Applied Sport Science and Coaching (Top Up)
Develop the skills and knowledge in sport science and coaching required to work with athletes and members of the public.
in the UK for Sports Science.
Source: subject ranking for Sports Science, Guardian University Guide 2026
Turn your love of sport and fitness into a lifelong career.
Study in the Cambridge Centre for Sports and Exercise Sciences, with its accredited exercise testing and human movement facilities. Here, you’ll learn to work safely and ethically as a sport and exercise scientist. You’ll explore the four key disciplines of sport and exercise science – physiology, psychology, biomechanics and nutrition – and get hands-on experience working with athletes and members of the public.
We welcome talented athletes and offer financial support through our Sport Scholarship.
-
Work with athletes and members of the public and apply your skills to the key disciplines of sport science and coaching.
-
Study a course ranked second in the UK and 17th in the world (Shanghai Rankings 2023).
-
Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs, designed with employers to give you exposure to real-world problem-solving.
-
Discover what makes great sports performers in our accredited high-performance labs.
-
Gain experience testing athletes and members of the public in our Exercise Testing Consultancy.
-
Get an international experience: apply to study in North America for one trimester.
-
Join an industry-approved course, endorsed by BASES and CIMSPA.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
After graduating, you'll be equipped for a wide range of careers across sport, health, education and research.
Graduates often go on to roles such as sports coach, strength and conditioning coach, performance analyst or sport scientist, working with athletes to enhance performance and prevent injury. Others pursue careers in health and wellbeing, including exercise physiology, rehabilitation support or wellness coaching.
Teaching and modules
Develop your understanding of sports coaching, PE teaching, athlete support, clinical practice, and sport development.
You'll study full-time over two trimesters, with campus teaching supported by our established online learning systems.
There are lots of opportunities for hands-on learning in the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Science. Your tutors include practising sport therapists, coaches, conditioning specialists, sports analysts, psychologists, nutritionists, and researchers.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Coaching Philosophy and Ethics (15 credits)
- Talent Identification and Development in Sport (15 credits)
- Applied Sports Psychology (15 credits)
- Exercise Medicine (15 credits)
- Advanced Strength and Conditioning (15 credits)
- Strategic Sports Development (15 credits)
- Advanced Work Placement (30 credits) *
- Undergraduate Research Project (30 credits) *
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
-
David StephensLecturer
-
Katrina McDonaldSenior Lecturer
-
Dr David TurnerSenior Lecturer
-
Dr Matt JewissSenior Lecturer
-
Mike FerrandinoSenior Lecturer
Facilities
Get hands-on experience in specialist exercise testing and human movement facilities.
Accredited by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES), facilities in Cambridge include:
- five dedicated laboratories (cardio-respiratory physiology, metabolic and anaerobic physiology, body composition, biomechanics and strength and conditioning)
- Sport and Exercise Therapy Clinic
- equipment such as our 3D motion capture suite, high speed treadmills, metabolic carts for the assessment of cardiorespiratory responses, force plates, full haematology suites, an array of cycle and rowing ergometers, GPS systems for field work and eye-tracking glasses.
You’ll also have anytime access to an array of sport and exercise science software packages.