Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year

Sport and exercise science applies the principles of physiology, biomechanics, and psychology to understand and improve physical performance and promote health through exercise. Exercise scientists work alongside athletes to enhance performance and alongside health professionals to promote healthy living in the general population, using scientific measurement and analysis to design and evaluate training and exercise programmes. The field spans elite sport, community health, rehabilitation, and public health, making it one of the most practically relevant scientific disciplines in terms of real-world impact on human lives.

The four-year full-time Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year programme at York St John University includes a foundation year for students who need additional preparation before entering the main degree. The programme is practical and applied, using specialist spaces to develop your ability to apply the knowledge of an exercise scientist in realistic settings, from performance testing and athlete support to community exercise promotion. A sandwich year, year abroad, and work placement options build substantial professional and international experience into the degree structure, ensuring you graduate with direct knowledge of how sport science is practised in elite sport, community, and clinical contexts.

The foundation year provides the academic groundwork to make the transition to degree-level scientific study confidently.

With a typical entry tariff of 120 points, the programme is accessible to students with genuine interest in sport and health science. Graduates pursue careers in performance analysis, strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, sport development, health promotion, community sport, coaching, and postgraduate training in physiotherapy or related health professions. Many also go on to postgraduate study in sport science, exercise medicine, or public health.