BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
This popular course is no.1 in the South West for student satisfaction in sport science (Complete University Guide 2022) and scores 91% for student satisfaction (NSS 2021). It offers state-of-the-art sport and exercise science equipment, a BASES accredited lab and work-based learning options.
BASES accredited sports science programme
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Entry requirements
Three A-levels at grades BBC or above
Or BTEC triple grades DMM or above
Or Access 30-42 with 18D
Or T level M
And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above
Non-traditional learners are encouraged to apply and we will consider their work experience and ability to work at this level
We will accept 2 AS levels in lieu of one A level but must be accompanied by 2 A Levels or BTECs (General Studies is excluded).
UCAS points 112
UCAS code 5A8R
UCAS institution code P63
Duration Three years full-time or six years part-time with the option to specialise in strength and conditioning, physical activity and health or nutrition.
Full entry requirements
In addition, preference will be given to applicants with the following:
- Engagement in sport as a participant, coach, leader or volunteer
- NGB awards
- Leadership awards (such as JSLA, CSLA, HSLA)
- Work experience in an appropriate sports environment
Any questions?
Contact Tara Godber, our Applicant Support Coordinator, if you have any questions. Email applicantsupport@marjon.ac.uk and Tara will get back to you.
Course Summary
Our BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). To go on to become an accredited sport scientist you need a BASES endorsed sports science degree. In addition this course can be taken as a part-time route, and this option is popular with Public Services and Military personnel.
This inspiring, varied sports science degree enables students to explore the impact of sport and exercise science on optimising athletes’ performance in competitive sport and exercise. It addresses the importance of sport and exercise scientists in the preparation of athletes for the competitive environment. It looks specifically at how they can have a significant impact on maximising performance outcomes, highlighting just how rewarding a sports science career can be.
Studying the core disciplines of sport and exercise physiology, psychology, biomechanics and technique analysis, the course prepares sport and exercise graduates to work effectively in this challenging and demanding industry.
As students' progress through the course they can focus on the core disciplines or opt to specialise in strength and conditioning, physical activity and health or nutrition.
Why this course at Marjon?
State of the art BASES accredited lab
Practical hands on experience working with athletes and patients in our health clinics
Real life experience and placements with a range of organisations including professional sports teams and public services
Gain Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training qualifications (at no extra cost)
Field trips to observe sport and exercise science in practice inclusive of a world class performance setting
Option to study in the USA
Modules for this course
Course Snapshot
“ In our first year we learnt the basics that underpin the whole of sport and exercise science. We learnt about how a sportsperson’s mentality can affect performance. We also spent time in the sports science lab performing practical tests on athletes to assess performance. In the second year we’re learning about strength and conditioning and how bodies move during sport. We’ll build on our anatomical knowledge by learning about how bodies can be used efficiently. In the third year we will focus on how to apply our skills to work with professional and amateur athletes.”
Please note: optional modules are marked with an *
1st Year
Professional practice
Sport, exercise & health psychology
Anatomy and physiology for sport and exercise
Introduction to human movement and biomechanics
Conditioning principles for sport, exercise and health
Introduction to sport and exercise nutrition
2nd Year
Sport and exercise psychology
Work-based learning: sport and exercise science
Performance and technique analysis for sport
Sport and exercise physiology
Research methods and analysis in sport and health sciences
Applied strength and conditioning for sport and exercise*
Nutrition for health and performance*
Exercise prescription and the fitness professional*
Advanced lifestyle practitioner*
Entrepreneurship and small business management*
3rd Year
Honours project
Performance biomechanics*
Injury biomechanics*
Performance physiology*
Environmental physiology*
Contemporary sport and exercise psychology*
Applied sport psychology*
Applied interdisciplinary sport and exercise science*
Advances in strength and conditioning*
Nutrition for strength and conditioning*
Advanced nutrition for sport and exercise*
Nutrition across the lifespan*
Current students say...
Lucy Robinson
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunities that make you ‘work ready’ when you graduate. I worked with Plymouth Raiders planning and running sessions aimed at improving their overall strength. I was thrown in at the deep-end, leading these sessions from the get-go, but it allowed me to get stuck in and come up with my own session ideas, which has been hugely rewarding. I’ve learnt so much since I started working with Raiders, and a lot of it I wouldn’t have learned without getting hands-on experience.”
Mia Halifax
"The lecturers are supportive and will help at any opportunity and they have a genuine love of what they teach, which they impart to you. I’ve developed through working in the labs, gaining a Personal Trainer qualification and expanding my coaching experience. I feel ready to go into any sport and exercise field once I graduate and I’m assured and confident in the skills I’ve gained here.”
Dani Scandrett
“I like the wide variety of modules and the opportunities to work with both athletes and clinical patients. I’ve gained in confidence from working with a variety of people and applying what I’ve learnt. I’ve also been able to get a large amount of practical experience in the lab.”
This course is perfect if you’re curious about
Will your running style improve if you run with no shoes?
What does it feel like to perform at altitude? Find out in our climatic chamber.
Does an athlete need to be big to be strong?
Can I play a role in helping to reduce the number of people who get diabetes?
Are athletes born or made?
When should athletes retire and can you delay the ageing process of muscles with exercise?
See where our graduates are now
James Aldous-Granby
“Studying at Marjon helped me develop the skills I need to succeed in the workplace. You need to be able to apply your knowledge across all sports, understanding the differences and similarities. The opportunities and teaching at Marjon encourage you to do this regularly, increasing confidence in the transferability of you skills. This means, despite starting a job in a completely different field, Marjon gave me confidence to know I can apply the knowledge and skills I learnt while studying.”
James is an Associate at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).
Bow Jackson
“On a daily basis I use my degree knowledge to explain the fitness levels firefighters require. Marjon developed my time management skills immensely, which I was able to transfer into working life. Working my own timetable, I can effectively train, test and network within the service. The number of people I met created a large network, which has continued to help me throughout my work, accessing useful contacts and knowledge which further my personal development and my working relationships.”
Bow is Fitness Advisor for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service.
Luke Connolly
“I work with students, researchers and elite athletes on a daily basis covering exercise physiology, biomechanics and psychology. With a keen interest for sport and exercise, studying at Marjon provided the foundations required to kick-start my career. With a range of modules available, I gained knowledge in relevant disciplines and tailored my career towards exercise physiology. Simultaneously, I gained practical qualifications such as the FA Level 1, allowing me to coach ‘soccer’ in America.”
Luke is Assistant Laboratory Manager and a PhD student in Exercise Physiology at the University of Exeter.
What might you become?
Many graduates go on to work in the sport and fitness sector for employers such as Exeter Chiefs, Plymouth Argyle, the Royal Marines, the NHS and Virgin Active. Others go on to work in schools, in roles ranging from sports coach to sport and exercise scientist at a specialist sport academy. Graduates have also pursued postgraduate studies in health and exercise science, nutrition and education.
Endorsed by:
The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
This course is endorsed by BASES, professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK. BASES regard it to provide the sufficient opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills essential to become a practicing sport and exercise scientist or to progress to postgraduate study.
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity
CIMSPA is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, committed to supporting, developing and enabling professionals and organisations to succeed and, as a result, inspire our nation to become more active.
How you’ll be taught and assessed?
How will you be taught?
Includes lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical laboratory experience with access to high-specification physiology and biomechanics laboratories. Work based learning placements will also be undertaken.
How will you be assessed?
Mainly based on the production of lab reports, practical assessments, essays, presentation, e-portfolio and website development.
Ben, currently undertaking a PhD specializing in vertical jump force-time analysis; monitoring and enhancing performance. He is also a Sport Science Officer lecturing in applied biomechanics and strength & conditioning.
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum
Fees for International students: £14,600 per annum
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Additional costs:
A DBS check is required.
Funding available for this course
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Learn moreLecturers
Ben, currently undertaking a PhD specializing in vertical jump force-time analysis; monitoring and enhancing performance. He is also a Sport Science Officer lecturing in applied biomechanics and strength & conditioning.
Melissa has research interests that include increasing self-awareness and positive growth and mental health, developing confidence and emotional control, reducing anxiety, and facilitating communication.
Sophie, who plays pool for England, teaches sport and exercise psychology principles and how these can be applied to improve sport performance and wellbeing.
Ben has more than twenty years of experience working in various health and fitness roles. In this time he has worked with more than a thousand participants and helped train hundreds of fitness professionals.
Joe has 20 years experience within the area of health and exercise physiology and researches health care interventions, physiology and metabolism. He previously worked as an Occupational Physiologist and Researcher for the UK Ministry of Defence and the Netherlands National Research Office.
Chris is Manager of the Sport and Health Science Laboratory.
Chris has been involved in community football for over 20 years. He oversees the sport science support programme for Plymouth Argyle FC Youth Academy and the operational management for their Centre of Excellence. He helps students to gain volunteering and placement opportunities. He is a Coach Mentor for the FA and as part of the degree programme; students can apply to become part of the FA Young Coach Development Team to develop their theoretical understanding and coaching practice. His other interests include performance analysis, physiological testing and the development of football within the wider community.
More information
Studying the following modules will allow you to graduate with a specialism in:
- Strength and conditioning specialism - you must take Applied strength and conditioning for sport and exercise (Yr2), Advances in strength and conditioning (Yr3) and Nutrition for strength and conditioning (Yr3).
- Physical activity and health specialism - you must take Exercise prescription and the fitness professional (Yr2), Advanced lifestyle practitioner (Yr3) and Nutrition across the lifespan (Yr3).
- Nutrition specialism - you must take Nutrition for health and performance (Yr2), Advanced nutrition for sport and exercise (Yr3) and Nutrition across the lifespan (Yr3).
Find out more:
- Read about Adam's experience of studying BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at Marjon over on the blog.
- Read more about the cutting-edge equipment available in the sports science lab.
Find out more about studying BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at Marjon
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