If you are applying for this course from within the UK/EU, click apply now.
Course starts: 14 September 2020Apply now
If you are applying for this course from outside the UK/EU, click apply now.
Course starts: 14 September 2020Apply now
Explore your passion for nutrition, health and fitness and turn it into a career. Master graduate-level skills in developing, delivering and analysing diet and exercise programmes that are related to disease management and general health improvement.
Register your interestThis course has been specifically mapped to the National Occupational Standards or Professional Standards for practice as a qualified exercise professional in response to the growing number of job opportunities in the health and fitness industry such as exercise on referral schemes. The nutrition strand is mapped to the five core competency requirements for registration as an Associate Nutritionist (ANutr) with the Association for Nutrition (AfN). In addition, the knowledge and skills obtained through successful completion of the course are readily transferable to the wider sport, leisure and health and wellbeing industry.
In your first year, you will develop core knowledge in human nutrition, sport and exercise psychology, anatomy and physiology and gym instruction. In your second year, you will extend your skills in these areas to include Nutrition in Health and Disease and also Personal Training and Injuries and Rehabilitation. In your final year, you will acquire advanced expertise in areas such as Exercise and Diet Behaviour Change, Strength, Conditioning and Prehabilitation, Sport and Exercise Nutrition and Exercise for Special Populations.
Our teaching methods are designed to develop not only your academic knowledge but also graduate-level skills that enhance employability. Methods include small group work, practical activities, workshops, lectures, tutorials, computer-based and problem-based learning, presentations and independent learning.
Assessment methods include essays, reports, practical work and presentations. As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also on-going assessments for feedback and consolidating your learning.
The content of the course prepares you for registration as an exercise professional with qualifications endorsed by PD: Approval in Instructing Exercise and Fitness (Gym level 2), Personal Trainer and Exercise Referral. You will also be prepared to apply for registration as an Associate Nutritionist (ANutr) with the Association for Nutrition (AfN) via the portfolio route. Please note that recognition as ANutr requires you to apply directly to the AfN, pay a fee and is independently assessed by the AfN.
Our typical offer is 112 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels or equivalent (e.g. 1 x AVCE double award).
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator.
We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, we also offer this course with an Integrated Foundation Year.
If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.
The annual fee for this course is:
If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
Use our scholarships calculator to see what you may be entitled to.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
Potential employers for graduates of this course include sports and leisure companies, recreation services, local authorities, health bodies including the NHS, and schools and colleges.
Sport and Exercise Sciences now has accreditation from PD: Approval, the national endorsement body for Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), to award vocational qualifications (related to the health and fitness industry) to students who successfully complete specific modules.
University level | Main module mapped to |
Vocational qualifications |
4 | Instructing Health and Fitness | Level 2 Gym Instructor |
5 | Exercise Testing and Prescription | Level 3 Personal Trainer |
6 | Exercise for Special Populations | Level 3 Exercise Referral Instructor |
Job roles include the following (some require further training):
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