Sports Science Graduates: Where Are They Now?

Here’s a look at different sports science graduate jobs, and how much graduates earn after university…

So you want to study sports science…but you’re not sure where this degree will take you and what to do after graduation? There are many career options with this subject, and plenty of job prospects once you finish university. 

Read on to find out about the types of sports science graduate jobs available, the current state of graduate employment in the UK, and the real earnings of graduates right now.

What sports science graduate jobs are out there?

When it comes to career options, there are many areas you can go into. These include being a personal trainer, sports coach or teacher, sports administrator, sports development officer, sports therapist, fitness centre manager, exercise physiologist, and more.

The following stats by the Complete University Guide show a high employment rate for graduates in the UK, with many people going into further education to complete a master’s:

- 64% are in full-time employment

- 17% are doing a postgraduate course

- 4% are self-employed

- 2% have started their own business

- 2% have dedicated their time to voluntary work

- 2% are developing their portfolio

Only 4% of graduates are unemployed in the months after they complete their university course, and many of these people are likely still in the process of figuring out what to do after graduation.

While the majority are employed within companies, there’s a small number taking the freelance or self-employed route. So if you have a desire to be your own boss, this could be a great course for you.

How much are sports graduates earning?

Many students want to know whether sports science graduate jobs pay well, but this very much depends on your level of experience. If you decide to go into further study and do a master’s, you could significantly increase your earning potential.

According to the Complete University Guide, highly skilled graduates can earn entry-level  around £24k, while medium-skilled graduates are around the £20k mark. Within this field, there’s a lot of scope for career progression, which means it’s possible to earn a lot more with experience.

Should you do a master’s?

At the University of Bolton, we offer a number of sport, sport rehabilitation and physiotherapy undergraduate courses for school leavers looking to break into this field. For many jobs, a master’s degree is not needed. However, some students choose to enhance their skills or go into a specialist area.

With postgraduate training, you’ll be able to develop expert knowledge in a chosen specialism, which can boost employment prospects and earning potential. But this isn’t something you need to decide now.

Many students realise their passions during undergraduate training, and will start to consider postgraduate courses halfway through their bachelor’s degree.

We’re in the Top 5 in the UK for Teaching Quality* and have been No.1 for Student Satisfaction in the North West** for three years running! So there’s nowhere better to begin your journey.

To find out more about applying in 2021/22, see our available courses in this field. We are a socially inclusive and diverse university, with small class sizes and expert lecturers in the field. Plus the City of Manchester is only a short bus or train ride away. Come and experience #UniAsItShouldBe

* The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 2019

** Complete University Guide in 2021, 2020 and 2019, North West region