What you’ll learn
Whether you dream of managing your favourite football club or want to get more local people involved in sport, a sports science degree could help you achieve those dreams.

Sports science degrees take a behind-the-scenes look at sport, exercise and health, coaching, management, and how the body works. These courses aren’t just for athletes – you don’t need to be good at sport.

Both bachelor of science and arts qualifications are available, as courses can cover anything from exercise physiology to the relationship between sport and the media.

You’ll develop an understanding of human responses to sport and exercise. You should know how performance can be enhanced, monitored and analysed, and about the health benefits of physical activity, as well as the impact on the body. You will understand coaching processes and sports management.

How you’ll learn
The ratio of theory to practice depends on the course. Sports technology, exercise physiology and sports psychology courses have a heavy emphasis on science. Those which mention management, sports development or coaching in their titles will have a more vocational leaning. All courses will, however, have a science bit – expect to study biomechanics, physiology and psychology. Some courses will involve professional placements and provide you with invaluable practical experience.

Entry requirements
Many courses will expect you to have biology, chemistry, maths or physics at A-level (or equivalent). A physical education or psychology A-level could help your application.

What job can you get?
You will be qualified for a career in sports coaching, management and administration, maybe as a fitness instructor, personal trainer or leisure centre manager.

An increasing number of graduates are being recruited to provide sport science support for professional athletes, are employed by national governing bodies for sport, or are working in the commercial leisure sector, in particular within marketing and the promotion of sports goods and events. There is the option of further study and research, or you could teach sports in schools.

You may learn business skills that will benefit freelance work as, for example, a nutritionist or events manager.