Introduction
Whether you're interested in elite sport performance, supporting talented younger players, or wider issues to do with physical activity and health, prepare for a career in a fast-moving field by studying on our nationally endorsed Sport and Exercise Science degree in the heart of Cambridge.
Want to turn your love of sport and fitness into a lifelong career? Sport and Exercise Science graduates are in demand, whether you want to encourage and support people to take up sports and exercise, work in a clinical environment – or help propel them to the top of their game.
At ARU, we're proud to be ranked third in the country for sports science courses in the Guardian League Table 2022.
Study sports science with world-leading experts in our specialist labs in Cambridge, on a degree course endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). Here, you’ll learn to apply the four key disciplines of sport and exercise science: physiology, psychology, biomechanics and nutrition.
Our Sport and Exercise Science degree course is also endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), so you'll graduate ready to work in the UK’s burgeoning sport and fitness industry or to continue your learning journey to postgraduate study. Find out more about our approved and accredited courses.
There are plenty of opportunities to get hands-on experience, with internships and an optional placement year.
Course options
Key facts
Specialist exercise science facilities
We're ranked third in the country for sports science courses by the Guardian League Table 2022. Take a look at some of the equipment used by our students.
SPECIALIST FACILITIES
Measure
Learn how to measure fitness and performance at the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences.
SPECIALIST FACILITIES
Analyse
Learn how to interpret fitness and performance test results.
SPECIALIST FACILITIES
Best practice
Learn how to work safely, effectively and professionally.
SPECIALIST FACILITIES
Research
Learn how to collect, analyse, draw conclusions and make recommendations from data.
SPECIALIST FACILITIES
Challenge yourself
Become the best you can be.
Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Facilities and accreditation
Specialist equipment
At ARU you’ll be based in our Cambridge Centre for Sports and Exercise Science. Its British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accredited specialist exercise testing and human movement facilities include:
- five dedicated laboratories (cardio-respiratory physiology, metabolic and anaerobic physiology, hydrostatic weighing, biomechanics and strength and conditioning, physiology teaching)
- electrocardiography (ECG)
- near infrared spectroscopy for monitoring of blood oxygenation
- body composition systems
- isokinetic dynamometer for the assessment of muscular strength
- heat chambers
- an array of ergometers: treadmills, cycles and rowers
- GPS monitoring technology
- breath-by-breath oxygen-analysis systems
- haematology suites
- accelerometers.
Multiple ways to learn
All our Sport and Exercise Science students can:
- train and work in the on-site Exercise Testing Consultancy team, gaining experience of testing athletes and members of the public
- learn from highly experienced lecturers, including practising sport therapists, coaches and conditioning specialists. Our team currently includes a Paralympian World Record holder, a Scottish Women’s Rugby player and a judo champion
- apply for internships with Cambridge United FC, Northampton Saints and Para Monte, among others
- hear from guest speakers at our Excellence in Sport seminars
- collaborate with international speakers and students as part of our optional summer school
- join an optional training programme to improve strength and conditioning coaching skills
- take an optional placement year and gain additional work experience.
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity
This course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), meaning employers will view you as 'job ready' for roles in sport and physical activity.
The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Our degree course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). You’ll be based in our Cambridge Centre for Sports and Exercise Science, using BASES-accredited specialist facilities.
Dan Gordon
Associate Professor in Cardiorespiratory Exercise Physiology
Ash Willmott
Lecturer
Justin Roberts
Associate Professor (Health and Exercise Nutrition); Research Excellence Framework (REF) convenor; BASES Laboratory Director and Consultancy Lead
Andrew Morrison
Interim Deputy Head of School
Matthew A. Timmis
Associate Professor of Learning and Teaching
Kjell van Paridon
Senior Lecturer
Lee Smith
Reader in Physical Activity and Public Health
Adrian Scruton
Careers
There are wide-ranging employment opportunities for sport scientists, from introducing people to sport and exercise, to helping take them to the top. You could work as an athlete-support scientist (with teams and national sports associations), an exercise consultant, a performance analyst, or a clinical psychologist, among other roles in applied health and physical activity and the health and fitness industry.
This course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), the professional development body for the UK's sport and physical activity sector, and the sector's only chartered professional body, meaning employers will view you as "job ready" for roles in sport and physical activity.
We’ll encourage you to improve your employment prospects by making connections with industry. We have links with a range of sporting organisations, including:
- Living Sport (Cambridge and Peterborough Sports Development)
- British Paralympic Association
- British Cycling
- British Judo Association
- Cambridge United FC
- European Space Agency
- British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Physiological Society
- European College of Sports Medicine
- American College of Sports Medicine
- England and Wales Cricket Board
Whichever area of sports science interests you, you can be sure you’ll graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities that employers need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships and placements.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study a postgraduate degree such as our MSc Sport and Exercise Science or MSc Sport Coaching. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Want to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Explore CambridgePlacement year available
You have the option to take a placement year as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in.
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