The NHS is overrun with these diseases, but in many cases they can be effectively prevented or managed through physical activity. Yet, in 2020, 54% of adults in Scotland were not achieving the minimum levels of physical activity, based on our government guidelines. Our degree has been developed to teach our students how physical activity and exercise can do this.

There is the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of this course.

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.

We are the #1 University in Edinburgh for overall student satisfaction for seven years in a row (NSS 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026).

Mode of Study:

Full-time

(available as part-time)

Duration:

Start date:

UCAS code:

Placement:

Study Abroad:

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READ MORE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS

The Placement allowed me to apply the knowledge and understanding I gained from my studies into a practical setting within a multidisciplinary team of professionals and volunteers.

Callum Mcquade

Our Physical Activity and Health course has been developed with you in mind. It will provide you with the knowledge and skills to study and analyse the various aspects of physical activity/exercise and health in relation to different population groups, ensuring that you'll have both a firm theoretical and vocational grounding in the subjects that underpin the health and exercise industry.

You'll learn about the impact of physical inactivity on health and disease, and the methods for tackling health-related issues in non-exercise populations and the attached benefits.

There is a strong emphasis on the practical application of theoretical knowledge and the course has CIMSPA endorsed vocational standards embedded within it covering:

CIMSPA professional standard - gym instructor

CIMSPA professional standard – personal trainer

CIMSPA professional standard – working with people with long-term conditions

CIMSPA professional standard - health navigator

CIMSPA professional standard – safeguarding and protecting children

CIMSPA professional standard – safeguarding adults and adults at risk

These are traditionally known as level 2 gym instructor, level 3 personal trainer and exercise referral. Therefore, as well as a science degree that focuses on physical activity and health, students are provided with all the knowledge, skills and behaviours to meet minimum deployment standards in the health and fitness industry.

You'll also gain independent study habits, academic and employability skills and volunteer opportunities that will develop your understanding and skills in the area of physical activity and health.

Compulsory cost

All students are required to gain the CIMSPA level 2 Gym Instructor to undertake placements as part of this course in Year 3. There is an additional cost for this, currently offered at a subsidised rate of £300 if the student takes the qualification through Edinburgh Napier’s own short course. (This subsidy does not apply if you choose to take the certificate through an external provider.) Direct entrants/mature students entering at any level who already have the level 2 Gym Instructor, or CIMSPA Gym Instructor Professional Standard, will need to provide an officially recognised certificate as proof of pre-qualification. (The level of qualification needs to fully meet the CIMSPA professional standard.)

How you’ll be taught

As a full-time student you will study 120 credits in each year, and a standard 20 credit module is equivalent to 200 hours of learning. You will also undertake personal research and complete a final year project.

Assessments

Formative and summative assessment play a very prominent role in the programme, as do practical assessments. Regular individual and group presentation of projects are conducted to tutors, peers and, where appropriate, external bodies.

Work placement

New opportunities are being developed but current examples include Edinburgh Leisure, Health All Round, Macmillan Cancer Support – e.g. Move More Programme.

Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

Study abroad

German Sport University, Cologne, and institutions in the USA.

Facilities

This course is taught in person at our Sighthill campus.

We have excellent laboratory facilities in which you'll use a range of equipment. Facilities include exercise physiology, biomechanics, conditioning and multimedia laboratories, plus an environmental chamber, in addition we have an excellent gym facility. You'll carry out a range of practical procedures and use equipment involved in gym based exercise, and in the laboratory exercise physiology, biomechanics, exercise and health psychology, sport and exercise nutrition and exercise testing and prescription.

Popular modules

*** All below are compulsory modules:

Anatomy & Physiology in Sport & Exercise Science

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Science

Exercise Training

Application of Science to Sport and Exercise

Sport, Exercise and Wellbeing

Skill Acquisition

Current Issues in Sporting Performance

Introduction to Biomechanics

Sport & Health Nutrition

Exercise Physiology

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Volunteering & Employability

Intermediate Exercise Physiology

Growth Maturation & Exercise

Scientific Communication Review and Statistics

Exercise Behaviour

Intermediate Biomechanics

Work Based Learning

Physical Activity & Behavioural Change Project

Physical Activity & Exercise Prescription in Health and Disease

Physical Activity and Health Work Placement

Scientific Research Project

RECOGNISED BY

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

English language

International students

Admissions policies

What are the entry requirements for Physical Activity and Health?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB including Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics or PE or Psychology. National 5 C in Maths (including Applications of Maths).

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC including Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics or PE or Psychology at Grade C. National 5 C in Maths (including Applications of Maths).

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies

BCC including Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE.

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Grades H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level including Biology or Human Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE.

Ordinary Level Grade 04 in Maths.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades DMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

Minimum grades DM (Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

A Level grade C

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 including a Science (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology or PE) at minimum grade 5.

4 points in SL Maths (excluding Maths Studies).

T Level must be completed in a Science subject or A Level Science may be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

Minimum Year 2

Scottish Advanced Higher

BBC to include Biology

BBB to include Biology

Pass in a related subject* with B in the graded unit.

*Fitness, Health and Exercise, Sports & Exercise Science, Applied Sports Science, Applied Biological Science, Sports Coaching, Sports Coaching and Development of Sport.

HND Next Gen

Pass HND Next Gen Physical Activity and Health with grade Merit.

Minimum Year 3

Pass in a related subject* with grade B in all SCQF level 8 Graded Units.

*Sports Coaching with Development of Sport, Coaching and Developing Sport, Sports Coaching and Development, Sports & Exercise Science, Applied Sports Science, Applied Biological Sciences, Fitness, Health and Exercise.

In addition, you must pass one of the below units from each section:

One of the following:

Mechanics for Health and Fitness Professional (DW64 35)

Sports Mechanics (FX9L 35) (DD2T 35)

Human Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics in Sport (J2AP 34)

AND (one of the following):

Psychology of Sports Performance (FX9V 35)

Psychology of Sports Coaching (FW61 34)

Psychology of Sport and Exercise (J422 34)

Applied Psychology in Sport and Exercise Performance (J429 35)

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:

BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery

MSc Nursing courses

All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study.

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies

Postgraduate admissions policies

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Undergraduate student fees and funding information

Postgraduate student fees and funding information

International student fees and funding information

Tuition fees

Students from

Scotland

England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland

Overseas and EU

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.

Careers & employability

What can you do with a degree in Physical Activity & Health?

Studying Physical Activity & Health at Edinburgh Napier University equips you with a diverse skill set that can lead to various career paths in fields related to health promotion, fitness, education, research, and more. This multidisciplinary and professional degree sets you up for a successful career in industry and you’ll also be well-placed for postgraduate study in a variety of disciplines which could include applied sport science, clinical exercise science/physiology, physiotherapy, health and social care, teaching, or research.

Not only will you walk away with a range of specific physical activity & health knowledge and skills, but it is not restrictive. You will gain many highly desirable transferable (meta) skills, including teamwork, communication, writing, and data analysis, which are valued by employers within, but also outside the Health & Fitness sector.

What does a Physical Activity & Exercise Consultant do?

A Physical Activity & Exercise Consultant typically works with individuals or groups to develop and implement tailored exercise programs aimed at improving overall health and fitness in communities.

Daily tasks and responsibilities in this role may include:

Program development & evaluation

Personal plan development

Instruction

Assessment

Goal setting

However, this course could also lead to a range of career and further postgraduate study options, including:

Health & Wellbeing Personal Trainer

Exercise Referral Scheme Practitioner

Behaviour Change Practitioner

Physical Activity Development Practitioner

Clinical Exercise Rehabilitation

Active Schools Coordinators

Clinical Exercise Specialist

In NHS, Nuffield, Edinburgh Leisure etc

Postgraduate courses for clinical exercise science, physiotherapy and other disciplines

Postgraduate courses for teaching/lecturing

Research degrees/research careers

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