BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Strength and Conditioning

Why study at BNU?

Employers want to see your skills and work experience even if you’ve just graduated. That’s why we help you gain both the skills and experience employers are looking for, through practical learning and skill-based applications of knowledge. 

We’ll help you gain relevant working experience in sport and exercise science with an in-depth understanding of the key skills we use in the workplace. You’ll not only learn the skills you need but apply them in simulated real-world environments using our industry-standard facilities in our Human Performance Lab.

This course has been endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), the professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK. Graduating with an endorsed degree provides you with a competitive advantage that is recognized nationally and internationally.

Using our partnerships with professional bodies, sports teams, athletes and local schools and colleges, we have based your course on what's needed out in the field today. We’re currently linked with Watford FC, Wycombe Wanderers FC, Reading FC Women and academy teams, Swim England, British Rowing, GB para-athletes and many community level sports clubs.

Why study this subject?

Sport and exercise science is the practice of applying scientific principles and research methodology to sport and exercise. 

A popular entry point into strength and conditioning (according to the UK government national careers survey) is a university degree covering the core of biomechanics, physiology and psychology, with professional body accreditation.

When considering your career in sports and exercise science, think about what professional accreditations the industry is looking for, such as The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accreditation.

Our specialisms

We believe in giving you more freedom to shape your career how you want it. That's why we introduce you to various specialisms in your first year, and after you've gotten a feel for them all, offer you the ability to choose which course leads to your career goal. You can choose to switch to BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, or continue on with your course. 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 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 with you and our professional partners 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 sport and exercise scientists in the world of work. It contains a working clinic and human performance laboratory. 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.

What will I study?

This programme of study will be of interest if you either have current experience in the field of strength and conditioning or have an interest in helping prepare athletes and teams for the demands of performance sport. 

Developed in line with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and aligned to Graduate Strength and Conditioning Coach (GSCC) professional standards, this sport science course will help to develop your knowledge and skills to help you to thrive in this industry.

Combining underlying scientific principles with practical strength and conditioning methods, you will study a variety of subjects including:

• exercise physiology
• biomechanics
• data analysis
• performance analysis
• research methods
• sports injury rehabilitation 
• physiology 
• sports psychology
• strength & conditioning techniques

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. 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 will 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.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Assessments are designed to help equip you with industry knowledge and experience, academic and cognitive, and critical and transferrable skills. 

While there is a varied amount of assessment at all three years, it is predominantly based on coursework and practical assessments. Where possible, it is designed to mirror ‘real world’ sport and exercise science and strength and conditioning activities.