Sport and Exercise Science

Three years full-time or flexible part-time.

Evidence as to the need for exercise for fitness and health is now widely accepted in industry, education, medicine and sport. This increasingly important role has led to a demand for scientific evidence to improve sport performance. These factors have contributed to sport becoming one of the most rapidly advancing areas of study. The course aims to develop graduates who can think critically and analytically from a scientific perspective, and who also possess a range of personal and transferable skills. The range of modular choices in the second and third stages allows students to tailor their studies towards a particular area of interest. We have purpose-built laboratories which enable physiological, biomechanical and psychological practical skills to be developed alongside the practical experiences gained throughout all areas of sport and exercise science.

This course will enable students to develop a critical understanding of the scientific principles underpinning sport and exercise performance. This will be achieved through study of the areas of biomechanics, physiology, sociology and psychology. There will be opportunity to contextualise theory in practical sessions and courses will be underpinned by research methods. Once a theoretical base has been established more specialised areas of sport and exercise science, such as anthropometry and biomechanical analysis, are developed along with further work in the main science-based subjects. Further specialisation within a specific sport and exercise discipline culminates in an individual piece of research work.

Stage one

Stage one provides an introduction to the core disciplines which underpin the academic analysis of sport.

Stage two

This stage aims to develop students' knowledge of key theories, concepts and research methods across the four core disciplines of sport and exercise science.

Stage three

Stage three allows students to develop their specialist interest within the field of sport and exercise science.

• Students are encouraged to become members of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
• Opportunities to gain additional coaching qualifications

• Anatomy and human movement
• Biomechanical basis of sport and exercise
• Injury prevention and rehabilitation
• Physiological function and response
• Physiology of exercise and health
• Psychology of exercise and health
• Psychology of individuals and groups in sport
• Research methods

Programme statistic

100 per cent of students were in work or further study in the six months following the course.

Source: University of Northampton 2011-2012 Annual Programme Review.

Students are assessed through coursework and examinations.

This course prepares students for a number of careers in a range of sectors and includes opportunities in teaching, coaching, sport development, performance enhancement and the health and fitness industry.