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How to become a Sport Scientist

Works on human performance, fitness and rehabilitation.

Apply early

Selection programmes like this often close months before the standard application deadline, and marks alone don’t guarantee a place. See the Dates page for the exact closing dates.

What does a Sport Scientist actually do?

More about this career

Works on human physical performance – training programmes for athletes, rehabilitation after injury, fitness testing – for sports teams, gyms, hospitals or research. It overlaps with but is distinct from physiotherapy, which is a separate, regulated health profession requiring its own degree.

Where this degree can take you

  • Biokineticist
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach
  • Sports Rehabilitation Specialist
  • Exercise Physiologist

This is our general description of the role and related jobs, not from an official source – it’s here to give you a fuller picture, not as a careers-counselling guarantee.

Not from an official source

Subjects that usually help

  • Mathematics
  • Life Sciences
  • Physical Sciences

This is our general guidance about which school subjects suit this career. It is not an admission requirement and not from an official source – the real requirements are on the degrees below.

Not from an official source

Where to check this yourself

What the programmes we’ve captured actually ask for

  • Mathematics – asked for by 17 of 22 programmes
  • Mathematical Literacy – asked for by 11 of 22 programmes
  • Life Sciences – asked for by 8 of 22 programmes
  • Physical Sciences – asked for by 6 of 22 programmes
  • Technical Mathematics – asked for by 6 of 22 programmes
  • Sport Science – asked for by 1 of 22 programmes

Counted from the requirements below (an “or” alternative counts for each subject named). Each programme links to the page it came from.

Programmes that lead here

22 programmes at 17 universities. More are added as we verify them.

Durban University of Technology

Selection programme

Bachelor of Sport Science and Management

Applied Sciences

DUT APS 28 points

  • English: 60%
  • Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 70% OR Life Sciences: 70% OR Sport Science: 70%

New row, from the user-supplied Department of Sport Studies handbook. Duration was not stated on the pages we read.

Source: View the official page (dut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Nelson Mandela University

Bachelor of Human Movement Science (BHMS)

Health Sciences · 3 years

NMU Applicant Score (AS) 350 out of 600

  • Mathematics: 45% OR Mathematical Literacy: 65% OR Technical Mathematics: 65%

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the user-supplied NMU "Undergraduate Programmes 2027" Z-Card (A-Z table of Applicant Scores and subject percentages). AS 350 with Mathematics, 365 with Mathematical Literacy or Technical Mathematics.

Source: View the official page (mandela.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

Diploma (Sport Management)

Health Sciences · 3 years

NMU Applicant Score (AS) 330 out of 600

  • Mathematics: 40% OR Mathematical Literacy: 60% OR Technical Mathematics: 40%
  • Competitive sport – Active participation in a competitive sport, as approved by the department.

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the user-supplied NMU "Undergraduate Programmes 2027" Z-Card (A-Z table of Applicant Scores and subject percentages). AS 330 with Mathematics, 345 with Mathematical Literacy.

Source: View the official page (mandela.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

North-West University

Selection programme

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Sport Coaching and Human Movement Sciences)

Health Sciences · 3 years

NWU APS 24 points out of 48

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the user-supplied NWU 2026 Faculty of Health Sciences yearbook: APS 24, level 4 (50-59%) for the language of tuition, 3 years, Potchefstroom, selected by academic paper selection and best average mark. This corrects the earlier row, which showed APS 26 and a Life Sciences level 4 requirement taken from a department web page - the yearbook states neither. Selection ranks applicants and only a limited number are admitted, so meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee a place. NWU adds your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation) on an 8-point scale, for a total out of 48 - read from NWU’s own APS calculator. The requirement shown is what NWU publishes.

Source: View the official page (health-sciences.nwu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Rhodes University

BSc (Human Kinetics and Ergonomics)

Science · 3 years

Rhodes points 45 points

  • English: 60% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the faculty table in the Rhodes 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (18 March 2026). Rhodes points of 39-44 are at the Dean’s discretion and 45+ gets a provisional offer. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Stellenbosch University

Selection programme

BSc Sport Science

Science · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 65 %

  • Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 50%

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Tshwane University of Technology

Diploma in Sport Management

Management Sciences · 3 years

TUT APS 24 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 4 (50% or more)

New row, read directly from TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus (tut-pass-3). Recommended: Accounting, Business Studies, Economics. Closes 30 September 2026 (TUT First-Year Course Information).

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Kinesiology and Coaching Science

Science · 3 years

TUT APS 24 points

  • English: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 3 (40% or more)

New row, read directly from TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus (tut-pass-3). Closing date not found in the documents read - check TUT’s website.

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Cape Town

BSc Human Anatomy & Physiology

Science · 3 years

UCT Science Faculty Points Score 660 out of 800 (band a)

  • Mathematics: 70%
  • Physical Sciences: 60%

Band A (guaranteed offer) is an FPS of 660. Band B (likely offer) is a WPS of 640 - the WPS adds a 0-10% disadvantage factor that we cannot work out from your marks, so we only check you against Band A. Band C (550) applies to redress categories only. All Science majors share these entry bands (Mathematics 70%+, Physical Sciences 60%+; NBTs in Mathematics, AL and QL must be written but do not affect admission). Admission is to the BSc and a major is chosen once you are in; selected students may be counselled onto the four-year Extended Degree Programme. Capacity-limited, with courses starting at second-year level: selection is on first-year academic performance.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Fort Hare

Selection programme

Bachelor of Health Sciences in Human Movement Science

Health Sciences

UFH APS 28

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Three other subjects – Any other three subjects at level 4 or better.
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

New row, from the user-supplied Faculty of Health Sciences 2026 Prospectus. APS 28 on the Mathematics route, 29 with Mathematical Literacy.

Source: View the official page (ufh.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Johannesburg

Bachelor of Health Sciences in Sport and Exercise Science

Health Sciences · 3 years

UJ APS 27 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, page 69, programme code B9SE1Q. APS 27 with Mathematics, 28 with Mathematical Literacy.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BCom in Sport Management

Health Sciences · 3 years

UJ APS 23 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, page 69, programme code B9S14Q. APS 23 with Mathematics; Mathematical Literacy not accepted.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Sport Management

Health Sciences · 3 years

UJ APS 22 points

  • English: level 3 if it is your Home Language, level 3 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, page 70, programme code D9S01Q. APS 22 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, 23 with Mathematical Literacy. Physical Science is not required.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of KwaZulu-Natal

From an older document

Bachelor of Sport Science

Health Sciences · 3 years

UKZN APS 30 points out of 48

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 3 (40% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the table in the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure (CAO code KN-W-BRT); published APS range 48-30. This comes from the Study@UKZN 2026 brochure, the most recent official source we could find. UKZN had not published a 2027 table when we checked, so treat these as 2026 figures pending a 2027 update. Applications go through the CAO.

Source: View the official page (studyatukzn.ukzn.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of Pretoria

Selection programme

BSportSci (Sports Science)

Health Sciences · 3 years

UP APS 30 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

New row, from the user-supplied Health Sciences 2027 Faculty Yearbook (programme code 10135010) - a pathway towards a BScHons in Biokinetics or Sport Science. A selection programme. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of the Free State

Selection programme

Bachelor of Sport Coaching

Health Sciences

UFS AP score 30 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language

New row, from the user-supplied 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus, alongside Biokinetics under the same career page. A selection programme; closing date 31 May.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of the Western Cape

BSc Sport and Exercise Science

Community & Health Sciences

UWC weighted points 33 points out of 65

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Another language – Another language (Home or First Additional) at level 3.
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from UWC’s own 2026 programme rules (the "Program Overview" PDF on the programme page, Calendar 2026). UWC points are its own weighted score (see the calculator note).

Source: View the official page (uwc.ac.za) (opens the official page)

From an older document

BA Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science

Community & Health Sciences · 3 years

UWC weighted points 30 points out of 65

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Another language – Another language (Home or First Additional) at level 3.
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from UWC’s "General Admissions Criteria for 2026" brochure (faculty minimum admission requirements). UWC points are its own weighted score. Minimum 30 UWC points.

Source: View the official page (uwc.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of Venda

BSc Sports and Exercise Science

Health Sciences · 4 years

Univen APS 34

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (April 2026), faculty programme tables. Online applications are free and run 1 May - 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Zululand

From an older document

Diploma in Sport and Exercise Technology

Science, Agriculture & Engineering · 3 years

UniZulu APS 26 points out of 48

  • English: level 4 (50% or more) OR English First Additional Language: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Four subjects – Level 3 (40%) in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects; NSC with diploma endorsement.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the admission tables in UniZulu’s 2026 faculty handbook (APS, language and Mathematics rules match). From UniZulu’s own 2026-labelled faculty handbooks, which contain no 2027-specific intake or closing-date information at all - do not assume a date, and treat this as the most recent official figures available rather than confirmed-current for 2027.

Source: View the official page (unizulu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Vaal University of Technology

Selection programme

Diploma in Sport Management

Management Sciences

VUT APS 20 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 4 (50% or more)
  • One other subject – One further subject at level 4.

New row, from the same Marketing/Retail Business/Sport Management table in the 2027 Minimum Admission Requirements PDF. APS 20 on the Mathematics route, 21 on the Mathematical Literacy route.

Source: View the official page (vut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Walter Sisulu University

Diploma in Sport Management

Management & Public Administration Sciences · 3 years

WSU APS 21 points out of 48 (56 for Education programmes)

  • English: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Three more subjects – Any other three subjects at level 3.

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from WSU’s own 2027 Undergraduate Information Brochure & Admission Requirements (main-stream figures; Extended Curriculum Programmes accept a lower APS, noted where the brochure gives one). Applications: the brochure lists no closing date - check wsu.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (wsu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Are your marks enough?

Put your subjects in once and we’ll check them against every programme above – scored each university’s own way.

What do I qualify for?