Birmingham is one of the few universities in the country to offer this Joint Honours combination, allowing you to pursue your interest in mathematics with the study of the psychological and physiological factors influencing performance in sport and exercise.
You do not need to be an active sportsman or sportswoman to take this degree, although many of our students are. Half your programme is devoted to Mathematics and the other half to Sports Science, developing many of the skills you gain from the corresponding Single Honours programmes, with all the benefits of a Joint Honours programme. The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is housed in a new state-of-the-art building, the largest custom-built sports science facility in the UK.
First year
The first two years are carefully designed to allow you as much choice as possible in your final year. In the first year, you take core calculus and algebra and modules in either applied mathematics or in discrete mathematics and statistics. In Sports Science you are introduced to subjects such as sport psychology and cell biochemistry.
Second year
You take modules in advanced calculus and algebra and pure mathematics, together with modules in sensation and movement and exercise physiology, preparing you to make an informed choice of modules in your final year.
Third year
The third year offers you a wide choice of modules in both subjects with the possibility of specialising in either Mathematics or Sports Science. In Mathematics you might choose to study number theory or the history of mathematics; in Sports Science, you might choose to study biomechanics or performance motivation.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is shared between Mathematics and Sport and Exercise Sciences. (Please see the Single Honours Mathematics and Sport and Exercise Sciences entries.)
Career opportunities
Many of the career paths open to graduates in both Mathematics and Sport and Exercise Sciences are available to you. Your skills will equip you for a wide range of careers in industry and commerce, particularly in the leisure and sports industries, and in teaching.
Related links
School of Mathematics website
School of Sport and Exercise Sciences website