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Undergraduate Study

BSc Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences - 2025 entry

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code BC03
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2025
Campus St Luke's Campus
Discipline Biomedical and Medical Sciences
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 07557 087155

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A levels: AAA-AAB
IB: 36/666-34/665
BTEC: DDD

Contextual offers

A-Level: ABB-ABC 
IB: 32/655-30/555
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • You’ll develop a holistic understanding of the human body and exercise and physical activity through the combination of medical sciences and sport and health sciences
  • You will seek to prevent disease and treat targeted disorders through appropriate physical activity, lifestyle-related health behaviours and nutrition
  • You are supported and encouraged to undertake a Professional Training Year in the UK or abroad and gain invaluable experience working as part of a leading research team
  • You’ll learn through interdisciplinary small group learning
  • You’ll be part of our world-renowned research community from day one, working with researchers on their current cutting-edge research

View 2024 Entry

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How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

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Top 3 in the UK for Sports Science

3rd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

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Top 30 in the world for Sports-related subjects

QS World University Subject Rankings 2024

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Professional Training Year – encouraged and open to all students

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Dedicated laboratories for sport and exercise physiology, biomechanics and performance psychology

I love the fact that there’s a sport science and medical sciences side; I have a big passion for Biology but also love sports and science so it’s the perfect combination. I’m a very practical learner, and we get to transfer the information we learn in lectures into our practicals, which really helps embed the knowledge.

Bella

BSc Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAA-AAB A in Biology and B in another Science subject
IB 36/666-34/665 HL 6 in Biology and HL 5 in another Science subject.
BTEC DDD Applicants studying a BTEC Extended Diploma are also required to achieve Grade A in Biology and B in another Science subject.
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade. 15 L3 credits at Distinction Grade in Biology and 12 L3 credits at Merit Grade in another Science subject area.
T-Level T-Levels not accepted N/A
Contextual Offer

A-Level: ABB-ABC 
IB: 32/655-30/555
BTEC: DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

*GCE A level/AS science includes: Biology/Human Biology^; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Electronics; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths^; Life and Health Sciences; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics.

^If more than one of these is taken they would only count as one ‘science’.

Will there be an interview?

No – we don’t interview for this programme.

What happens next?

If you receive an offer from us, you’ll be invited to an offer-holder visit day where you can find out more about the Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences programme from our current students and meet the academics who will be teaching you.

Course content

Taught jointly by the University of Exeter Medical School and Sport and Health Sciences, this programme blends an understanding of the pathology, prevention and treatment of acute or chronic disease/injury, alongside an insight into the science underpinning the optimal preparation, performance and rehabilitation of the athlete or healing patient.

The programme will comprise of modules delivered jointly by the Medical School and Sports and Health Science Department of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES) and include the opportunity for Professional Training (PTY) Placement in either disciplines. A wide range of module options are available in years 2 and the final year from a flexible range offered by both Colleges. The combination of medical sciences and sports and health science will develop a holistic understanding of the human body and exercise and physical activity to extend the range of career opportunities and employability training possible in fitness, health and wellbeing disciplines. The programme will provide access to expert academics, research and facilities on our St Luke’s Campus.

If you choose the Professional Training Year for this course, it will take place between your second and third (final) year.

Your first year will develop your existing knowledge and understanding of the functions of the human body. This will be supplemented with training in basic laboratory, research and study skills.

In your first year you will follow a compulsory programme of 120 credits which is carefully drawn from BSc Medical Sciences, and Exercise and Sport Sciences programmes. You will explore the science that underpins the advancement of modern medical practice, sport nutrition, physiology and psychology. There is an emphasis on basic cellular and molecular biology that enhances your understanding of the normal functioning of the human body, from enzymes through to whole biological systems. Without this core knowledge of how the body works, it would be impossible for us, as scientists, to devise the new diagnostic tests, drugs or treatments that will best benefit sport athletes and patients.

Alongside traditional lectures, tutorials and laboratory practicals, you will engage in structured group work where you are given the freedom to explore a scientific topic under the expert guidance of our tutors (in the Integrated Human Physiology and Fundamental Skills for Medical Scientists modules). Further tutor-guided learning occurs within our Life Sciences Resource Centre and exercise physiology and biomechanics laboratories, supported by state-of-the-art technology-enhanced learning resources (in the Integrated Human Physiology module). Your core laboratory skills will be developed through laboratory-based practicals that run alongside and support your other sessions. Some sessions also involve a doctor, scientist and patient to explore key clinical cases from three different perspectives.

You will begin to compile your Personal Development and Professionalism Portfolio, in which you chart your progress from a new student to a professional individual ready for the world of employment. You’ll do this by analysing your academic performance through reflection and the frequent feedback offered by the school to identify opportunities for personal, academic and professional development, in order to help you achieve your career goals.

Support for your academic progress and career planning is provided by your allocated Academic Tutor. Additionally, training and support is provided through various workshops and seminars organised by the Programme’s Academic Lead for Careers and Employability within the compulsory core module, Fundamental Skills for Medical Scientists (CSC1004, 15 credits) and the non-credit-bearing module, Academic and Professional Support (CSC1905). Some of these sessions are delivered by the dedicated Careers Consultant assigned to the college. At this level, you will begin to compile your Personal Development and Professionalism portfolio, a collection of evidenced work and feedback that documents your development into a highly employable, skilled graduate. Additional leadership and teamwork skill development may be acquired through central university’s Exeter Awards scheme.

You will also receive lectures and information during Stage 1 to preview different specialist optional modules available to inform your choice in Year 2 if you decide to study a topic in more depth.  Please note, that successful completion of the University’s training on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism, within the CSC1004 module, is compulsory in order for you to progress to Stage 2 of study. In order to pass, you must achieve at least 80% on the assessment, but you may attempt the assessment as many times as is necessary.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
ESS1006 Human Anatomy and Kinanthropometry 15
ESS1204 Foundations of Biomechanics 15
ESS1605 Foundations of Exercise and Sport Psychology 15
ESS1606 Nutrition and Metabolism 15
CSC1004 Fundamental Skills for Medical Scientists 30
CSC1005 Integrated Human Physiology 30

This year builds your knowledge, skills and professional aptitudes by reflecting on your previous year’s portfolio of achievements and feedback received from tutors and assessments. Core modules focus on mechanisms, treatment and diagnosis of disease and an introduction to the medical research process. You’ll apply your developing research skills to designing, running, analysing and reporting on your own research project. You can specialise in particular areas of medical or sports science or retain a broad focus to your degree by choosing from a range of optional modules.

The second year focuses on the scientific basis of nutrition, sport physiology and related important diseases, beginning with some fundamental insights into the ways in which human biology goes awry in disease. This knowledge is then used to explore how cutting-edge scientific technologies can be exploited to advance disease diagnosis and treatment.

Within a variety of learning environments, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory practicals and structured group learning, you will have opportunities to investigate and debate how disease / injury develops and how healthcare can be improved. Key aspects of applied research are explored including clinical and medical research methods and its design and setting (including governance, ethics, funding, testable hypothesis development, data handling and communication) within healthcare environments. Your understanding of these areas develops through a variety of hands-on learning opportunities which enhance your practical research skills and knowledge of contemporary medical and sport science research issues.

When choosing modules for Stage 2, you will need to consider whether you will accrue prerequisites of final year modules, as some final year modules require prior learning.

Specialist designation of all modules, and final year research projects, dissertations etc will be confirmed by the department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences as the lead department and may be granted, withdrawn or amended by CBS accordingly.

You will progress on to stage 2 of the programme where you are required to take 60-75 credits with the code CSC and 45-60 credits with the code ESS, shown in Table 2.

Please note that no more than 120 credits may be studied at Stage 2and you are recommended to avoid taking more than 60 credits in each term.

In addition to the core/optional modules, you will participate in a number of activities and complete the Academic and Professional Support module (CSC2905, 0 credits) as a core requirement managed by the Academic Lead for Careers and Employability. You will continue to build your Personal Development and Professionalism portfolio and will receive dedicated careers support and advice from your Academic Tutor, the college Careers Consultant and the Academic Lead for Careers and Employability.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
CSC2012 Disease, Diagnostics and Therapeutics 30
CSC2023 Experimental Design and Statistics 30
ESS2001 Exercise Physiology 15
ESS2004 Biomechanics and Kinesiology 15

Optional modules

a. You are only able to select one from CSC2007, CSC2020, or CSC2025.

CodeModule Credits
ESS2508 Strength and Conditioning Physiology 15
ESS2509 Sports Nutrition and Metabolism 15
ESS2510 Nutrition and Society 15
ESS2512 Nutrition Science 15
ESS2515 Nutrition, physical activity, and health 15
ESS2808 Sport Psychology 2: Skill Acquisition 15
CSC2007 Introduction to Health Research (see note a)15
CSC2008 Immunopathology 15
CSC2017 Ethical Issues in Health Research 15
CSC2020 Coding for Medical Scientists (see note a)15
CSC2025 Decolonising Medicine, An Introduction (see note a)15

You have the option of completing our popular, career-inspiring PTY. This is a research placement in which you will gain first-hand experience of a research environment and develop your employment-focused transferrable skills.

Professional Training Year placements

The Professional Training Year (PTY) provides you with an excellent opportunity to gain invaluable experience of working as part of a cutting edge research team. This gives you the chance to discover what it is like to work in a real research laboratory or a health intervention setting and will enhance your career prospects. You may even get the opportunity to attend a national or international science conference to present your research data, or may get your name on a research paper. Undertaking a PTY placement will enhance your professionalism, independence and confidence; increase your subject knowledge and research skills; improve your problem-solving, team-working, leadership, communication and project management skills; and prepare you for working in a professional work environment.

Our students have been awarded prestigious placements in major pharmaceutical companies, such as AstraZeneca and Pfizer. Placements with these companies are open to all UK undergraduates, and our students are closely supported by us throughout their application. In the past, students have completed research projects at the following institutions (for indicative purposes only):

• Research laboratories within the NHS

• Harvard Medical School (USA)

• Johns Hopkins University (USA)

• University of California (USA)

• Health Protection Agency

• Universities of London (King’s College, Imperial), Exeter, Plymouth and Southampton

If you are not successful in securing a PTY placement or if you would like to only study for three years, you will continue directly from the second year into the final year of the programme. The PTY module is assessed at stage 3 level, and will count toward 1/7th of your degree. Stage 2 and the final year will count toward 2/7th and 4/7th. Those not undertaking PTY will be granted 1/3rd and 2/3rd for their Stage 2 and final year assessments.

Compulsory modules

CodeModule Credits
CSC3003 Professional Training Year 120

In your final year, you will apply your previous training to an independent research project by working with world-leading health, medical or clinical researchers within the Medical School. This project may involve data collection or the analysis of existing data and will require you to understand and review published scientific literature.

In your final year you have opportunities to study cutting-edge translational science and undertake research to help improve current human and medical knowledge and practice. In addition to the core modules, you can select from a wide range of optional specialist advanced modules from both Medical Sciences and Public Health and Sport Sciences, enabling you to tailor your degree to match your own specific interests and career ambitions.

You’ll look at authentic and complex medical case scenarios and, working as a team, you’ll apply evidence-based scientific theory and explore and critically evaluate emerging health technologies to help improve patient health, rehabilitate them to pre-injury conditions or influence their behaviours to prevent further injury or illness. During this stage, you will either undertake a clinical/medical research project, or a scholarly review closely supervised by an expert research professional as part of the module CSC3029 (Medical Sciences Research Project), ESS3302/ESS3304 (Exercise and Sport Sciences Dissertation), or ESS3303 (Independent Research Review). Research projects, therefore, are provided by both Medical Sciences and Public Health and Sport Sciences.

You’ll also complete your Personal Development and Professionalism Portfolio. Support will be provided by the Academic Lead for Careers and Employability to help you consider your career options and help consolidate your CV and interview technique. This and related activities are managed within the core Academic and Professional Support module (CSC3905, 0 credits).

Your choice of modules for Stage 3 will partly depend on your choice of final year research dissertation and whether you opt for Medical Sciences or Exercise and Sport Sciences projects. You should choose at least 30 credits from each department (CSC, ESS). Please note that no more than 120 credits may be studied at Stage 3 and you are recommended to avoid taking more than 60 credits in each term.  You are recommended to consider taking CSC3021 Rehabilitation Science.

Specialist designation of all modules, projects, dissertations etc. will be confirmed by the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and may be granted, withdrawn or amended by the Department of Clinical and Biomedical Science or Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, accordingly.

See Table 3 for a list of compulsory and optional Stage 3 (final year) modules: Please note, enrolment on optional modules will be conditional on your having completed any required prerequisite modules at Stages One and Two.

Optional modules

a You must choose either one of the Medical Sciences (CSC3029) or Exercise and Sport Sciences Dissertations (ESS3302, ESS3304 or ESS3003).

Note: You must choose at least 30 credits from each department (CSC, ESS) to a total of 120 credits.

CodeModule Credits
ESS3302 Dissertation (see note a)45
ESS3304 Dissertation (Physiology) (see note a)45
ESS3003 Independent Research Review (see note a)30
CSC3029 Medical Sciences Research Project (see note a)45
ESS3506 Sustainable Nutrition 15
ESS3508 Nutrition for High Performance 15
ESS3509 Advanced Strength and Conditioning Physiology 15
ESS3703 Paediatric Exercise Physiology 15
ESS3705 Sport, Physical Activity and Health 15
ESS3706 Integrated Physiology and Adaptation to Physical (in)activity 15
ESS3707 Physiological Determinants of Exercise Performance 15
ESS3804 Clinical Exercise Prescription 30
ESS3805 Biomechanical Analysis of Human Movement 30
ESS3808 Sport Psychology 30
CSC3008 Clinical Trials 15
CSC3018 Health Economics 15
CSC3019 Translational Medical Science 30
CSC3021 Rehabilitation Science 15
CSC3031 Applied Data Science 15

Course variants

UCAS code: BC04

You can choose to, and we actively support and encourage you to, undertake a Professional Training Year (PTY). The PTY provides you with an excellent opportunity to gain invaluable experience of working as part of a leading research team. This gives you the chance to discover what it is like to work in a real research environment or a health intervention setting and will enhance your career prospects. You will contribute to a medical or health related project, and may have the opportunity to attend a national or international science conference to present your research data, or co-author a research paper.

If you choose a PTY, it will take place after your second year of study, and your degree will take four years to complete.

Why choose a Professional Training Year?

Undertaking a PTY placement will enhance your professionalism, independence and confidence; increase your subject knowledge and research skills; improve your problem-solving, team-working, leadership, communication and project management skills; and prepare you for working in a professional work environment.

How is the PTY organised?

You apply for a PTY during your second year of study and are supported to apply for positions with guidance from our staff. During your PTY you are closely support by both your workplace supervisor and visiting PTY tutor.

How do I apply?

You can apply directly to one of these options using the UCAS codes below, or you can apply to the standard BSc Medical Sciences course and transfer onto the PTY option at the end of your first year.

Option UCAS code
BSc Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences (standard course) BC03
BSc Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences with Professional Training Year BC04

How does it affect my tuition fee?

If, as part of your four-year degree programme, you spend a full academic year studying or working abroad you will pay a reduced fee of £1,350 (or 15 per cent of the maximum fee for that year). If you spend a full year on a work placement (in the UK) you will pay a reduced fee of £1,800 (or 20 per cent of the maximum fee).

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £30,900 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

Throughout the programme, you benefit from a careful blend of innovative and traditional teaching methods employed by both the Medical School and the Biosciences department. A variety of stimulating, cutting-edge resources are also available to support your learning.

Structured small group learning sessions

In tutor-led groups of 8-12 students you will investigate key scientific concepts and systems presented in the form of triggers. The style of trigger varies week by week but will include patient-based clinical case studies, current media-worthy medical science breakthroughs and extracts from research papers.

Lectures and seminars

Large group lectures and cutting-edge research seminars delivered by academics as well as external speakers will complement your studies. Lectures may contain students from a variety of different programmes for which the lecture content is relevant.

Practical laboratory sessions

These practical sessions will be conducted in a variety of biological science, exercise physiology and biomechanics or IT laboratories depending on the areas being explored. You will have the opportunity to carry out different techniques and procedures under the guidance of technicians and demonstrators.

Online learning

Your learning will be supported by the University’s virtual learning environment. You will have individual access to electronic journals, content-rich study guides, and interactive online learning materials covering various science disciplines, formative online assessments and group discussion forums.

Assessment

Regular assessment is used to help provide you with frequent feedback, enabling you to identify your strengths, as well as areas for improvement. Feedback is provided in a number of different ways including online written feedback and self, peer, tutor or small group feedback. Assessment formats include multiple-choice tests, essays, structured practical exams, reflective essays, oral and poster presentations, scientific report writing, short-answer question tests and independent project work.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Law (Penryn Campus only)
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

This programme is designed to prepare you for employment in a wide variety of professional careers and helps to develop the key transferable skills valued by employers.

These skills range from identifying and solving problems, to efficient communication, leadership and management. You will gain vocational skills within a range of laboratory settings during the programme.

Science graduates compete well in the graduate employment market as they offer strong analytical and problem-solving skills valued highly across all sectors.

Our graduates will be well placed for careers or further study in the areas of medicine, health and wellbeing coaching, sports and fitness coaching, physiotherapy, sports nutrition, sports law, sports psychology, sports physiology, general teaching and marketing, sports management and administration for the public sector, sports governing bodies and health and lifestyle consultancy.