BSc Sport and Exercise Science

The BSc Sport and Exercise Science at Heriot-Watt University is designed to enable students to gain an in-depth understanding of sports and exercise, including physiology, psychology, and biomechanics. During this 4-year programme, students learn to apply this knowledge and gain experience across a variety of professional settings, including strength and conditioning, nutrition, data analysis and research, as well as how sports and exercise impact daily life.

Students will have the chance to explore strategies for promoting health and preventing lifestyle-related diseases. They will also learn about the role of sports and exercise scientists in professional fields, including performance sports, exercise prescription, adherence, research, and public health.  

Throughout their studies, students will develop practical skills as well as the ability to plan, conduct, critically analyse, and interpret results of practical work in both field and laboratory.

Founded in 1821 as the world’s first mechanics’ institute, Heriot-Watt University has a rich tradition of innovation in education and research. Its main campus is in Edinburgh, Scotland, with additional campuses in Dubai and Malaysia, welcoming students from over 150 countries.

Heriot-Watt University is well known for its high academic standards. According to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, over 80% of its research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. The university’s international campuses also maintain strong educational quality, with accreditations from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.

Applicants need to write a personal statement. In this, they should explain why they want to study this course and give other important information about their studies. They also need to provide a reference from a teacher or someone they worked for. Students can also add their CV to their applications to show their work experience.

Grade Requirements:

• Applicants are expected to have qualifications equivalent to A-levels within the grade range of BBC-ABB in subjects achieved at (Human) Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Sport Science. Other equivalent qualifications such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, International Baccalaureate and HND are also accepted. 

English Proficiency:

• Applicants who do not speak English as their first language must have an IELTS score of 6.0, with at least 5.5 in all skills, except in writing, where the minimum score must be 6.0. 
• Alternatively, students can present equivalent scores from other accepted proficiency tests or take English language courses at the university to meet the requirements before starting their studies.

For the 2025/26 academic year, the tuition fee for international students enrolled in the Heriot-Watt University BSc Sport and Exercise Science programme is £25,008 per year.

Heriot-Watt University offers a variety of scholarships to support international students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies across its UK, Dubai, and Malaysia campuses. These scholarships are designed to ease financial pressures and recognise academic achievement.​ 

For instance, the Postgraduate European Union Scholarship awards an automatic £5,000 tuition fee reduction for all EU students enrolling in full-time taught courses at the UK campus.

Graduates of the BSc Sport and Exercise Science at Heriot-Watt University can pursue various career roles, including:

• Personal Trainer
• Fitness Instruction
• Sports Coach 
• Exercise Psychologist
• Sports Development Officer 
• Performance Analyst 

To apply for this course, you’ll need to go through UCAS. To find out more about this process, speak to one of our trained counsellors.