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Human Physiology, Physical Activity & Health

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B

Including biology or PE, plus another science or science-related subject. Critical thinking and general studies excluded. We accept the following: • Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, PE and physics. • Science-related subjects: geography, psychology, use of maths and statistics. Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement. When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or the Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ.

Access to HE Diploma

D:39,M:6

Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, graded at D39M6P0 including distinctions in biology and mathematics or Chemistry. Accept Access courses in Applied Science and Science. Will also consider (depending on subject content): • biochemical sciences • biological and health science • biological sciences • biosciences • combined sciences • life and biological science • physical sciences

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,M1

including D3 in biology or PE plus another science or science-related subject. Global Perspectives excluded. When an applicant is taking Global Perspectives this can be considered alongside Pre-U subjects and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. This would be D3/M1/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34

with 17 at higher level, including 6 in higher level biology or PE and another science or science-related subject at higher level.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3

including H2 in biology or PE, and another science or science-related subject at higher level.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDM

plus A/B in A-level biology or PE. The preferred BTEC qualification subject is Applied Science (other subjects may be accepted). Applicants with BTEC Subsidiary Diploma qualifications must normally have at least 2 A-levels and at least one of these should be biology or PE (plus another science or science-related subject depending on the BTEC subject).

Scottish Advanced Higher

A,B

Advanced Higher: 5 x Highers AABBB, with AA-AB in 2 Advanced Highers including Biology or PE and another science or science-related subject. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded. We accept the following: • Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, PE, mathematics and physics. • Science-related subjects: geography, psychology, use of maths and statistics. Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.

UCAS Tariff

104-136

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

4 years | Full-time with year in industry | 2024

Subjects

Health sciences

Physiology

Sport and exercise sciences

Are you determined to understand how the body works, the mechanisms that allow us to function, and what goes wrong in disease? Understanding how our body reacts to physical activity is a crucial area of contemporary science.

On this course, you’ll discover how physical activity is vital for leading a healthier and longer life. Exercise can help prevent and treat a wide range of common health problems such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, arthritis, depression and dementia.

Be part of an investigative-based learning experience, informed by cutting edge research and delivered by world leading academics. Your first year will equip you with a broad understanding of the principal body systems, and important hands-on practical experience.

Areas of study will include gross anatomy and movement, how the different systems of the body (including the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous and endocrine systems) allow us to move and function, and how cellular and molecular mechanisms (such as metabolism and electrophysiology) underpin whole-body function. You will explore how physical activity can be applied across a range of settings to inform rehabilitation strategies, improve health and combat disease.

Our focus will be on making you workplace ready. You’ll undertake an independent capstone or culminating research project, bringing together the knowledge, skills and attributes developed throughout your degree.

This 3 year BSc can also be converted into an integrated Masters (MBiol) with an optional additional year of specialist training, subject to suitable academic performance and availability. You would study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project within one of the major research laboratories in the School of Biomedical Sciences or an appropriate period of work based practice.

**Course highlights**
- Designed to give a broad scientific foundation and key graduate skills for those interested in human physiology, physical activity and health.

- Explore world-leading research in exercise and biomedical science through working with expert researchers.

- Delivered using inspirational, engaging and inclusive approaches, developing the key skills and attributes of a global graduate.

- Utilise our state-of-the-art physiology, biomechanics and motor control laboratories, including the use of our environmental chamber and motion capture system.

- Design and conduct experiments to find answers to key health related questions.

- An independent research project under the supervision of a field-leading academic, further developing the key skills and attributes that will set you apart in the graduate job market.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Leeds

Department:

Faculty of Biological Sciences

Read full university profile

What 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.

75%
Physiology
73%
Sport and exercise sciences

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.

Health sciences (non-specific)

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?

88%
UK students
12%
International students
21%
Male students
79%
Female students
97%
2:1 or above
5%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
B
B

Anatomy, physiology and pathology

Teaching and learning

80%
Staff make the subject interesting
81%
Staff are good at explaining things
77%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
82%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

80%
Library resources
94%
IT resources
76%
Course specific equipment and facilities
55%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

96%
UK students
4%
International students
33%
Male students
67%
Female students
87%
2:1 or above
4%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
A
A

Sport and exercise sciences

Teaching and learning

76%
Staff make the subject interesting
90%
Staff are good at explaining things
70%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
70%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

68%
Library resources
96%
IT resources
71%
Course specific equipment and facilities
62%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

93%
UK students
7%
International students
57%
Male students
43%
Female students
97%
2:1 or above
6%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
B
A

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.

Health sciences (non-specific)

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.

£22,000
med
Average annual salary
100%
high
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

97%
Health professionals
3%
Health associate professionals

Anatomy, physiology and pathology

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.

£22,000
med
Average annual salary
97%
low
Employed or in further education
75%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

18%
Health associate professionals
12%
Natural and social science professionals
10%
Business, finance and related associate professionals

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.

£18,000
med
Average annual salary
100%
high
Employed or in further education
44%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

32%
Sports and fitness occupations
8%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
7%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers

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.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Health sciences (non-specific)

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£24k

£24k

£27k

£27k

£30k

£30k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Anatomy, physiology and pathology

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£26k

£26k

£34k

£34k

£37k

£37k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Sport and exercise sciences

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£20k

£20k

£29k

£29k

£34k

£34k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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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.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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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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