Sport and Exercise Sciences

Hello, I'm Professor Jamie MacDonald, and I'm a sport and exercise scientist here at Bangor University.

We're so pleased that you're thinking about studying sport and exercise science.
Please let me show you why Bangor University could be the perfect place for you.

Our facilities are brilliant. We've got sports halls set up for state-of-the-art performance analysis, altitude and environmental chambers so that you can study human physiology in different environmental conditions.

We've got brain labs set up for the study of sport psychology.

And we've got teaching labs like this one, which we've designed specifically to allow you to get hands-on with sport and exercise science equipment.

What makes us special is that this equipment isn't just for staff. All of our lectures are supported by small group practicals, and as students, you have the opportunity to get involved as researchers and participants in studies throughout your degree.

The sports science here isn't just about the scientific labs. Sport and exercise science at the university is renowned for its supportive environment.
Lecturers will help you with one-to-one tutorials.
Student guides will help you to settle in from Welcome Week, and the excellent value clubs and societies will help you to find your tribe.

Our sporting facilities are all on site within walking distance, and we're right on the doorstep of Eryri, Snowdonia, allowing you to apply your lecture content pitch-side and in the outdoors.

We encourage you to work with the university and local sports teams to gain practical experience,
complete placements in industry and our links to the NHS and elite sporting organisations will enhance your network of contacts for when you graduate into the workplace.

That's why our graduates go on to work in all sectors of sport science, education, performance sport, research and health from day one of your degree.

We make sure you develop sport and exercise site-specific skills, but also transferable skills that will be useful in any workplace, meaning the list of possible careers for you is endless.

If you want a sport and exercise science degree that turns your passion into a career set in one of the most beautiful places in Wales, then Bangor University is the place for you.

A semester is one academic session. There are two semesters in an academic year. Semester 1 generally runs from late September to the end of January and Semester 2 generally runs from early February to early June. Each semester has 12 weeks of lectures and 3 weeks of revision and assessment. The Christmas and Easter vacations are each of three weeks duration.

A module is a unit of the degree; it is a topic-based course of 12 weeks duration. Performance on each module will generally be assessed by coursework and by means of an examination (but there are some exceptions—you will be notified of these at the start of the year).

New students will be sent lots of information about Welcome Week and the arrival process before the beginning of term. During Welcome Week there will be plenty of people, staff and students, to guide you around. These include Peer Guides, who are current students who volunteer to help new students to help during the settling-in process. Peer Guides are familiar, friendly faces in the early stages of university life.

Every student at Bangor University is assigned a Personal Tutor, an Academic Staff member who provides personalised academic support and guidance. Your Personal Tutor will meet with you throughout the year to review your grades, discuss employability, and direct you to appropriate student services when needed. They are also responsible for providing academic references for you.

Personal Tutors are dedicated to helping you succeed academically and personally. They can assist with a wide range of issues, from academic challenges to career planning. In addition to regular meetings, you can reach out to your tutor whenever you need extra support or advice.

As an example, in year one, week one you will spend 12 hours in lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical groups but students who graduate with a 1st class degree tell us they worked at least three times that much each week - treat it like a full time job!’

The majority of modules have assignments throughout the semester and/or an exam at end of the year. Students must pass Year 1 to progress to Year 2, but your Year 1 marks do not count towards your final degree marks. We know that not everyone prefers exams and we think that having a variety of assessments gives you a chance to 'shine'!

For sport and exercise sciences students, we have a mini campus on the banks of the Menai Straits called the Normal Site. This is within walking distance of your halls of residence and our other sporting facilities at Treborth Track and Canolfan Brailsford Centre.  

Our lecturers, technicians, postgraduate researchers, the majority of your lecture halls, our laboratories, and our own Student Social and Learning Space (including computing facilities) are all on our mini campus. 

Have a look at this link for the Uni-wide  facilities and check out the Sport Science facilities too.   

To help you find your way around, a campus map can be found here. 

There are many options for students to study through the medium of Welsh. As part of Sport Science degrees the elements of Year 1 modules are available through the medium of Welsh, as well as some modules in Years 2 & 3. If you would like to take advantage of the Welsh-medium study opportunities, there will be lots more information available during Welcome Week. You will be able to discuss option with Welsh medium members of teaching staff.  Fore more information about Welsh medium study at Bangor, please see this page.

We recognise that over half of the students attending university work part time. You are welcome to get a part time job during your studies, but we encourage students to ensure that they prioritise their studies and manage their workload accordingly. Unfortunately, we cannot change the timetabled academic sessions to your individual work requirements. Many students choose to work out of term time to ensure their work does not clash with their scheduled timetable. Our most engaged students also choose to get work experience, which is sometimes paid, in one of the many sporting organisations or outdoor centres located in the surrounding area. Others work further afield, for example at Camp America.