Sport and Exercise Nutrition BSc (Hons)

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Study Sports and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Chester and discover how nutrition supports performance, health, and recovery in both athletes and active individuals. Combining nutrition, physiology, and biochemistry, this degree helps you understand how the body uses nutrients during exercise and design evidence-based nutrition strategies for different sports, populations, and goals.

Throughout the course, you will explore key areas such as energy systems, hydration, supplementation, and training adaptation, alongside the role of nutrition in injury prevention and rehabilitation. You'll get hands-on experience through practical and applied learning, using laboratory work, case studies, and real-world scenarios to build your expertise.

By the end of the course, you will have the expertise needed to support performance, wellbeing, and long-term health in both recreational and elite sporting contexts.

Why study Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Chester?

The School of Allied and Public Health at Chester has a strong reputation for both nutrition and sport and exercise science degrees across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. You will be taught by expert staff with active research profiles and experience working with athletes and sports teams, ensuring your learning reflects current industry practice.

  • Hands-on learning: Gain practical experience in BASES-accredited sports science laboratories, using contemporary technologies to assess performance and nutrition.
  • Career-focused assessments: Apply your knowledge through case studies, data analysis, and presentations, designed to mirror real professional practice.
  • Supported placement experience: Complete a placement in a relevant setting, applying your skills in laboratory, clinical, or sport environments.
  • Expert-guided dissertation: Undertake an independent research project on a topic that interests you, with support to develop strong research and analytical skills.

Course Features

Hands-on learning with real-world placements

You will frequently complete practical classes involving use of contemporary technologies along with a required placement in a related setting (laboratory or applied in nature) enabling you to apply your knowledge in research, patient care and sport-based settings.

Learn from expert staff in BASES-accredited sports science labs

Our course team brings extensive experience, with many members actively publishing and working with elite athletes and teams. You'll gain hands-on skills in BASES-accredited sports science labs, applying cutting-edge research to practical scenarios.

Sport and Exercise Sciences students analysing biomechanics as a footballer performs a movement test in a sports lab.

Career-focused assessments

You will be supported to develop career-focused skills, with guidance from industry stakeholders. Our assessments are often linked to applied practice, with case studies, practical data analysis and interpretation, and presentations, which reinforce the knowledge and skills needed to be successful after completion of the course.

woman in uniform in kitchen with other people

What will I Study?

In the first year, you will develop a strong foundation in human biology, nutrition, and sport science. You will gain an understanding of how the body functions at rest and during exercise, alongside key nutrition principles such as energy balance and macronutrients. Practical skills in analysing sports performance are introduced, alongside core academic skills in communication, data handling, and applying scientific theory to practice.

Modules

  • Biological Science for Nutrition (40 credits)
  • Fundamental Theories in Sport and Exercise Sciences (40 Credits)
  • Human Nutrition (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Sports Performance (20 Credits)

In your second year, you will deepen your knowledge of metabolism, performance nutrition, and the role of diet in health and disease. You will explore how nutrition supports training, performance, and recovery, while developing the ability to evaluate sports performance using physiological and biomechanical principles. There is also a focus on research skills, data analysis, and professionalism, enabling you to interpret evidence and apply it in both health and sport settings.

Modules

  • Diet and Clinical Nutrition (20 credits)
  • Nutrition and Metabolism (20 credits)
  • Research Methods (20 credits)
  • Professional Perspectives in Human Nutrition (20 credits)
  • Evaluating Sports Performance (20 Credits)
  • Nutrition for Sport and Exercise (20 Credits)

In your final year, you will apply your knowledge in advanced and applied contexts, with a focus on supporting performance and health in real-world settings. You will complete an independent research project, gaining experience in study design and critical analysis. Modules emphasise high-performance sport, applied practice through placement, and advanced sports nutrition strategies, including personalised approaches and supplementation. This year prepares you for professional practice by combining scientific expertise with hands-on experience and evidence-based decision-making.

Modules

  • Dissertation (40 credits)
  • High Performance Sports (20 credits)
  • Applied Sports Performance (20 credits)
  • Sports and Exercise Nutrition (20 credits)
  • Applied Sports and Exercise Nutrition (20 credits)

How will I Learn?

This course delivers practical training alongside general learning

This course assesses via reports, and written and practical work

This course is designed around in-person study

There may be some online learning activities

An aerial photograph of Exton Park with the text 'How we teach at the University of Chester'

How we teach at the University of Chester

The course is delivered using a variety of learning and teaching methods designed to encourage scientific enquiry and assist with the development of your skills. The learning and teaching philosophy of the course fully embraces the notion of the independent learner, whilst being enhanced through effective academic leadership, utilising this expert knowledge and skill, alongside evidence-based practice in their teaching.

Learning and teaching methods include but are not limited to: lectures, interactive lectures, discussions, seminars/presentations, simulated problems, project-based learning, web-based learning, laboratory/practical classes, task-driven tutorials and case studies, work-based/experiential learning.

You will typically receive 8 to 12 hours a week of direct teaching at the university, and will be supported to productively use your time for further independent study, allowing you to maximise your learning and application of knowledge.

In addition, learning support is provided to meet the needs of students who require additional guidance. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation rather than being the recipient of taught information. The curriculum will be delivered to develop research-mindedness and will foster integration of disciplines using project-based learning (e.g. data handling and analysis, Level 4), task-based learning (e.g. professional perspectives at Level 5), plus self-directed and collaborative learning (e.g. dissertation at Level 6).

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Careers and Employability

Job Prospects

The Sport and Exercise Nutrition course has been designed with two core principles in mind. Firstly, the development of knowledge, applied skills and analytical techniques in the conventional subdisciplines of sport and exercise nutrition. Secondly, the alignment of content and assessments with vocational opportunities and practices, including but not limited to:

  • Sport Nutritionist
  • Exercise and Health Promotion (exercise prescription/interventions, physiotherapy)
  • Coaching
  • Personal Training
  • Sport Development
  • Sport Management
  • Teaching

Progression Opportunities

Graduates can progress to MSc Nutrition Science, MSc Exercise Medicine, MSc Sports Medicine and MSc Nutrition and Dietetics at the University. Other progression opportunities include MRes, PhD and MPhil.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Points

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC, must include A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physical Education

GCSE

A GCSE grade C/4 (or above) in Mathematics and English Language is required.

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma (Applied Science): DMM

International Baccalaureate

26 points, including 5 in HL Biology or Chemistry or Physical Education

Irish/Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H4, including H3 in either Biology, Chemistry or Physical Education

Scottish Highers - BBBB including either Biology, Chemistry or Physical Education

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma (Science), to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

T Level Science - Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma (Applied Science): DMM

Extra Requirements

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A Level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from outside the UK are expected to hold qualifications broadly equivalent to UK standards - typically A Level for undergraduate study.

To help you interpret these equivalents, please select your country/region of residence. This will provide details on equivalent entry requirements, as well as information about local representatives, events, and key contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and assess all applications on an individual basis. Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration where appropriate.

For more information on English entry requirements, including accepted qualifications, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Fees and Funding

£9,790per year for a full-time course (2026/27)

Tuition fees for Home students for the academic year 2026/27 will be £9,790 for full-time students and £7,335 for part-time students (subject to Parliamentary approval). Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase in line with the Government fee cap.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,950*per year for a full-time course (2026/27)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2026/27 are £14,950 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £11,250 and £14,950 for Years 2-4 in 2026/27.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Who will I Learn from?

Dr Ceri Nicholas

Lecturer
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Professor Jamie Highton

Professor
Professor Jamie Highton

Ed Gray

Lecturer
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Dr James O'Reilly

Senior Lecturer
Dr James O

Dr Sohail Mushtaq

Deputy Head
Dr Sohail Mushtaq

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