Sport Science for Health

Explore the scientific principles and techniques that underpin health, wellbeing and sporting performance, with our sport science degree at ARU in Writtle.

• Train and work in our Centre for Sport and Health, with its sports laboratory, and strength and conditioning suite.

• Learn from staff with high-level sports or industry experience.

• Benefit from experiential learning, with sport, health and exercise industry practitioners based on campus.

• Gain specific knowledge and skills relating to the promotion of active and healthy lifestyles across the lifespan.

• Obtain industry experience and relate your studies to the real world through work placement, volunteering and shadowing opportunities.

• Graduate ready to work in sport, health or exercise roles.

Turn your love of sport and fitness into a lifelong, fulfilling career. Gain a comprehensive sport science experience at ARU in Writtle, focusing on anatomy, physiology and nutrition – and the knowledge and skills required to effectively promote physical activity, exercise and active lifestyles. You’ll also focus on bespoke modules which focus on lifelong engagement in physical activity and exercise, including Physical Literacy development in youth and exercise rehabilitation for adults with specific needs.

The course will broaden your knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of human performance from health through to athletic excellence; how the human machine operates when engaged in sport and exercise; and how to interpret and evaluate its responses.

Please note that this course is subject to validation and some details, including modules, may change.

As a student in Writtle, you’ll take part in practical sessions using specialist sports facilities and equipment. These include our Centre for Sport and Health, which is open to the public. In the Centre, you’ll get involved in a range of activities, from strength and conditioning training through to testing VO2 max to understand the limits of both athletic performance and human capability.

You’ll develop key employability skills in both an applied and research setting, as well as gain effective practical skills that are in demand from top level clubs, sporting organisations and in clinical practice.

As well as our three-year degree course, you have the option of studying over 6 years part-time. You'll study the same modules, but sometimes in different years or in a different order.

Year 1:
Core modules
Introduction to Human Physiological Systems (15 credits)
Applied Professional Skills (30 credits)
Psychological Fundamentals in Sport and Exercise (30 credits)

Bespoke modules
Active Lives and Physical Literacy (15 credits)
Enhancing Physical Capabilities in Youth Populations (15 credits)

Year 2:
Core modules
Exercise Physiology (15 credits)
Nutrition for Sport, Health and Exercise
Research Skills in Sport and Exercise Science (30 credits)
Ruskin Module
Strength and Conditioning (15 credits)

Bespoke modules
Skills for the Exercise Referral Practitioner (30 credits)

Year 3:
Core modules
Applied Exercise Physiology (15 credits)
Performance and Exercise Nutrition (15 credits)
Major Project or Work Placement (30 credits)
Sport and Exercise Medicine (30 credits)

Bespoke modules
Exercise Rehabilitation for Chronic Health Conditions (30 credits)