Sport science: Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Sports coach - helps people participating in sports to work towards achieving their full potential. May support professional sportspeople, sports teams, community teams or school groups, working with them closely to improve performance. May also have a role in encouraging underrepresented groups or young people to participate in sporting activities.
• Sports therapist - gives advice to athletes on how to train and compete safely. Also treats injuries and assists with rehabilitation. Their aim is to prevent injuries and to help those who are injured to return to full fitness.
• Sport and exercise psychologist - concerned with the behaviours, mental processes and wellbeing of individuals, teams and organisations involved in sport and exercise. Practitioners tend to specialise in either the sport or exercise branches, though some do work equally in both fields.
• Fitness centre manager - generally works in centres or clubs that contain a fitness suite or gym and changing facilities, and may also have some or all of the following: swimming pool; sports halls or courts; spa, sauna or therapy area; catering and other recreational facilities. Manages all aspects of the centre, including recruiting staff, planning and organising client programmes, health and safety, and accounts.
• Higher education lecturer - lectures in sports science and sport and exercise science in higher education institutions.
• Secondary school teacher (PE) - teaching one or more national curriculum subjects to classes of pupils aged 11-16 or 11-18. PE teachers are expected to teach a subsidiary subject.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Sports development officer - aims to encourage greater participation in sport throughout the community. The job may involve organising and promoting activities, coaching and advising clubs on fundraising.
• Sports administrator - helps to ensure the smooth running of a sports organisation. Role involves planning and organising activities and events, administering funding, marketing, promotion and finance.
• Health promotion specialist - develops and promotes initiatives to encourage people to improve their health and increase their control over it.
• Primary school teacher - teaching national curriculum subjects to classes of pupils aged 5-11. Opportunities are open to graduates of all subjects and sport experience may be seen as advantageous.
• Event organiser - responsible for the production of events, including sporting events, from conception through to completion.
• Outdoor pursuits manager - manages centres that provide facilities for and instruction in a range of outdoor activities, such as climbing, mountaineering, water sports, orienteering, horse riding and cycling.

Other options

While full-time or graduate roles may not always be immediately available in your field of interest, proactively pursue part-time and voluntary work opportunities. In voluntary and temporary roles, try to take on responsibility, demonstrate initiative and adapt when necessary to changing work demands. Identify opportunities that match your career goals, such as youth sport volunteering if you are interested in coaching or further academic research if you are interested in athletic performance and training.

Portfolio working may help you develop sports industry experience on a part-time or voluntary basis, diversifying your work experience. Consider short-term events as well as long-term opportunities.

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.

Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.