Learn about the physiological, behavioural and policy-based factors that influence people’s health and wellbeing at both individual and population levels.

This course aims to develop your understanding of the impacts of physical activity, diet and other lifestyle behaviours on people’s lives.

You’ll learn about how the human body responds to changes in physical activity and nutrition; how to positively influence people’s desire to live active, healthy lives; and the wider impacts of governmental policies and initiatives on health and wellbeing across populations.

The course’s interdisciplinary approach allows you to focus on three core themes:

• Exercise Science: this provides you with a fundamental understanding of human function and its role in health and disease
• Behavioural Science: through this, you’ll explore how we can better understand the psychological basis of human behaviour to promote health and treat and prevent disease
• Public Health: this gives you the opportunity to investigate how we measure and determine societal priorities and improve health at a population level

Across your studies, you’ll apply your knowledge to contemporary health and exercise challenges. This will help you to understand their relevance in current practice.

Some of the topics you will cover include:

• exercise prescription
• health technologies
• nutrition
• health inequalities
• sports medicine
• research methods
• epidemiology
• health and sport psychology

In Year 1, you’ll build on your knowledge of human physiology, biomechanics and psychology, and develop your understanding of the role of health behaviours on public health. You’ll also develop skills in research design and statistics.

In Year 2, you'll gain a more in-depth understanding of exercise, health and nutrition at different stages of life at individual, community and population levels. You’ll explore how we communicate these health messages to different audiences.

In your final year, you’ll carry out a year-long research project and study advanced units in areas such as nutrition, health technologies, sociology and exercise prescription.

This course will prepare you for a range of careers in areas such as public health, health promotion, health policy, healthcare, academic research, community sports, and exercise science.

Use specialist facilities

You'll have access to facilities that support your learning. These contain specialist equipment and the latest technology, including:

• Applied Biomechanics Suite
• Applied Physiology Laboratory
• Biochemistry Laboratory
• Metabolic Research Laboratory
• A dedicated movement analysis suite

Develop your professional skills

We work to provide you with the skills and support to prepare you for employment and further study, such as:

• communication and interview skills
• CV and cover letter writing
• networking
• career planning

Informed teaching to advance your learning

You'll learn from experts in public health, health psychology, sports science, and sports performance. Their passion, knowledge and research shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience.

Staff across our Department for Health have specialisms in areas such as:

• sport and exercise science
• nutrition and metabolism
• sport management, marketing and media
• coaching and sport performance
• sport policy and international development
• health and physical activity
• research methods

Specialist facilities for your learning and training

Our £35 million Sports Training Village contains some of the UK’s best sport and exercise facilities, accommodating more than 50 sports. We regularly host major international competitions and provide a dedicated sports training space.

You’ll have access to our biomechanics and physiology suites, containing:

• biochemical analysis equipment
• blood lactate monitors
• force platforms
• gas analysers
• jump mats
• motion analysis equipment
• performance analysis systems

Category C

If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
• IELTS Indicator: 6.5 with 6.0 in each component
  
• TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components
• TOEFL IBT and IBT Special Home Edition: 90 overall with 21 in each component
  
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
• The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): we do not accept this qualification
• Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
• Duolingo (taken up to 1 July 2024): 120 overall with sub scores of Literacy 120, Comprehension 130, Conversation 115, Production 100
• Duolingo (taken after 1 July 2024): 120 overall with sub scores of Literacy 120, Comprehension 120, Conversation 120, Production 120
• LanguageCert SELT: B2 Communicator High Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test

See the full list of accepted English qualifications.

Prepare for your future

Many of our sport, exercise and health graduates have gone on to work in sport science, public health, exercise medicine and rehabilitation, sports management and sports coaching.

Examples of where our recent graduates have gone on to work include:

• Amazon
• Bristol City Football Club
• BUPA
• Confederation of British Industry
• EY
• IntoUniversity
• Razor Research
• Southampton City Council
• Two Circles