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Sport and Exercise Sciences

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B

BSc: AAB Including a science subject. Critical thinking and general studies excluded. We accept the following science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, maths, physics and physical education. Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement. When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or the Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ.

BSc: Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, graded at D39M6P0 including distinctions in biology and mathematics or chemistry. Accept Access courses in Applied Science and Science. Will also consider (depending on subject content): • biochemical sciences • biological and environmental science • biological and health science • biological sciences • biosciences • combined sciences • environmental science • life and biological science • life science • medical and health science professions • natural sciences • physical & natural sciences.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,M1

BSc: D3/D3/M1 including D3 in a science subject. Global Perspectives excluded. When an applicant is taking Global Perspectives this can be considered alongside Pre-U subjects and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. This would be D3/M1/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives.

Applicants offering an EPQ or IPQ qualification will receive a standard offer, as shown above, plus an alternative offer. The alternative offer would be ABB including a science subject plus grade A in EPQ / IPQ.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34

BSc: 34 points (17 at Higher Level) including 6 in a science or Sports, Exercise and Health Science.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3

BSc: H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 including H2 science (biology, mathematics, physics or chemistry).

BSc: Applicants with BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma qualifications must have at least one science or psychology at A-level. Applicants with BTEC Subsidiary Diploma qualifications must have at least 2 A-Levels and at least one of these should be in a science subject. Preferred BTEC qualification subjects include Applied Science or Sport and Exercise Science. Offers would be in the range A/B in the A-level subjects and Distinctions in the BTEC qualification.

BSc: Advanced Higher: 5 x Highers AABBB, with AB in 2 Advanced Highers including a science subject. General studies and critical thinking excluded. We accept the following science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics. Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.

UCAS Tariff

136

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

4 years | Full-time with year in industry | 2024

Subjects

Physiology

Sport and exercise sciences

Sport and exercise science has an important role in society, ranging from improving sports performance in elite athletes to reducing the burden of disease associated with physical inactivity in modern lifestyles. By improving our understanding of how the body and mind respond and adapt to exercise, we can develop new research-based approaches to enhance performance and health.

On this course you will be provided with a broad knowledge and understanding of the principal body systems, processes and functions in health and disease. Additionally, you will also have the opportunity to discover and explore individual areas such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, and motor control in more depth.

You will explore how this knowledge may be applied to optimise sports performance, improve health, disease outcomes, and inform rehabilitation strategies. You will gain an integrated understanding of how the body and mind respond to and learn from, the particular demands placed on it during sport and exercise.

You’ll be part of an investigative-based inspirational and engaging learning experience, informed by cutting edge research undertaken in purpose-built laboratories, and delivered by the world leading academics.

Our focus will be on making you workplace ready, equipped with the knowledge, skills and attributes required to succeed in whatever career you choose. To showcase your knowledge and skills to potential employers, you will undertake a capstone or culminating research project, where you will bring together the knowledge, skills and attributes developed throughout your degree.

**Course highlights**
- Top 15 in the UK for sport science – (Complete University Guide 2023 & The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022).

- Develop hands-on practical skills in our state-of-the-art physiology, biomechanics and motor control laboratories, including the use of our environmental chamber and motion capture system.

- Practical skills modules throughout the first 2 years train you to identify problems, design and conduct experiments to find answers to key health and sport related questions.

- Gain experience working with organisations relevant to the discipline such as sports teams, rehabilitation specialists, sports management teams, health organisations through our year in industry programme.

- The opportunity to undertake an independent capstone research project under the supervision of a field-leading academic, further developing the key skills and attributes that will set you apart in the graduate job market.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Leeds

Department:

Faculty of Biological Sciences

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.

75%
Physiology
73%
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.

Anatomy, physiology and pathology

Teaching and learning

80%
Staff make the subject interesting
81%
Staff are good at explaining things
77%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
82%
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

80%
Library resources
94%
IT resources
76%
Course specific equipment and facilities
55%
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?

96%
UK students
4%
International students
33%
Male students
67%
Female students
87%
2:1 or above
4%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
A
A

Sport and exercise sciences

Teaching and learning

76%
Staff make the subject interesting
90%
Staff are good at explaining things
70%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
70%
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

68%
Library resources
96%
IT resources
71%
Course specific equipment and facilities
62%
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?

93%
UK students
7%
International students
57%
Male students
43%
Female students
97%
2:1 or above
6%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
B
A

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.

Anatomy, physiology and pathology

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.

£22,000
med
Average annual salary
97%
low
Employed or in further education
75%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

18%
Health associate professionals
12%
Natural and social science professionals
10%
Business, finance and related associate professionals

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.

£18,000
med
Average annual salary
100%
high
Employed or in further education
44%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

32%
Sports and fitness occupations
8%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
7%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers

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.

Anatomy, physiology and pathology

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

£26k

£26k

£34k

£34k

£37k

£37k

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.

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.

£20k

£20k

£29k

£29k

£34k

£34k

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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here