Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (Physical Education, Coaching and Social Issues) BSc (Hons)

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Overview

Brunel Language Centre is British Council Accredited and recognised by the English Language Gazette as a Centre of Excellence.

The Brunel Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (Physical Education, Coaching and Social Issues) BSc is for students who are interested in working in physical education or youth sport, developing sport in communities, helping individuals fulfil their potential in sport and health, as well as those seeking to gain a strong understanding and application of sports coaching principles and practices.

You'll explore the sociological, political, pedagogical and psychological factors that influence participation in physical education and sport, and how these relate to sports performance, physical activity, health and wellbeing.

You'll learn how to plan, deliver, manage and evaluate high-quality activities and events aimed at encouraging and enabling people to get involved in sport and physical activity, from grassroots to elite level.

You’ll also explore social issues in physical education such as gender, race and religion and inclusive practice. In addition, you'll learn historical and philosophical aspects related to PE.

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

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 also have the opportunity to carry out a placement as part of your degree. This will give you the type of experience that will enable you to create a standout CV. Our Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (Physical Education, Coaching and Social Issues) BSc offers one year placement between years two and three, as part of a four year degree.

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

Brunel is the second-ranked university in London for Sports Science (Complete University Guide 2025)

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Course content

Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.

This course is designed to prepare you to work in physical education, coaching or sport development. You’ll gain a solid grounding in the sport and exercise sciences and learn to plan, teach and assess physical activities and programmes.

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 education, social issues in sport and the policies and practices within physical education, sport development and coaching.

However, the flexibility of this course means that if you change your mind about the areas you wish to study, you can switch over to our Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences BSc programme in the second year if you wish.

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

Year 1

Compulsory

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Year 2

Compulsory

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.
Policy and Practice in Physical Education, Sports Coaching and Sport Development (Macro Analysis)
During this module, students will develop their understanding of different policy instruments and processes and how different people engage with and interpret macro level policy. Students will consider the issue of inclusion and exclusion in Physical Education, youth sport and sports development from a policy and practice perspective.
Sport, Social Issues and Video Production
Students will learn to use theory and research to explain and evaluate contemporary social issues in sports. Students learn about all phases of video production and create a short film using state of the art camera and video equipment.
Pedagogy, Social Psychology and Learning in Sport
This module enables students to develop their understanding of physical literacy as well as effective learning environments and motivational climates that support the development of lifelong participation in physical activity. Students will gain understanding of the effects of children’s experiences and movement competence on their lifelong participation in physical activity.
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.

Year 3

Compulsory

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.
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.

Optional

Policy and Practice in Physical Education, Sports Coaching and Sport Development (Micro analysis)
This module introduces the policy context of physical education, sports coaching and sports development and aims to build an understanding of different political ideologies, policy instruments and process. Students will critically analyse how people engage with and interpret meso- and micro-level policy. This is developed through a broader social context that explores issues of identity and power, considering how they relate and influence policy and practice.
Critical Issues in Sport
The aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to critically evaluate social problems/issues associated with sports in contemporary society and apply social theories/research to critically analysing these issues. A particular focus is given to the role of the media in (re)producing social phenomena.
Critical Pedagogy and Learning in Sport
The aim of this module is to explore how diverse learners experience Physical Education and youth sport, and to consider the application of critical pedagogy to support effective learning environments. Additionally, the module encourages students to examine how contemporary cultural issues related to technology, health and embodiment impact learners and pedagogy in sport. Students will investigate the challenges, choices and constraints faced by Physical Education teachers, coaches and learners in present and future learning environments.
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.

Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel

How to apply

Click the 'Apply now' button on this page. You’ll be prompted to tell us the module you’d like to apply for in your application form. Make sure you tell us about your module choice so we can make a decision on your application more quickly. You’ll be able to find the details of the different modules you can apply for on this webpage. Once we have received your completed application we will assess it and contact you by email with the outcome.

If you have enrolled on a CPPD course previously and would like to join another module, there is no need to submit another application. Instead, you should contact the Taught Programmes Office for the department you want to join and provide them with the details of the module you want to study. They will be able to provide you with more information on what you need to do.

Careers and your future

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.

In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.

Find out more.

The academic and practical skills you'll gain from your Brunel degree will open doors to careers in teaching, coaching, sport development, community sport and health and fitness or to postgraduate study.

This could be your first step to becoming a PE teacher or a PE specialist. You could also find yourself beginning a career as a multi-sport community coach, graduate football coach or an academy coach.

Alternatively, graduates from this course are well equipped to become a performance analyst, or work for the local council or in social media to promote the importance of physical education for youngsters today.

There are also opportunities in the growing sector of sport development. With increased awareness of the positive effects of sport on lifelong health and well-being this area of sport science offers a gateway into a range of different careers. You may want to work as a sport development officer, a manager for a sport and leisure centre or a team and event manager.

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.

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.

GCSEs

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).

A-level

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