Gym equipment - kettle bells, hurdles, running machine

Apply Now Book Open Day

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

UCAS CODE: CC63 (Full-time) or CC64 (Foundation Year)

TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

Benefit from our specialist staff, links with sports teams, and industry-standard facilities. Join an incredible student community of like minded people, while you get to work in our Human Performance, Exercise and Wellbeing Centre. We have a Sports and Wellbeing Clinic and Human Performance Laboratory ready for you to use as part of your studies.

Our degree is endorsed by the British Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and is developed in line with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and Graduate Strength and Conditioning Coach (GSCC) professional standards.

2nd in the UK for student experience for Sports Science courses*

*The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

4th in the UK for teaching quality for Sports Science courses*

*The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

4th in the UK for academic support for Sport and Exercise Sciences courses*

*Average positivity across all questions compared to non-specialist institutions (NSS 2025)

University of the Year for South East England*

*WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2025

Top 5 Students' Union in the UK*

*Based on responses from taught BNU students (NSS 2025)

Why study BSc Sport and Exercise Science with Strength and Conditioning?

Applied Focus

Gain an in-depth understanding of the various factors influencing sport and exercise performance, with the application of strength and conditioning techniques to your approach. Our course ensures that you can be ready to face various professional scenarios, ensuring your readiness for roles in sport and exercise science.

Use state-of-the-art facilities

Gain access to advanced facilities, including our Human Performance Lab equipped with industry-standard technology. These resources offer hands-on experience, allowing you to apply learned principles in practical settings, enriching your learning experience. The HPL is a multi-purpose facility that provides cutting edge support to students, private athletes and teams in disciplines such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, strength & conditioning, and sports therapy.

Endorsement by Professional Bodies

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.

Organisational Partnerships

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 Wycombe Wanderers FC and academy teams, Swim England, British Rowing, GB para-athletes and many community level sports clubs.

BNU 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 goals. 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.

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.

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science Programme Specification

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.

Foundation Year

Core Modules

Human Behaviour

Learn the key principles of human behaviour and how they relate to other fields of study and practice. Discover more about the cognitive and social aspects of human behaviour such as how we perceive, remember and think, what motivates us, and how we interact with others. You will also develop your academic writing skills for research.

Research Matters

Discover how research drives the fundamentals of science degrees. You will explore the fascinating world of research and its different types, such as: Quantitative and qualitative research, Primary and secondary research, Experimental and observational research. You will also learn how to apply research methods in your studies.

Human Science – Dissecting the details

Dive into the core principles and theories that form the foundation of education, sport, psychology, criminology, health and social sciences. This module will enable you to identify the principles of human science across different disciplines and apply them as you progress to your chosen pathway. 

Human Communication

Explore the theoretical underpinnings of communication. We equip you with the skills to navigate various communication scenarios. You will develop an understanding of effective communication techniques, the influence of context, and the nuances of verbal and non-verbal cues. You’ll be better able to present your ideas to others.

Exploring Intersections

Make the connections between multiple subjects within human and social science with this module. You will explore the theories at the intersection of human sciences. This will provide you with a platform to examine how different theories shape our understanding and contribute to the complexities of shared human experience.

Knowledge Unleashed

Focus on applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, testing your problem-solving abilities. The module will see you taking part in industry focused studies in a group project. By the end of this module, you will learn how to think on your toes, lead and innovate to get the knowledge you learned from your degree into practice.

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Fundamentals of Strength & Conditioning

20

Credits: 20

Strength and Conditioning (S&C) is an applied sport science discipline which combines both the art of coaching with the latest sports science research. Gain an insight into the fundamentals of S&C and cover the key concepts, theories and techniques which underpin effective S&C practice.

Health & Human Physiology

20

Credits: 20

The human body relies on the interaction of multiple physiological systems, at rest and during exercise. This module will provide an overview of the anatomy and physiology of these systems, and how they interact to preserve homeostasis. The focus will then shift to exercise, and how the studied systems work as an integrated physiological system.

Human Anatomy & Movement Analysis

20

Credits: 20

This module will provide a review of the musculoskeletal architecture of the human body. Identifying the roles and functions of the main bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. You’ll consider anatomical functions of movements in the cardinal planes and axis and consider this with regards to the analysis of movement and basic sporting techniques.

Introduction to Sport & Exercise Psychology

20

Credits: 20

This module will introduce you to the concepts of psychology within the context of sport and exercise, considering how psychological constructs such as personality and motivation can impact upon sport and exercise performance, participation, and adherence. You’ll then further explore the impact of cognition and emotion on behaviour.

Introduction to Research in Sport

20

Credits: 20

Designed to introduce you to the principles and practices of academic practice and academic research in the sports domain. You’ll study key areas of empirical research to provide a conceptual understanding of reporting styles, basic methodologies, professional and regulatory codes of practice & analytical techniques applied within sports research.

Principles of Biomechanics in Sport

20

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with a solid grounding in how force and motion can interact to influence overall sporting performance. Consider the mechanical factors which impact both linear and angular movement within a sport and exercise scope.

Year 2

Core Modules

Credits

Applied Exercise Physiology

20

Credits: 20

This module will cover the basics of structured exercise training and physiological testing/monitoring for a range of sports. You’ll study how the body is affected by exposure to extreme environments (including heat, cold, altitude, space etc) and training/performing within them. The differences between different populations will also be discussed.

Applied Strength and Conditioning

20

Credits: 20

On this module you’ll bridge the gap between key Strength and Conditioning (S&C) concepts and theories and applied training modalities. This module will develop your competence in the safe and effective coaching of the weightlifting lifts and plyometric, agility, and speed training methods.

Approaches to Applied Sport and Performance Psychology

20

Credits: 20

You’ll analyse the key concepts and dominant models of practice within applied sport and performance psychology as well as explore the philosophical, theoretical, and methodological approaches informing the discipline. Gain the requisite knowledge required for effective service delivery within applied sport and performance psychology, when working ...

Principles and Applications of Biomechanics in Sport

20

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with a grounding in how motion can interact to influence overall performance. Consider the mechanical factors which impact both linear and angular movement within sport, reviewing the methods for calculating distance/displacement and subsequent kinematic parameters, before assessing the role of forces in the production ...

Research Methods

20

Credits: 20

This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to perform applied research of quality and rigour to make a valuable contribution to the sport industry. You’ll study both the conceptual issues and practical considerations through the entire process of research.

Optional Modules

Credits

Performance Analysis OR

20

Credits: 20

The module will provide a framework where sports coaches can apply the coaching process and develop techniques to evaluate sports performance, particularly technical and tactical analysis. This will include a review of pertinent scientific elements of training/performance.

Sports Nutrition

20

Credits: 20

Sports nutrition is the study and practice of nutrition and diet as it relates to athletic performance. The aim of this module is to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to optimise nutritional practices to improve sport and exercise performance. You will be introduced to fundamental nutritional concepts and will focus on nutritional ...

Year 3

Core Modules

Credits

Advanced Strength and Conditioning

20

Credits: 20

The aim of this module will be to enable you to critically evaluate sports performance requirements and develop the abilities needed to plan, deliver and monitor evidence-based training programmes designed to optimise specific physiological and performance outcomes at predetermined time points.

Extended Independent Work

40

Credits: 40

You will have the opportunity to think about bringing evidence-based change or innovation in your practice area. Using a step-by-step approach, you will critically think about why your identified topic is of strategic importance, how to implement this into practice utilising change theory/strategies as appropriate, and how the proposed change will ...

Sports Science in Practice

20

Credits: 20

This module is designed to enhance your professional and practical skills within the core/sub disciplines of sport and exercise science. You’re required to gain 30hours of fieldwork providing sport and exercise science support, 15hours should be generated from assisting staff/post graduate learners providing physiology, psychology or biomechanics s...

Optional Modules

Credits

Psychology of Physical Education and Youth Sport

20

Credits: 20

Gain a critical examination of key psychosocial, emotional and developmental factors which affect children and teenagers in physical education and youth sport settings. The module aims to provide you with practical suggestions for how to create a positive motivational climate as adults working with young people in youth sport or physical education.

Topical Issues in Strength & Conditioning

20

Credits: 20

The aim of this module is to develop a broad and critical understanding of the wider areas of knowledge and current research that may have a direct impact on health, wellbeing and athletic performance and consequently also Strength and Conditioning (S&C) practice.

Skills Acquisition

20

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with a theoretical framework for understanding how performers progress from novice to expert performers. During the module, key psychological concepts of learning will be reviewed, following which the biomechanical philosophies that determine, constrain and regulate movement will also be discussed.

Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation

20

Credits: 20

This module is designed to introduce you to key concepts, theories and techniques which underpin effective sports injury rehabilitation. You’ll gain a critical understanding of the sports injury process, functional movement screening and exercise rehabilitation of common sporting injuries.

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 *

Please note all of the 2026/27 fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees cover most course costs, but you may need to budget for additional expenses. These can include specialist equipment, project materials, professional memberships, field trips or placements, as well as everyday student costs like printing, books and stationery.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our enquiries team by completing this form.

What are my career prospects?

The blend of theoretical, practical and work-based learning you’ll experience in this course will help 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: