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Performance sports scientist

Alternative titles for this job include Sports and exercise scientist, Sports performance analyst, Sports physiologist

Sports scientists use knowledge of how the body works to help people improve their health or sporting ability.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Performance sports scientist

You can get into this job through a university course.

University

You could take a degree course in sport and exercise science. Courses that include the 3 main subjects of biomechanics, physiology and psychology, will help to keep your job and study options open later on.

Alternatively, you could study for a degree in a science related subject followed by a postgraduate qualification in sports science.

Related subjects include:

  • physical education
  • natural sciences
  • physiology
  • psychology

It's quite common for sports scientists to have or be working towards a postgraduate qualification.

Courses that include work placements or internship opportunities could give you an advantage when job hunting after completing your studies. This is something to ask universities about when you're looking at their courses.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

More Information

Career tips

Experience as fitness instructor, lifeguard, coach or volunteering, for example with a sports club, may improve your career prospects.

It will help you stand out in a competitive jobs market if you have extra qualifications like:

  • first aid
  • gym instructing
  • safeguarding

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You'll find more advice on careers in sports science from The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Careers in Sport.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of biology
  • knowledge of psychology
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • maths skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a performance sports scientist, your duties will depend on the type of organisation you work for. You could:

  • analyse training and competition data to identify areas for improvement
  • design development plans to improve individual and team performance
  • help people improve their health through exercise and fitness
  • investigate how health and fitness can be used to prevent or treat medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease or cancer
  • take part in research projects
  • advise on the design and manufacture of sports equipment

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, on a sports field, at a research facility, at a client's business or at a fitness centre.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could work with universities, schools and colleges, large sporting organisations, local authorities and the NHS. It's also possible to become self-employed or work in a related career area, like sports development or performance testing and research.

You could also apply for accreditation through The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences in a number of areas, including:

  • sports psychology
  • clinical physiology
  • exercise and rehabilitation
  • high performance sport

This offers professional recognition of your experience and expertise. A further option is to seek Chartered Scientist status.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Performance sports scientist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to Higher Education Diploma - Sports Studies

  • Provider: HARTPURY COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION
  • Start date: 12 September 2025
  • Location: Gloucester

Sports Science

  • Provider: THE CRYPT SCHOOL
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Gloucester
Find courses near you

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