The BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science course focuses on the science behind high performance sport – physiology, psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, strength and conditioning – underpinned by the application of chemistry, biology and physics.
During the course, you will develop and combine your sport and exercise knowledge together with lab-based and practical tuition and assessments which are designed to allow you to develop up-to-date practical skills and best practice.
Sport and exercise science helps athletes to perform at the highest levels and pushes the bounds of physical achievement to new levels. Sport science contains three broad elements – biomechanics (understanding we move and interact with equipment), physiology (how we respond to physical exercise) and sport psychology (how we behave in the context of sport and exercise). In this course, you will develop knowledge, skills and expertise in all these aspects of sport performance.
The UWS School of Health & Life Science has an enthusiastic and committed staff team that provides a supportive learning environment and a flexible approach to study. Sport & Exercise Science is offered at our state-of-the-art Lanarkshire Campus.
UWS offers opportunities for our students to study abroad via our exchange programmes.
Study abroad is extremely beneficial to personal and professional development and research has shown that worldwide employers value graduates with intercultural awareness and global competences.
In Year 3 you will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement with a relevant employer. This placement is specifically designed to develop your skills and experience in the workplace, enhancing your job prospects within the sports industry upon completion of your degree.
of BSc Sport and Exercise Science students are satisfied with the quality of the course
of BSc Sport and Exercise Science students were satisfied or very satisfied with knowledge of our teaching staff
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
Science subjects: Maths, Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology.
Please note: entry into second year is open to students normally domiciled in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and international students normally domiciled outside the EEA.
Successful applicants who gain a place on this course will need to register on the PVG Scheme, managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. An application form will be sent from the University once you have accepted your offer. The fee for joining the scheme is £59.
Visit the Disclosure Scotland website for more information on the PVG scheme.
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.
General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET)*.
For such courses, the IELTS score is as follows:
* Note that the Occupational English Test (OET) will now be accepted in addition to IELTS as proof of a Nurse's English Language Competence (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2019).
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:
* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*
*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
Discover more about Sport and Exercise Science at UWS Lanarkshire campus...
The UWS BSc Sport and Exercise Science provides a broad understanding of the principles and application of sport science. In years 3 and 4 students will have the opportunity to tailor their learning to their interests and career options, and complete a dissertation in their own area of interest.
In year 1 you will develop a basic understanding of Sport Development, Sport Coaching and Sport and Exercise Science. Subjects include: Introduction to Sport Coaching, Academic Skills for Sport and Exercise and Introduction to Sport Science.
In year 2 you will develop your understanding of specific areas of sport and exercise science. Subjects include: Principles of Sport and Exercise Physiology, Skill Acquisition and Sport and Exercise Nutrition.
In year 3 you will study Measurement in Sport and Exercise Science, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology and Strength and Conditioning Theory and Practice. Optional modules are available in biomechanics, psychology, strength and conditioning etc. You will also complete a module on Research Methods which will prepare you for year 4.
In year 4 you will focus on Exercise and Special Populations, Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, Injury in Sport and Exercise. Optional modules are available in biomechanics, psychology, strength and conditioning etc. You will also complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
This degree will be taught through a combination of learning methods including tutor-led lectures, tutorials and seminars, practical workshops and exercises in a simulated work environment, small group teaching and group project work. Independent, online and peer-to-peer learning is an important element of this course.
Our Sport and Exercise Science degree uses a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect:
Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.
Many graduates move into employment in local authority sport provision, physical activity within schools, professional sport and the healthcare and science professions. UWS Sport and Exercise Science graduates also work as research scientists, primary and secondary teachers, sport coaches, medical reps and police officers.
Graduating from the BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science, you will be well positioned to progress onto taught Masters (MScs) courses or research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD) in sport, exercise, health areas.
£1,820 cost per year of study (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study for four years but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study for four years but not more than £27,750
£12,000 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£2,350 per module (20 credits)
£1,820 cost per year of study (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study for four years but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study for four years but not more than £27,750
£16,000 per year of study
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs like study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms.
Fortunately, there is a great deal of financial support available to help students meet the cost of their study. This ranges from:
The sections below provide details of additional costs that your course may involve along with any financial support that may be available.
You can also find additional information in our Undergraduate Money, Fees & Funding section.
Students on certain degrees will incur some additional costs not covered by their tuition fees. These could be for things like specialist equipment, study materials, work placements, graduation, membership of relevant organisations or costs related to carrying out fieldwork.
For students on course with an element of fieldwork, there may also be extra costs for travel and accommodation.
Please contact the course leader for details of the additional costs associated with this course.
Tuition fees are calculated based on where you are from and what you are studying. Some courses also involve additional costs, such as mandatory field trips, equipment or studying abroad.
Find out how much it will cost you to study at UWS as an undergraduate student.
Scottish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
English, Welsh and Northern Irish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
EU students studying at undergraduate level of UWS may be eligible for SAAS funding, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
There are several scholarship and incentive schemes available to international students studying at undergraduate level at UWS, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
UWS administer a range of discretionary and childcare funds. These are designed to support students who are experiencing financial difficulty or struggling to meet the costs of childcare.
Becoming a student can have an impact on your entitlement to certain benefits. It may mean you are no longer eligible to claim a benefit you have been receiving, or your new income from student funding may affect the amount you are able to receive.
If there isn’t a statutory source of funding for you or your course, or you are in need of additional financial support, you may wish to consider more alternative sources of funding such as trust funds and scholarships.
Choosing to become a student can have a big impact on your budget and you may need to reassess your spending to account for a reduced income. We’ve put together some guidance to help you manage your money and make the right financial choices for you and your family.
All UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2020/21 entry is 15 January 2020, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2020, 18:00 (UK time). Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.