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Sport and Exercise Science

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,C

Excluding General Studies

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.

Achieve 30-42 level 3 credits at merit/distinction with a minimum of 18 Level 3 credits at Distinction

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Grade C or 4 English Language or an acceptable equivalent qualification

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DMM

We will accept triple grades achieved from a combination of other BTEC qualifications

T Level

M

UCAS Tariff

112

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Sport and exercise sciences

This inspiring, varied sports science degree enables you 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.

There are a number of pathways for you to specialise in; Sport and Exercise Science; Strength and Conditioning; Nutrition; Physical Activity and Health.

The programme establishes a contextualised understanding of the application of science (medicine, physical sciences and psychology) to sport performance and the optimisation of exercise participation. The programme identifies key strategies and techniques for optimising sports performance and maximising the benefits of exercise and is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES; BUES).

The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science is a multi-disciplinary programme and the core curriculum draws from the academic sub-disciplines physiology, psychology and biomechanics that underpin sport and exercise science academically and in applied practice.

The University’s partner links with professional sports clubs, as well as elite and community sports programmes and athletes in Plymouth and beyond, provides numerous opportunities to develop students’ sport and exercise science knowledge in an applied setting.

The degree prepares you to work not only as a sport and exercise scientist but also in a range of roles related to the degree including the exercise and fitness industry, health provision, supporting the coach and coaching process, teaching, research and rehabilitation.

The sport and exercise science facilities enable students to develop and apply their knowledge in both a laboratory and field based setting. Their learning is supported with academic staff who hold both academic and professional practice qualifications and who continue to work in the sector as practitioners.
The inclusion of specialist pathways (strength and conditioning, physical activity and health and nutrition) reflects the recognition to ensure the provision captures both the ‘sport’ aspect of programme (for example athlete performance, officiating and coaching and the impact of sport on the nation) and the ‘exercise’ component (positive and preventative impact of exercise on a wide-ranging array of physical and mental health conditions).

**Why study at Marjon?**

• Small, person-focused university
• No.2 university in England for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024)
• No.4 university in the UK for Career Prospects (WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2023)
• No.4 uni in England for Education (Student Experience) (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)

Modules

Year 1- Professional Practice, Introduction to human movement and biomechanics, Anatomy and physiology for sport and exercise, Introduction to sport, health and exercise psychology, Introduction to sport and exercise nutrition, Conditioning principles for sport, exercise and health.
Year 2- Work Based Learning: Sport and Exercise Science, Performance and technique analysis for sport, Sport and exercise physiology, Sport and exercise psychology, 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.
Year 3- Honours Project, Performance biomechanics, Injury biomechanics, Performance physiology, Environmental physiology, Sport and exercise psychology, Applied sport psychology, Applied interdisciplinary sport and exercise science, Advances in strength and conditioning
Advanced nutrition for sport and exercise
Work based learning*, Advanced Lifestyle Practitioner, Entrepreneurship and small business management, Nutrition for strength and conditioning, Nutrition across the lifespan.

Module prescription will be in accordance to the programme and pathway selected.

Assessment methods

Learning agreement, Developmental Project, Research project, Case study, Critical review, Honours Project, Essay, Formal examination (online exam), Report / Laboratory Report, Oral Presentation, Portfolio / E-Portfolio / Resource File/Online Reflective diary, Poster Presentation, Practical Examination/Assessment, Research proposal, Website Pitch

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£14,500
per year
International
£14,500
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Plymouth Marjon University

Department:

School of Sport, Health and Wellbeing

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

81%
Sport and exercise sciences

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Sport and exercise sciences

Teaching and learning

92%
Staff make the subject interesting
89%
Staff are good at explaining things
76%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
77%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

85%
Library resources
85%
IT resources
92%
Course specific equipment and facilities
74%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

99%
UK students
1%
International students
68%
Male students
32%
Female students
66%
2:1 or above
15%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
C

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Sport and exercise sciences

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£16,500
low
Average annual salary
95%
low
Employed or in further education
60%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

15%
Childcare and related personal services
12%
Sports and fitness occupations
11%
Health associate professionals

One of the fastest growing subjects in the country, the number of sports science graduates went from under 3,000 in 2003 to over 10,000 in 2013. Numbers have fallen slightly since 2015, but we still have over 9,000 graduates in the subject. However, the good news is the country's appetite for good health and fitness - and the adaptability of graduates in the subject - means that sports science grads are less likely than average to be out of work. Sports science graduates, not surprisingly, tend to get jobs in sport, fitness and health - coaching and teaching especially - but they're found all over the economy. Management and business are also popular options for graduates from this subject — and sports science graduates are particularly found where drive, determination and physical fitness are an advantage.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Sport and exercise sciences

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£17k

£17k

£21k

£21k

£26k

£26k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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