Are you considering applying for a sports science degree? If you need a few more pointers to make your decision, then read on. Here are five great reasons to get started.
Updated: 15 Apr 2025
Sports science is an interdisciplinary field which uses scientific principles to better understand athletic performance and the factors that affect behaviour in sport. It’s a holistic discipline, which considers the human body from a cellular level up to a whole body perspective and has applications for sportspeople of all abilities from recreational level to elite professionals. The study of sports science includes many different approaches towards health and performance including physiology, nutrition, and psychology. It's a versatile degree choice which can lead to a number of different career pathways within sports and healthcare.
NEXT: Read more about studying sports science at uni.
1. The skills you’ll learn
As a holistic subject, sports science requires the acquisition of skills in a number of key areas. At undergraduate level, you'll study a broad spread of these, and if you choose to go on to further study or professional work, then there will be options to specialise in many areas. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of psychology and biology - especially how it relates to the human body. Much of a sports scientist’s professional work is presented to clients, so you’ll develop excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to explain scientific data to non-scientists using charts, graphs and a variety of softwares and interfaces.
You’ll build superb interpersonal skills and be able to listen effectively to your clients, as well as helping them to implement a new strategy while managing their expectations and ensuring that motivation levels remain high.
2. The career you could have
There are a huge number of applications for a sports science degree. If you want to work with elite level athletes, then there are possibilities to specialise as a performance analyst, dietician, nutritionist, coach, therapist, or strength and conditioning specialist. With further training, you could become an accredited physiotherapist, research scientist or sports medic. If you’d prefer to work within the commercial sphere that surrounds sports, then you could manage a fitness club, or sports retailer, or even enter the administrative world which supports and regulates various sporting leagues and events worldwide.
Another popular and widespread career with many key benefits is that of a physical education teacher, and this will give you opportunities to work with the youth and inspire them to stay active and pursue sports at a higher level.
NEXT: Not sure what you want to do after you graduate? Use our Career Matcher to find your dream career.
3. All the topics that get covered
There are loads of topics which are covered in a sports science degree. Many of them are to do with physiology and bodily systems and can include muscles and movement, planes of motion in the body, the skeleton, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, endocrine system, and the nervous system.
There will also be modules for the psychological aspect of sports, which can be as important to top level athletes as the physical training. Topics here include motivation, discipline, mental stamina and resilience, relaxation and stress, emotional management, and determination.
4. You can study all over the UK
There are a lot of unis around the UK which offer sports science degrees, and this will give you plenty of options to find a particular course or location which gets you excited to study. The three top ranked courses in the UK according to Complete University Guide are at:
The top three universities based on for sports science based on student satisfaction are:
NEXT: Check out the full sports science league table from Complete University Guide.
5. It’s something you enjoy!
Most of us love playing sports in some form or other. Exercise is great for your body and mind, and a lot of fun to participate in with a team, or solo. Imagine turning these activities into a career, where you can understand more and more about how to live a healthy and fulfilling life, through a social platform where you’ll be inspiring others to succeed.
NEXT: Are you ready for a career in sports science? Start searching for courses right away!
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