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Sport and Exercise Science (with placement year)

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Sandwich
  • 28 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Loughborough University

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Sport and exercise scientists are in increasing demand given the drive of professional athletes to maximise their potential and the efforts of health officials to encourage participation in exercise and physical activity.

Our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree offers you the opportunity to study at the world's number 1 university for sport-related subjects.

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of Sport and Exercise Sciences and gain a scientific appreciation of the disciplines that underpin them including: physiology, biochemistry, biomechanics, motor control and psychology.

The course also allows you to gain insights into the physiological, biomechanical and psychological influences on human performance during the preparation for, and participation in, sport and exercise. An in-depth understanding of these core disciplines provides the foundation of a wide range of applied careers within the sport and exercise sector.

You will benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratories, which will allow you to develop your practical, scientific and laboratory skills enabling you to apply your knowledge and understanding in the context of sports performance, physical activity, health and wellbeing.

By undertaking an optional placement year, you can also add practical experience to your CV, while our Coach and Volunteer Academy, also provides you with the opportunity to work alongside elite athletes, in a range of job roles and sports on campus, giving you a unique insight in working within performance sport.

You will take a series of modules that have been specifically designed to develop your research, vocational and employability skills, placing you in the best possible position to secure appropriate employment upon graduation.

Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

Assessment method

Students are assessed using a variety of formats which facilitate the development of academic and practical skills needed within the sector. The type of assessment, whether examination or coursework-based, will vary depending on the discipline, year of study and module.

Depending on the nature of the material, some modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination (for example 25% coursework and 75% examination), whilst other modules are assessed by 100% coursework or 100% by examination.

Coursework is based on a variety of tasks including individual essays, projects, in-class tests, lab reports, contribution in tutorials, group work and presentations. These assessments are often designed to encourage the development of industry valued skills.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • British Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Sandwich • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C600
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Loughborough University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
C600
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level A*AA - AAA

A*AA - AAA including two of the following subjects: Biology, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Physical Education.

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

The BTEC National Extended Diploma will not be acceptable as a stand-alone qualification but will be accepted at DDD* overall in conjunction with one or more required A Levels outlined above at grade A.

BTEC in Sport or Sport Science related subjects will not be accepted alongside A Level Physical Education.

Preferred BTEC subjects: Sport and Exercise Science, Sport, Applied Science (Biomedical Science, Analytical and Forensic Science or Physical Science).

Preferred CTEC subject: Sport and Physical Activity.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case by case basis. Please contact Loughborough University directly.

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

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: DD plus one A Level at grade A* in a required A Level subject

BTEC in Sport or Sport Science related subjects will not be accepted alongside A Level Physical Education or Sports Science.

Preferred BTEC subjects: Sport and Exercise Science, Sport, Applied Science (Biomedical Science, Analytical and Forensic Science or Physical Science).

Preferred CTEC subject: Sport and Physical Activity.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) D*

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D* plus two A Levels at Grades A*A including at least one of the required A Level subjects.

BTEC in Sport or Sport Science related subjects will not be accepted alongside A Level Physical Education or Sports Science.

Preferred BTEC subjects: Sport and Exercise Science, Sport, Applied Science (Biomedical Science, Analytical and Forensic Science or Physical Science).

Preferred CTEC subject: Sport and Physical Activity.

Scottish Advanced Higher AA

AA including two required subjects, plus Highers at AAA - AAB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 37 - 38 points

38 - 37 (7,6,6 - 6,6,6 HL) to include two of the following subjects at Higher Level: Biology, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Sport, Exercise and Health Science

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma will be asked to achieve the A level requirements for their course as part of their qualification. The Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted alongside two A levels as long as individual course entry and subject requirements are met. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Extended Project

We recognise the benefit of the Extended Project in developing independent research and critical thinking skills. We would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, and while we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

We accept a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website – please view the individual course typical offers on our website and choose Ireland in the Country/region drop down field for more information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

This qualification is accepted in combination with other qualifications. For details please contact Loughborough University.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

A minimum of 5 GCSE grades 9 - 6 (A*-B) including grade 6/B in Maths, English Language and a Science

GCSE Maths Grade 6
There is no flexibility in this requirement. However, we will consider a grade B in Level 3 Core Maths as a suitable alternative.

GCSE Science Grade 6
There is no flexibility in this requirement.

GCSE English Language Grade 6
If you have achieved Grade 5 in GCSE English Language, we can still consider an application if you have Grade 6 or above in GCSE English Literature.

If you have achieved Grade 4 or 5 in GCSE English Language, we can still consider an application if you have a contextual indicator. Please refer to our Contextual Admissions Policy for further information on contextual indicators used by the University.

Loughborough accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/entrance-requirements/. This information details the general requirements and should be read in conjunction with the information given for each course.

Loughborough also accepts a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/country/

Loughborough uses contextual data in the admissions process to provide insights into the context in which your academic qualifications have been achieved. This may influence the typical offers outlined in the information given for each course. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/contextual-data/

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Other
Applicants are usually selected solely on the basis of their UCAS application. If applicants are made an offer of a place, they will be invited to visit the department giving them the opportunity to meet staff and students, see facilities and get an insight into what it is like to be a student at Loughborough.

English language requirements

All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider contextual information as part of the assessment of an application to provide us with further insight into your achievements. This may lead to reduced offers, up to two grades lower than the typical offer requirements, as well as additional consideration when your results are received. For further information about Contextual Admissions at Loughborough including our Access Loughborough Contextual Offer please visit our website.

Learn more on the Loughborough University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The fees stated above are for the 2025/26 academic year; fees for 2026/27 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

While the cost of your tuition covers lots of things, it doesn’t cover everything. For instance this course doesn’t cover the cost of any stationery, printing, books or re-assessments which you might need.

UK tuition fees align with the applicable fee caps set by the UK government, and as such they are subject to changes made to the agreed cap in a specific year.

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