BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Three or Four Years
- Start Date: September 2025
A Sport and Exercise Science degree from BNU provides you with a combination of applied practical experience and academic knowledge. You will gain the skills and experience to work in a range of sport and exercise related fields with the general public, amateur athletes and professional athletes at all levels.
This degree programme is endorsed by the (BASES) and focuses on the core disciplines of exercise physiology, biomechanics, and psychology. You will also study strength and conditioning, performance analysis, and coaching. You will have the opportunity to learn in our Human Performance Laboratory and work with our Sports Scholars and athletes on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).
Gain an in-depth understanding of the various factors influencing sport and exercise, with the application of these to practice. This approach ensures that you can be ready to real-world scenarios, ensuring your readiness for professional roles in sport and exercise. Whether your goals are to improve the performance of professional sports people, aid talented young players, or combat societal issues such as obesity, a sport and exercise science degree from Buckinghamshire New University will help you gain the skills and experience you need to stand out in today’s workplace.
Gain access to advanced facilities, including a Human Performance Lab equipped with industry-standard technology. These resources offer hands-on experience, allowing you to apply principles in practical settings, enriching your learning experience. Our focus is on improving your employability, helping you gain relevant work experience in sport and exercise science, and providing you with an in-depth understanding of the key skills required in the workplace. We do this by giving you the chance to apply your skills wherever possible in simulated real-world environments, using industry standard facilities in the field and in our Human Performance Lab.
The course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), providing graduates with a competitive advantage recognized nationally and internationally. This endorsement reflects our adherence to high standards of education in sport and exercise. We’re currently linked with , , and academy teams, , , GB para-athletes and many community level sports clubs. Being part of the BNU family means you have access to many free events, the opportunity to join sports teams, undertake competitions and go on external trips thanks to our big deal.
Buckinghamshire New University gives you more freedom to shape your career how you want it. We introduce you to various specialisms in your first year, and offer you the flexibility to choose which course leads to your career goal. After you've gotten a feel for them all, you can choose to switch to BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning, or continue on with your course after your first year, both awards are equal.
These courses are also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and needs for progression onto a BSc or BA programme. The foundation year is available if you didn't get the grades you were expecting for the entry requirements.
What will I study?
This course is designed to provide you with complete understanding of the key scientific principles behind exercise science: physiology, biomechanics, sports psychology, strength and conditioning, and performance analysis.
Endorsed by the (BASES), our degree combines scientific principles and research with a more practical approach to study.
Theoretical knowledge gained at the beginning of the course will be applied to simulated real-world examples to reflect industry practice. Applied research becomes connected with health and performance-based learning, and you will have the opportunity to gain a Level 2 fitness industry qualification alongside the main degree programme.
Practical sessions will introduce you to a range of fitness tests or provide learning opportunities where theoretical information can be demonstrated working in real time. Throughout the degree you will receive guidance and support from lecturers to help steer yourself towards your desired career goals. We aim to introduce you to many functional tools used in industry to conduct research, day to day tasks and reach the next level of understanding.
We’ll develop critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, and a detailed scientific reasoning process. This will culminate in a core Sports Science in Practice module, designed to allow you to lead on the delivery of sports science services both internally and to external stakeholders and partners, enhancing your employability
Sport at Buckinghamshire New University
Whether you are aspiring to international level competition or simply want to keep physically active, sport at BNU is committed to providing outstanding and inclusive experiences for everyone. In partnership with our award winning student union we provide an extensive range of opportunities and aim to remove financial barriers though our subsidised and free provision and support.
Recreational Sport
The ‘Big Deal’ and Sport for Fun through our Student union provides a wide range of free opportunities from badminton and boxing, cycling, and snow sports.
Gateway Gym
At our modern and well equipped gym you can benefit from great student rates. You’ll be able to get personalised help and advice from gym trainers, use a range of fitness equipment and choose from a wide range of exercise classes.
University sports teams
Our university teams play in competitive leagues and BUCs across fifteen different sports and physical activity. The teams are free to join and provide excellent coaching and social opportunities for our students.
Individual sports
Not everyone wants to join a team and our SU provides outstanding support to athletes at county level across a wide range of individual sports to compete in BUCs competitions. BUCS Individual competitions are host to the best student athletes in the country.
Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme
At BNU we are committed to supporting athletes on the England Talent Pathway and are proud to have been a TASS delivery site for over five years, supporting more than forty athletes with our local community. As a student athlete on TASS you will be able to access all of the support you need to achieve your sporting goals on site from our friendly team.
Performance Sport academy and opportunities
If you do not qualify for TASS status we can still support you at BNU with an extensive package of services.
We are proud to support national level swimming and basketball through our performance centres. In partnership with Wycombe District Swimming Club and Reading Rockets Basketball we are able to offer athletes an opportunity to combine sports training with higher education.
What facilities can I use?
Our facilities have all you need to gain experience, undertake training, enhance your learning, and develop your fitness levels.
Most of our work takes place in the Human Performance, Exercise and Wellbeing Centre. This is where the body can be fully tested and evaluated, using specialist equipment used by practicing sport and exercise scientists. It contains a working clinic and human performance laboratory. Besides teaching, the lab is used to test elite athletes/teams, and run as a commercial facility where the general public can complete a range of health and fitness tests. The work you complete here helps prepare you for your future career.
Additionally, the University has a range of sport and fitness facilities, including a commercially run sports hall and fitness centre and the Gateway Gym on our High Wycombe Campus, with competitive student rates. Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.
How will I be taught and assessed?
Assessments are designed to equip you with industry knowledge, experience, academic and cognitive, and critical and transferrable skills.
There is a varied amount of assessment on this course. It is predominantly based on coursework and practical assessments. Where possible assessments are designed to mirror ‘real world’ sport and exercise science and strength and conditioning activities so you may find them useful experiences when you graduate.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.
A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Those with no previous study, work experience, or who do not meet the specified entry requirements, including demonstrating the necessary knowledge and understanding, are welcome to apply for the 3-year BSc (Hons) degree, however may be offered the four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
-
Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 *
-
Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 per year *
International
-
Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 *
-
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 per year *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
The blend of theoretical, practical and work-based learning you’ll experience in this course will set you up for a career within the fields of high-performance sport or clinical exercise.
You can choose from a range of career possibilities, such as:
- sport and exercise scientist
- strength and conditioning coach
- health assessment and screening
- performance analysis
- sports coach
- teacher training
- health and fitness club management
- fitness consultancy (PT)
- personal fitness training (PT)
- corporate health advice
- armed forces
Graduates can also choose to study for a Postgraduate course.
You’ll also have the chance to apply for which is now becoming required for many jobs in the industry.
Course leader
