active

Your studies will be supported by some of the best teaching and sports facilities in the UK including;

  • state-of-the-art physiology, biomechanics and psychology laboratories
  • world-class indoor athletics centre
  • international-standard 400m six-lane athletics track with full-field event facilities
  • large indoor netball hall
  • multi-use sports centre equipped with squash, basketball and netball courts, as well as a superb climbing wall
  • members-only fitness suite featuring treadmills, cycles and rowing machines
  • a weight-training area with free and fixed weights
  • grass and third-generation (3G) all-weather pitches
  • outdoor tennis courts
You'll have the opportunity to carry out a placement as part of your degree

Our Sport, Health, and Exercise Sciences BSc offers a one-year placement between years two and three of the four-year degree, giving you the experience to create a stand-out CV.

Flexible study options

As well as our full-time degree, you have the option of studying over two years to gain a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE). You can find out more about this route and apply through UCAS

Logo for the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) says 'Endorsed Course'.'
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You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Course content

The course is designed to give you a solid understanding of the physiological, biomechanical and psychological factors that influence human movement and how these relate to sports performance, fitness and wellbeing. It will not only prepare you for jobs in the sports and health industry, but could also help you set new personal bests in your sport of choice.

In your first year, you’ll study core modules that will give you a fundamental knowledge across all the broad disciplines within sports, health and exercise sciences. 

In year 2, you’ll start to specialise in the areas of psychology, biomechanics and physiology. However, the flexibility of this course means that if you change your mind about the programme you wish to study, you can switch over to our Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (Physical Education, Coaching and Social Issues) BSc programme in the second year if you wish. 

You’ll be able to select specific modules to focus on during your final year to further specialise your learning. You'll also carry out a major project in a topic of your choice.

Compulsory

  • SP1611 - Academic and Personal Development

    This module supports students’ effective transition from prior learning and work-based contexts into the higher education environment and the Brunel learning community. You'll reflect on and develop your study skills and learn the fundamentals of effective academic practices.

  • SP1615 - Introduction to Biomechanics

    This module will enable students to gain elementary scientific foundations of knowledge in the biomechanical principles, underpinning human movement. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the measurement tools used to obtain key measures of human movement and forces; and to develop their appreciation of their utility and limitations. It will also support students to apply fundamental biomechanical principles to understanding movements in sport, health and exercise scenarios.

  • SP1616 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

    This module will provide students with a foundational knowledge of human anatomy and physiology in relation to sport, health and exercise contexts. It will raise students’ awareness of key theories, principles and processes as they apply to sport, health and exercise-related activities. Students will also gain an appreciation of how learned theories, principles and concepts may be applied in an interdisciplinary manner.

  • SP1613 - Introduction to Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing

    This module introduces students to selected theoretical, conceptual and methodological approaches to promoting, delivering and measuring physical activity for health and wellbeing. You will also develop your problem-solving skills as you consider approaches for improving health and wellbeing through physical activity.

  • SP1612 - Introduction to the Psychology of Sport and Exercise
    This module aims to equip students with a preliminary understanding of key psychological concepts in relation to sport and exercise contexts; including how factors such as anxiety, motivation, and confidence impact sports performance. During laboratory-based sessions, students are encouraged to analyse, evaluate, create and apply knowledge to hypothetical and/or real-world scenarios.
  • Pedagogy and Policy in Sport and Physical Education
    Students will be introduced to a range of issues relating to Physical Education teaching and coaching practice, including: the history and aims, pedagogical concepts, principles of inclusion and the relationship between policy, curriculum and practice. The module also introduces the theoretical concept of physical literacy through a range of practical contexts and explores how it underpins lifelong participation in physical activity.
  • Sport Development Issues and Policy
    This module aims to encourage students to identify and understand social phenomena associated with sports in contemporary society. Students are introduced to social and management theories as well as different political and cultural ideologies, and how they relate with the world of sport.

Compulsory

  • SP2614 - Biomechanics of Human Movement
    This module aims to allow students to gain proficiency in calculating and explaining common biomechanical measures that are used to assess human movement. Students will be introduced to biomechanical concepts and gain hands-on experience with measurement equipment and analysis techniques related to the assessment of human movement.
  • SP2613 - Developing Research Methods and Data Analysis Skills
    The aim of this study block is to develop students’ understanding of the nature of different research models as well as their quantitative and qualitative research skills. Students will have the opportunity to formulate research questions and determine appropriate methods that are related to their final-year project.
  • SP2615 - Graduate and Transferable Skills
    The aim of this module is to introduce a range of knowledge and skills expected within working environments. Students will develop their ability to engage in self-appraisal through a personal development plan to identify learning needs in the context of work settings.
  • SP2616 - Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing in the Life Course
    This module aims to develop students’ ability to examine and apply selected theories and concepts of physical activity for health and wellbeing in the life course. Students will also discover and understand the multidisciplinary nature of physical activity, health and wellbeing.
  • SP2617 - Physiology of Sport and Exercise
    The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the body’s immediate response to, and recovery from, a single bout of exercise. Students will critically analyse and interpret experimental data. This will illustrate how the physiological systems of the body respond over time and adapt to the stress of repeated bouts of exercise, including how the body adjusts to environmental extremes (e.g. heat, cold and altitude).
  • The Application of Sport Science to Coaching: Working with Individuals
    The aim of this module is to promote students’ understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of coaching and their ability to apply theory to sports coaching practices, contexts and performers; specifically relating to the individual needs of sports performers, at different stages of learning and development. Students will learn performance analysis skills and how these relate to the coaching process.
  • The Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity: Theory and Application
    This module supports students to synthesise and critically evaluate contemporary sport and exercise psychology research. Topics covered include individual differences, exercise and cognitive function, decision-making and attention. Students also have the opportunity to showcase their own research project, for which they collect data as part of a team.

Compulsory

  • SP3616 - Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis: Final Year Project
    Students will carry out an individual, original piece of academic work within an area of personal interest in a particular topic within the context of sport, health and exercise sciences. Students can choose their own approach to the project, which is most suited to their skills, interests and subject focus.
  • SP3614 - Employability and Professional Development
    The aim of this module is to continue to improve students’ professional development and employability through critical reflexive practice, personal responsibility and autonomy. Specifically, the module encourages the development of leadership and management skills that are valued in graduate-level employment contexts and enable students to produce strong applications for graduate-level jobs and/or courses of further study.
  • SP3615 - Issues in Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing in the Life Course
    The aim of this module is to select, critically analyse and apply interdisciplinary knowledge and methods to understanding physical activity, health and wellbeing. The module encourages students to engage in detailed critical analysis of current policy research and practice in the field of physical activity, health and wellbeing.

Optional

  • SP3617 - Advanced Biomechanics of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity
    Students will gain extensive hands-on experience in using the four main types of biomechanical analysis techniques (video motion analysis, force platform, electromyography, and isokinetic dynamometry). Students will develop skills in data analysis and interpretation, and graphical presentation of data through experiments carried out in the laboratory.
  • SP3619 - Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology
    The aim of this module is to familiarise students with contemporary topics in applied sport and exercise psychology (e.g. imagery, anxiety and performance and exercise as a mental health intervention), as well as encouraging deep thinking about the links between research and applied practice. The content covers relevant concepts, theories and research to derive applied interventions.
  • SP3618 - Physiological Limitations to Exercise Performance

    To provide a sound knowledge of the physiological determinants of exercise performance, with a specific focus on the high-performance athlete, to engage students in a detailed study of physiological limitations to exercise and to enable students to critically assess the influence of environmental extremes on exercise performance.

  • The Application of Sport Science to Coaching: Working with Teams
    This module aims to develop an understanding of effective team coaching and enhance awareness of the multidisciplinary nature of contemporary sports coaching. Specifically, students will discover the multidisciplinary needs analysis of a team, and to propose a viable intervention to address those needs. Skills acquired within this module relate to performance analysis and how this links to the coaching process.

This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.

This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.


Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Careers and your future

Our staff have national and international reputations for their research, publications and applied work. Many are accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), the British Psychological Society (BPS) or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which enables them to work with high-performance athletes from a wide variety of sports – and many of them do. This means that your education will be at the forefront of theory and practice, covering the most up-to-date industry knowledge which will prepare you for a career in a variety of fields.

You may wish to continue your education further by studying a postgraduate course. This programme is the ideal stepping stone to progress to postgraduate courses and a career in academic research. You could even choose to progress to a postgraduate course to become a physiotherapist.

Or, as this course equips you for pursuing a career in the clinical side of sport, you may want to work for the NHS or in any number of fitness-related careers. 

Alternatively, you could find your career in coaching, consultancy, fitness testing and training, sport development or sport management from grassroots to elite sport level. Examples of graduate schemes include the Greenwich Leisure Limited Trainee Manager Graduate Scheme or the Police Now National Graduate Leadership Programme.

UK entry requirements

2026/7 entry

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

If you are unable to meet the direct entry criteria above, you are invited to apply for a foundation course in Life Sciences at Brunel Pathway College. When you successfully pass the foundation year, you can progress on to the Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences BSc.

A minimum of five GCSEs are required including GCSE Mathematics (grade C/4), and either GCSE English Language (grade C/4) or GCSE English Literature (grade B/5).

Standard Offer: GCE A level BBB including grade B in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Physical Education (PE), Psychology or Sociology

Contextual Offer: GCE A level BBC including grade B in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Physical Education (PE), Psychology or Sociology

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.

Standard Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma DDM in Applied Science, Health & Social Care, Sport, Sport & Exercise Science, Sport and Outdoor Activities, Sport, Fitness and Personal Training, Sporting Excellence and Performance or Sports Coaching & Development

Contextual Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma DMM in Applied Science, Health & Social Care, Sport, Sport & Exercise Science, Sport and Outdoor Activities, Sport, Fitness and Personal Training, Sporting Excellence and Performance or Sports Coaching & Development

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.

Standard Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Diploma DM in: Applied Science, Health & Social Care, Sport, Sport and Exercise Science, Sport and Outdoor Activities, Sport, Fitness and Personal Training, Sporting Excellence and Performance or Sports Coaching & Development and an A-level at grade B in any subject 

OR

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma DM in any subject, and an A Level grade B in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Physical Education (PE), Psychology or Sociology

Contextual Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Diploma MM in: Applied Science, Health & Social Care, Sport, Sport and Exercise Science, Sport and Outdoor Activities, Sport, Fitness and Personal Training, Sporting Excellence and Performance or Sports Coaching & Development and an A-level at grade B in any subject

OR

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma MM in any subject, and an A Level grade B in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Physical Education (PE), Psychology or Sociology

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.

Standard Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate Distinction in: Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Applied Psychology, Health & Social Care, Sport, Sport and Exercise Science, Sport and Outdoor Activities, Sport, Fitness and Personal Training, Sporting Excellence and Performance, Sports Coaching & Development and A-levels at grade BC in any subject

OR

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate Distinction in any subject with an A-level grades BC including grade B in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Physical Education (PE), Psychology or Sociology

Contextual Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate Merit in: Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Applied Psychology, Health & Social Care, Sport, Sport and Exercise Science, Sport and Outdoor Activities, Sport, Fitness and Personal Training, Sporting Excellence and Performance, Sports Coaching & Development and A-levels at grade BB in any subject

OR

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate Merit in any subject with an A-level grades BB including grade B in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Physical Education (PE), Psychology or Sociology

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.

Standard Offer: International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points including a minimum of 5 in Higher Level Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Psychology, Sports, Exercise and Health Science or Physics. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 2 or HL 2

Contextual Offer: International Baccalaureate Diploma 29 points including a minimum of 5 in Higher Level Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Psychology, Sports, Exercise and Health Science or Physics. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 2 or HL 2

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.

Standard Offer: Obtain a minimum of 120 tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3 in a related subject (Bioscience, Health, Health & Human Science, Forensic Science, Nutrition, Psychology, Science or Sport etc). 

Contextual Offer: Obtain a minimum of 112 tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3 in a related subject (Bioscience, Health, Health & Human Science, Forensic Science, Nutrition, Psychology, Science or Sport etc). 

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.

Merit overall in a related subject (Health or Science)

If your qualification isn't listed above, please contact the Admissions Office by emailing admissions@brunel.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1895 265265 to check whether it's accepted and to find out what a typical offer might be.

Brunel's committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We'll fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants, as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
  • Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
  • BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
  • TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)  

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

Fees and funding

2026/27 entry

UK

£9,790 full-time

£1,385 placement year

International

£17,400 full-time

£1,385 placement year

Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,535 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy.

For the 2026/27 academic year, tuition fees for home students will be £9,790, subject to Parliamentary approval.

In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap. The Government has confirmed that this will be £9,790 for 2026/27 and £10,050 for 2027/28 (subject to Parliamentary approval).

From 2028 onwards, the fee cap is expected to rise annually in line with inflation. This means your tuition fees in future years may increase to reflect these changes.

More information on any additional course-related costs.

See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.

Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.

Teaching and learning

Assessment and feedback

We assess modules through a combination of critical reviews, lab reports, case studies, presentations, and exams. You'll also complete an e-portfolio that will promote your personal and professional development and enhance your digital literacy. And, in your final year, you'll write a dissertation.

 

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.