Sport and Exercise Science

Study the science that powers performance and gain the expertise to improve health through movement on our industry-endorsed sport and exercise science degree.

What makes an athlete faster, stronger, and more resilient? Why does one training programme work for some, while others plateau? How can exercise prevent disease, extend life, and transform wellbeing?

On this degree, endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences (CASES), you’ll explore the science that drives human performance and protects health. Blending behavioural, physical, and life sciences, this practice-driven course equips you with the knowledge, laboratory expertise, and critical thinking skills to make an impact – from elite sport to public health.

As part of this course, you’ll:


• Develop an evidence-based appreciation of how the body and mind respond and adapt to exercise



• Examine how biomechanics, nutrition, physiology, and psychology interact to shape performance and health in sport and exercise environments



• Conduct practical sessions examining oxygen consumption, blood lactate and glucose concentration, body composition and dietary analysis, ECG and cardiovascular function, power output, human motion analysis, and exercise cognition



• Investigate real-world challenges such as non-response to training, injury prevention through movement analysis, dietary strategy design, and physical activity interventions for clinical populations



• Explore diverse perspectives and methodologies, enabling you to discover where your strengths and passions lie



Find out more

Learn beyond lectures
Your learning experience blends dynamic lectures and seminars with immersive lab and applied sessions. You’ll collaborate with peers, engage with industry partners, and develop the analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills essential for modern sport and exercise professionals.

Dedicated state-of-the-art facilities

You’ll learn in cutting-edge, industry-standard facilities designed to replicate real performance and research environments, including:


• An environmental chamber



• A human movement laboratory



• A DXA bone scanner



• A custom-built igloo simulation and visualisation facility



• A strength and conditioning suite



Exclusive placement opportunities
This degree provides access to exclusive work placement opportunities within professional sports clubs, exercise and rehabilitation settings, or public health. You could work with elite athletes striving for marginal gains, support rehabilitation following injury, or help individuals living with long-term health conditions improve their quality of life.

Internationally recognised
We've been ranked in the top 100 institutions in the world for Sports-Related Subjects in QS's World University Rankings by Subject.

Build an impressive CV
Alongside your degree, you'll have opportunities to gain additional nationally recognised sporting qualifications, giving you a competitive edge in sectors where practical competence matters as much as academic excellence.

Why study the BSc Sport & Exercise Science course at Leeds Beckett University?
• CASES-endorsed - professionally recognised by the Chartered Association for Sport and Exercise Sciences



• World-class facilities – industry-standard environmental chambers, sport performance labs, and biochemistry laboratories



• Research-active experts - learn from academics shaping the future of sport and exercise science



• Exclusive placement opportunities – gain meaningful applied experience

Curiosity needs thinkers, makers, and dreamers. It needs you!

Leeds Beckett believes that when unlike minds come together, incredible things happen. That’s why they don’t just teach; they collaborate, challenge and inspire.

Their courses are meticulously designed, combining practical experience through work placements with a vibrant location at the heart of one of the UK’s largest student communities. Boasting a top 10 UK ranking for both course quality and student life (Unicompare 2026) and a prestigious five-star QS rating, LBU sets the standard for excellence.

The university prioritises student wellbeing and stands among just seven universities nationwide to earn the University Mental Health Charter Award - proof of their unwavering commitment to advancing mental health and wellbeing.

All of this is why 98% of Leeds Beckett students and graduates would recommend studying at the university to a friend (Unicompare, 2024 reviews).