BSc Hons Sport Exercise and Nutrition

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Northumbria University

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Sport, Exercise and Nutrition at Northumbria University is designed for anyone passionate about health, performance, and wellbeing. You’ll explore how the body works, how nutrition affects performance, and how to help people achieve their health and fitness goals — all while gaining hands-on experience in real-world settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation in human physiology, exercise science, and nutrition. Modules like Fundamentals of Human Physiology and Exercise and Health Assessment introduce you to how the body functions and how to measure fitness and health. Practical sessions in modern labs let you get hands-on from the start, applying what you learn in real situations.

Year 2:
The second year takes you deeper into applied sport and exercise nutrition. Through modules such as Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition and Exercise and Health Assessment, you’ll learn to create tailored nutrition plans and carry out health screenings. The focus is on linking theory with practical application, so you gain skills you can use in real-world settings.

Year 3:
In your final year, you’ll tackle contemporary issues in sport and exercise nutrition, building your ability to critically evaluate research and practice. The Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Nutrition module encourages independent investigation, and the dissertation lets you explore a topic that truly interests you. By the end, you’ll be confident in making evidence-based recommendations for clients or athletes.

Focus Areas: Human Physiology, Exercise Assessment, Sports Nutrition, Health Promotion, Behaviour Change, Paediatric Exercise Science, Research Methodology

Learning Outcomes: Critical Evaluation, Practical Application, Research Skills, Communication of Nutritional Advice, Understanding Behavioural Theories, Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Professional Alignment: Endorsed by the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr), ensuring your skills meet industry standards and professional requirements

Reputation: Northumbria’s Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation department is ranked 5th in the UK for research power (REF 2021), reflecting the university’s strong academic quality and industry relevance

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Northumbria, you won’t just learn about sport, exercise, and nutrition in lectures — you’ll get hands-on experience from day one. The course is designed so that theory and practice go hand in hand, giving you the skills and confidence to work in real-world health, fitness, and sports settings. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art, BASES-accredited laboratories and a specialist nutrition kitchen, allowing you to run experiments, assess performance, and design practical nutrition interventions.

Your learning is enriched through group projects, industry placements, and interdisciplinary modules, ensuring you gain both technical know-how and teamwork experience. Here’s what makes the program so practical:

Hands-on labs: Work in BASES-accredited physiology and nutrition labs with cutting-edge equipment for performance testing and nutritional analysis.
Nutrition kitchen: Develop, test, and evaluate dietary plans in a professional, purpose-built kitchen.
Group projects: Collaborate on modules like Sport Event Management, planning and running events while developing teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Interdisciplinary learning: Modules such as Sport Performance Assessment and Exercise & Health Intervention Strategies help you apply knowledge across different areas of sport and nutrition.
Industry placements: Gain real experience by working with sports teams, fitness centres, or health organisations, building both practical skills and professional contacts.
Research opportunities: Conduct independent projects, sharpening your critical thinking and contributing to real-world knowledge.
Professional alignment: Modules are mapped to the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr) competencies, so you graduate with skills recognised by the industry.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Sport, Exercise and Nutrition from Northumbria University opens up a range of exciting career opportunities. You’ll leave with the practical skills, industry experience, and professional knowledge to thrive in roles such as:

Sports Nutritionist – advising athletes or clients on performance and wellbeing through tailored nutrition plans.
Exercise Physiologist – designing and supervising exercise programs to improve health and recovery.
Health and Wellness Coach – supporting individuals and groups to meet their fitness and lifestyle goals.
Performance Analyst – evaluating physical performance data to optimise training and results.

Northumbria supports your career journey in several ways:

Tailored career support: The university’s employability team provides one-on-one guidance, CV workshops, and interview preparation to help you confidently step into your chosen field.
Industry partnerships: Collaborations with organisations such as AccessAble and sports clubs give you networking opportunities and real-world experience.
Professional accreditation: This program is endorsed by the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr), meaning your degree is recognised by the industry and enhances your employability.
Graduation outcomes: With Northumbria ranked 5th in the UK for research power in Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation (REF 2021), you’ll graduate with a strong reputation that employers value.

Further Academic Progression:

After your degree, you can continue to specialise and advance your expertise through postgraduate study, such as:

MSc in Sport Nutrition – dive deeper into strategies to improve athletic performance and overall health.
MSc in Exercise Physiology – focus on how exercise affects the body and how to optimise physical performance.
PhD in Sport and Exercise Science – explore research opportunities and contribute to cutting-edge developments in the field.

These options allow you to take your career further, whether in applied practice, research, or leadership roles within the health, sport, and fitness sectors.