Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences BSc
This degree is ideal for students who want to combine their passion for sport with medical science. You will explore how the human body functions in both health and disease, and how it responds to exercise for health and performance. Alongside a strong foundation in medical sciences, you will also study injury management, equipping you to work confidently in both athletic performance and clinical settings.
Key information
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAA
- Subjects
- A in Biology and either Chemistry, Physics or Maths
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6
Contextual offer
- Grades
- ABB
- Subjects
- A in Biology, contextual offer: B in either Chemistry, Physics or Maths
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6
At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- Points
- 38
- Subjects
- A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including 6 in Biology and either Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry, with no higher level score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either ‘Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Applications and Interpretation’ at higher level.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 34
The English language level for this programme is: Level 3
Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages and International Education.
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) - UCL's International Foundation Year - are for international students who have completed high school with a qualification UCL does not accept for undergraduate entry.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
About this course
Our degree in Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences prepares you to become a leading professional and/or scientist in the field of exercise and health. This degree offers a distinct advantage over sport science or physiotherapy degrees for those seeking comprehensive knowledge in human health, clinical exercise applications, and the psychology and neuroscience behind exercise.
On this course, you will study:
- Medical sciences, and how the human body works in health and in disease
- How to prevent and manage specific diseases through physical activity such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease
- How to prevent and manage sports injuries
- How to optimise performance in elite sport
- How our mind and body interact, and the psychology and neuroscience of physical activity.
All your subjects are taught by world-renowned experts from various departments at UCL. We take pride in our partnership with the Institute of Sport, Exercise, and Health (ISEH), providing you with access to an extensive network in elite sport and public health, along with valuable opportunities for internships and employment. You will also benefit from world-class teaching on the psychology and neuroscience modules which are delivered by experts from the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences.
While studying with us, you’ll gain an in-depth grounding in medical sciences, with a focus on exercise medicine, sports injuries, human health and performance, and disease. The course covers the foundations of human biology and medicine, such as how the body works, what goes wrong in disease, and how to treat it. We then introduce you to how the body responds during exercise.
This course is for students passionate about how the body works, how exercise supports health and performance, and how science can help people thrive. You’ll explore the links between movement, medicine and rehabilitation, and develop practical skills from day one. The degree is ideal if you’re considering futures in sport, healthcare, public health or rehabilitation.
What our students say
I have enjoyed the emphasis on group-based learning and hands-on clinical work, which gave me practical applied experience.
Course structure
Year 1
In Year 1, you gain a strong basis of medical sciences, human physiology in health and in disease, sports anatomy and imaging, and exercise physiology.
Year 2
In Year 2, you build on your knowledge of health, disease, and adaptations to exercise to design training programmes. You also broaden your knowledge by studying immunity, nutrition, and psychology.
Year 3
In Year 3, you bring together everything you have acquired in the first two years by studying injury assessment and rehabilitation, sport performance optimisation, exercise neuroscience and exercise medicine. You also complete a research project.
Modules
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Please note that the list of compulsory modules given here is indicative. Up to 10 optional modules per year are displayed for this course: this may not be the full range of optional modules available for selection. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available. For more detail regarding module availability, please contact the department.
Compulsory modules
- Foundations in Human Physiology and Cellular Biology (MEDC0001)
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function in Health and Disease (MEDC0002)
- The Gut, Liver and Drug Metabolism (MEDC0003)
- Kidneys, Hormones and Fluid Balance (MEDC0004)
- Data Interpretation and Evaluation of Science (MEDC0006)
- Musculoskeletal Systems in Health and Disease (MEDC0009)
- Cardiorespiratory Exercise Physiology (SURG0111)
- Functional Anatomy and Medical Imaging in Sport and Exercise Medicine (SURG0169)
Compulsory modules
- Molecular Basis of Disease (MEDC0010)
- The Nervous System and Neurological Diseases (MEDC0012)
- Pharmacology and Drug Action (MEDC0013)
- Statistics for Medical Scientists (STAT0026)
- Applied Exercise Physiology (SURG0112)
- Infection, Inflammation and Repair (SURG0149)
- Sport Psychology (SURG0205)
Optional modules
This is a highly practical degree. You will learn through a mix of lectures, interactive workshops, group discussion, laboratory work, biomechanical and clinical assessment, exercise training and performance testing.
In Years 1 and 2, each week you will practise your performance assessment skills through physical testing in the lab. In Year 3, each week you will practise your clinical skills on how to assess injuries and will continue to practise your applied skills through performance testing in the lab.
Depending which research project you choose, you may also spend a lot of time testing participants to gather data on their health and fitness. You’ll have access to world-class equipment such as VO2MAX testing, dynamometers, force plates, accelerometers, electrocardiograms, and body composition machinery.
The development of your employability skills is strongly supported throughout the degree.
The work placement module is an optional module in the first term of Year 3. You will have the option to take up a work placement sourced by the course team, or to find your own placement with an organisation.
Placements are designed specifically for the work placement module and involve a range of employers, including academic institutions, professional and amateur sports clubs, clinical settings, and industrial partners. Most placements are based in and around London, but opportunities may also be available elsewhere in the UK or internationally.
Placements are unpaid and undertaken on a voluntary basis. Where applicable, aside from your own travel costs, there are no additional costs associated with the placement.
Formative assessments are embedded throughout the degree to help you develop your learning and academic skills. These include:
- Problem-based learning workshops
- Informal presentations
- Interactive workshops
- Gamification
- Peer feedback.
As a full-time student, you can expect your workload to be roughly equivalent to a full-time job.
Over the course of this degree, you will spend around 10–12 hours of face-to face teaching a week during term time excluding reading weeks. This includes lectures, workshops and lab sessions.
You will also need to spend time studying independently. This will include preparatory reading, self-directed learning and working on assignments. In total, your weekly schedule should total 37 learning hours.
During the ten-week research project in Year 3, you will be immersed in your research for most of the time, and in your work placement if you select one.
The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.
Fees and funding
| Study mode | UK fee (2026/27) | Overseas fee (2026/27) |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | £9,790 | £39,200 |
UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.
International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.
International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
You may wish to have a laptop computer or device to access online materials, although computers are available on campus. The cost of a laptop depends on brand and needs, with costs ranging upwards from £300.
For in-person teaching, UCL's main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1–2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2026. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Why study this course at UCL?
Learn from world-renowned experts. Study at UCL, ranked 8th globally for Medicine (QS world rankings by subject 2025), and benefit from the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health’s international network in elite performance and public health, opening doors to prestigious career opportunities.
Gain a distinctive skill set. Stand out from traditional sports science graduates with medical sciences expertise. Develop skills in evidence‑based exercise prescription, clinical and biomechanical assessment of common sports injuries, their management, and applied research skills including medical statistics.
Build a strong science foundation. Deepen your understanding of human body systems, health and disease, anatomy, and physiology while bridging the gap between traditional biomedical science and innovations in exercise medicine.
Kickstart your career. Graduate prepared for diverse roles across healthcare, industry, public health and elite sport.
Collaborate on research. You’ll have the opportunity to work on research undertaken by the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health and its partners, including the English Institute of Sport, the International Olympic Committee and University College London Hospitals.
Flexibility. You can transfer to another medical sciences degree in your first year (subject to capacity) if your interests evolve.
Discover Uni
To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.
What this course will give you
This degree offers clear advantages over sports science by consolidating your knowledge across clinical physiology, injury management, nutrition, exercise medicine and psychology.
A major benefit of studying sport and exercise medical sciences is its interdisciplinary approach. You will develop a broad knowledge base spanning medicine, psychology and physiotherapy, providing a strong foundation for careers as biomechanists, physiologists, coaches, performance analysts or clinical exercise practitioners.
The course delivers a strong medical and clinical grounding in performance and athlete health, with a focus on physical activity in disease prevention and management, supporting wide-ranging, patient-facing career paths.
According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey for the 2018–2023 cohorts, graduates have gone on to careers in:
- Sports industry (FIFA, Belsize Park RFC, GB Boxing)
- Healthcare (NHS Trusts)
- Consultancy (BCS Consultancy)
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (Ali Sports Therapy)
- Science research
- Scientific research, development and analysis
- Academic research and HE
- Consultancy
- Other professional, scientific and technical activities
- Health and social care
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Register your interest in undergraduate study and become part of the UCL community.
Register nowHow to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
We will use your predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your personal statement and your reference to decide whether to offer you a place. There are no interviews.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Apply for this course
You are applying for the Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences BSc course. For application guidance please visit Application guidelines.Course starts: September 2027
UCAS applications open for 2027 entry on 12 May 2026.
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