BSc (Hons)

Sport and Exercise Science

Teaching & Learning

Through the study of study Biomechanics, Nutrition, Physiology and Psychology in the contexts of sport and exercise, you will learn how people function in sport and exercise settings.  The course is designed to meet the requirements of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences' criteria for endorsement.

The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study – the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.

What you'll learn

Gain the knowledge and comprehension of sport and exercise physiology. It will equip you with relevant skills to apply knowledge and understanding during measurement of physiological function.
Explore the qualitative and quantitative methods used in biomechanics research and practice which describe the structures, functions, and mechanical bases of human movement.
Gain the support and early engagement in and development of self-regulatory, study, academic, and employability skills. Specifically, the module will provide you with opportunities to develop a range of personal, professional, and research-related skills that will be useful throughout the degree.
Undertake an interactive learning experience that is primarily practical in focus. You will appreciate the distinctions and overlaps between the four Sport and Exercise Science disciplines. You will also consider methods employed by Sport and Exercise Scientists to measure aspects of performance.
Explore the fundamentals of nutrition for health and performance. You’ll gain an understanding of nutritional biochemistry and energy metabolism. On completion of this module, you'll understand the concept of energy and how the body utilises energy. By studying metabolism and the process of energy utilisation, you'll develop an appreciation of food as energy. You'll also begin to understand the importance of adequate nutrition in maintaining body functions during rest and activity.
Gain an introduction to the origins and foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, otherwise defined as the scientific study of human behaviour within the contexts of sport and exercise. This will be achieved by you drawing on a range of psychological perspectives and domains that have informed the development of this discipline.
Gain the knowledge and comprehension of sport and exercise physiology. It will equip you with relevant skills to apply knowledge and understanding during measurement of physiological function.
Explore the qualitative and quantitative methods used in biomechanics research and practice which describe the structures, functions, and mechanical bases of human movement.
Gain the support and early engagement in and development of self-regulatory, study, academic, and employability skills. Specifically, the module will provide you with opportunities to develop a range of personal, professional, and research-related skills that will be useful throughout the degree.
Undertake an interactive learning experience that is primarily practical in focus. You will appreciate the distinctions and overlaps between the four Sport and Exercise Science disciplines. You will also consider methods employed by Sport and Exercise Scientists to measure aspects of performance.
Explore the fundamentals of nutrition for health and performance. You’ll gain an understanding of nutritional biochemistry and energy metabolism. On completion of this module, you'll understand the concept of energy and how the body utilises energy. By studying metabolism and the process of energy utilisation, you'll develop an appreciation of food as energy. You'll also begin to understand the importance of adequate nutrition in maintaining body functions during rest and activity.
Gain an introduction to the origins and foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, otherwise defined as the scientific study of human behaviour within the contexts of sport and exercise. This will be achieved by you drawing on a range of psychological perspectives and domains that have informed the development of this discipline.

What you'll learn

This module builds on your research and study skills developed in year one. You'll become a consumer of research to prepare for your Final Year Project. By the end of the module, you'll be able to search for and apply relevant literature and theory, choose research designs to address research enquiries, analyse and interpret empirical data and present research findings. You'll achieve this by participating in practical sessions that apply theory to practice.
This module will support the development of your professional profile and create solid foundations for the pursuit of your future career aspirations. It will provide you with a range of opportunities to enhance your employability through the development of context-specific and transferable skills. You'll be supported to audit, select, engage in, and complete work-based learning activities that will help enhance your career-related prospects.
This module builds on your research and study skills developed in year one. You'll become a consumer of research to prepare for your Final Year Project. By the end of the module, you'll be able to search for and apply relevant literature and theory, choose research designs to address research enquiries, analyse and interpret empirical data and present research findings. You'll achieve this by participating in practical sessions that apply theory to practice.
This module will support the development of your professional profile and create solid foundations for the pursuit of your future career aspirations. It will provide you with a range of opportunities to enhance your employability through the development of context-specific and transferable skills. You'll be supported to audit, select, engage in, and complete work-based learning activities that will help enhance your career-related prospects.

Option modules may include

Evaluate peer-reviewed research relating to psychological constructs, concepts, and theories applicable to sport and exercise settings.
Investigate the role of food and nutrition in health, sport and exercise throughout the life span. You will apply your knowledge of nutrition to specific populations whilst developing the skills required for the assessment and interpretation of nutritional intake and status.
Plan, deliver, and evaluate, effective and progressive exercise programmes for clinical and athletic populations. Through authentic case studies and practical sessions, you'll explore and understand the interdisciplinary nature of exercise prescription in health and performance settings.
Identify and evaluate research, assessment techniques and exercise practices in a range of specific situations, including; maximal, intermittent and prolonged exercise. You will also develop an understanding of exercise prescription for health and sports performance.
Enhance your understanding of biomechanical theory through its application in sport, exercise, and health settings. You'll appreciate the influence of key mechanical determinants of human movement and identify methods of optimising exercise and performance. This module will help to develop your laboratory and practical skills in data collection and analysis techniques.
Evaluate peer-reviewed research relating to psychological constructs, concepts, and theories applicable to sport and exercise settings.
Investigate the role of food and nutrition in health, sport and exercise throughout the life span. You will apply your knowledge of nutrition to specific populations whilst developing the skills required for the assessment and interpretation of nutritional intake and status.
Plan, deliver, and evaluate, effective and progressive exercise programmes for clinical and athletic populations. Through authentic case studies and practical sessions, you'll explore and understand the interdisciplinary nature of exercise prescription in health and performance settings.
Identify and evaluate research, assessment techniques and exercise practices in a range of specific situations, including; maximal, intermittent and prolonged exercise. You will also develop an understanding of exercise prescription for health and sports performance.
Enhance your understanding of biomechanical theory through its application in sport, exercise, and health settings. You'll appreciate the influence of key mechanical determinants of human movement and identify methods of optimising exercise and performance. This module will help to develop your laboratory and practical skills in data collection and analysis techniques.

What you'll learn

Be challenged to undertake an extended and largely independent piece of work that demonstrates your research skills, critical thinking, and an awareness of ethical methodological approaches to study. You are provided with a choice of project types that reflect the key knowledge, skills and attributes of graduate careers associated with your course.
Be challenged to undertake an extended and largely independent piece of work that demonstrates your research skills, critical thinking, and an awareness of ethical methodological approaches to study. You are provided with a choice of project types that reflect the key knowledge, skills and attributes of graduate careers associated with your course.

Option modules may include

Develop a critical understanding of the differing demands of athletic events and learn how this knowledge influences the approach to performance evaluation and monitoring.
This module introduces the clinical use of exercise physiology techniques by considering the pathophysiology of several chronic diseases, the mechanism of action of commonly used medications for special clinical populations and concepts of clinical exercise testing.
Using real-world settings, you'll critically examine key issues relating to public health nutrition. By studying data and literature, you'll explore the links between diet, physical activity and disease for the promotion of health and wellbeing.
Critically apply your knowledge and skills to examine conditions and situations that impose nutritional challenges to the maintenance of nutritional status.
Develop an information intervention to engage individuals in physical activity. This will be supported by behavioural science and critical discussion of literature on physical activity and mental health. You'll study how physical activity might be beneficial for mental health and cognition amongst a variety of populations. You'll also discuss exercise dependence and possible negative mental health outcomes of physical activity.
Explore how psychological and ethical principles inform interventions for individual performers and sports teams.
Build an understanding of the structure and function of biological materials and their response to external loading. You'll explore the underlying factors in health and injury, including postural stability, individual differences and external risk factors. This module will include laboratory-based activities that improve your biomechanical skills. This work will enable you to undertake a deeper analysis of important aspects of health and injury.
Explore the latest biomechanical developments in sports technology. You'll study the technology that underpins the devices for analysing sports performance and develop evaluation skills in the reliability of these systems. Your skills and knowledge will be used to examine a number of contemporary issues in sports performance. In addition, you'll evaluate the utility of different technological systems in different real-world environments.
Gain a socio-cultural understanding of the nature of contemporary policy and practice in physical education and youth sport. You'll engage with the critical evaluation and analysis of physical education and youth sport within schools and the broader community.
Undertake a paid placement in a related industry for an academic year between years 2 and 3. This will allow you to take responsibility for your own development and learning and reflect on your progress. The placement experience aims to enhance your employability and future career prospects. You'll have the opportunity to develop business contacts and professional networks as well as build key employability and professional skills.
Examine and demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of sport and exercise science within the context of extreme environments.
Understand the synergy between biomechanics, physiology and strength and conditioning. This module will enable you to develop training programmes that enhance physical performance. You'll analyse the needs of different events and sporting movements, as well as the needs of different populations. In addition, you'll assess and use a variety of measurement processes to determine performance levels.
Gain an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of obesity. You will apply your knowledge to design an appropriate lifestyle programme for an individual to manage their weight, and to critique contemporary approaches to obesity management.
Gain in-depth knowledge of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, medical assessment and therapeutic procedures, and study the role of exercise, nutrition and psychological interventions within the multi-disciplinary management of rehabilitation and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Learn to critically review a variety of contemporary health issues and critique the role physical activity and nutrition can play within the regulation and or rehabilitation of stages of disease.
Develop a critical understanding of the differing demands of athletic events and learn how this knowledge influences the approach to performance evaluation and monitoring.
This module introduces the clinical use of exercise physiology techniques by considering the pathophysiology of several chronic diseases, the mechanism of action of commonly used medications for special clinical populations and concepts of clinical exercise testing.
Using real-world settings, you'll critically examine key issues relating to public health nutrition. By studying data and literature, you'll explore the links between diet, physical activity and disease for the promotion of health and wellbeing.
Critically apply your knowledge and skills to examine conditions and situations that impose nutritional challenges to the maintenance of nutritional status.
Develop an information intervention to engage individuals in physical activity. This will be supported by behavioural science and critical discussion of literature on physical activity and mental health. You'll study how physical activity might be beneficial for mental health and cognition amongst a variety of populations. You'll also discuss exercise dependence and possible negative mental health outcomes of physical activity.
Explore how psychological and ethical principles inform interventions for individual performers and sports teams.
Build an understanding of the structure and function of biological materials and their response to external loading. You'll explore the underlying factors in health and injury, including postural stability, individual differences and external risk factors. This module will include laboratory-based activities that improve your biomechanical skills. This work will enable you to undertake a deeper analysis of important aspects of health and injury.
Explore the latest biomechanical developments in sports technology. You'll study the technology that underpins the devices for analysing sports performance and develop evaluation skills in the reliability of these systems. Your skills and knowledge will be used to examine a number of contemporary issues in sports performance. In addition, you'll evaluate the utility of different technological systems in different real-world environments.
Gain a socio-cultural understanding of the nature of contemporary policy and practice in physical education and youth sport. You'll engage with the critical evaluation and analysis of physical education and youth sport within schools and the broader community.
Undertake a paid placement in a related industry for an academic year between years 2 and 3. This will allow you to take responsibility for your own development and learning and reflect on your progress. The placement experience aims to enhance your employability and future career prospects. You'll have the opportunity to develop business contacts and professional networks as well as build key employability and professional skills.
Examine and demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of sport and exercise science within the context of extreme environments.
Understand the synergy between biomechanics, physiology and strength and conditioning. This module will enable you to develop training programmes that enhance physical performance. You'll analyse the needs of different events and sporting movements, as well as the needs of different populations. In addition, you'll assess and use a variety of measurement processes to determine performance levels.
Gain an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of obesity. You will apply your knowledge to design an appropriate lifestyle programme for an individual to manage their weight, and to critique contemporary approaches to obesity management.
Gain in-depth knowledge of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, medical assessment and therapeutic procedures, and study the role of exercise, nutrition and psychological interventions within the multi-disciplinary management of rehabilitation and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Learn to critically review a variety of contemporary health issues and critique the role physical activity and nutrition can play within the regulation and or rehabilitation of stages of disease.

This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.

Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.