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Sport and Exercise Science

BTEC/UAL Level 3 Extended Diplomas

Sport and Exercise Science

Course type: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma
Awarding/exam body: Pearson Edexcel

Is a career in sport for you?

Do you want to learn about all aspects of Sport Science?

The sports industry is worth over £39 billion to the UK economy and provides over a million jobs. The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport and Exercise Science has an excellent reputation and attracts students from different backgrounds, including those competing in sport at county, provincial and even international level.

It enables you to prepare for university study as it is equivalent to three A levels and has a special focus on the sciences required for a career working in the sports industry, including physiotherapy, coaching, psychology and nutrition.

Students also participate in a work experience unit which is designed to provide you with experience in the sports industry.

Specialised Fitness Training, Applied Sports Psychology, Coaching for Performance & Fitness

Functional Anatomy, Applied Research Methods

Research Project, Sports Injury & Assessment

Sports Nutrition, Specialised Fitness Testing

Sport and Exercise Physiology

Field and Laboratory Based Fitness Testing

Nutrition for Sport and Exercise Performance

Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Exercise

Applied Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Science

Physical Activity for Individual and Group-based Exercise

Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology

Biomechanics in Sport and Exercise Science

This course is assessed mainly with coursework with a small element of exam assessment.

This qualification enables you to go on to a variety of degree programmes including sport studies, sport and exercise sciences, physiotherapy, sport, physical activity and health, and nursing.

Successful students who gain extra qualifications in addition to studying Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science may wish to go straight into employment as sports coaches, sports psychologists, occupational therapists, PE teachers, personal trainers, fitness centre managers, nutritionists, physiotherapists, sports analysts, sport development officers, and many more.

5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, ideally including English Language at Grade 4 OR BTEC Level 2 Diploma at Merit with English Language at Grade 4.

Grade 4 in Core Science and Grade 4 in Maths and Grade 4 in English Language or Literature OR BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sport (or equivalent) with Merit and Grade 4 in Maths.

  • Sports teams for several sports
  • A large number of sports/activities offered, covering everything from Volleyball to Yoga
  • Access to strength and conditioning training from specialist coaches
  • Lectures on sports performance from guest speakers

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Courses

Students can take any combination of 30 A level and Level 3 Applied Diploma subjects. Vocational programmes include 11 Level 3 Extended Diplomas, including BTEC, CTEC and University of the Arts courses, and 4 T Levels. We also offer BTEC Level 2 and Foundation options, along with GCSE Maths and English language retakes.

Students

At Saint Francis Xavier, we develop the whole person. Our commitment goes beyond academic achievement; we equip students with the confidence, values, and skills needed to thrive in higher education, employment, and adult life. With an extensive range of courses, our students receive expert teaching in our modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

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Parents & Carers

Personal Tutors will work with both you and your student to overcome any obstacles and achieve their potential. We build a positive ethos around learning and behaviour, support students with discussion and advice, invite you to progress review evenings, provide each student with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), and send you full reports.

Male Student

Upcoming Events

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Wednesday, 4th March · 4pm – 6pm

Explore your options and secure your offer from Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College for September 2026.

Book your place to visit London’s top performing and friendliest sixth form college with a 97% pass rate in A levels, BTECs, UAL Diplomas and T Levels.

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Hold your next event with us in one of our many available spaces. Choose from: a multi-use games area, sports hall, dining hall and garden, multi-purpose hall, dance/drama studio, fitness suite, meeting/conference rooms, computer suite, chapel and music studio. Kitchen and catering facilities and free parking are also available.

Nursery

‘Happy staff make happy children’

Nightingale’s Nursery is set in the beautiful, secure grounds of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College where children can play outside and help tend the vegetable patch. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and provides a holistic learning environment, paying special attention to the transition from home to nursery, reassuring parents of their child’s wellbeing and progress on a daily basis.

Nightingale’s friendly team builds positive relationships with all the children and parents.

Student with child

What Our
Students Say

The support I received from passionate teachers who pushed me to aim higher, to the tailored guidance with university applications made all the difference. SFX believed in my potential even when I doubted myself, and that encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue my ambitions. Without that foundation, I don’t think I’d be on the path to a legal career today.

Joshua, former Sociology student

Latest News & Blog

Record‑Breaking University Applications at SFX

We’re thrilled to announce that almost 90% of our Year 13 students submitted their university applications ahead of last week’s UCAS deadline – the highest completion rate in our history. Even more impressively: 📈 78% of applications were to Top Third universities 📈 55% were to Russell Group institutions – a 6% increase on 2025 […]

Students Celebrated at the Essential 8 Awards

During the final week of term, students’ achievements were recognised at Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College’s Essential 8 Awards, a celebration of the skills and qualities that underpin success both during college life and beyond. Students were nominated by their teachers and Heads of House for demonstrating aptitude in one or more of the […]

Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College announces excellent 2025 Level 3 examination results

We congratulate all our students who received their excellent public examination results today. We are delighted to see results improving on last year’s impressive pass rates across A level, BTEC, CTEC and UAL courses. Our second year T Level results have also been excellent. The overall pass rate at Level 3 was 97%, including 50% […]

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