Health and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)

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Studying health and exercise science is incredibly important in the UK right now. With concerns for an ageing population, increases in sedentary lifestyles and strains on our healthcare systems, graduates in this area are key to navigating these issues.

It’s no longer just about training athletes or working in a gym; understanding and promoting healthy lifestyles is crucial to reducing pressure on NHS services, supporting workforce productivity and helping individuals to have a better quality of life.

Health and Exercise Science at the University of Chester explores how physical activity and exercise can improve health, wellbeing, and quality of life. This course brings together key knowledge and skills from sport science, public health, physiotherapy, coaching, and strength and conditioning, preparing you to work across a wide range of health and exercise settings.

You will develop a strong understanding of the importance of exercise in preventing and managing long-term health conditions, alongside practical skills in participant screening, physiological testing, and exercise prescription. The course focuses on applying scientific reasoning and behaviour change techniques to design tailored interventions for individuals and communities in environments such as gyms, clinics, community settings, and virtual platforms.

The course is aligned with CIMSPA professional standards, ensuring you develop the skills employers are looking for. You will graduate with the knowledge and practical experience to work in areas such as public health, health promotion, physical activity, the fitness industry, and the NHS, or to progress to postgraduate study or clinical roles.

Why study Health and Exercise Science at Chester?

The Division of Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing at Chester has an excellent reputation for sport and exercise courses, supported by experienced and enthusiastic staff who are committed to helping you succeed.

  • Expert teaching and applied learning: Learn from staff with strong research and industry experience, and apply cutting-edge knowledge in sports science laboratories.
  • Hands-on experience: Develop confidence as a practitioner through regular practical classes that build real-world skills.
  • Placement opportunities: Gain valuable experience through employment-focused placements, applying your knowledge in professional settings.
  • Career-focused assessments: Complete case studies, data analysis, and presentations designed to reflect real industry practice.

Course Features

Hands-on learning in specialist sports science labs

Our course team brings extensive experience, with many members actively publishing and working within the sector. You'll gain hands-on skills in sports science labs, applying cutting-edge research to practical scenarios.

Career-focused assessments

Our assessments are often linked to applied practice, with case studies, practical data analysis and interpretation, presentations to applied audiences and these reinforce the knowledge and skills needed to be successful after completion of the course.

RS43372_SES Physiology Session-51

Choose your own research project

At Chester, when completing your research project, you will be supported in identifying a topic that appeals to you. You'll then be supervised and guided to complete a strong, impactful project.

A group of students around a laptop

What will I Study?

In the first year, you will develop a foundation in sport and exercise science, exploring key disciplines and how they apply to health and performance. You will gain an understanding of the scientific and social factors that influence exercise, alongside developing practical skills to assess and analyse human performance. The year also focuses on building essential academic and applied skills, preparing you for further study and potential careers in sport, health, and exercise settings.

Modules

  • Introduction to Sport and Exercise Sciences (40 credits) Core
  • Fundamental Theories in Sport and Exercise Sciences (40 credits) Core
  • Introduction to Sports Performance (20 credits) Option
  • Introduction to Exercise and Health (20 credits) Option
  • Language Module (20 credits) Option

In the second year, you will deepen your understanding of the relationship between exercise and health, with a focus on research, evaluation, and public health. You will learn how to design and analyse research, evaluate the impact of physical activity on wellbeing and long-term health conditions, and explore exercise prescription within public health contexts. Options for work placement or experiential, applied learning help you build practical experience, alongside developing professional skills and critical thinking.

Modules

  • Becoming a Researcher in Sport and Exercise Sciences (40 credits) Core
  • Evaluating Exercise and Health (20 credits) Core
  • Public Health Policy and Exercise Prescription (20 credits) Core
  • Experiential Learning - The Applied Sport Practitioner (40 credits) Option
  • Work Placement (40 credits) Option
  • Language Module (40 credits) Option

In the final year, you will apply your knowledge to advanced and real-world contexts, focusing on exercise participation, behaviour change, and clinical practice. You will develop skills in assessing and prescribing exercise for diverse populations, including those with long-term health conditions, and explore wider social and psychological factors influencing health and activity. A key component is an independent research dissertation, allowing you to investigate a topic of interest while developing strong analytical and communication skills, preparing you for careers in health, exercise, and related fields.

Modules

  • Participation, Exercise and Health (20 credits) Core
  • Applied Exercise and Health (20 credits) Core
  • Issues in Sport, Health and Exercise (20 credits) Core
  • Clinical Assessment and Exercise Prescription (20 credits) Core
  • Dissertation in Sport and Exercise Sciences (40 credits) Core

How will I Learn?

This course delivers practical training alongside general learning

This course assesses via reports, and written and practical work

This course is designed around in-person study

There may be some online learning activities

An aerial photograph of Exton Park with the text 'How we teach at the University of Chester'

How we teach at the University of Chester

The course is delivered using a variety of learning and teaching methods designed to encourage scientific enquiry and assist with the development of your skills. The learning and teaching philosophy of the course fully embraces the notion of the independent learner, whilst being enhanced through effective academic leadership, utilising this expert knowledge and skill, alongside evidence-based practice in their teaching.

Learning and teaching methods include but are not limited to: lectures, interactive lectures, discussions, seminars/presentations, simulated problems, project-based learning, web-based learning, laboratory/practical classes, task-driven tutorials and case studies, work-based/experiential learning.

You will typically receive 8 to 12 hours a week of direct teaching at the university, and will be supported to productively use your time for further independent study, allowing you to maximise your learning and application of knowledge.

In addition, learning support is provided to meet the needs of students who require additional guidance. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation rather than being the recipient of taught information. The curriculum will be delivered to develop research-mindedness and will foster integration of disciplines using project-based learning (e.g. data handling and analysis, Level 4), task-based learning (e.g. professional perspectives at Level 5), plus self-directed and collaborative learning (e.g. dissertation at Level 6).

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Careers and Employability

Job Prospects

Graduates for the Health and Exercise course will be well placed to enter many employment areas, including health and fitness (personal training, exercise referral); prevention and rehabilitation (community, public, private, NHS); teaching; public health; health promotion; research; and the health and sport industry.

Progression Opportunities

Graduates can progress to MSc Exercise Medicine, MSc Sports Medicine, and MSc Public Health Nutrition at the University. Other progression opportunities include MRes, PhD and MPhil.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

International Baccalaureate

28 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4

Scottish Highers - BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from outside the UK are expected to hold qualifications broadly equivalent to UK standards - typically A Level for undergraduate study.

To help you interpret these equivalents, please select your country/region of residence. This will provide details on equivalent entry requirements, as well as information about local representatives, events, and key contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and assess all applications on an individual basis. Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration where appropriate.

For more information on English entry requirements, including accepted qualifications, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Fees and Funding

£9,790per year for a full-time course (2026/27)

Tuition fees for Home students for the academic year 2026/27 will be £9,790 for full-time students and £7,335 for part-time students (subject to Parliamentary approval). Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase in line with the Government fee cap.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,950*per year for a full-time course (2026/27)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2026/27 are £14,950 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £11,250 and £14,950 for Years 2-4 in 2026/27.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Who will I Learn from?

Dr Sue Taylor

Senior Lecturer
Sue Taylor

Dr Dale Grant

Lecturer
Dr Dale Grant

Ed Gray

Lecturer
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Dr Grace Smith

Senior Lecturer
Grace Smith

Professor Jamie Highton

Professor
Professor Jamie Highton

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