About This Course
A unique combination of essential Sport Science knowledge (psychology, physiology, and coaching) with the opportunity to develop your own adventure tourism and outdoor practitioner skills. You’ll apply this knowledge in various field-based settings, work-based environments and state-of-the-art labs including high altitude and environmental chambers. Graduating with ‘hands on’ experience and an understanding of human responses to adventure environments and performance in adventure sports, you’ll have the skills for a career in the expanding adventure market.
Are you one of life’s adventurers or thinking of a career in Adventure based sport? If so, then this is the course for you!
Do you dream of climbing Everest or wondered what ‘it takes’ to Big Wall climb in Yosemite? Or is climbing the 15 peaks of Wales or kayaking in the Conwy Valley more to your liking? Maybe you’re interested in undertaking an expedition in adventurous terrain or you interested in adventure sport therapy as a career? Perhaps you just want to enhance your leadership and coaching skills? If you have given either of these activities some consideration, then this course is uniquely designed to help you realise these dreams.
By providing you with ‘hands on’ experience and understanding of the core Sport Science studies of human responses to adventure sport environments and performance in adventure sports, you will gain the skills required for a career in the expanding Adventure market. This essential core sport science knowledge is uniquely combined with the continuous opportunity to develop your own adventure and outdoor skills. Specifically, as well as learning core performance and exercise science, you will complete ‘doing’ modules with the emphasis on adventuring out and learning practically. If you want to get out in the mountains, beaches, camp, hike, scramble, winter walk, climb, explore the sea cliffs on foot and from a kayak, and want to do it practically ‘hands on’ through whole days out then this course for you. North Wales offers a stunning natural environment for your studies, and our department, which was established in 1978, is proud to call itself one of the original and longest serving Sport and Exercise Science providers in the world.
Why choose Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ for this course?
- Ideal location with an abundance of mountains, coastlines, rivers, cliffs, beaches and adventure tourist attractions within easy reach.
- Ranked 5th overall in the UK in the recent Research Excellence Framework with 100% of our research considered either 'Internationally Excellent' or 'World-leading'.
- Staff are high quality researchers, and many participate in outdoor and high-risk activities e.g. climbing, canoeing, skiing etc.
- Vocational elements of this degree delivered by external staff with qualifications and practical outdoor experience. Opportunities to attain National Governing Body awards.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement YearÌýoption where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider.ÌýYou would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year.ÌýPlacements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.Ìý
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider thisÌýoptionÌýwhen you have started your course at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ and can make an application for a transfer onto thisÌýpathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch. Ìý
This course is available with an International Experience YearÌýoption where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year.Ìý You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons.ÌýWith international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinationsÌýand partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ and in your host university to improve your language skills.Ìý
You will have the opportunity to fully consider thisÌýoption at any time during your degree at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.Ìý
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on theÌýStudent Exchanges section of our website.
Video - Adventure Sport Science
Course Content
The course will be delivered with weekly practical sessions with Snowdonia Watersports and The Conway Centre learning and/or improving your canoe, kayak and paddle boarding, climbing, leading, coaching and group management skills with a view to preparing you for a career in this type of outdoor environment. Whatever your experience and skills, staff at SWS and the Conway Centre build on them to take each person, to their next level. Practical sessions last approximately 6 hours. You’ll typically have one or two hours of lectures per week for each module as well as laboratory time, seminars and tutorials. This direct contact time will be tied with student-centred learning such as reading, writing essays and reports, gathering information and data, working on group projects and preparing verbal and poster presentations. These form the basis of your assessment, along with examinations, case studies and critiques of research.
What will you study on this course?
During this degree we aim to equip you to become adventure ‘experts’ in terms of applying core sport science to the world of adventure sport, whilst also giving you the practical skill sets to undertake independent mountain and water based adventures yourself. There is a real focus on you developing your own personal and group management skills in judgment and awareness as well as the practical skills from a variety of adventure activities. These independent skills will stay with you for life and help you realise your goals.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Adventure Sport Science BSc (Hons) Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Facilities
Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences facilities
- £1M teaching lab
- an altitude (hypoxia) chamber
- multiple 3D motion analysis labs
- a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) whole body scanner
- exercise testing and rehabilitation labs
- an environmental chamber
- psychology, psychomotor and psychophysiology testing suites
- biochemistry and cell biology labs
- 3 x Psychomotor control/testing labs
- Psychology testing labsÌý
- 1 x Driving simulator lab
- 1 x Live-in/Social Psychology labÌý
- 1 x Water immersion testing lab
Physiology Research Labs
Testing takes place with external clients e.g., we have tested members of the Welsh National Kayaking and Sailing Squads, patients suffering from various conditions – breast cancer, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, renal, diabetes, obesity, members of the fire service, elite athletes, military personnel, and mountaineers to name but a few. The equipment in these labs includes:
- Online Breath by Breath analysers – measure maximal aerobic fitness, energy expenditure, ventilation. They are more a sophisticated version of the Douglas bag system also seen in this lab and the teaching lab.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) machine – 12 lead suitable for monitoring during exercise or rest.Ìý
- YSI lactate/glucose analyserÌý
- Treadmill with 30km speed, reverse belt to allow downhill running, safety arch for downhill and sprint running.
- GEM - Blood Gas Analyser - measures gas concentrations in blood e.g.Ìýoxygen and carbon dioxide and acids e.g., lactic acid.
- Osmometer: for measuring salt content in urine (hydration status).
- Reflatron – photometer that allows measurement of capillary blood, cholesterol, uric acid, glucose, HDL (high density lipoproteins i.e., good cholesterol). Ìý
Environmental Chamber Ìý Ìý
- Temperature can be varied up to 40º and down to -20º, plus 5-95% variations in humidity.
- Used to measure reactions when body going through extreme stress, for example dehydration. Psychological testing can also take place when exercising under stress conditions, for example cognitive functioning when dehydrated.
- Recent testing involved a new method of recording temperatures using sensors/data loggers taped to the skin of subjects which feed data directly to a computer. We also have the capacity to take skin and rectal temperatures while subjects are undergoing testing in the chamber. Ìý Ìý
Altitude Chamber
The chamber allows manipulation of the environment from 21% oxygen (0 m) to 7% oxygen (8,900 m, summit of Everest) using a unit which acts as a molecular sieve to remove oxygen from the air. It controls temperature and humidity accurate to 0.1 oC and 1%, respectively. The School also has two portable units with a tent system to allow at home altitude training, sleeping and acclimatisation. By using this chamber in combination with the fMRI scanner (based within Psychology), it is possible to image the brain and determine why people get serious and often life threatening mountain sickness and headaches. Studies combining the use of the chamber with exercise have helped to determine if simulated altitude can help people lose weight.Ìý
- Keystone - more sophisticated version of the lung volume machine (spirometer) in the teaching lab. It measures most lung capacity and volume functions e.g.Ìýresidual volume (the volume left in the lungs after normal expiration) – measured by re-breathing helium mixed gas, and measures strength of respiratory muscles and efficiency of gas exchange in the lung.
- Haemocue – photometer that measures haemoglobin from capillary blood.
- Physio Flow – stoke volume and cardiac output i.e., how much blood is being pumped by the heart with each beat and each minute.
- Tango - automated blood pressure during exercise.
- + RPE (Ratings of Perceived Exertion) cards – used to assess effort during exercise. Important because perceived exertion controls exercise intensity in athletes and normal people exercising. ÌýÌý
DXA LAB (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scanner)Ìý
We were the first Sports Science School in the UK to install a DXA scanner and use it for research. It is able to measure bone density and provide measurements of tissue – fat; lean and mass/muscle composition. Other equipment within the department such as electrical impedance measurement instruments, the underwater weighing tank and skin fold callipers can also assess body composition.Ìý
£1m Canolfan PAWB* Centre (*Physical Activity for Health and Wellbeing) Teaching Lab
This state of the art physiology teaching lab (costing in excess of £1 million) is designed to allow students to effectively develop their practical skills and includes equipment such as: Ìý
- Lung volume machine.
- Douglas Bags for collecting gas during various exercises and a machine to analyse these gases for Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide content which is used to determine aerobic fitness levels and energy expenditure.
- Wingate machine – tests maximal anaerobic capacity. Most people who use this will get a build-up of the by-product of exercise (lactic acid).
- Bikes and treadmills – these are used to induce an exercise situation to measure physiological, biochemical and psychological parameters.Ìý
- Two rowing machines – standard rower and kayak machine.
- Blood pressure machines.
- Back/leg dynamometer.
- Skin-fold callipers.
- Teaching ECG system.Ìý
Exercise Testing & Rehabilitation Labs ÌýÌý
- Isokinetic/Isometric Dynamometer – measures all kinds of joint action and muscular strength. The dynamometer can also be used for rehabilitation from injuries and can be used in conjunction with Trunk Flexion Extension.Ìý
- Trunk Flexion Extension – added to the dynamometer to measure back strength and related muscles groups.ÌýÌý
- Electromyography (EMG) machine – 19 channels plus conduction velocity. Measures electrical signals in the muscle, looking at the firing rate of muscles and if they fatigue during exercise.Ìý
- Ultrasound – looks at what goes on in muscles while exercising and will show scar tissue andÌýcan measure blood flow in vessels and heart as well can investigate heart function and morphology.
- °Õ°ù±ð²¹»å³¾¾±±ô±ô.Ìý
- Ergometers – Monarch bikes (patient testing bikes), Concept rower.Ìý
- Lode Corival.Ìý
Psychology and Psychophysiology Laboratories
- Electroencephalography (EEG) systems to measure brain activity via recording of the electrical activity on the scalp.
- Biofeedback machines and software to display psychophysiological signals (e.g.Ìýbrainwaves, heart rate variability) in real-time and help individuals learn how to take control of their psychophysiological state.
- Mobile eye-trackers to measure eye movements during sport and exercise participation.
- Force and accelerometery sensors to measure movement profiles and develop understanding of how technique develops with learning and is impacted by psychological stress.
- High-definition video cameras and high specification computers to monitor human responses in psychology experiments and to allow the completion of online questionnaires about psychological state.
Psychomotor and Motor Control and Learning Laboratories
- There are 5 of these in total and the housed equipment is used to monitor, measure, and understand human movement and action control from simple fine motor skills to full body explosive sports actions; under unlimited psychological, physiological, and environmental manipulations.
- 12 Camera Vicon 3D motion analysis laboratory.Ìý
- Optotrack motion analysis laboratory.
- Upper limb Manipulandum's complete with accelerometers.Ìý
- High resolution 2D Graphics tablets.Ìý
- Mobile eye tracking system to measure eye movements during sport and exercise.
- Occlusion goggles to directly manipulate field of vision in real time during human movement.
- High definition video camera and high specification computers to monitor and analyse skill movement.Ìý
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.Ìý
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.Ìý
Course Costs
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
- The fee for all integrated study abroad years is Ìý£1,385 (2025/26).
- The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).
More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
Offers are tariff based, 104 - 144 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- ÌýA Levels (General Studies and Key Skills not accepted)
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: DMM - DDD
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM - DDD
- Sports Leaders UK: Higher Sports Leadership qualifications
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: accepted
- Access: pass required
- Welsh Baccalaureate:ÌýWe will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- T-Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extended Project Qualification:ÌýPoints can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent
- Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to the outdoors (e.g. practical experience, work experience, Duke of Edinburgh Award).
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.Ìý
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on ourÌýInternational pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go toÌý.
Ìý
Offers are tariff based, 112 - 144 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- ÌýA Levels (General Studies and Key Skills not accepted)
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: DMM - DDD
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM - DDD
- Sports Leaders UK: Higher Sports Leadership qualifications
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: accepted
- Access: pass required
- Welsh Baccalaureate:ÌýWe will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- T-Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extended Project Qualification:ÌýPoints can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent
- Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to the outdoors (e.g. practical experience, work experience, Duke of Edinburgh Award).
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.Ìý
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on ourÌýInternational pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go toÌý.
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see .
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ section of the website.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
Careers
This course is ideal preparation for a career in the outdoors as an instructor, an exploration or expedition leader, in outdoor development training, and also in education and recreation generally. By providing you with ‘hands on’ experience and understanding of the core sport science studies of human responses to adventure environments and performance in adventure sports, you’ll gain the skills required for a career in the expanding adventure market. This essential core sport science knowledge is uniquely combined with the continuous opportunity to develop your own adventure and outdoor skills. This degree will equip you with the necessary skills to work across the broad sport and exercise sector. For example, graduates may progress to careers in the adventure sport market including coaching (outdoor instruction), management (running you own business), education (e.g., teaching, after postgraduate training) or research (e.g., progress to PhD / Research Fellow careers). Students may also utilise their transferable skills to pursue careers in the armed forces, emergency services, or in business in public or private sectors.
Opportunities at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ
The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.Ìý
Internships
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the .
Foundation Year
A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Sports and Exercise Science (with Foundation Year).
Ìý
What is a Foundation Year course?
If you don’t have the required qualifications for the degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you.
The Foundation Year is an excellent introduction to studying this subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to go on to study this course at degree-level.
When you have successfully completed the Foundation Year, you can progress on to the first year of this degree-level course.
