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Undergraduate Study

BSc Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences - 2024 entry

Please note: The below is for 2024 entries. Click here for 2023 entries.
UCAS code BC03
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2024
Campus St Luke's Campus
Discipline 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: 32-30 
BTEC: DDM

With Professional Training Year:
A-Level: AAB 
IB: 34 
BTEC: DDD

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 2023 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open Days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 5 in the UK for Sports Science

5th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

Top 30 in the world for Sports-related subjects

21st in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2023

Professional Training Year – encouraged and open to all students

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

With Professional Training Year: A*AA
A in Biology and B in another Science subject

With Professional Training Year: A in Biology and A in another Science subject.
IB 36/666-34/665

With Professional Training Year: 38/766
HL 6 in Biology and HL 5 in another Science subject.

With Professional Training Year: HL 6 in Biology and HL 6 in another Science subject
BTEC DDD

With Professional Training Year: D*DD
Applicants studying a BTEC Extended Diploma are also required to achieve Grade A in Biology and B in another Science subject.

With Professional Training Year: Applicants studying a BTEC Extended Diploma will also require Grade A in GCE AL Biology and Grade A 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.

With Professional Training Year: 30 L3 credits at Distinction grade and a minimum 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.

With Professional Training Year: 15 L3 credits at Distinction in Biology and 15 L3 credits in another Science subject area.
Contextual Offer

A-Level: ABB-ABC 
IB: 32-30 
BTEC: DDM

With Professional Training Year:
A-Level: AAB 
IB: 34 
BTEC: DDD

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

Other UK, EU and International equivalences

View UK, EU and International equivalences

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 B. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 2023 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £27,000 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has over £2.5 million in scholarships available for students applying to study with us in 2023 - including our Global Excellence Scholarships* for international fee paying students and financial support 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.

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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.