Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (Physical Education, Coaching and Social Issues) BSc (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Brunel University

Program Overview

The programme offers a comprehensive grounding in how sport, health and exercise intersect with education, coaching, and wider social issues — ideal for those who want to promote physical activity and sport at community, school, or grassroots levels. Students gain both scientific understanding and practical coaching and pedagogical skills, while exploring the social, historical, and inclusive-practice aspects of physical education.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
In the first year, students build fundamental knowledge across biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and the social dimension of sport. Modules such as Introduction to Biomechanics, Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to the Psychology of Sport and Exercise, and Pedagogy and Policy in Sport and Physical Education provide a broad base — from how the body moves and responds to exercise, to key theories of physical literacy, inclusion, and the role of sport and education in society.

Year 2
In the second year, the programme becomes more specialized: students begin to focus on coaching, sport development, social issues, and policy surrounding physical education. Through modules like Policy and Practice in Physical Education, Sports Coaching and Sport Development (Macro Analysis), Sport, Social Issues and Video Production, and The Application of Sport Science to Coaching: Working with Individuals, students learn how to design coaching plans, understand social challenges in youth sport, apply sport science in real coaching contexts, and produce media content to communicate social-sport issues.

Year 3 (Final Year)
In the final year, students refine their expertise and prepare for professional practice or further study. They engage in Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis through their own final-year project, critically examine issues in physical activity, health and wellbeing across the life course, and complete a module on Employability and Professional Development — developing leadership and management skills valued in roles such as coaching, sport development, or education. Optional modules allow further focus on issues such as policy (micro), team-based coaching, or critical pedagogy in sport.

Focus areas

Sport coaching and development • Physical education and pedagogy • Social issues in sport (inclusion, equality, community sport) • Sport science foundations (biomechanics, physiology, psychology) • Research methods and applied coaching practice

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to plan, deliver and evaluate high-quality sport and physical activity programmes; apply scientific principles (physiology, biomechanics, psychology) to coaching and PE; understand and respond to social, cultural, and policy issues affecting sport participation; conduct independent research; and demonstrate leadership and professional skills relevant to coaching, youth sport development, and physical education settings.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Teaching staff are widely accredited by professional bodies such as the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), British Psychological Society (BPS), or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), meaning students are learning under experts whose qualifications and experience align with high-performance and applied sport science contexts.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Brunel is ranked second among London universities for Sports Science according to the Complete University Guide 2025. Graduates from this course are well-suited to careers such as PE teacher, community coach, sport development officer, team/event manager, performance analyst, or further postgraduate study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students benefit from excellent, professionally equipped facilities — ensuring a hands-on, practical learning experience. As part of the programme, they can:

Work in state-of-the-art physiology, biomechanics and psychology laboratories — using measurement tools to study human movement, performance, and exercise response.
Train, coach and analyse sport using a world-class indoor athletics centre, a 400 m six-lane athletics track with full field event facilities, indoor netball hall, multi-use sports centre (with courts for basketball, squash, netball) and a climbing wall — so theory can be tested and applied in realistic settings.
Access a members-only fitness suite (treadmills, cycles, rowing machines), a weight-training area, grass and 3G all-weather pitches, and outdoor tennis courts — enabling students to design, deliver and evaluate training and coaching programmes.
Participate in lab-based workshops, seminars and research-led teaching, combining lectures with practical, team-based and problem-based learning — building both individual and collaborative skills.
Undertake a placement year (in the 4-year version) — working in real-world environments like schools, community sport programmes or coaching settings — to build a CV with practical, relevant experience.
For final-year students, conduct an independent major project on a topic of their choice — fostering in-depth research skills and specialised knowledge aligned with personal interests.

This blend of science labs, sporting facilities, coaching environments, placement opportunities, and project-based learning ensures that graduates not only understand theory — but also develop the practical competencies and confidence to work in diverse sport, health, education and community settings.

What the curriculum covers

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge: human anatomy & physiology, biomechanics, psychology of sport/exercise, and study social/policy issues in physical education.
In the second year, the focus shifts to specialised topics such as sport development policy, coaching practices, social issues in sport, video production (to explore sport media and communication), pedagogy and sport psychology, and how to apply sport science to coaching individuals.
In the final year, students explore broader issues in physical activity, health and wellbeing across the lifespan, and carry out an advanced research project — helping them develop research, critical thinking and independent working skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (Physical Education, Coaching and Social Issues) BSc (Hons) at Brunel University are well-prepared to pursue careers that combine practical expertise with theoretical knowledge in sport and health sciences. Typical roles include sports coach, physical education teacher, health promotion specialist, and exercise scientist:

University Careers Services: Brunel’s Careers and Employability Service provides tailored support through one-on-one career coaching, CV and interview workshops, internship placements, and access to a dedicated graduate job portal.
Employment Stats and Salary Figures: Over 90% of Brunel graduates enter employment or further study within six months of graduation. Average starting salaries for sport and exercise graduates range between £22,000–£28,000, increasing significantly with professional experience.
University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from strong links with professional sports organizations, local schools, community health programs, and national governing bodies, providing opportunities for work placements, research collaborations, and coaching internships.
Long-term Accreditation Value: The program’s accreditation by relevant professional bodies enhances employability and ensures that graduates meet industry standards for coaching and physical education practice.
Graduation Outcomes: Alumni have successfully moved into roles in schools, professional sports teams, community health organizations, national sports bodies, and private coaching enterprises.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may pursue advanced studies in fields such as Master’s degrees in Sport Science, Exercise Physiology, Coaching Science, Physical Education, or Public Health. Additionally, professional qualifications for teaching, coaching, or personal training can complement academic study and expand career prospects in both national and international contexts.