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Southampton Solent University logo

BSc (Hons)Sport and Exercise Science

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Starting in2025
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UCAS code: SES2
Institution code: S30
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps

Why study sport and exercise science with a placement year

Gain a comprehensive understanding of sport and exercise performance with this BASES-endorsed degree that combines access to specialist facilities with professional placements and hands-on learning.

  • Top 0
    in the UK for teaching in sport and exercise sciences studies, out of 83 institutions (NSS 2024)
  • 0%
    positive responses for teaching (NSS 2024)
  • £0m
    investment in our campus and industry-standard facilities
  • Gain valuable first-hand work experience with a year-long full-time work placement between the second and third years of your degree.
  • Industry links with prestigious organisations including British Cycling, Hampshire County Cricket, Southampton Football Club, Hampshire FA, Eastleigh Football Club, Rugby Football Union and the NHS.
  • Modules and assessments have been created to develop key employability skills such as communicating scientific results; teaching and developing specific skills with athletes; and planning, organising, and conducting research projects.
  • Through professional placements and applied practice you will gain first-hand experience of working with teams and athletes in a high-performance environment. Past students have provided sport science support to Premiership rugby and football players, Olympic athletes, and national teams.
  • Access our BASES-accredited physiology laboratory, state-of-the-art biomechanics, sport and exercise psychology laboratories, and our modern Sports Complex, which includes fully equipped teaching gyms, strength and conditioning and consultancy spaces.
  • Taught by an industry-relevant course team. Members of staff are accredited by BASES and can supervise on the BASES Supervised Experience scheme.
Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.

Course overview

You'll have the option for a placement year between the second and third years of study, where you have the opportunity to work in industry, gaining valuable employment and experience.

This degree is founded upon the underlying principles of physiology, psychology and biomechanics. The course combines these scientific principles with highly practical skills, helping to prepare you for a career in the sport and exercise science industry.

Modules and assessments have been created to develop key employability skills and to complement your degree studies, you’ll be encouraged to prepare for BASES and UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) professional accreditation.

To help prepare you for a career in the sports industry, an applied and hands-on approach is encouraged. Through professional placements and applied practice you will gain first-hand experience of working with teams and athletes in a high-performance environment. With support and mentoring from the course team, past students have provided sport science support to Premiership rugby and football players, Olympic athletes, and national teams.

Throughout your degree, you’ll have access to a range of professional facilities such as our specialist BASES-accredited physiology laboratory and state-of-the-art biomechanics, sport and exercise psychology laboratories, our £28m sports complex, the award-winning Spark teaching building and a 24-hour library service.

Our academic team are all highly experienced within the industry and have extensive teaching, research and professional backgrounds. This ensures your learning experience will be informed by the latest evidence-based research and industry developments.

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Course features

  • Additional qualification

    This course offers additional qualifications for you to obtain with your degree

  • Foundation year available

    If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years

  • Professional membership

    You have the opportunity to obtain a professional membership as part of this degree

  • Specialist facilities

    This course has access to specialist facilities

  • Further studies

    After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent

  • Study abroad

    You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for anyone with a passion for sport and exercise, in particular the science behind elite performance. Applications from mature students looking for a change of career are welcomed.

What does this course lead to?

The skills you’ll develop on this course open up a wide range of career opportunities in sport and exercise science, across every sport imaginable. You could work with professional, elite or Olympic athletes, ensuring they maintain peak fitness in world-class competitions, or with hospitals and health organisations to develop training and recovery programmes for patients suffering injury or disability. You could also work with schools or even teach, developing fitness programmes and encouraging the next generation of athletes to excel.

Graduate stories

Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.

The lecturers have worked in many different fields and sports, which is great as they each bring different experiences.

Portrait image of Kelly Simm

Kelly Simm

Former Team GB athlete

Meet the team

The course is delivered by staff who have extensive teaching, professional and industry experience. Staff are committed to delivering an excellent student experience which blends theory and practice through real-world learning opportunities.

The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Facilities

Students on this course have access to the University's industry-standard sport and exercise facilities, including the Sports Complex, physiology lab, biomechanics lab and sport and exercise psychology lab.

Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.

    International opportunities

    Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.

    Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.

    For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.

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