Sport Science BSc
What do I learn?
Taught primarily in Icelandic. Proficiency in Icelandic is a requirement.
The undergraduate programme in sport science provides students with knowledge of training fundamentals, such as physiology, kinesiology, and psychology. This knowledge is then applied to advanced courses like coaching science and performance measurement, where students learn to apply the core concepts theoretically and in practice. They also learn basic pedagogy skills and must regularly apply them in real-world situations.
Teaching methods
What you learn is largely dependent on what you are willing to contribute. Much of the teaching material is accessible electronically. There are also lectures, workshops, and projects to help you grasp the material. RU places great emphasis on receiving constructive feedback on your projects, not just grades. In addition, there are many practical sessions where the theory is contextualised with reality. Students also get the opportunity to go out in the field and gain even more experience.
Unique cooperation with top athletes
Students have a unique opportunity to work alongside some of the top athletes in Iceland. The department has established partnership agreements with numerous sports federations such as KSÍ, HSÍ, KKÍ, and FSÍ. According to these agreements, master's students and teachers primarily measure the athletes' physical abilities for national and elite teams. BSc students can participate in these measurements alongside teachers and gain invaluable experience. After completing the measurements, researchers within the department guide physical training based on the results of the measurements.
Events within the department
The Department of Sport Science hosts countless symposiums and open lectures every semester. Often, the events are coordinated with sports associations, sports clubs, or other departments within Ru, such as the Department of Psychology. Students thus enjoy numerous opportunities to listen to leading experts and coaches. Students also have the student association Atlas, which maintains an active social life within the department.
Internship
Internships aim to increase students' knowledge and prepare them for work after graduation. The Department of Sport Science ensures that students who undertake internships work on challenging, interesting projects that align with their areas of interest. Students have attended internships in sports clubs, healthcare institutions, primary and secondary schools, and more.
Exchange studies
The Department of Sport Science is engaged in international collaboration with leading international universities in sport science worldwide, such as the German Sport University in Cologne and the University of Seville, as well as other universities within and outside Europe.
Career
The BSc programme in Sports Science at HR prepares you for jobs in the fields of sports, public health, and fitness and health training. A variety of job opportunities await sports scientists after graduation, for example, in sports clubs, youth organisations, companies, institutions, municipalities, and fitness centres. You can also continue your master's studies.
Graduate studies
Specialisation in Coaching, Performance Analysis, Sport Psychology and Management
Upon completing the BSc programme in Sport Science, students can gain further specialisation with an MSc degree from the Department of Sport Science:
- Sport Science MSc
- Sport Science and Management MSc in collaboration with the University of Molde, Norway
Teaching Qualifications
To obtain teaching qualifications in schools, one must complete a bachelor's degree (BSc) in Sports Science and a master's degree (MEd) in Sports Science and Physical Education according to laws and regulations. The MEd program can be pursued at the Department of Sports Science at HR.
Do you have questions about the study?
Structure
Students take five courses, 30 ECTS credits, each semester. The exception is the sixth semester, where the final project is valued as two courses (12 ECTS).
Three-week courses
Performance groups
Athletes who participate in sports under the auspices of ÍSÍ, as well as sports outside ÍSÍ, such as MMA, CrossFit, and powerlifting, are eligible for the performance group of sports students at RU. Students selected for the performance group can adjust their learning pace according to their athletic workload, choosing the number of credits they complete per year with greater flexibility than other students.
A three-member selection committee reviews all applications and determines whether the applicant meets the requirements for the performance group. All those meeting the criteria will be accepted. The committee further selects up to three individuals from the eligible candidates who will have their tuition fees waived. In the selection for the group and potential scholarship awards, the committee considers certain criteria.
Please contact the departmental office for more information about the performance group.
Flexibility in study
Students who are selected for an athletic group can adjust their learning pace according to their athletic workload. This allows them to choose the number of credits they complete per year with greater flexibility than other students. Members of an athletic group can receive an adjustment to their curriculum in all subjects, based on their training and competition schedule (see more below in the section on conditions).
Scholarships
Allt að þremur einstaklingum úr hópi afreksíþróttafólks er veittur styrkur fyrir skólagjöldum á hverri önn.
Measurements and advice
Individuals in the high-performance group are offered detailed baseline measurements of their physical and psychological condition twice during the school year in collaboration with a coach and advice on a training plan.
Requirements
The athlete must:
- To train and compete regularly at the highest level in their sport.
- To be able to submit a training and competition plan, four weeks before the start of each semester, that covers the entire semester. The plan must be confirmed by a coach or a special association.
- To follow an individualised academic progress according to a predetermined plan.
- To strictly comply with the ÍSÍ anti-doping rules. If a scholarship recipient violates these rules, he will lose his scholarship immediately and must repay the scholarship he has previously received from RU.
- To be willing to participate in promotional activities organised by the RU Department of Sports Science.
- To strictly comply with RU's study and examination rules.
Eligible disciplines
Athletes who practice sports within ÍSÍ, as well as sports outside ÍSÍ, such as MMA, Crossfit and powerlifting, are eligible for the RU student athlete achievement group.
Applications
Applications must be submitted one week before the semester begins. The application must include at least the following:
A description of the main achievements of the past 12 months. This must include links to where the information provided can be verified (world rankings, national achievement pages, results pages, newspaper articles, tournament schedules, etc.).
- Training and competition schedule for the next four months
- Goals for training in the coming semesters
- Confirmed academic achievement, other than within RU
The selection process
A three-member selection committee reviews all applications and determines whether the applicant meets the criteria for an achievement group. All those who meet the criteria for the achievement group are admitted to it. The committee then selects up to three individuals from among those who make it to the achievement group, who will have their tuition fees waived. When selecting into the group and possible grants, the committee has the following criteria in mind.
- Ranking on world lists
- Number of international projects
- National team position
- Ranking on domestic achievement lists
- Academic achievement
- Role model/image
- Quality of application
- Information and applications
Faculty
Scientists and Experts
Sports science students benefit from the guidance of powerful scientists in the field and guest lecturers with expertise from the business world. Teachers at RU generally have extensive contact with students.
Facilities
The facilities for practical teaching at RU are outstanding. The Department of Sport Science students have access to an outstanding facility where teaching and research are conducted. The facilities include:
- A treadmill, rowing machine, Wingate bike, and Atom X Wattbike are used to assess endurance.
- A device for measuring maximum oxygen uptake and lactic acid production.
- Lifting racks, bars, weight plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, TRX bands, elastic bands, and workout balls.
- Tanita assesses body composition, fat-free mass, proportion of fat mass, and basic energy requirements.
- Various measurement equipment for use in the field, such as timing gates, jumping mats, grip strength testers, and FMS tests
- Kinvent force meter
Teaching takes place online, in the RU campus building and at a fitness center. The Department of Sports Science also has impressive facilities for teaching and research. These include:
- Treadmills, rowing machines and Wingate bikes and Atom X Wattbikes to assess endurance
- Devices to measure maximum oxygen uptake and lactic acid production
- Lifting racks, bars, weight plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, TRX bands, elastic bands and exercise balls
- Tanita measuring devices to measure body composition, fat-free mass, fat mass percentage and basic energy needs
- Various measuring devices for use in the field, such as time gates, jumping mats, grip strength meters, and FMS motor skills tests
- Kinvent effort meters
Classrooms and reading rooms
The Reykjavík University building offers excellent facilities for teaching, reading and student collaboration. Classrooms are well-equipped, and students can use group study rooms. General facilities are open to students 24 hours a day. See more information about the facilities at RU.
Good service
The university building has easy access to academic and career counselling, an international office, and technical support. The library has good and diverse work facilities. The library offers access to books and academic articles, and information specialists have open hours where students can stop by and get advice and help with reference work.
Shops and cafes
RU has the University Store, which sells essentials, a cafe, the World Class exercise room, and the Málið restaurant.
Why Sports Science at RU?
- Strong vocational education
- Possible specialisation based on interest
- Excellent facilities
- Good access to teachers
- A cohesive group of students
- Good mix of practical and theoretical learning