Sport and exercise
You’re interested in studying Sport and Exercise Science – but do you know about the range of career options that will be open to you once your course is complete? The public sector employs over 5 million people in the UK (Office for National Statistics 2019) and many sport and exercise science students choose to apply for graduate schemes, such as with the military and emergency services.
Take a look and find out about just a few of the opportunities open to you after graduation...
1
Teaching
If you enjoy sharing interacting with groups of students who share a passion for learning about sport, teaching or tutoring may be a career path you decide to take. Many students progress onto a postgraduate teaching degree and obtain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) after their degree, whether that is as a secondary school teacher who only teaches physical education or a primary school teacher who specialises in P.E.2
Sports coaching
As a sport and exercise science student you probably participate in a specific sport. Many students use the technical knowledge and experience they’ve acquired in their sport and throughout their course to become qualified sports coaches at local clubs, schools and offer private tuition.3
Public health and sports development
Physical activity and sport development are major priorities in Public Health right now, with the aim to get the nation more active. Sports development involves sports coaches working within local districts to support PE in schools, extra-curricular programmes outside of school hours, and during holiday periods. The public health agenda which helps improve the health and well-being of members of the public could see you working alongside members of the local community to help engage people to lead healthy and active lifestyles.4
Personal training
Many students use their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, nutrition and psychology to help members of the public achieve their health or performance goals by becoming personal trainers. You may choose to work for a well-established health and fitness company or set up your own business. If you're outgoing, enjoy flexible working hours and have strong communication skills then this could be the perfect career choice for you!5
Further study/training for a specific profession
A degree in sport and exercise science will provide you with a grounding across a wide breadth of disciplines relating to the sport, health and fitness industry. It is likely you’ll develop a passion for one area within sport and exercise science, so may choose to study a subject such as physiotherapy, dietetics, or strength and conditioning at master's level.6