Studies & Degrees in Sports Science
Sports Science Study Programs
Sports science studies how the human body moves, performs and adapts to exercise. The same field is called sport and exercise science in the United Kingdom and Australia, exercise science or kinesiology in North America, and Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (CAFYD) in Spain. York St John University describes its degree as centred on three core areas: physiology, biomechanics and psychology. The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) in Australia starts from anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and motor learning and then moves to client assessment, exercise prescription and coaching.
The knowledge is applied in two directions: improving the performance of athletes, and using physical activity to improve the health of the general population. Much of the teaching takes place in laboratories, sports halls and placements, so most degrees are taught on campus and include practical assessments.
Qualifications and levels
- Spain: grado. The bachelor's degree (grado) in Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte has 240 ECTS credits and takes four years. At the Universidad de Alicante, a public university, it is taught in Spanish with some subjects in Valencian and English, belongs to the Social and Legal Sciences branch and costs €14.03 per credit for a first enrolment, according to the university's degree page (checked in October 2026); non-resident students from outside the EU pay different prices. The Universidad Europea de Madrid, a private university, teaches its 240 ECTS degree in Spanish or in English.
- United Kingdom: BSc (Hons). At York St John University the BSc in Sport and Exercise Science takes three years full time or six years part time and is endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES), the professional body for the field in the UK.
- Australia: bachelor's degree. The UniSC Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science takes three years and is accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). International students on a student visa can only study full time, and ESSA sets higher English language requirements for its accreditation than the university does for admission.
- United States: bachelor's and master's degrees. Exercise physiologists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology, exercise science, kinesiology or a related field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Athletic trainers typically need a master's degree, and nearly all states require a licence or certification.
- Vocational training in Spain. The higher vocational qualification (FP de grado superior) Técnico Superior en Enseñanza y Animación Sociodeportiva lasts 2,000 hours, according to TodoFP, the ministry's vocational training portal. It prepares for work as a sports activity leader or coordinator, not as a sports scientist.
- Master's degree and doctorate. Graduates specialise at master's level in areas such as performance, strength and conditioning, health or sports management, and a doctorate leads to research.
Where to study sports science
SpainExchange lists 81 active schools for sports science. The United States has 26, Spain 18 and the United Kingdom 15; Germany has three, and Ethiopia, Switzerland and Brazil have two each.
In Spain the list includes the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, the Universidad de Alicante, the Universidad Europea de Madrid and the Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio. Spanish is the main teaching language, with English-taught options at some universities. In the United Kingdom, York St John University, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Strathclyde, London Metropolitan University and the University of Wolverhampton are listed. In the United States the subject is listed at The Ohio State University, Purdue University and The University of Texas at Austin, among others. UniSC in Queensland and the University of Jyväskylä in Finland are examples elsewhere.
When comparing programmes, check the language of instruction, whether the degree is endorsed or accredited by the professional body of the country where you want to work, how many placement hours it includes and which facilities students can use.
Careers
Graduates work as strength and conditioning coaches, exercise physiologists, performance analysts, personal trainers, coaches, sports managers and health promotion officers. In the United States the Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 21,200 jobs for exercise physiologists in 2025 and projects growth of 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average; employment of athletic trainers is also projected to grow 13 percent. In Spain, holders of the vocational qualification work as sports activity leaders and as coordinators of activities in sports facilities.
Some occupations have their own entry rules. Physiotherapy is a separate degree. School teaching normally requires an additional teaching qualification, and the rules differ from country to country.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a sports science degree take?
Four years and 240 ECTS credits in Spain. In the United Kingdom and Australia the examples on this page take three years full time.
Is sports science the same as physiotherapy?
No. Sports science covers physiology, biomechanics and psychology applied to performance and health. Physiotherapy is a separate health degree with its own rules for professional practice.
Can I study sports science in Spain in English?
At some universities. The Universidad Europea de Madrid offers its degree with classes in Spanish or in English, and the Universidad de Alicante teaches in Spanish with some subjects in English.
Is a vocational qualification enough to work in sport?
For some jobs. In Spain the 2,000-hour Técnico Superior en Enseñanza y Animación Sociodeportiva leads to work as an activity leader or coordinator, while scientific and clinical roles ask for a university degree.