BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year Bachelor's degree at York St John University
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year at York St John University. The four-year programme, including a foundation year, integrates core theory, research methods and applied practice with specialist options, professional skills development and an independent project.
About this course
If you aspire to change your community and the world through sport, science and research then this is the degree for you. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at York St John University, based in YSJ Main Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Sport and exercise sciences graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 35% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £21,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sport & Exercise Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 89% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 6 modules
- Human Anatomical and Physiological Systems for Sport and ExerciseCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Gain an understanding of the importance of human anatomical and physiological systems for sport and exercise. Learn about the structure of core systems, including: Nervous, Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, Respiratory. You will explore how these function at rest and in response to exercise. Develop the necessary skills to correctly perform a range of physiological measures that can be used to evaluate an individual's health status and physiological responses to exercise.
- Sport and Exercise Psychology FundamentalsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module we will introduce you to basic methodological approaches, theories, and concepts that are used to study the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours of participants in sport and exercise. You will learn how to understand and explain the psychology of sport and exercise.
- Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise ScienceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Learn the fundamentals of working in sport and exercise science. Develop important skills for data acquisition, organisation, and presentation relevant to the key branches of sport and exercise science, including: Physiology, Biomechanics, Psychology. This will help you to develop as an experienced sport and exercise science practitioner within academic or research settings and within industry.
- Mechanics of Human MovementCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn the fundamental mechanics that underpin all aspects of human movement for performance and health. You will take a multidisciplinary approach, which will provide a vital foundation for the many perspectives covered throughout this course. We will introduce you to essential concepts of research, scientific enquiry and academia.
- Research Foundations in SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will help to prepare you for the in depth research you will carry out later in your degree. We will introduce you to a broad range of fundamental concepts and principles which guide research in the field of sport. We will also teach you to recognise and interpret these fundamental concepts when you encounter them in published research. You will learn the analytical skills to make sense of findings reported in published research, and answer basic research questions in sport. Through t
- Sport and SocietyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
If you are pursuing a career as a practitioner in a sports-related field, it is important for you to understand the increasingly complex and diverse nature of modern society. You will be introduced to a range of social issues in sport from a sociological perspective, including: Gender, Ethnicity, Disability. Develop a more critical and detached understanding of long-term power-struggles surrounding issues in sport through the adoption of a sociological perspective.
Year 2 7 modules
- Physical Activity and Community HealthCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn about the importance of physical activity and exercise initiatives for the general health of the community. This will be presented with a multi-disciplinary focus, evaluating public health interventions and approaches from sociology, policy, psychology, therapeutic, and behavioural perspectives. You will explore the psychosocial impact of exercise and lifestyle behaviours for the promotion of healthy living and wellbeing, as well as considering UK and global health
- Sport and Exercise Psychology: Research and ApplicationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Sport and exercise psychology includes a range of complex theories and a vast amount of accompanying research. Explore how these theories and concepts are empirically tested in sport and exercise contexts. You will learn how the findings of research allows the applicability of different theories and concepts to be evaluated. This module will improve your research skills in the area of sport and exercise psychology and provide a basis for a discerning approach to using research in academic and pr
- Exercise Performance and PhysiologyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Explore methods to improve and monitor human exercise performance. Learn how the human body improves following exercise training, how you can assess these physiological changes, and training approaches that can be used to achieve these changes. Develop an understanding of the adaptations that occur to physiological systems such as the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and respiratory in response to chronic exercise training, in a diverse group of individuals. The experiential learning approach wi
- Biomechanics Analysis and Sports PerformanceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The mechanics of movements are defined and limited by the physical laws which underpin the environment we exist in. Explore a variety of methods to analyse a range of human movements within sport and in individuals from a range of diverse backgrounds. Learn to use biomechanical principles to evaluate sports performance. This module will build upon your Year 1 skills and prepare you for more advanced measurement techniques in Year 3.
- Research Methods and Design in SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Advance your skills in both research methods and research design. This will enable you to move beyond being an informed consumer, to becoming an informed critical thinker. You will learn how to produce quality research using a range of quantitative and qualitative research designs commonly employed in sport research.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in SportOptional20 credits
Module details
Gain an in-depth insight into debates surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion. Considering the current social and cultural climate of modern sports, you will need to be empathetic and culturally aware in your future career. You will explore key issues through the principles of social justice.
- Sport and Exercise Science PlacementOptional20 credits
Module details
Challenge yourself to apply your theoretical knowledge to real world scenarios. Gain valuable experience that will help you decide what career path you want to pursue and illustrate the professional standards required in different environments. You will be guided to find a placement that aligns with your interests and will further stimulate your professional development. The experience can influence your topic for your final year research project.
Year 3 5 modules
- Advanced Sports BiomechanicsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Develop an advanced understanding of sports biomechanics, incorporating the analysis of the technical performance of human movements. Build on the skills and knowledge gained from previous modules with more advanced techniques.
- Exercise and Human HealthCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Develop the skills necessary to analyse and critically assess the role of exercise on human health. Learn about how exercise is used to prevent and treat disease, in a diverse group of people, from different perspectives. This will include a multi-disciplinary approach.
- Applied Sport and Exercise PhysiologyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Further your understanding of physiology in an applied sport and exercise context. Use your skills in the measurement, assessment, and critical analysis of human physiology in response to different factors and diverse groups. This can include: Simulated environmental conditions, Ergogenic aids (including anti-doping), Sleep, Female physiology.
- Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Develop an understanding of applied practice in sport and exercise psychology among a range of sporting groups. This includes the roles and responsibilities of practitioners in sport and exercise psychology, applied techniques used by sport and exercise practitioners, and the empirical basis for these techniques. The skills you will develop in this module could be used to improve performance, increase participation, and support wellbeing in applied sport or exercise contexts.
- Research Paper (Dissertation)Compulsory40 credits
Module details
Engage in all aspects of the research process to answer a specific question in a topic related to your interests. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you will revise, refine, extend or reconstitute a research proposal submitted for the Research Design and Analysis in Sport and Exercise module. Manage a proposed research project through the ethical approval process, carry out the proposed research and present it in the form of a research paper.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course equips you to apply science and research to improve performance and wellbeing through sport. You'll usually start with foundations in anatomy, exercise physiology and introductory sport psychology, alongside practical coaching skills. Year 2 moves into biomechanics, training physiology and research methods, building analytical and experimental capability. In Year 3, a course like this normally offers specialist options such as strength & conditioning, sport psychology, nutrition, rehabilitation, coaching or PE teaching routes, combined with an applied placement working with teams, clients or schools, and a final independent research project. The foundation year provides additional preparation if your prior qualifications differ from typical entry.
Who it's for
You're suited to this degree if you're curious about how the body responds to exercise and competition, and you want to understand sport through a scientific lens. You might have studied A-levels or equivalent qualifications (81% of recent entrants held these); you'll have typical UCAS tariff of 80–95 points. You should be comfortable with both practical work and analytical thinking, and prepared to engage seriously with research. The foundation year makes this accessible if your prior qualifications didn't quite match standard entry, whilst readying you for the main programme's pace.
Careers & job market
Across Sport and Exercise Science courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after completing their degree. Of those working, 62% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. Starting salaries typically fall between £22,000 and £30,000; after five years, this rises to £23,375–£33,000. Careers span sports science support, exercise prescription, coaching development, public health, academia and research, though specific outcomes vary by individual experience and role.
University & format
You will study full-time over 4 years at York St John University, a university founded in 1841, based at its Main Campus in York. Teaching quality is recognised with a Silver award from the Office for Students' TEF 2023. The degree is a nationally recognised Bachelor's award (BSc (Hons)) taught in English. Additional bursaries and scholarships may be available through the university.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 81% |
| another higher-education qualification | 16% |
| an Access course | 2% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at York St John University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Sport & Exercise Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £21,000 | £18,000 – £24,000 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £21,000 | £17,000 – £24,500 | 200 |
| 5 years after | £26,500 | £21,500 – £30,500 | 200 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sport & exercise science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Sport & Exercise Science nationally
National figures for Sport & Exercise Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sport & Exercise Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 915 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupationsSOC 2020 62 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £22,297
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 65; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 4 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 4 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Sport & Exercise Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Sport & Exercise Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Sports clubs & NGBs
- Leisure providers
- Schools
- The NHS
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sport & Exercise Science graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £21,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 89.1% · in work or study 90% · continued 89%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
York St John University
Biological and sport sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around YSJ Main Campus
2,229 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Sport & Exercise Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to York St John University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £14,900 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check York St John University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with York St John University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at York St John University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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