Overview

Improving sporting performance, fitness and health draws on a genuinely broad scientific base, spanning anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, nutrition and psychology. The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at Kingston University is endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, and includes the CIMSPA Coaching Assistant qualification built into the first year, giving students industry-recognised credentials alongside academic study. Teaching takes place in dedicated physiology and biomechanics labs, featuring ergometers, environmental chambers that simulate altitude and heat, force platforms, and a six-camera motion analysis system for studying sporting movement in detail. Students learn from staff who remain active in research, publishing in scientific journals and presenting at international conferences, while also getting the chance to observe lab assessments of elite athletes through the department's consultancy work with squads such as the Great Britain Olympic Canoe and Kayak Team and Fulham Football Club. The course builds practical coaching experience from assistant through to lead coach across a variety of sports, alongside strong grounding in monitoring and assessing health, fitness and performance. It suits students who want a genuinely hands-on route into sport science, developing both theoretical understanding and applied skills. It particularly suits those aiming to work directly with athletes or pursue sport and exercise research, with the option of a placement year in industry.

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What You'll Learn

• Functional anatomy and exercise physiology, covering the skeletal, muscular, respiratory and cardiovascular systems

• Sport and exercise psychology, including motivation, personality, anxiety and motor learning

• Coaching theory and practice, developing hands-on experience from assistant through to lead coach

• Research methods and essential skills for designing experiments and analysing sport and nutrition data

• Technical and tactical performance analysis, using data to enhance sporting performance and reduce injury risk

• Applied exercise physiology, linking physiological responses to performance across different populations and environments

• Biomechanics of sport performance and injury, using tools such as 3D motion capture and electromyography

• An independent research project culminating in a written manuscript and oral presentation in the final year

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply scientific principles across anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and psychology to understand and improve sporting performance, fitness and health. They will be equipped to monitor and assess human performance using specialist laboratory equipment, and to critically evaluate interventions designed to enhance performance or reduce injury risk across different populations and environments. Through practical coaching experience and an independent research project, students will develop strong applied, research and communication skills grounded in real sport and exercise contexts. Graduates will leave with CASES-endorsed and CIMSPA-recognised qualifications, well prepared for careers spanning sports coaching, health and wellbeing physiology, personal training and sports management across the private and public sectors.