BSc Applied Sport Science

Applied Sport Science is the study of human responses to sport.

The programme includes courses on research methods and all four key disciplines:

• exercise physiology
• sports biomechanics
• sport psychology
• skill acquisition

You will develop an understanding of the factors that affect participation and performance in sport and exercise.

Year 1

You will study the key disciplines of sport and exercise science and select from a broad range of option courses from across the University.

Year 2

As Year 1 but you will also study research methods and complete information skills training.

Year 3

The key sport and exercise science disciplines continue plus research methods training and research project work.

You will start to specialise with performance sport or physical activity for health options, such as:

• Applying Sport Science
• Sports Nutrition
• Physical Activity, Exercise, Fitness & Health
• Psychology of Physical Activity
• Workplace Attachment

Year 4

You will study two of the four key sport science disciplines and two options.

Options include:

• Sport and Exercise Medicine
• Exercise Prescription for Rehabilitation
• Research Attachment

You will also complete an honours dissertation in sport or physical activity for health.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2021/22)

Our facilities

In Years 1 and 2, depending on your choice of option courses, your teaching may take place across university campuses in the Central Area and at the King's Buildings campus.

Most of your teaching in Year 3 and Year 4 will take place at the School of Education and Sport at the centrally located Holyrood campus. The Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences is based here.

The School provides its own IT labs and library, while the Institute has state-of-the-art sport science labs and a research swimming pool.

As well as the School's facilities, you can also access the University's other computer facilities and libraries.

Placements

Placements are not compulsory. However, you will have the opportunity to undertake a workplace or research attachment in collaboration with a body external to the University, such as sportscotland.

Sportscotland

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad during Year 3 through exchange programmes.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a mix of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• site visits
• practical work
• laboratory-based experimental work
• seminars

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through written exams and a wide range of coursework, including:

• assignments
• presentations
• posters
• web pages
• reports
• laboratory work

Coursework includes both individual and group work.

Many of our graduates enter sport-related careers, including roles with:

• elite sports clubs
• performance sports centres
• national or international sporting bodies
• the fitness industry

Some enter health-related careers, for example working with local authority or NHS-funded exercise and health initiatives.

Others go on to work in sports marketing, tourism or events or gain graduate management and business posts.

Some pursue postgraduate study to focus their career towards certain areas, including:

• teaching
• physiotherapy
• sports nutrition
• public health

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAB-ABBB by end of S5 or AAAA-AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAB - ABB.
• IB: 36 points with 665 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: one from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics, or Mathematics AND Psychology, or Psychology AND PE at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: one from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics, or Mathematics AND PE, or Psychology AND PE at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4. Applicants without a science at A Level may be considered if sciences were achieved at GCSE. Please contact the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions team via the Enquiries link below to check.
• IB: HL: one from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, or Mathematics AND Psychology, or Sport, Exercise and Health Science at 5. SL: English at 5. Applicants without a science at HL may be considered if sciences were achieved at SL. Please contact the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions team via the Enquiries link below to check.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• SQA Standard Grade at 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 at A
• SQA Intermediate 2 at C
• GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate Grade C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components.

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for BSc Applied Sport Science

Additional costs

There are some additional costs if you enrol on one of these programmes. Costs will depend on the courses you choose and the type of research and/or placement you choose to engage in.

For example, you may be required to apply to the Scottish government's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme if you want to work with children or vulnerable adults.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Enquiry Management Team
• Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk