Studies & Degrees in Athletics and exercise science
Athletics and exercise science Study Programs
Athletics and exercise science is the study of human movement: how the body responds to exercise, how performance can be improved and how physical activity supports health. Universities teach it under several names, such as sport and exercise science, exercise science, kinesiology or, in Spain, Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (often shortened to CAFD or CAFYD).
The core content is similar everywhere. Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge describes four key disciplines of sport and exercise science: physiology, psychology, biomechanics and nutrition. The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) in Australia builds its degree on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and motor learning, followed by client assessment, exercise prescription and coaching. At The Ohio State University the bachelor's programme in exercise science puts its emphasis on exercise physiology, and the kinesiology programme at Penn State focuses on physical activity, from the basic mechanisms of human movement to its role in health.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degree. In Spain the official degree is the Grado en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte. Spanish bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits. In 2018 the Consejo de Universidades published recommendations for this degree, organised in seven areas of competence that include educational intervention, the promotion of healthy habits through physical activity and sport, and the planning and management of sport resources. In the United Kingdom the BSc (Hons) at ARU lasts 3 years, or 4 years with a placement year. The Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at UniSC also lasts 3 years and includes a minimum of 270 hours of supervised professional practice.
- Master's degree. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. In the United States some professions require a master's: athletic trainers typically need a master's degree from an accredited programme, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Vocational training. Spain offers the Técnico Superior en Enseñanza y Animación Sociodeportiva, a higher vocational (FP) qualification of 2,000 hours. Holders can go on to a university degree, with the possibility of having some modules recognised.
Professional recognition differs by country. The ARU degree is endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES), the professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK. The UniSC degree is accredited at the level of Exercise Science by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). In Spain the sport professions are regulated by regional rules; the 2018 agreement of the Consejo de Universidades refers to a request for a state law to harmonise them. Ask each school what recognition its qualification has in the country where you plan to work.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 272 active schools for athletics and exercise science. The United States has 118, Spain 40 and the United Kingdom 17, followed by Australia and Canada with 7 each, France with 6, and China and Germany with 5 each. More than half of the listed schools are in English-speaking countries; in Spain the grado is normally taught in Spanish.
Examples from the list include The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Michigan and The University of Texas at Austin in the United States; Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Southampton, the University of Westminster and the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom; the Universidad de Cádiz, CEU Andalucía in Bormujos and the Escuela de Estudios Universitarios Real Madrid of the Universidad Europea de Madrid in Spain; the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia; the University of the Fraser Valley in Canada; and Ghent University in Belgium.
When comparing programmes, look at the exact degree title, the laboratories and the number of placement hours, any endorsement by a professional body, the language of instruction and whether the school supports student athletes.
Careers
Graduates work in sports performance, health and fitness, coaching, physical education and sport management. UniSC lists exercise scientist, physical activity and health promotion officer, sports coach, sports development officer, sports laboratory technician and strength and conditioning coach as career opportunities. The Spanish vocational qualification leads to jobs such as coordinator of physical and sports activities in sports facilities.
Official US statistics are published per occupation. According to the BLS:
- Exercise physiologists typically need a bachelor's degree in exercise science or a related field. There were 21,200 jobs in 2025 and employment is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035. State licensing requirements vary.
- Athletic trainers need a licence or certification in nearly all states. Employment is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035.
- Fitness trainers and instructors typically need a high school diploma, and employers usually prefer those with certification. Employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Frequently asked questions
Is exercise science the same as kinesiology or sports science?
They overlap to a large extent. All of them study human movement, exercise physiology, biomechanics and the effect of physical activity on health; the name depends on the country and the university.
How long does a degree in sport and exercise science take?
It depends on the country. A Spanish grado has 240 ECTS credits, while the BSc at Anglia Ruskin University and the bachelor's degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast last 3 years.
Do I need a master's degree to work as an athletic trainer in the United States?
Typically, yes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, athletic trainers typically need a master's degree from an accredited programme, and nearly all states require a licence or certification.