Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences is a novel degree program that bridges traditional sports science degrees and the newest medical specialty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM). You will learn about human body systems in health and disease as well as in sport and exercise performance; prevention and treatment of medical conditions through physical activity; sports injuries and performance optimisation; and research skills.
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.
Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 23 credits awarded with Distinction in the Level 3 units, the remainder of the Level 3 units awarded with Merit.
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Chemistry and Biology required.
A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher), including Chemistry and Biology at Advanced Higher.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades AAB. Chemistry and Biology required.
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
SEMS is a new, exciting and unique cross-faculty programme designed to turn top students of today into leading health professionals and scientists of tomorrow.
SEMS will ground students in the medical sciences with a focus on exercise medicine, sports injuries, human health and disease, leading to careers across healthcare, industry, academia and elite sport.
You will be taught by leading scientists, clinicians, and academics at the prestigious Bloomsbury and Hampstead campuses.
There are opportunities to learn alongside peers on related programmes, and collaborate on research across UCL, the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health and its partners including the International Olympic Committee, the English Institute of Sport, and University College London Hospitals.
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Across three years this programme steadily transitions from general medical science to sport and exercise-specific learning. Taught research skills modules prepare students for their own dissertation. Up to eight modules are taken and assessed in each academic year.
The programme starts with the foundations of human biology and medicine, covering how the body works, what goes wrong in disease and how to treat it; students will later be introduced to physiological adaptations during exercise.
In year two there is further teaching on the foundations of clinical sport and exercise, from the energy requirements to perform, to the behavioural psychology and skills to promote appropriate physical activity for health and in disease. Students learn essential medical research and statistical skills to start their research project. There is also an optional module.
Year three comprises the research project, and five modules covering exercise prescription, musculoskeletal and sports injuries, rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning for performance optimisation.
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
Foundations in Health and Disease
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function in Health and Disease
The Gut, Liver and Drug Metabolism
Kidneys, Hormones and Fluid Balance
Infection, Inflammation and Repair
Musculoskeletal Systems in Health and Disease
Sport & Exercise Physiology
Data Interpretation and Evaluation of Science
Molecular Basis of Disease
The Nervous System
Pharmacology and Drug Action
Functional Anatomy and Medical Imaging
Sports Nutrition
Health and Behaviour
Statistics for Medical Scientists
You will select one module from the following options:
Introduction to Clinical Trials
Health Economics
Bioscience & Society: Public engagement, policy and funding
Principles of Tissue Injury, Healing and Rehabilitation
Muscle Physiology and Sports Strength and Conditioning
Exercise Medicine
Sports Injuries I
Sports Injuries II
Research Project
A wide range of teaching strategies are employed to suit different learning styles, but independent study outside of taught time is an essential component of adult learning. Small group tutorials predominate, used to explore students’ understanding and application of lecture-based and online interactive learning. Lab practicals are used for experimental work as well as clinical skills teaching.
Assessment methods include online and written examinations, including multiple-choice or short-answer question format; coursework in the form of written assignments, oral and poster presentations; practical skills assessment; and online participation. The dissertation is written as an academic paper aiming for publication.
Detailed module descriptions are available on the department website: Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences BSc.
The prestige of UCL and our allied sports institutes stands SEMS graduates in good stead to progress to a host of careers that require a sound understanding of medicine and science, from patient healthcare and industry such as pharma and nutrition, through to elite sport or academia including research and clinical trials.
Students would also be well placed to apply for higher research degrees, such as an MSc, PhD and NHS scientist programmes, or vocational degrees such as medicine or physiotherapy.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2019/20 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2019/20 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
The core textbooks for all modules are available in UCL Libraries (including the Royal Free library), and journal articles in your reading lists are available to download electronically. Some students may wish to purchase their own text books or print course documents and if you would like to do this, then we suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this. In addition students will be required to pay for their own travel costs to placements or project locations, depending upon he proje
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Prospective students will be academically able, and also demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and professional behaviours that future people- or patient-facing careers would require. We will be looking for examples on personal statements and in references. Students should demonstrate the value of physical activity, drawing on their own experiences.
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Application deadline: 15 January 2019
We will use your predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your personal statement and your reference to decide whether to offer you a place.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.