Sport and Exercise Science Undergraduate Courses

With superb facilities, expert staff and exciting real world learning experiences, our sport courses will help you to understand the role of sport in modern society and how you can make an impact.

Expert teaching

Whether you want to become a sport coach, rehabilitation specialist, performance analyst or a health advisor, our applied courses will get your career off to a flying start. Superb facilities, expert staff and exciting real world learning experiences will help you understand the role of sport in modern society and how you can make an impact.

You'll benefit from working with lecturers who have a wealth of experience in their chosen profession, so you're getting industry-relevant teaching to help you shine in your career. Many are also involved in research, bringing the latest theories into the classroom. 

You'll learn from a teaching team conducting important research into areas such as performance profiling, injury rehabilitation and human balance control. It could be the springboard for your own independent research. You will have the chance to gain fresh perspectives from lectures and masterclasses delivered by sport and exercise science professionals keen to share their career experiences with you. 

Before joining the University of Derby, Head of Sport and Exercise Science Andy Hooton, qualified as a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist (Psychology - Scientific Support) and currently works as a Sport Psychologist for Derbyshire County Cricket Club alongside his lecturing.

"There has never been a better time to choose a career in sport. As our society's enthusiasm for sport continues to rise, the range of career options is growing at an equally rapid pace." Dr Andy Hooton, Head of Sport and Exercise Science

Sport and Exercise Science - your questions answered

In the below video, Head of Discipline for Sport and Exercise Science, Andy Hooton, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Derby. 

Andy Hooton, Head of Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science.

View Sport and Exercise Science - your questions answered! video transcript

Our courses

Our focus is on developing your practical, research and professional skills so that you are fully equipped for a career in the sports industry. With opportunities for internships, volunteering and placements where you can have real impact, network with professionals and start to enhance your CV. Our hands-on approach to study will ensure you're ready for the world of work.

You'll develop an in-depth understanding of the theoretical, practical and scientific aspects underpinning sport and exercise. We promise you real world learning experiences supported by our partnerships with top names in sport.

Top15for student satisfaction with teaching - BA (Hons) Sport Management**Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism subject area - The Guardian University Guide 2024
Top10for satisfaction with feedback - BA (Hons) Sport Management**Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism subject area - The Guardian University Guide 2024
92%of students agreed they were satisfied with the academic support**BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science - National Student Survey 2023
93%of students agreed that staff were good at explaining things**BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science - National Student Survey 2023
100%of students agreed that staff are good at explaining things **BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Development - National Student Survey 2023
95%of students agreed they were satisfied with the teaching on this course**BSc (Hons) Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health - National Student Survey 2023
94%of students agreed they were satisfied with the teaching on this course**BSc (Hons) Performance Analysis and Coaching Science - National Student Survey 2023
100%of students agreed they were challenged to achieve their best work**BSc (Hons) Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation - National Student Survey 2023
100%of students agreed they were satisfied with the academic support**BA (Hons) Sport Management - National Student Survey 2023
91%of students agreed that they were satisfied with the provided learning opportunities **BSc (Hons) Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health - National Student Survey 2023
100%of students agreed that staff are good at explaining things**BSc (Hons) Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation - National Student Survey 2023
100%of students agreed that staff are good at explaining things**BSc (Hons) Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation - National Student Survey 2023

Research

As a student at Derby, you’ll be working with lecturers and tutors who are carrying out industry-relevant research. You’ll benefit from this research as your lecturers bring the latest thinking to your studies and, in some cases, you will have opportunities to get involved in research projects yourself.

Through our Human Sciences Research Centre, many of our staff are undertaking important research. This means you will keep up to date with the latest debates and thinking. Some of our current research topics include:

Professional bodies

Our BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course is accredited by The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES). BASES endorsement is awarded to courses that meet criteria covering the knowledge, technical skills and professional development competencies required to succeed in the profession. When reviewing a course, BASES considers the curriculum, the practical experience gained by students and the resources and facilities of the institution.

Our BSc (Hons) Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists, on graduating, you'll be eligible to apply for full membership of The Society of Sports Therapists and prepared to go into practice as an injury and exercise-based rehabilitation and fitness specialist.

Female Sport and Exercise Science student lifting weights
A female student sitting on a bike in the Human Performance Unit in our Sports Centre.

Specialist facilities

Our students hone their skills in exceptional facilities at our Derby campus. You'll use sophisticated technology and up-to-the-minute equipment, replicating what you will encounter in the workplace. You can take full advantage of the facilities in our new Sports Centre, including:

Sport academic expertise
Mark Faghy conducting research in the background, with a man wearing an oxygen mask.

Managing Excellence

When Mark Faghy first arrived in Derby as a teenage undergraduate, he stated proudly that his goal was to become manager of the England football team. Now he is a respected research academic leading an international collaboration in the fight against Covid. And his students are helping.

Read Mark's storyRead Mark's story

Performance sport at Derby

Gain an insight into Performance Sport life at the University of Derby and hear about the support that is available to student athletes on our performance sport and sport scholarship programmes.

students on the performance sport programme at University of Derby

View Performance Sport at Derby video transcript

Careers

We're serious about getting you started in your career, whether you've already decided what you want to do or need to find inspiration. With our industry connections and experienced, accredited lecturers, we focus on developing your practical, research and professional skills to ensure that you are fully equipped for a career in an industry which offers boundless opportunities. Our graduates are now excelling at senior levels in areas such as coaching and performance analysis, health and lifestyle advice, sport development, teaching, and scientific research. 

Roles of recent Sport and Exercise Science graduates include:

Strong networks

All our courses provide the opportunity to study with a placement year, enabling you to experience the working world and apply the knowledge you've learned on your course. Our teaching team undertake consultancy work for external clients, and you could get involved with this too. You'll gain first-hand experience of projects briefed and led by employers. Previous students have worked with St George's Park National Football Centre, Derby County FC and British Cycling.

Broad horizons

Experience another culture first-hand and boost your CV with our study or work abroad opportunities. You could spend a year or semester studying in one of our partner institutions, many of which teach in English. Or you could take a work placement or internship in another country, joining some of your fellow students in cities such as Athens or Barcelona.

Your course may also offer opportunities for short study trips abroad, which will give you a different perspective on your subject and where it could lead you.

A female Sport Therapy student working in our Human Performance Unit.

Work placement confirms Olivia's passion for the future

Work placements during your degree can help show you a path to your future. Olivia Brown’s work placement confirmed that a future in sport therapy is where her passion lies.

Find out more about Olivia's placementFind out more about Olivia's placement
Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your undergraduate Open DayBook your undergraduate Open Day
#derbyuni sign on green grass

Student stories

Our students and graduates are people just like you. And they are making an impact in our region and around the world by using their knowledge and skills to drive innovation and change. You can be part of that story. Let our students and graduates tell you theirs.

Hear from our students and graduatesHear from our students and graduates