Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
i2i International Soccer Academy

What does a Sport and Exercise Science degree involve?

With an emphasis on practical science, you’ll develop an understanding of the skills needed to help athletes from all backgrounds and abilities gain the maximum from their performance.

Throughout the degree, there is multidisciplinary collaboration between students across modules, and you’ll be encouraged to develop an understanding of the diverse needs of participants and clients from different clinical groups and cultural backgrounds. We also provide you with the opportunity to study out-of-discipline modules with an emphasis on sport management and sport coaching to build your skills and knowledge further.

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are student-centred, enabling you to pursue issues and research questions of personal interest, be creative, and demonstrate individual passion. For example, assessments report on scientific data, provide client feedback, present, write practical exams, and sometimes ‘real-world’ settings such as primary schools.

Who will teach you at Northumbria?

Our staff are accredited by HEA, BASES, HCPC CPsychol, HCPC Physio, UKSCA, NSCA, SENr. You’ll learn about health issues from internationally acknowledged experts, giving you the real-world experience to inform your applications for public health roles beyond graduation. Many staff have also worked in the sports industry, including coaching athletes competing at international, world and Olympic standards to bring that real-life experience to your learning.

We also have a fantastic Technical Support Team who help facilitate our laboratory and coaching practicals, going above and beyond to support our students with their studies, especially their practical competency skills.

The Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation aims to give all student-athletes a first-class education within modern facilities to support your learning and professional growth.

Predominantly housed in Sport Central, our facilities include an indoor 40-metre sprint track, a range of state-of-the-art sport science laboratories and an environmental chamber that allows students and researchers to manipulate environmental conditions to mimic anywhere in the world. These facilities are complemented by multi-functional learning spaces and afford our students hands-on experience to enhance their development as researchers and practitioners.

The Libraries offer learning spaces to meet various needs, from silent or quiet study to social and collaborative learning. You'll be able to find the right learning space for you, whether you want to focus, free from distraction or work as part of a group. You'll also have access to an extensive collection of scholarly resources, including books, ebooks, print and e-journals, databases, collections of early historical books and primary digital archives.

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists to guide your preparation for seminars and independent research.

Northumbria's research ethos underpins the problem-based, experiential learning approaches embedded within our research-rich curriculum. This approach will equip you to apply and develop knowledge in ‘real world’ situations, mindful of the cultural context and able to act ethically with integrity.

Research Informed Learning approaches and the learning of specific research skills are embedded throughout the programme, with a research philosophy and design strand culminating in an independent research study in your final year. 

Research active staff share their knowledge and expertise, and as a student-athlete you'll be encouraged to participate in research projects throughout your studies.

What can you use a Sport and Exercise Science degree for?

The course focuses on practical hands-on training to equip you with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to work in various roles, such as an Exercise Physiologist, Personal Trainer, Sports Coach, Performance Analyst, PE teacher, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Sports Development Officer. Some students continue their studies in other areas, such as physiotherapy or postgraduate level.

By studying this programme, you'll follow in the footsteps of the Northumbria sporting elite, including Olympic gold medalist Victoria Pendleton, double Commonwealth champion swimmer Chris Cook and England international rugby union player Jamie Noon.

Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to do various add-on courses. This might include 'working with people with disabilities', 'working with children', 'first aid', 'ISAK Level 1/2 Body Composition Analysis', etc.*, to enhance employability prospects and graduate readiness.

*Additional costs may be required.