Physical Activity and Health
UCAS Code: C6C8
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE. GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths, English & one of Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Double Award Science at Grades CC.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma in a related subject with 45 credits overall with minimum 39 Credits at Merit & 6 Distinction to include Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE at Level 3. Maths, English and one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics required at Level 2 or equivalent.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 including a Science^ at minimum grade 5. 4 points in SL Maths (excluding Maths Studies), English & one of Biology or Chemistry or Physics.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Grades H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level to include Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics. Grade O4 at Ordinary Level in Maths, English & one of Biology or Chemistry or Physics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject. GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths, GCSE Grade C/4 in English & one of Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Double Award Science at grades CC also required.
Scottish Higher
including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology at Grade C. Please note SQA Higher PE at Grade B will be accepted in lieu of a Science^ if studied alongside SQA Higher Maths (Minimum Grade C required). National 5 C in Maths (excluding Lifeskills), English & one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics. If you are eligible for an adjusted offer under our Contextual Admissions Policy, please see the ‘Minimum Qualification Requirements’ below.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Become a professionally recognised practitioner changing lives for the better.
A 2012 study in the Lancet highlighted that inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for non-communicable, chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease, types of cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes and accounts for over 3 million preventable deaths per year, this includes depressive symptoms and poor mental well-being.
The NHS is overrun with these diseases, but in many cases they can be effectively prevented or managed through physical activity. Our degree has been developed to teach our students how physical activity and exercise can do this.
We have developed this multidisciplinary degree in line with the professional standards set out by CIMSPA and it delivers exactly what employers are looking for. We will help you develop your scientific understanding and practical skills for a successful career in the health and fitness industry or postgraduate study.
Please visit our website for full course and module details.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Sighthill
School of Applied Sciences

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Explore EdinburghWhat students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Subjects allied to medicine
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Sport and exercise sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Subjects allied to medicine not otherwise specified
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What do graduate employment figures really tell you?Courses like this are more usually taken at postgraduate level - very few students take one of these degrees as a first degree. There isn't a great deal of reliable information on the employment prospects for these graduates so bear that in mind when you review the stats. Students tend to go on to further study or pursue jobs within the healthcare sector, but it might be a good idea to go on open days and talk to tutors about what previous graduates from your chosen subject went on to do.
Sport and exercise sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What do graduate employment figures really tell you?One of the fastest growing subjects in the country, the number of sports science graduates went from under 3,000 in 2003 to over 10,000 in 2013. Numbers have fallen slightly since 2015, but we still have over 9,000 graduates in the subject. However, the good news is the country's appetite for good health and fitness - and the adaptability of graduates in the subject - means that sports science grads are less likely than average to be out of work. Sports science graduates, not surprisingly, tend to get jobs in sport, fitness and health - coaching and teaching especially - but they're found all over the economy. Management and business are also popular options for graduates from this subject — and sports science graduates are particularly found where drive, determination and physical fitness are an advantage.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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