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St Mary's University, Twickenham

UCAS Code: C600 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Entry requirements

A level

C,C,C-B,B,C

Pass Access to Higher Education Diploma with 60 credits including 45 credits at Level 3

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

24-28

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

MMM-DMM

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MMM-DMM

UCAS Tariff

96-112

To include one A Level (or equivalent) in Science/PE or Sport. We will generally make you an offer if your predicted grades are at the top of this range and you meet any subject specific requirements (where applicable). If your predicted grades are towards the lower end of this range we can still consider your application but will also take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSE (or equivalent) profile and/or relevant non-academic achievements, references and your motivation for study.

About this course

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2025

Subject

Sport and exercise sciences

**Explore human potential in facilities used by Olympians with our Sport and Exercise Science degree**

The Sport and Exercise Science degree at St Mary's University immerses you in sport, preparing you for a dynamic career in sport, exercise, and health-related fields. By blending rigorous academic knowledge with hands-on professional skills, this degree offers added flexibility to tailor your studies.

You'll explore scientific principles such as physiology, psychology, and biomechanics to enhance sports performance. Our comprehensive curriculum covers human anatomy, exercise physiology, and the social influences on performance, providing a holistic understanding of the field.

With access to world-class facilities and guidance from experts in Sport and Exercise Science, you'll gain both the theoretical insights and practical experience needed to excel in your chosen career path.

Our vibrant and exciting programme is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientists (BASES). Many of our staff are also active professional BASES members.

**Wide range of options to shape your career**

Our wide range of optional modules let you discover your passion and tailor your degree to your future goals. In the second and third years, you'll only need to take one core module along with optional modules.

Designed with practical application in mind, our varied assessments, including project-based assessments, VIVAs, lab skills tests, and presentations, help develop skills that employers’ value. Engage in hands-on activities like biomechanics analysis, physiological assessments, and data collection techniques to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. Additionally, the optional Work Placement Module offers you the chance to complete 50 hours in a sports-related setting, gaining valuable industry experience and professional networking opportunities that enhance employability.

It's no wonder 96% of SMU graduates are in employment, vocation, or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA, 2024).

**Share world-class facilities with Olympians**

You will share our world-class facilities with Olympians, other students, and the community. Facilities that support practical sessions where you can develop technical skills needed:

- environmental chamber

- performance education centre

- strength and conditioning facility

- specialist physiology laboratories

- biomechanics laboratories.

**Learn from experts**

We pride ourselves on excellent teaching. Our extensive team of academics covers a broad range of subjects, allowing you to specialise in sport science. With our exceptional reputation for sport, you'll have access to sports clubs and opportunities to work with professional teams and societies. Learn from experts conducting cutting-edge research, from motor rehabilitation to innovative recovery techniques.

**Modules**

Year 1 – Provides a foundation in all aspects of Sport Science, as well as the contexts in which they may be applied. The first foundations of research and investigation are also laid at this stage, as are the study skills necessary for degree level work.
Year 2 - You are required to probe more deeply into relevant theory and practice in order to understand the context of Sport Science and to develop skills of investigating and reporting. The key disciplines identified by BASES are all offered, as well as opportunities for interdisciplinary study and work experience.
Year 3 - Advanced issues and research are explored through theoretical, practical, and laboratory work. You will take greater responsibility for constructing a specialised programme according to your interests and you will have the opportunity to undertake an extended research project under the supervision of a member of staff with relevant expertise. The focus throughout is on applied sport science.

www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/sport-science

Modules

Year 1 – Provides a foundation in all aspects of Sport Science, as well as the contexts in which they may be applied. The first foundations of research and investigation are also laid at this stage, as are the study skills necessary for degree level work. Year 2 - You are required to probe more deeply into relevant theory and practice in order to understand the context of Sport Science and to develop skills of investigating and reporting. The key disciplines identified by BASES are all offered, as well as opportunities for interdisciplinary study and work experience. Year 3 - Advanced issues and research are explored through theoretical, practical, and laboratory work. You will take greater responsibility for constructing a specialised programme according to your interests and you will have the opportunity to undertake an extended research project under the supervision of a member of staff with relevant expertise. The focus throughout is on applied sport science.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,535
per year
England
£9,535
per year
EU
£17,100
per year
International
£17,100
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,535
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,535
per year
Scotland
£9,535
per year
Wales
£9,535
per year

The Uni

Course location:

St Mary's University, Twickenham

Department:

School of Sport, Exercise and Applied Science

Read full university profile

What students say

We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

88%
Sport and exercise sciences

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Sport and exercise sciences

Teaching and learning

91%
Staff make the subject interesting
97%
Staff are good at explaining things
87%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
88%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

78%
Library resources
84%
IT resources
88%
Course specific equipment and facilities
84%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

95%
UK students
5%
International students
77%
Male students
23%
Female students
58%
2:1 or above
16%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
C

After graduation

The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Sport and exercise sciences

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

80%
low
Employed or in further education
55%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

29%
Sports and fitness occupations
11%
Teaching and educational professionals
8%
Childcare and related personal services

One of the fastest growing subjects in the country, the number of sports science graduates went from under 3,000 in 2003 to over 10,000 in 2013. Numbers have fallen slightly since 2015, but we still have over 9,000 graduates in the subject. However, the good news is the country's appetite for good health and fitness - and the adaptability of graduates in the subject - means that sports science grads are less likely than average to be out of work. Sports science graduates, not surprisingly, tend to get jobs in sport, fitness and health - coaching and teaching especially - but they're found all over the economy. Management and business are also popular options for graduates from this subject — and sports science graduates are particularly found where drive, determination and physical fitness are an advantage.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Sport and exercise sciences

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£17k

£17k

£26k

£26k

£31k

£31k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here