Sport & Exercise Science BSc (Hons)

Core Studies in Sport and Exercise

This module provides a solid foundation in research skills and sport psychology for students on the Sport and Exercise Science course. You will study the basics of designing a study, collecting and analysing data, and presenting findings. Within sport psychology, key theories such as motivation, confidence, and personality are examined in relation to their impact on participation and performance.

Fundamentals in Sport and Exercise Anatomy and Physiology (Single Honours only)

Students will study the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, and movement science using a systems-based approach. Topics include the lungs and gas exchange, the heart and cardiac function, and muscle physiology. Practical laboratory classes provide opportunities to develop key skills and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world settings.

Fundamentals in Movement, Health, and Performance (Single Honours only)

This module explores the relationship between human movement and sports performance. Students will study motor control to understand how skilled movements are produced, learned, and developed. Biomechanics is used to quantify human movement through kinematic and kinetic approaches, including work, power, force, speed, and velocity. Laboratory and field work support learning, while physical activity, inactivity, and health indicators such as body composition are also examined.

Additionally, students will study energy metabolism and nutrient processing, exploring how different substrates impact health and performance. Components of teaching and coaching are also covered, focusing on talent identification, development, children and young people, and community coaching. Approaches such as Teaching Games for Understanding are used to support learning in both coaching and teaching contexts.

Fundamentals in Sport and Exercise Science

This module introduces students to the core concepts of Sport and Exercise Science, providing a broad overview of the discipline and laying the foundation for specialised study in subsequent years.

Building on the skills and knowledge developed in Year 1, you will study the following:

Applied Exercise & Conditioning (30 credits)  

Use the latest laboratory and field-based technology to explore applied exercise and conditioning. Assess fitness, movement and performance, then put your knowledge into practice to develop strength, power, speed and endurance. Explore how the body responds to exercise and use practical training techniques to improve sporting performance and physical function—building skills you can apply in real-world sport and exercise settings. 

Movement for Sport and Health (30 credits)

Get hands-on with human movement, performance and health. Use biomechanics labs, performance analysis and physical activity assessments to understand movement, reduce injury risk and improve performance. Develop practical skills in exercise prescription and behaviour change, applying what you learn to real-world challenges in sport, fitness and health. 

Issues in Sport and Exercise Psychology (15 credits, Single honours only)

Explore how psychology shapes performance, motivation, confidence, and behaviour in sport and exercise. This module introduces key concepts such as imagery, goal‑setting, feedback, social identity, mental toughness, and exercise adherence, helping you understand the real‑world factors that influence athletes and participants. You’ll learn how to apply key theories to real sporting environments and develop the professional skills needed to support athletes and participants. You’ll build confidence working with others, analysing performance challenges, and applying psychological principles to improve skill learning and exercise adherence.

Research and Professional Development in Sport (15 credits, Single honours only)

Get hands-on with research and real-world sport experiences. Develop practical research skills, explore opportunities across performance, schools, community and sport settings, and build professional experience. Create your CV, develop your career identity and reflect on your strengths—gaining the confidence, skills and experience to take your next step in sport.

Sports Nutrition (15 credits, Single honours only)

You’ll learn how the body uses energy, what to eat for training and competition, and how to build personalised nutrition plans that genuinely improve performance. From carbs and protein to hydration, micronutrients, and supplements, you’ll explore the strategies used across elite sport.

Hands‑on workshops help you assess athletes, plan fuelling strategies, and apply evidence‑based nutrition in real scenarios. You’ll also dive into anti‑doping, ethical practice, and how nutrition fits into training cycles.

If you’re passionate about sport, fitness, or performance, this module gives you the applied skills employers look for in sport science, coaching, strength and conditioning, and nutrition support roles.

Biology of the Mind, Microbes and Time (15 credits, Optional Choice, Single honours only)

Biology of the Mind, Microbes and Time is a 15-credit Year 2 module at Liverpool Hope University, co-taught by Nutrition and Human Biology. Students explore mental health, including depression, anxiety and nutritional approaches to treatment. They examine the gut microbiome, probiotics, prebiotics and the gut-brain axis in neurodegenerative disease. Chronobiology topics include circadian rhythms, shift work and meal timing. Quantitative and qualitative research methods run throughout, preparing students for final-year research. Assessment is a poster presentation on a chosen topic.

Occupational Psychology (15 credits, Optional Choice, Single honours only)

Discover how psychology shapes the modern workplace and learn what drives people to perform, collaborate, and succeed. In this module, you’ll explore the psychology behind teamwork, leadership, organisational culture, motivation, and workplace wellbeing, gaining valuable insight into how businesses create productive and positive working environments.

You’ll examine how psychological principles can improve employee performance, reduce work-related stress, and support healthier, more engaged teams. By applying theory to real-world organisations, you’ll develop practical knowledge that is highly valued across a wide range of industries. Whether you’re interested in human resources, leadership, management, organisational development, or business psychology, this module equips you with the skills and understanding to help organisations and their people thrive. With strong links to employers across Liverpool and the wider UK, you’ll see how psychology can make a real impact in today's workplace

Educational Psychology (15 credits, Optional Choice, Single honours only)

Discover how psychology can transform the way people learn and unlock their potential in education. In this module, you’ll explore the cognitive, social, and emotional factors that influence learning, achievement, and development, while evaluating evidence-based approaches used to support learners in schools, colleges, and other educational settings.

You’ll examine how educational psychology helps tackle important challenges such as improving student wellbeing, reducing barriers to learning, and promoting inclusion, while exploring its role in shaping local and national education policy. Whether you’re aiming for a career in teaching, educational psychology, learning support, youth work, or wider education and child development roles, this module provides a strong foundation for making a positive impact on young people's lives.

In your final year of study, you will have an even greater opportunity to hone your specific areas of interest and develop greater depth of knowledge across the following sub-disciplines.

Applied Sport Psychology*

Students on the Sport and Exercise Science course will explore advanced applications of psychological principles, including imagery, motivation, self-talk, and mental toughness.

Exercise, Cardio-Metabolic, and Respiratory Assessment*

This module examines the physiological mechanisms linking physical inactivity to disease and how exercise training can reverse these effects. Students will also study the principles behind cardiovascular measurement techniques, such as ECG, echocardiography, pulse-wave velocity, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess respiratory function.

Sports Nutrition*

Students will study the evidence and practical applications of diet and dietary supplementation, focusing on carbohydrate and protein intake to support sports performance and training adaptation. Key ergogenic aids are also evaluated for their potential to enhance exercise performance.

Sport and Clinical Biomechanics*

This module covers biomechanical assessment and treatments across various clinical conditions. Students will use motion capture and force-plate analysis to produce 3-D analyses of sports performance and technique.

Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health

Students examine best practices for prescribing exercise to promote health in diverse populations, including those with diabetes, osteoporosis, pregnancy, and children, supporting the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases.

Performance Analysis

This module introduces fundamental principles of sports profiling and race analysis, applying contemporary technology to evaluate and improve performance outcomes.

Motor Control and Skill Acquisition

Students will study what it means to be an expert skilled performer, including the role of practice, feedback, and pressure. Learning is integrated with Performance Analysis to further develop interdisciplinary skills in Sport and Exercise Science.

Paediatric Exercise Science

This module focuses on growth, development, physical literacy, maturation, and the physiology of training and overtraining in children and adolescents.

Sports Performance*

Focusing on aerobic performance, students develop a critical understanding of lactate threshold and critical power, including measurement, estimation, and their role in defining exercise intensity domains. The module also covers training programme design, considering factors such as screening, age, sex, recovery, sleep, and concurrent training.

Research Dissertation*

Students complete an independent research project to explore new findings in Sport and Exercise Science. Combined honours students complete two smaller research projects or may opt for a full dissertation combining elements of both subjects.

*Single honours students only