Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science with Placement

The role of exercise science and nutrition in healthy living, ageing and disease reduction has become a focus for national health policy in recent times. Our BSc (Hons) Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science degree seeks to respond to this trend and meet the industry’s need for highly-trained graduates with skills in exercise coaching, clinical exercise rehabilitation, nutrition, behaviour change and health promotion.

As you train to bridge the gap between the medical profession and the fitness industry you will be introduced to concepts of health alongside the pathology of common medical conditions. By studying how lifestyle and nutrition can impact on these diseases you’ll be well placed to assist patients as they work to control their symptoms or rehabilitate.

Learning is reinforced through work with genuine clients and medical patients. Our unique clinical exercise referral scheme and longstanding relationships with local health organisations enable us to provide you with work placements that are relevant to both your learning and your career goals. Our teaching staff sit on various steering groups including the Saints Foundation, Southampton Diabetes Forum and NHS exercise referral schemes.

Built-in professional accreditations and training allows you to gain even more value from your studies. Available qualifications currently include Gym Instructor, Personal Trainer, Exercise Referral, Cancer Rehabilitation, Working with Older Adults, Association for Nutrition certification, the NHS M.E.C.C qualification, Royal Society for Public Health membership, Basic Food Hygiene certification and NHS Motivational Interviewing training. You can also tailor your studies to your personal career ambitions, choosing from a range of specialist optional pathways.

Throughout your degree you’ll have access to a range of professional facilities including; specialist teaching gyms, a dedicated nutrition lab, a sports complex, our BASES-accredited exercise physiology laboratory, the award-winning ‘Spark’ teaching block and a 24-hour library service.

Our academic team are all highly experienced within the industry and have extensive teaching, research and professional backgrounds. This ensures your learning experience will be informed by the latest evidence-based research and industry developments.

Solent is home to fantastic teaching gyms, sports facilities and specialist laboratories

What does this course lead to?
The skills you’ll develop on this course open up a wide range of career opportunities in health, nutrition and exercise science.

Clinical exercise specialist
Exercise rehabilitation specialist
Exercise referral co-ordinator
Personal trainer
Online fitness coach
Exercise physiologist
Exercise and well-being advisor (NHS, Nuffield, Spire etc.)
Physiotherapist assistant / Physiotherapist (MSc)
Clinical exercise physiologist (MSc)
Public health practitioner
Health and exercise development officer
Self-employment
MSc/PhD researcher/lecturer
Health promotion or public health practitioner
NHS health trainer
Nutritionist
Dietician (MSc)

Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for anyone with a passion for helping individuals achieve their health, nutrition or fitness goals. Perfect for school-leavers, mature students or anyone considering a change of career, this course offers you an ideal opportunity to make a real difference to the health of the nation.

YEAR 1 - CORE MODULES
Exercise Instruction and Coaching
Functional Anatomy and Physiology
Population Health
Human Nutrition
Health and Exercise Psychology
Research in Sport, Health and Exercise Science

YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES - PATHWAY ONE - FITNESS AND PERSONAL TRAINING
Obesity and Weight Management
Applied Exercise Science
Personal Training
Soft Tissue Therapy
Applied Research Methods in Sport, Health and Exercise Science

YEAR 2 - OPTIONS - PATHWAY ONE (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year)
Exercise Referral
Strength and Conditioning

YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES - PATHWAY TWO - HEALTH AND EXERCISE SCIENCE
Obesity and Weight Management
Applied Exercise Science
Developing Healthy Places
Exercise Referral
Applied Research Methods in Sport, Health and Exercise Science

YEAR 2 - OPTIONS - PATHWAY TWO (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year)
Personal Training
Soft Tissue Therapy

YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES - PATHWAY ONE - FITNESS AND PERSONAL TRAINING
Innovative Personal Training and Business
Advanced Health and Exercise Psychology
Individual Project / Work Based Project

YEAR 3 - OPTIONS - PATHWAY ONE (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year)
Applied Strength and Conditioning
Applied Soft Tissue Therapy
Clinical Exercise Rehabilitation
Sports Nutrition
Lifecycle Nutrition and Health

YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES - PATHWAY TWO - HEALTH AND EXERCISE SCIENCE
Clinical Exercise Rehabilitation
Lifecycle Nutrition and Health
Healthy and Sustainable Futures
Individual Project / Work Based Project

YEAR 3 - OPTIONS - PATHWAY TWO (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year)
Applied Soft Tissue Therapy
Advanced Health and Exercise Psychology
Sports Nutrition

The course is assessed via a variety of methods including practical simulations, case studies, video submissions, blogs, reflective accounts, presentations and in-class tests.