Sport and exercise science 2026 personal statement guide

Sport degrees come with many different titles and specialisms, ranging from those that are very science-based, to those approaching sport from a cultural, development or management angle. So, it’s important to give lots of thought to the kind of course that most closely meets your personal needs and expectations. Choose carefully, and focus your personal statement accordingly.

General advice about writing your personal statement

What do admissions staff at universities and colleges want to see?

Guidance and examples you can use

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

This is your opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for you and your future ambitions.

Examples:

• Durham University's website has a really handy checklist for students applying for its sport, exercise, and physical activity degree, with some helpful questions. Tell admissions tutors why you want to study this subject and what specifically interests or excites you about the subject or the course – whether you’re interested in the body’s cardiovascular response to exercise or the use of exercise during cancer treatment.
• What have you read, seen, or heard about recently that intrigues you about the subject? You may have followed Team GB at the Olympics and studied how their ‘performance services’ team works, or you’ve been reading about how sport and exercise science can be used in the workplace.
• What current issues do you want to learn more about? Maybe you’re fascinated by how Novak Djokovic embraced sports nutrition to keep him at the top of his tennis game for so long, or you want to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to understand the biomechanics of the hand. Whatever it is, keep it relevant to the course you’re applying for.

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you’ve gained from your formal education and highlight your understanding of how they will help you succeed in this subject area.

Examples:

• The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences says the qualities graduates find most helpful in their subsequent careers are time management, communication, organisation, negotiation, and presentation skills – so, if you can demonstrate any of those, all the better. You could mention revising for exams, handing in coursework on time, or write about a specific presentation you gave in biology or psychology and what you learned from doing it.
• If there’s also a relevant project you’ve done at school, for example around anatomy, that taught you some science skills alongside how to work well as a team and manage your time, write a bit about that too.
• Have you done any online courses to boost your knowledge in the subject? For example, why not try Subject Spotlights or Virtual Work Experiences from Springpod to grow your skills and interest? 

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your chance to talk about any other activities you have undertaken outside of your formal education, or personal experiences which further demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to you and anything you do include should reflect on why you’re including it.

Examples:

• What are your own achievements and ambitions? If you know you want to work with a premier league football team, then describe how studying sport and exercise science will get you there, and make sure the course you’re applying to is appropriate.
• Think about part-time jobs or hobbies you have and what you’ve learned from them, such as patience and time management in a busy cafe or restaurant, teaching skills from tutoring or teamwork, resilience, and perseverance from a sport you love playing.
• Write about what experience of sport you have, what part sport plays in your life, and why it’s important to you. But don’t forget the science bit too, depending on what course you’re applying for. You could write about scientific issues that relate to your own performance, such as how you analysed your own running style to improve your performance, and avoid a repetitive hamstring strain you’ve been dealing with.

How to set yourself apart

The key to setting yourself apart in your application is to remember how important the ‘personal’ bit is to your personal statement. What makes you, you?

Admissions tutor Professor Jo Corbett at the University of Portsmouth really wants to hear your voice and personality come through in your statement. As well as mentioning the significance of sports you play, think about what makes you different. Perhaps you play a more unusual sport such as archery, shot put, or BMX. What could you add about what you’ve learned from those sports, whether it’s analysing shot angles or the impact of clothes or weather on performance.

Maybe you love performing arts, or maybe you’re in a band – let the admission tutors get to know you. And even better if you can then relate it back to something you’ve read in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, on the BBC website, or watched on Sport Science Hub.

Some more tips to consider

1. Research the course: Why do you want to study sport and exercise science, what specific aspects of the course interest you, how does it relate to your academic studies, and what additional reading or other activities have led you to apply? Don’t judge a course just by its title either, because there are often distinct differences between courses with the same name.
2. Look out for the science: Even courses with the word ‘science’ in the title will vary considerably in the level of scientific knowledge they expect. But you will need to demonstrate your awareness that this is a science course, particularly if you’re applying for a sport degree that does involve rigorous scientific study.
3. Examples of your relevant skills: Can you describe situations where you’ve demonstrated relevant skills like critical thinking, data analysis, people skills, good management, or communication?
4. Make your work experience count: Have you had any experience in a sport or science setting, whether at your local gym or leisure centre, in a school, for a sports team, or even through a school science project? Make sure you spell out why it’s relevant and what you personally gained from it.