BSc/BSc (Hons)
Physical Activity,
Health and Wellbeing
Everyone knows that being
physically active is good for
health. So why do some people
find it hard to make positive
choices? How can we use
science and creativity to support
more people to be active and
healthy? This is a fascinating and
empowering subject that needs
a broad range of knowledge and
skills, including anatomy and
physiology, professional
communication, health
promotion and sustainable
community development.
You’ll study the theory and practice of
promoting healthy behaviours such as
physical activity, and participate in
community engagement activities in
different environments with a wide range
of service users. This is a course that will
make you think differently about the
world and the community around you.
For example, did you know that if you
teach a primary school child the very
simple skill of catching a ball, they are
more likely to be coordinated, to enjoy
team sports in high school and to be
active throughout their whole life and so
less likely to be overweight and
unhealthy?
In Year One, the emphasis is on the use
of physical activity to improve people’s
lives. You will study physiology and
anatomy, and apply this knowledge in
practical work in fitness settings both
indoors and outside. You will lead groups
to develop your personal skills in working
with others, which will create a
foundation for developing as a coach
and mentor in later years of the course.
In Year Two you will study health issues
in the community. Exploring issues
together with input from community
groups will expand your understanding
of real-world problems related to health
If you are seeking a career
drawing on your interests in
physical activity, health and
wellbeing, this course will equip
you with the skills you need to
succeed in a wide range of
relevant roles within different
settings. Equally as important,
it will kindle your passion to go
out into the world and make a
real difference in a field you truly
care about.
and inequalities. All the skills and
knowledge for working as a personal
trainer and in exercise referral will be
covered, including an introduction to
healthy eating, food and nutrition.
Years Three and Four have a broader
scope, looking at service provision,
developing an understanding of working
with community groups and
organisations such as charities and care
homes. Studying entrepreneurship,
leadership and sustainable community
development, you will learn how to
identify community and organisational
needs related to health and wellbeing,
and design a sustainable solution to a
particular issue. The process and
solution you develop will draw on
experience from the community
engagement opportunities and will form
a significant part of the work required for
your final year dissertation.
Structure
You can opt to study for an honours
degree over four years or an ordinary
degree over three years. You will
complete a range of modules each year
as outlined.
Teaching, learning and assessment
You will be taught in lectures, seminars,
practical workshops and laboratories.
Outside these timetabled sessions you
will be expected to continue learning
through self-study.
You will be assessed by a combination of
written exams, practical demonstrations,
oral presentations and assignments at
the end of each module or semester. For
full details see the course entry on our
website.
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Modules
Year One
Introduction to Physical Activity (Gym
Instructor)/ Physical Activity Through the
Life Course/ Practical Introduction to
Health and Wellbeing/ Human Physiology
/ Communication for Professional and
Personal Development
Year Two
Exercise Prescription for Health and
Wellbeing/ Personal Training/ Lifestyle,
Food and Society/ Behaviour Change/
Health Issues in the Community/
Evidence-Based Practice
Year Three
Dissertation/ Epidemiology in Public
Health/ Health Entrepreneurship/
Integrating Module Year Three –
Contemporary Practice in Physical
Activity, Health and Wellbeing/
Psychosocial Aspects of Health
Behaviour Change/ Work-based
Learning Placement Year Three
Year Four
Honours Project/ Work-Based learning
placement Year Four/ Understanding
Leadership/ Sustainable Consumption/
Integrating Module Year Four – Physical
Activity, Health and Wellbeing
The modules listed here are correct at
time of print (Feb 2019) but may differ
slightly to those offered in 2020 following
revalidation in December 2019. Please
check the website for any updates.