Undergraduate study - 2025 entry
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BSc Applied Sport Science

UCAS code: C610

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Education and Sport, The Moray House School of

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Accreditation
Study abroad
Placements

Introducing BSc Applied Sport Science

Applied Sport Science is the study of human responses to sports. This involves the application of scientific principles to the promotion, maintenance and enhancement of sport and exercise-related behaviours.

Our programme is centred on four key disciplines:

  • physiology
  • biomechanics
  • psychology
  • skill acquisition

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

Accreditation

Our programme is usually endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). We are currently applying for re-endorsement and expect this to be in place before you begin your studies in 2024.

Year 1

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

Year 2

Building on Year 1, Year 2 further develops knowledge and skills in key sport science disciplines while also exploring research methods and information skills.

Year 3

In this year, your study of the key sport and exercise science disciplines will continue, and you will begin research methods training and research project work.

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

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

Year 4

In Year 4, you will study two of the four key sport science disciplines and two option courses.

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 (2023/24)

Our facilities

In Years 1 and 2, depending on your choice of option courses, your teaching may take place at Moray House School of Education and Sport and the King's Buildings campus.

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

Resources

At the school, you can access:

  • IT labs
  • library
  • state-of-the-art sport science labs
  • research swimming pool

You can also access the University's other computer facilities and libraries.

Facilities for sport-related teaching and research

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at Moray House School of Education and Sport and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Take a virtual tour of the Moray House School of Education and Sport

Placements

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

Sportscotland

Study abroad

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

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

You will be taught through:

  • 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 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 authorities 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 by end of S5 or AAAA by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
  • A Levels: AAB.
  • IB: 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, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or 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, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or PE at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
  • IB: HL: one from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or Sport, Exercise and Health Science at 5. SL: English at 5.

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

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

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
  • GCSE at C or 4
  • Level 2 Certificate at 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: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 54 in each component.

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

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

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 and the type of research and/or placement you choose.

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