Level 3 BTEC Sports and Exercise Science


  • Start Date: 01/09/2026
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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The Sport and Exercise Science sector is at the forefront of the connection between physical activity and health, making it a pivotal field with diverse career opportunities.

This course is tailored for individuals aspiring to thrive in the sports industry, preparing you for a university-level pathway in sport or nurturing your passion for sport and exercise sciences.

The course can lead to potential career destinations such as:

  • Sports Scientist
  • Sports Psychologist
  • PE teacher
  • Sports Nutritionist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Sports Therapists
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Paramedic

Our program not only equips you with specialised knowledge in sport and exercise science but also transferable skills sought after by higher education institutions and employers.

Over two years, equivalent to three A Levels, you’ll explore 13 comprehensive elements, providing a robust foundation for your academic and sporting aspirations.

You will cover areas such as:

  • Applied Sports and Exercise Psychology
  • Functional Anatomy
  • Coaching for Performance and Fitness
  • Sports Injury and Assessment

You will learn in a dynamic environment that integrates realistic vocational situations and activities, ensuring a holistic understanding of Sport and Exercise Sciences, and engage in practical components such as:

  • Specialised Fitness Training
  • Coaching for Performance and Fitness
  • Sports Massage

You’ll have the exclusive opportunity to join one of our eight specialised sport academies, offering up to 4.5 hours of professional training each week, access to competitions, and personalised training and development programs.

Over the two years, you will undertake four externally assessed units:

  • Functional Anatomy (1.5 hours)
  • Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 hours)
  • Sport and Exercise Physiology (1.5 hours)
  • Nutrition for Sport and Exercise (3 hours)

Internally assessed components encompass a comprehensive range of units, including:

  • Biomechanics in Sport and Exercise
  • Coaching for Performance and Fitness
  • Specialised Fitness Training
  • Applied Research Methods
  • Sports Massage
  • Technology in Sport
  • Physical Activity for Individual and Group-Based Exercise
  • Sports Injury and Assessment.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary, incorporating project work, essays, report writing, practical delivery, and presentations to ensure a well-rounded evaluation of your skills and knowledge.

In order to study A-levels with us, all students need to obtain a strong GCSE grade profile, averaging 6 x Grade 6s.

Individual subjects will also have their own specific requirements.

However, if you do not meet this profile, please still come to one of our enrolment events to discuss all of your options with a member of our A-level team.

Our dedicated Academy for Sport boasts over 25 experienced sport delivery staff, including teachers, coaches, and learning facilitators.

Each member specialises in areas such as:

  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Sports Massage
  • Coaching
  • Psychology
  • Biomechanics
  • Nutrition
  • Fitness Testing

Their industry expertise ensures a dynamic and engaging learning experience.

Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.

We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.

Our specialist teams can help with:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Physical and sensory disabilities
  • Dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodiversity or other specific learning difficulties
  • Mental health and well being
  • Exam access arrangements
  • Money, finance and bursary advice
  • Careers advice, job and university applications

See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.

Completing our course opens doors to further education, with the potential to earn between 48 and 168 UCAS points, depending on your grades.

The skills gained during your studies align with the demands of both higher education and employers, making you an attractive candidate for a range of careers.

Our alumni have successfully secured places in renowned institutions, including:

  • Sport and Exercise Science BSc Honours at Newcastle University
  • Sport and Exercise Sciences BSc (Hons) at Durham University
  • Sport Coaching BSc (Hons) at Northumbria University Newcastle
  • Sports and Exercise Therapy BSc (Hons) at York St John University
  • Physiotherapy BSc (Hons) at the University of Birmingham
  • BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University
  • Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care BSc (Hons) at Sunderland University
  • Nursing (Child) BSc (Hons) at Sheffield Hallam University

Notable alumni include:

  • Matthew Cuthbert – a Physical Performance Coach at the Football Association
  • Matthew Jenkinson – a Sports Technical Specialist at York St John University
  • Molly Collinson – a successful business owner specialising in Performance Coaching, Nutrition, and Plant-Based Nutrition.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN LEVEL 3 BTEC SPORTS AND EXERCISE SCIENCE?

  • Higher Level Teaching Assistants
  • Chief Executives and Senior Officials
  • Sports and Leisure Assistants
  • Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials
  • Leisure and Sports Managers and Proprietors

Knowledge

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Median Salary

£21,718

Averge Qualifications

Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Apply Now

Knowledge

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Median Salary

£67,398

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Median Salary

£11,930

Averge Qualifications

Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Apply Now

Knowledge

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Median Salary

£10,483

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Median Salary

£26,811

Averge Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Apply Now

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

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School Leaver Course Guide 2026/2027

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

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