Sports science degrees abroad
Sports science is a broad field of study which looks at the principles behind human performance and participation in sport and exercise today. It’s a relatively new program that has grown in popularity in recent decades.
As a sports science student, you’ll be examining how sport works in society. You’ll learn about various sports science sub-disciplines which range from psychology, physiology and biochemistry, to anatomy, sociology and coaching. You’ll use your knowledge to make recommendations about how best to optimize sporting engagement and success.
Studying sports science abroad is a fantastic opportunity to see how sporting landscapes look at an international level. You’ll experience another country’s sporting culture and network with world experts to enrich your knowledge of the subject. As well as this, you’ll make lifelong friends and memories.


Sports science program structure
You can study sports science at bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate level. BSc programs usually last between three and four years and will give you a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between sport, the body, the mind and society.
At the higher levels of MA and PhD, you’ll have a narrower focus on a more precise and specialist area of sports science.
You will be taught mostly through lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions and practical lessons. Sports science programs are usually assessed through a combination of exams, coursework, presentations, practical deliveries and a final dissertation or research project. It’s important to note that you won’t be assessed on your sporting ability or fitness level.
If you would like to study in the US, you’ll need to choose sports science as your major. In the US liberal arts model, you work on your general education for the first two years of your program before specializing in your major for the final two years.
The exact content of your program will differ depending on your institution and country of study. However, you can expect the find the following core topics in most sports science programs across the world:
- Physiology
- Psychology
- Biomechanics
- Teaching and coaching
- Sociology of sport
- Diet and nutrition
Alternative sports degrees
Best countries to study sports science
How to study sports science abroad
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Sports science study abroad programs
Sports science undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in sports science
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Kinesiology - Exercise Science and Health Promotion - BSc University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
29,800 USD
Fee in university's local currency 29,800 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Exercise Science/Pre-Health Professional - BSc Murray State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,920 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,920 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Exercise Science - BSc Auburn University at Montgomery, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,336 USD
Fee in university's local currency 20,336 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
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Sport & Exercise Science - BSc (Hons) Liverpool Hope University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,586 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,400 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Sport and Exercise Science - BA (Hons) Edge Hill University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,749 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,250 GBP
- Start date
- September
Associate in sports science
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Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology - ASc San Jose City College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
8,138 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,138 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Exercise Science - ASc St. Charles Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
5,520 USD
Fee in university's local currency 5,520 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Exercise Science - AA Hesston College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,992 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,992 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Kinesiology, Sports & Exercise Science - AA South Seattle College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
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Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration - AASc Elgin Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,510 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,510 USD
- Start date
- August, September, January, February, June
Diploma in sports science
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Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician - UGDip Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,097 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,412 CAD
- Start date
- January
Certificate in sports science
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Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Techniques - Cert Durham College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,355 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,741 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration Technician - Cert Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,976 USD
Fee in university's local currency 19,080 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Heating and Air Conditioning - Cert Mohawk Valley Community College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
6,892 USD
Fee in university's local currency 6,892 USD
- Start date
- January, September
Pathway in sports science
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Sport & Exercise Science (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,586 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,400 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Sports science graduate programs
Master's in sports science
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Strength & Conditioning - MSc University of Northampton, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,799 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,750 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
-
Clinical Exercise Science - MSc University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,596 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,750 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences - MSc University of Gloucestershire, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,047 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,200 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
-
Sport and Exercise Science - MRes London Metropolitan University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,116 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,250 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Sport and Exercise Science - Integrated BSc (Hons)/MSc York St John University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Duration
- 3 years
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,432 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,750 GBP
- Start date
- September
Doctorate in sports science
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Sport, Health and Exercise Science - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 6 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,596 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,750 GBP
- Start date
- October, February
-
Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences - PhD University of Gloucestershire, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,047 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,200 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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Exercise Science and Physical Education - PhD University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
5,464 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
Diploma in sports science
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Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 14 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,084 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,396 CAD
- Start date
- September
Certificate in sports science
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Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management - PGCert Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,003 USD
Fee in university's local currency 17,840 CAD
- Start date
- September
Future sports science careers
Thanks to the ever-growing sports industry, there are plenty of career options for sports science graduates. Your specialist knowledge and skills will be desirable to employers in a range of sporting circles. Your degree could give you the edge in the following professions:
- Sports coach
- PE teacher
- Personal trainer
- Sports journalist
- Sports psychologist
- Nutritionist
- Sports therapist
If you have a specific career in mind that you’d like to pursue after graduation, it’s a good idea to tailor your module choices around this field. Most universities have a career advice service that will be able to support you with these decisions.
