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Physical Activity and Health

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Abertay Campus
More about Abertay University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Getting people more active is an urgent public health priority. As a physical activity specialist, you'll learn how to make a positive impact on individual and community health. This practical Physical Activity and Health degree gives you all the skills and knowledge you need.

This hands-on degree draws on the core disciplines of physiology, psychology and sociology, while you learn about the effects of physical activity and inactivity on individual health. This includes exploring the needs of general and special populations (e.g. those experiencing pregnancy, obesity and type 2 diabetes) and how to incorporate and increase physical activity at the individual, community and population levels.

A hands-on and practical degree

You'll work on client consultations with general and/or special populations. You'll cover topics such as public health and health promotion, as well as learning how to design, implement and assess physical activity interventions through practice-based lab projects and field fitness tests.

Work placements and internships

There is a strong emphasis on real-world industry experience, such as work placements and internships across charitable health and social care organisations. This means you get to network and explore different work options while you study, so you can discover where your interests lie from a job perspective.

Smaller class sizes mean a personal approach. Our teaching is underpinned by research so you'll become an evidence-based physical activity and health practitioner with valuable skills.

Everything you learn forms a crucial part of your role in improving the health and wellbeing of the general population.

Two-year foundation in Sport and Exercise

This course is flexible, and part of a portfolio of five courses covering different specialisms in sport.

For the first two years, everyone takes Sport and Exercise as a foundation. Then you specialise in years three and four. See more in the How the course works section.

Abertay is Scotland's TOP University for overall student satisfaction in Sport and Exercise (NSS 2023).

Modules

https://www.abertay.ac.uk/course-search/undergraduate/physical-activity-and-health/#modules

Assessment method

Our assessment strategy is aimed at developing a variety of skills highly valued by employers. The vast majority are done by innovative, coursework-related submissions, such as:

  • Lab reports

  • Essays

  • Oral and poster presentations

  • Portfolios

  • Reflective logs

  • Practical tests

Exams only form a small part of the overall assessment (approximately 15%).

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Abertay Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 13 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C601
Institution code:
A30
Campus name:
Abertay Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
C601
Institution code:
A30
Campus name:
Abertay Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
CCC

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths, Sport Science and Active Leisure Industry

Entry into Year 2 with ABB to include PE and Biology or Chemistry or Physics

T Level
Pass (C and above)

in Core Component.

Health
Healthcare Science
Science

HNC (BTEC)
M

Entry into Year 2 with HNC (BTEC) Sport

HND (BTEC)
M

Entry into Year 3 with HND (BTEC) Sport

Scottish HNC
Pass

Entry into Year 2 with an HNC in one of the following:-
Coaching & Developing Sport/Sports Coaching & Development - Graded Unit C
Fitness, Health & Exercise - Graded Unit C
Next Gen Physical Activity & Health - Pass
Professional Golf - Graded Unit C

Entry into Year 1 with an HNC in one of the following:-
Applied Science - Graded Unit C
Soft Tissue Therapy - Graded Unit C
Sport & Hospitality Management - Graded Unit C
Sport & Recreation Management - Graded Unit C
Sport Therapy - Graded Unit C

Scottish HND
Pass

Entry into Year 3 with an HND in one of the following:-
Applied Sport Science - Graded Unit C
Coaching & Developing Sport - Graded Units CC
Fitness, Health & Exercise - Graded Unit C
Football, Coaching & Development - Graded Units CC
Next Gen Physical Activity & Health - P
Sports Coaching & Development - Graded Unit C

Entry into Year 2 with an HND in one of the following:-
Professional Golf - Graded Unit C
Sport & Hospitality Management - Graded Units CC
Sport & Recreation Management - Graded Unit C
Sport Therapy - Graded Unit C

Entry into Year 1 with a HND in one of the following:-
Applied Science - Graded Unit C
Applied Biological Sciences - Graded Unit C

Scottish Higher
BBBC

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE, Maths or Applications of Maths at Grade C.

Scottish Advanced Higher
ABB

Entry into Year 2 to include PE and Biology or Chemistry or Physics

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 25

With 3 subjects at a minimum at S5 or H4

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
MMM

Sport
Sport and Exercise Sciences

Entry into Year 2 with D*DD Sport or Sport & Exercise Sciences

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3H3H3H3

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths

English and Maths/Lifeskill Maths/Application of Maths at National 5 or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent required. Higher Applications of Maths at grade C accepted.

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Year 2 - Higher National Certificate or equivalent
Year 3 - Higher National Diploma or equivalent

Please see website for accepted courses https://www.abertay.ac.uk/course-search/undergraduate/physical-activity-and-health/

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level CDD

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths, Sport Science and Active Leisure Industry

Entry into Year 2 with ABB to include PE and Biology or Chemistry or Physics

Scottish Higher BBC

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE, Maths or Applications of Maths at Grade C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Offer: 24

With 3 subjects at a minimum at S5 or H4

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MMP

Sport
Sport and Exercise Sciences

Entry into Year 2 with D*DD Sport or Sport & Exercise Sciences

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H3H3H3

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths

Additional entry requirements

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check

English language requirements

We look for applicants to achieve an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band at 5.5.https://www.abertay.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We don't just look at your grades, admission is based on academic merit, considering personal circumstances and potential. We look for applicants to demonstrate relevant and appropriate level of academic achievement as well as personal and professional experiences providing an indication of ability to meet the demands and professional requirements of the course. For a small number of courses, additional means of assessment such as an interview or portfolio may also be required.

Learn more on the Abertay University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Scotland£1820*
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£9790*
EU & International£16950*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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