Sports Science in Relation to Medicine BSc

Course overview

Do you have a passion for sport and exercise? On this course you'll be provided with a full understanding of the scientific foundations of sport performance and health-related exercise. You'll have the option to study elements of biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control and sports psychology, in addition to working alongside final-year sport and exercise students.

Our medical students have enjoyed this course. They typically find it challenging, providing them with opportunities to gain experience in laboratory-based skills and research training. Previous students have even gone on to present their research at student medical conferences and regional sports medicine interest groups.

Additional highlights include:

• Undertake a research project, enabling you to bring your own perspective to an individual or group project, and work alongside staff at the forefront of their area of research.

• Access to support to help develop academic writing skills.

• A holistic view of the issues that relate to health and disease.

Course details

By the end of this course, you should:

• understand the contribution of the disciplines of sports science to the understanding of performance enhancement in its various forms

• be able to demonstrate a broad appreciation of each of the major sports science disciplines (biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control/sports psychology)

• have an in-depth appreciation of at least one of the disciplines, and their relationship to exercise and/or sport.

You'll be introduced to state-of-the-art techniques currently in use in research laboratories and will have an understanding of theoretical and conceptual foundations in one or more of biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control and sports and exercise psychology.

You'll also develop the analytical, evaluation and design skills necessary for work in a research environment. Health and exercise is a key issue for both medical practitioners and for sports scientists and this course will provide an added dimension and focus for your medicine-related studies.

A major feature of the course is the research project, which will enable you to bring your own perspective to an individual or group project and to work alongside staff at the forefront of their area of research.

Research projects

Projects can be laboratory, field or literature-based. In all cases, state-of-the-art equipment is used to collect data. Alternatively, evaluation of the literature may be conducted via systematic reviews. Project titles cover the full breath of disciplines in sport and exercise sciences, and can even expand to the suite of subjects offered in the School of Biomedical Sciences. Examples of previous projects include:

• Personalised exercise prescription in chronic disease
• Diagnosis and management of exercise-related breathlessness
• Mechanisms of skeletal muscle dysfunction
• Mechanisms of exercise intolerance in health and disease
• Early detection techniques of Alzheimer’s disease using computation image analysis
• The effects of imagery and implementation intentions on physical activity
• How technology use impacts physical activity and motivation in adults
• Effect of shoes with embedded carbon fibre plates on running economy
• Attention and joint coupling in jumping tasks.
• Sudden cardiac death during active sports: would screening be cost effective?
• Can ventilator efficiency provide an effective measure of performance?
• The role of physical activity in psychological recovery from chronic disease and disability.
• The genetic basis of neurological disorders.

The research project itself can be written up in a variety of formats depending on the project, including as a journal article. If this is of high enough quality, there may be an opportunity for publication.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Compulsory modules

Research Skills and Professional Development (20 credits) - This module will support you to apply the skills, experience and knowledge you have gained earlier in your degree to your Capstone Research Project or MBiol project, through a series of Skill Units focusing on specific methodologies, techniques and transferable skills. This module will also provide the opportunity to develop and enhance skills and experiences to support the next stage of your career or education.

Capstone Research Project (40 credits) – You'll undertake a research, workplace, or social justice capstone experience, collaborating with others on a project or task to co-create a solution or output to a problem relevant to the Biomedical Sciences. The module consists of project-based experiential learning, allowing you to “learn by doing”. You'll be given ownership and responsibility for your education, developing new experiences and competencies, which will be extremely beneficial to your future career.

Advanced Exercise Physiology (10 credits) - You will discuss and critically analyze key contemporary issues in exercise physiology, evaluate relevant literature, and understand their significance in sport and exercise science.
The module includes four lectures and tutorials on topics such as muscle oxygen consumption control, muscle fibre type plasticity, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiovascular and pulmonary performance limitations, genetics of human performance, circadian rhythms in performance, the female athlete triad, exercise in pre-puberty, and exercise during pregnancy.

Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) (10 credits) - In this module, you will focus on the health and well-being of individuals engaged in sports and physical activity. You will learn about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports-related injuries, as well as the promotion of overall health and performance. The module will explore current issues and challenges in SEM, taught by clinical experts, and will provide a critical understanding of its interdisciplinary nature and role in performance, health, and disease.

Optional modules

Candidates will be required to study 1-2 modules (between 20 and 40 credits) from the following list of optional modules

Outdoor Adventure-Land, Water and Air Activities (10 credits) – This module offers a unique chance to learn about some of the aspects that need to be considered when engaging in a variety of higher risk adventure sports. Through a number of practical sessions, you'll make informed decisions regarding the inherent and controllable (rather than the perceived) risks of participation in these sports. You'll participate in a variety of activities and consider how risk management is applied in different contexts.

Applied Concepts in Physical Activity and Health (20 credits) – The module covers definitions of physical activity and recommendations for different populations by national (Chief Medical Office, UK) and Global health bodies (World Health Organisation). You'll learn about impact of the environment (space and communities) on physical activity and consider concepts such as cultural tailoring of physical activity and the ableist notion of physical activity.

Advanced Sports Biomechanics: Performance, Injury and Rehabilitation - This module looks at the biomechanics underpinning the latest advances in sports performance and injury prevention and rehabilitation. We will look at a range of topics including the design of sporting equipment, protheses, rehabilitation assistive technologies and devices, and the latest analysis and modelling techniques. Students will partake in one lab using a full 3D motion capture system to look at the effects of shoe design on the kinematics and kinetics of running.

Motor Control and Neurorehabilitation - This module examines the neurophysiology of movement control in health and disease as well as current research in rehabilitation of movement. The key aspects of the study of movement include: neuromuscular, cortical, spinal, supraspinal and sensory control of movement, with a particular focus on balance, locomotion, reaching and grasping. The module will examine the rationale and clinical justification for current therapy which aims to promote neuroplasticity and recovery of function.

Exercise and Psychological Health - In this module, you will explore various topics related to exercise and psychological health. You will critically analyse research in exercise and health psychology and describe key theoretical models underpinning behaviour change. You will understand how exercise is used as an intervention to promote psychological health and review the maladaptive consequences of exercise on psychological health.

Learning and teaching

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Teaching will be through lectures, practical classes, seminars, tutorials and a research project. Assessment is similarly varied, including in-course assessment (formative and summative) and written examinations. The in-course assessment exercises include tests of practical skills, essay writing, data manipulation and problem solving. The research project will be assessed throughout the project and on the final written report. Degree classification will be based upon the marks obtained in each of the component modules, with the appropriate credit weighting applied.

Entry requirements

Other course specific tests:

Fees

UK: £9,535 (per year)

International: £32,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
The fee for UK undergraduate students is decided by the Government and may vary if policy changes. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 will be £9,535.

The tuition fee for the following programmes with an integrated foundation year is £5,760 for the foundation year, and £9,535 for subsequent years of study:
•    Business Studies with Foundation Year BSC
•    Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
•    Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
•    Social Science (foundation year) BA
 

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2025/26 are available on individual course pages.
 

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Read about applying for intercalation on the School of Medicine website.

Please note:

In addition to the application form you will be required to write a statement on why you wish to study the subject. This statement should be no more than one side of A4 and demonstrate interest and enthusiasm in understanding the influence physical activity and exercise may have on general health, disease prevention, and/or rehabilitation. In addition, the statement should provide evidence of curricular and extracurricular engagement with allied topics, and awareness of health care issues related to physical activity and exercise.

This course is taught by

Faculty of Biological Sciences

Contact us

Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office

Email: fbsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

The course is designed to give you a challenging, enjoyable and rewarding year which will add significantly to your skills, knowledge, and enhance your career opportunities on graduation.

The course allows full integration with existing science based BSc courses and the chance of a substantive research project.

In addition to providing subject-specific knowledge, we equip you with the best possible skills for future careers. There is a strong emphasis on practical based teaching, small group teaching, online learning and problem solving. You will gain a wide range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. You will be ideally placed to focus on your personal development and make the most of your intercalating year.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.