Sport and Exercise Sciences

Sport and exercise science has an important role in society, ranging from improving sports performance in elite athletes to reducing the burden of disease associated with physical inactivity in modern lifestyles.

On this course, you'll gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the principal body systems, processes and functions in health and disease.

Your learning will include the opportunity to discover and explore individual areas such as exercise physiology, biomechanics and motor control in more depth.

You'll explore how this knowledge may be applied to optimise sports performance, improve health, disease outcomes and inform rehabilitation strategies. You'll gain an integrated understanding of how the body and mind respond to and learn from, the demands placed on it during sport and exercise.

At Leeds you’ll be part of an investigative-based inspirational and engaging learning experience, informed by innovative research undertaken in purpose-built laboratories, and delivered by world leading academics.

Course highlights

• Top 10 in the UK for sport science – (Complete University Guide 2025).

• Develop hands-on practical skills in our state-of-the-art physiology, biomechanics and motor control laboratories, including the use of our environmental chamber and motion capture system.

• Practical skills modules train you to identify problems, and design and conduct experiments to find answers to key health and sport related questions.

• Get workplace ready - our capstone or culminating research project brings together the knowledge, skills and attributes developed throughout your degree to showcase to potential employers.

• Our year in industry programme allows you to gain experience working with organisations such as sports teams, rehabilitation specialists, sports management teams and health organisations.

• Experience life and learning in a different country through our study abroad programme, where you'll gain fresh perspectives and develop skills valued by employers.