Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year

Sport and exercise science applies the principles of biology, physiology, psychology, and biomechanics to understand how the human body performs, adapts, and benefits from physical activity. It is a discipline concerned both with improving athletic performance and with promoting health and wellbeing across the population, making it relevant to elite sport, clinical rehabilitation, public health, and the growing evidence base for exercise as medicine. Delivered within a Faculty of Medicine environment at Keele, this programme benefits from the scientific rigour and research culture of a health and medical school, with a curriculum that merges theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical training.

This four-year, full-time BSc begins with a foundation year, providing a supported entry point for students who want a structured transition into degree-level scientific study. As you progress through the programme, you will develop expertise in exercise physiology, exploring how the cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems respond to training and physical demand. You will study biomechanics, examining how the body moves and how technique can be analysed and improved.

Psychology modules develop your understanding of motivation, mental skills, and the psychological dimensions of performance and participation. The programme emphasises practical laboratory and field-based work, giving you experience with the tools and methods used in both research and professional sport science practice. The typical entry tariff is 104 UCAS points.

Graduates of sport and exercise science find careers in professional sport, where they work as sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, and performance analysts. Health and fitness, physiotherapy preparation, occupational health, and public health settings are further destinations. Many graduates pursue postgraduate qualifications in physiotherapy, sport rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, or sport psychology.

The research skills developed during the degree also support progression to postgraduate and doctoral programmes in sport science or exercise physiology.