School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

This page takes you to tailored information and resources to explore the career options available related to our undergraduate degree programmes. However, many of these resources will also be useful for Master's Students and Doctoral Researchers in these subject areas. For information on a wider range of job roles and professions, including careers for which your specific degree subject is not necessarily required, you can also look at the Prospects and TargetJobs websites. 

Key skills developed during your degree

  • Analytical and problem-solving. Examining and interpreting results and making evaluations based on limited information.
  • IT and technology. Understanding and using computer software/models, processing data, using spreadsheets, word-processing and internet communication.
  • Monitoring. Systematically recording chemical properties, events and changes;
  • Teamwork. Undertaking group project work
  • Time management and organisation. Planning and executing experiments, undertaking individual and team project work and completing your dissertation
  • Written and oral communication. Sharing your research findings via written reports and oral presentations to different audiences, assimilating scientific theories and arguments for discussion and debate

To learn more about skills and how you can develop them at University, see Skills employers seek and sign up to the Personal Best programme.

Further study

Further study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ:

The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences offers a comprehensive range of postgraduate taught programmes across the areas of health science, sport performance and social sciences of sport, education and society: 

Further study elsewhere:

Find a Masters in Life & Chemical Sciences and Medical & Health Sciences

Find a Phd across the world

NHS Scientist Training Programme

NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP): Postgraduate training involving three years of work-based training, leading to an accredited master's degree and certification of achievement in one of nine themed pathways. 

Where do graduates go?

This course was new for 2018 and we have no information about the specific destinations of graduates. However, you can see the destinations of graduates from related programmes under ‘Options with your degree’; choose programmes such as Mathematical Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Human Biology and Materials Engineering.

Destinations from these similar subject areas include: GlaxoSmithKline, Ashfield Healthcare, Bio Products Laboratory Ltd, Birmingham Women's Hospital, British Triathlon, 3M, ACM Global Laboratories, Arcinova, Atomic Weapons Establishment, Chem Aqua, and EY.

Further information

For more information on companies graduates work for, industry links and career opportunities, visit the subject area page of the University website.  You can also find out what our students say in our student stories of personal journeys through and beyond º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and track the career journeys and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experiences of some of our alumni.

Resources to research career areas

Websites:

Videos:

Professional bodies:

Sector and labour market information (LMI):

It is a good idea to follow news and developments within the sector you are interested in, and also to follow news in general to consider how other news stories can impact on your job sector.

This is important as it helps not only with your professional development, but commercial awareness questions are often asked at job interviews for undergraduate roles. Consider using social media to follow organisations which appeal to you, as they will give relevant, up-to-date sources of information. Below are some links you may find useful:

Resources to find work experience, placements and graduate jobs

Websites to search for opportunities:

  • #Target Connect - Our website for vacancies and opportunities and internally through your department.      
  • Gradcracker - Search for internships, placements and graduate opportunities.
  • TargetJobs - Browse opportunities, career sectors, internships and careers advice.
  • Prospects - Search for graduate jobs. 
  • STEM Graduates - Search for STEM specific graduate jobs.
  • Ask in your department.

Chemistry specific websites:

Key skills developed during your degree

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Information technology
  • Numeracy and maths
  • Organisation and time management
  • Presentation and oral communication
  • Problem solving and creative thinking
  • Project Management
  • Research and data analysis
  • Self reliance, initiative and business awareness
  • Time-management and planning
  • Written communication, including report writing

To learn more about skills and how you can develop them at University, see Skills employers seek and sign up to the Personal Best programme.

Career options

Careers directly related to your degree:

  • Academic researcher
  • Biomedical Scientist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Clinical Scientist
  • Exercise Physiologist
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Healthcare Scientist - several disciplines
  • Higher education lecturer
  • Laboratory Analyst/Scientist
  • Medical Sales Representative
  • Microbiologist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Physician Associate
  • Physiotherapist
  • Research Scientist
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Science Writer
  • Scientific laboratory technician
  • Teaching laboratory technician
  • Toxicologist

Careers where your degree would be useful:

  • Anatomical pathology technologist
  • General practice doctor
  • Genetic counsellor
  • Health improvement practitioner
  • Medical science liaison
  • Neuroscientist
  • Physician associate
  • Prosthetist/orthotist
  • Science writer

Alternative Science Careers

Further study

Further study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ:

The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences offers a comprehensive range of postgraduate taught programmes across the areas of health science, sport performance and social sciences of sport, education and society.

Further study elsewhere:

Find a Masters in Life & Chemical Sciences and Medical & Health Sciences

Find a Phd across the world

NHS Scientist Training Programme

NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP): Postgraduate training involving three years of work-based training, leading to an accredited master's degree and certification of achievement in one of nine themed pathways.

Where do graduates go?

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

Alzheimer’s Society, Ashfield Healthcare, Bio Products Laboratory Ltd, Birmingham Women's Hospital, British Triathlon, Cotts Beverages, European Medical Group, FRP Advisory, Frimley Health, GSK, Gleeds, Kantar Worldpanel, Leeds Teaching Hospital, NHS, PwC, South West Pathology Service, Team Triumph, University of Nottingham, Wiser.

Roles included:

Biological Specimen Co-ordinator, Bowel Cancer Screening Administrator, Business Development Executive, Finance Associate, Graduate Intern to Wet Labs, Healthcare Science Assistant, IVF Clinical Support Worker, Key Accounts Specialist & Talent Acquisition Partner, Managing Consultant, Medical Information Officer, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Medical Sales Representative, Pharmaceutical Graduate Leadership Programme, Pharmaceutical Technician, Research Management and Governance Administrator, Respiratory Therapy Representative, Science Teacher, Trainee Clinical Scientist – Cardiac Science.

Further study included:

MSc in Molecular Genetics and Diagnostics, MSc Oncology, MSc Physiotherapy, MSc Translational Neuroscience, Musculoskeletal Sport Science and Health, PhD Metabiological Diabetes

Further information

For more information on companies graduates work for, industry links and career opportunities, visit the subject area page of the University website.  You can also find out what our students say in our student stories of personal journeys through and beyond º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and track the career journeys and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experiences of some of our alumni.

Resources to find work experience, placements and graduate jobs

Websites to search for opportunities:

 Biology/Science specific websites:

Key skills developed during your degree

  • Analytical research;
  • Applying psychological theory to society's organisations, including schools, hospitals and offices;
  • Developing opinions and new ideas on issues;
  • Knowledge and understanding of research methods, analysis, statistical techniques and data handling;
  • Making reasoned arguments;
  • Organising work and meeting deadlines;
  • Problem solving;
  • Research and data analysis;
  • Researching, judging and evaluating complex information;
  • Strong IT and social media skills;
  • The ability to appreciate, understand, scrutinise and re-assess common perceptions of the social world;
  • The ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
  • Written and verbal communication, including report writing and presentation, time-management and planning.

To learn more about skills and how you can develop them at University, see Skills employers seek and sign up to the Personal Best programme.

Career options

Careers directly related to: 

BUSINESS PSYCHOLOGY

  • Business Psychologist
  • Human Resources Consultant
  • Human Resources Graduate
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Marketing Executive
  • Occupational Psychologist
  • Corporate Consultant
  • Human Factors Specialist
  • Customer Relationship Specialist
  • Recruitment or Training Specialist
  • Professional Development Coach
  • Customer Service Manager
  • Change Management Specialist

PSYCHOLOGY

  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Counselling Psychologist
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Forensic Psychologist
  • Further Education Teacher
  • Health Psychologist
  • High Intensity Therapist
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Psychologist
  • Primary Care Graduate Mental Health Worker
  • Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
  • Sport and Exercise Psychologist

PSYCHOLOGY IN EDUCATION

  • Teacher
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Youth Worker
  • Special Educational Needs Support
  • Early Years Practitioner
  • Educational Game Design
  • Out-of-school Learning
  • Training
  • Research

PSYCHOLOGY WITH CRIMINOLOGY

  • Civil Service
  • Clinical and Counselling Psychology
  • Community Development Worker
  • Educational Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology and Fraud Investigation
  • Health Psychology
  • Mental Health Worker
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Psychology
  • Police Force
  • Prison Service
  • Probation Service
  • Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
  • Social Worker

SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Counselling Psychologist
  • Further Education Teacher / Lecturer
  • Occupational Psychologist
  • Professional Development Coach / Life Coach
  • Performance Psychologist
  • Sport and Exercise Psychologist

Careers where a degree in Psychology would be useful:

  • Actuarial Analyst
  • Advertising Account Planner
  • Advice Worker
  • Business /Management
  • Careers Adviser
  • Counsellor
  • Consumer Psychology
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Forensic Accountant
  • Human Resources Officer
  • Market Researcher
  • Physician Associate
  • Play Therapist
  • Psychotherapist
  • UX Analyst

Further study

Further study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ:

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ offers a comprehensive range of postgraduate taught programmes and research degrees.

Further study elsewhere:

Find a Masters degree in Psychology across the UK and Europe

Find a PhD

Where do graduates go?

BUSINESS PSYCHOLOGY

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

IBM, P. Morgan, Bosch, Siemens, MSI Group.

Roles included:

Finance Graduate, Brand Marketing Assistant, Charity Fundraising Executive, PR and Communications Specialist, Youth Support Manager.

PSYCHOLOGY

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

CAMHS – NHS, Critical Research, Explore Learning, Fullbridge Social Care, Gemini People, Jaguar Land Rover Experience, Lighthouse Healthcare, NeuroSupport Services, Police, Resolutions, Ministry of Justice, Cygnet Health Care, Centre for Psychology, West Kent Mind.

Roles included:

Account Executive, Assistant Psychologist, Community Manager, Consultant, Content Writer, Director of Operations, Human Resource Graduate, Junior Project Manager, Neuro Enablement Worker, Psychologist, Pupil Specific Key Worker, Research Analyst, Research Associate, Mental health support worker, Special educational needs and disability family support coordinator, Talent Development Co-ordinator, Graduate Surveyor.

Further study included:

Early Intervention in Psychosis, Forensic Psychology, Medicine MBBS (graduate entry), MSc Crime, Justice and Psychology, MSc Management, MSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Research, MSc Neuroscience, MSc Psychology, MSc Work Psychology, PGCE, Sports Psychology.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

Atos, Boots, Brixton Prison, Care UK, CV-Library, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Essex Police, Explore Learning, Ford Motor Company, Grant Thornton, Hays Recruitment, Local Government, NHS, Santander, Sky, Warner Bros UK.

Roles included:

Administrator, Account Executive, Digital Strategy Intern, Employment Support Worker, Field Sales Executive, Human Resources Graduate, Intelligence Researcher, Market Research Analyst, Police Officer, Recruitment Coordinator, Regional Account Manager, User Experience Executive.

Further study included:

MA Creative Writing, MSc Information Management and Business Technology, MSc Marketing, MA Advertising and Marketing, MSc Child Development, MA Law, MA Media and Public Relations, PGCE Secondary Education.

SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

This programme will equip graduates for further professional training as a qualified sport and exercise psychologist. It will also directly facilitate further professional, postgraduate training pathways into a career in other Psychology disciplines. Beyond psychology-specific careers, this degree will serve as excellent preparation for a wide variety of industrial, commercial, financial and management careers, and for public sector work involving both the delivery and administration of services.

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport, RAF, Sport Inspired.

Roles included:

Recruitment Consultant, Head of Player Care and Psychology, HR Graduate, Mental Health Support Worker.

PSYCHOLOGY WITH CRIMINOLOGY

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

The Metropolitan Police Force, Unlocked Graduates, Rethink Mental Illness, Police Now, Ministry of Justice, Group for Security G4S, Great Manchester Police, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.

Roles included:

Police Officer, Assistant Psychologist, Military Officer, Detective, Associate Business Consultant, Prison Custody Officer, Witness Care Officer, Prevention Officer.

Further information

For more information on companies graduates work for, industry links and career opportunities, visit the subject area page of the University website.  You can also find out what our students say in our student stories of personal journeys through and beyond º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and track the career journeys and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experiences of some of our alumni.

Key skills developed during your degree

  • A good understanding of information technology
  • Effective problem-solving skills
  • Presentation and oral communication
  • Research and data analysis
  • The ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • Time-management and planning skills
  • Written communication; including report writing, time-management and planning

You might also want to read The skills needed to future proof your career in sport.

To learn more about skills and how you can develop them at University, see Skills employers seek and sign up to the Personal Best programme.

Career options

Careers directly related to your degree:

Sports Science

  • Research
  • Biomechanics/ Performance Analysis
  • Clinical Science
  • Exercise Physiology/ Strength & Conditioning
  • Sports Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Sports Psychology

Sports Education

  • PE/ Sports Teaching/ Lecturing
  • Outdoor Pursuits/ Activities

Sports Performance, Coaching and Officiating

  • Professional Sports Performance
  • Coaching & Instructing Sports Performance
  • Officiating

Promoting and Developing Sport

  • Sports Development

Health and Fitness

  • Fitness Instruction/ Personal Training/ Instructing Exercise
  • Health Promotion & Exercise Referral
  • Clinical Physiology
  • Sports Physiotherapy/ Sports Therapy

Sports Management, Administration and Marketing

  • Fitness & Leisure Facility Management
  • Sports Administration and General Management
  • Sports Management consultancy
  • Sports Events Management
  • Sports Advertising, Marketing & PR
  • Sports Sales

Sports Media

  • Sports Journalism

Sports Property and Construction

  • Sports Facilities Consultancy

Sports Technology

Careers where your degree would be useful:

  • Accountancy
  • Administration
  • Armed Forces
  • Community Work
  • Customer Services
  • Events Management
  • Management
  • Marketing 
  • Youth Work

Further study

Further study at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ:

Postgraduate Taught courses at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ - SSEHS offers a comprehensive range of postgraduate taught programmes across the areas of Health Science, Sport Performance and Social Sciences of Sport, Education and Society.

Postgraduate Research at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ - SSEHS also offer Research degree opportunities within Behavioural Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Sport Science and Social Sciences and Sport.

Further study elsewhere:

Find a Masters - Find a Masters in Sport and Exercise Science across the UK and Europe.

Find a PhD

Other qualifications:

  • Relevant qualifications might be offered as part of your degree course or through the clubs you are involved in.
  • You can also access qualifications and experience with º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ's Coach and Volunteer Academy.
  • SkillsActive - offers training courses and qualifications
  • UK Coaching - Face-to-face workshops, eLearning courses and webinars for coaches 
  • Outdoor Learning – relevant training/ courses: 
  • The professional body/ies for the career or profession you are interested in will provide up to date information about accredited qualifications.

Some popular areas of further study:

  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Finance
  • Sport and Exercise Nutrition
  • Sport and Exercise Science
  • Psychology
  • Sports Coaching
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Physical Activity and Public Health
  • Teaching
  • Physiotherapy
  • Dietetics
  • Medicine and Health

Where do graduates go?

SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

Arsenal Football Club, CP+R, Charnwood Borough Council, Essex Police, Fit4less, Football Association, Great British Hockey, Hawk-Eye Innovations Ltd, Holywood Rugby Club, Leisure Leagues, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport, NHS, Nuffield Health, The Reach for Health Centre, Tottenham Hotspur, Volleyball England.

Roles included:

Analytics graduate, Associate Physiotherapist, Biomechanics and Performance Analysis, Clinical Exercise Specialist, Cricket Coaching, Exercise Rehabilitation Coach, Health and Wellbeing Advisor, Health and Wellbeing Physiologist, Performance Analyst, Personal Trainer, Sales Manager, Sports & Outreach Intern, Sports Development Officer, Sports Academy Performance Analyst, Sport Science Intern, Strength Coach, Teacher of Physical Education.

Further study included:

BSc Physiotherapy, MSc Exercise Physiology, MSc Human and Applied Physiology, MSc Management, MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition, MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology, MSc Sport Biomechanics, MSc Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, Musculoskeletal Sport Science and Health, PGCE Physical Education, PhD Public Health.

SPORT MANAGEMENT

Graduates from this subject area have gone on to destinations where:

Employers included:

Barclays, CSM Sports and Entertainment, Column Technologies Limited, IMG Golf, London Scottish, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, Macmillan Cancer Support, Netball World cup 2019 Ltd, Red Bull, Tennis Foundation.

Roles included:

Client Advisor, Client Management Assistant, Commercial Marketing Intern, Communications Executive, Disability Sports Development Officer, Event Administrator, Marketing Officer, Operations Lead, Rugby Club Coordinator, Teaching Assistant.

Further study included:

MSc Information Management and Business Technology, MSc Marketing, PGCE in Physical Education, Psychology Conversion course.

SPORT SCIENCE, COACHING AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The first cohort of students on this programme graduated in 2022 and we don't yet have details of their destinations.  Graduates not progressing directly into coaching or education will pursue closely related careers and those similar to students from our other sports programmes.

Further information

For more information on companies graduates work for, industry links and career opportunities, visit the subject area page of the University website.  You can also find out what our students say in our student stories of personal journeys through and beyond º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and track the career journeys and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experiences of some of our alumni.

Resources to research career areas

Websites:

Publications:

Professional bodies:

Sector and labour market information (LMI):

Resources to find work experience, placements and graduate jobs