Why Choose Lincoln?
CIMSPA endorsed programme for Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer
Dedicated sports laboratories and practical spaces
Partnered with Lincoln City FC and a range of external partners
Learn from our expert academic team members

Sports scientists combine theoretical knowledge with the practical application of scientific principles and technology to help individuals maximise their sports performance.
This multi-disciplinary degree has been developed in response to the growing prominence of sport and exercise science in athletic performance, and the role that sport and physical activity can play in improving health.
The programme aims to develop your knowledge, understanding, and practical skills in key areas of physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition, in order to understand their impact on sports performance, physical activity, and health. A number of elective modules are aligned to relevant professional standards which means that students are able to apply for industry-recognised standalone certification in Gym Instruction, Personal Training, and/or Exercise Referral at an additional cost.
CIMSPA endorsed programme for Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer
Dedicated sports laboratories and practical spaces
Partnered with Lincoln City FC and a range of external partners
Learn from our expert academic team members
This degree reflects current research-informed teaching and innovation within the sector.
The first year of the programme is designed to provide the essential foundations of sport and exercise science theory, completing four sport science-specific modules across the key disciplines of biomechanics, psychology, physiology and nutrition, and one broader module to develop their research skills.
Whilst these disciplines continue into the second year of study, the context of each module becomes even more applied than first year as the emphasis shifts towards students converting their knowledge of theory into applied practice. There is also the opportunity to start to individualise the specific mix of modules taken relating to physiology and nutrition depending on each students' preferences and longer-term plans - selecting three options from Applied Health Physiology, Applied Exercise Physiology, Exercise Instruction and Nutrition for Health and Performance.
In the third year, you can tailor the degree to your own preferences and future plans, and choose three from a selection of seven optional modules to study across a range of disciplines and contexts. This is alongside the completion of your final year dissertation which gives you the chance to apply research skills developed in your first two years, to plan and complete a specific research project relating to a topic you're interested in.
We want to ensure our students to become the best graduates they can be, and in addition to interactive lectures and seminars, weekly laboratory and/or practical sessions, guest speakers, web-based activities, and staff-student research projects, we encourage students to deliver sports science workshops to school groups and sports clubs, and undertake their own independent research ideas (e.g. dissertation), and offer a wide range of voluntary applied sports science roles.
Each of our students is also paired up with a member of staff as their personal tutor from the very first week of enrolment, in order to help them settle in, discuss issues or questions they have, and to help guide and develop their academic growth and extracurricular experience towards any post-degree plans they may have.
This programme is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES), the UK's professional body for sport and exercise sciences. This accreditation recognises degrees which incorporate the knowledge, skills and professional development opportunities that are considered essential for sport and exercise science students to succeed in the industry.
This programme is endorsed by The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) for the roles of Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer. This endorsement demonstrates the University's commitment to ensuring students' teaching and learning is aligned to industry standards. For a student to register with CIMSPA and arrange certification for professional standards gained during this degree, a small administration charge would be required.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
At the end of your second year, you'll have the option to apply to complete a ‘study abroad’ or ‘placement’ year in industry (e.g. professional sports club) as part of the degree. When undertaking a placement, you will be responsible for covering your travel, accommodation, and general living costs.
My degree has helped me to develop my career. I learned valuable sports-based knowledge and made connections which have enabled me to progress into a management role.
Trevor Mealing
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
Our ongoing partnership with Lincoln City FC offers you opportunities to undertake work placement or internship opportunities, as well as providing a potential pathway for full-time employment after you graduate. Many Lincoln graduates are employed within the organisation in roles spanning coaching, physiotherapy, sports science, and performance analysis.
The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that may be used include coursework, such as written assignments, reports or dissertations; practical exams, such as presentations, performances or observations; and written exams, such as formal examinations or in-class tests.
120 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A Levels or equivalent qualifications.
A Level: BBB
International Baccalaureate: 30 points
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Distinction, Merit or equivalent
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 120 UCAS Tariff points
Applicants will also need at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, which must include English, Maths and Science. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, EPQ etc.
We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to join us for one of our Open Days. Visiting us in person is important and will help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
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