Studying sport and exercise science abroad

What is sport and exercise science?

Sport and exercise science focuses on understanding how the human body responds to physical activity, training, and performance.

It explores the physiological, biomechanical, and psychological aspects of movement, as well as how exercise can improve health, prevent injury, and enhance athletic performance.

The subject draws from biology, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and nutrition. As a student, you will study how muscles, the cardiovascular system, and the mind work together during sport and exercise.

You might also learn how to test performance, design training programmes, or help athletes recover from injury.

Why study sport and exercise science abroad?

Taking this subject overseas allows you to experience different sporting cultures and training methods first-hand.

You might learn about high-altitude training in countries with mountainous regions, explore sports science research at cutting-edge institutes, or work alongside elite teams preparing for international competitions.

Studying in another country also gives you access to diverse facilities and approaches to sport, from state-of-the-art biomechanics labs to community-based fitness programmes.

You will build an international network of coaches, researchers, and health professionals while developing skills that can be applied anywhere in the world.

What you will study

Sport and exercise science degrees often combine classroom-based learning with practical training and research. Topics may include:

• Exercise Physiology – studying how the body responds and adapts to physical activity.
• Biomechanics – analysing movement and improving technique.
• Sports Psychology – understanding the mental aspects of performance.
• Nutrition for Sport and Health – exploring how diet supports training and recovery.
• Strength and Conditioning – designing effective fitness programmes.
• Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation – learning methods to keep athletes healthy.
• Research Methods – collecting and interpreting data to improve performance outcomes.

Many programmes include laboratory sessions, fieldwork, internships with sports teams, or placements in health and fitness centres.

Related subjects you might also like:

• Physiotherapy
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Public Health
• Kinesiology
• Coaching and Sports Management

Accreditation

At undergraduate level, you may graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sport and Exercise Science or a related discipline such as Exercise Physiology or Human Performance. Some universities offer specialised degrees focusing on coaching, rehabilitation, or sports therapy.

At postgraduate level, options include a Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Research (MRes) in Sport Science, Exercise Physiology, or Sports Performance. These may allow you to specialise further in areas like elite athletic performance, public health promotion, or biomechanics research.

In some countries, professional accreditation is available for sports scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, or exercise physiologists through recognised industry bodies.

Careers

Graduates in sport and exercise science can work in a variety of settings. Some go on to become strength and conditioning coaches for professional athletes, while others work as exercise physiologists in hospitals or health programmes.

You might work in sports rehabilitation, helping injured athletes return to competition, or in fitness and wellness, designing training plans for clients of all ages. Roles in sports research, performance analysis, and talent development are also common.

Some graduates move into education, teaching physical education or coaching at schools and universities. With the growing importance of health and fitness worldwide, skills in sport and exercise science are in demand across both the sports industry and the healthcare sector.