Foundation Year in Health and Exercise Science (with Degree Progression Opportunities)
Step up into Health and Exercise Science
Step up into Health and Exercise Science
- Develop your academic skills, knowledge and confidence.
- Progress onto our BSc Biomedical Science or BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree.
- Learn the fundamentals of Health and Exercise Science Practice.
- Feel the support of expert teaching staff here to support your professional and personal development.
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Overview
Start your journey towards a full undergraduate degree
Our Foundation Year in Health and Exercise Science course is designed for those who want to pursue Health and Exercise Science, but are not quite ready for a full degree, haven’t quite met the entry requirements for a degree programme or are simply unsure of what path to take.
Develop your academic skills and confidence
The course focuses on developing your academic, practical and teamwork skills, to prepare you to progress onto a full undergraduate programme.
You will study a set of modules with the Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health that are designed to introduce you to studying at university level, as well as give you a better understanding of health and exercise science.
Flexible progression options
You will apply for a four-year programme, with the Foundation Year forming the first year, followed by progression onto a full degree course.
Upon completion of our Foundation Year in Health and Exercise Science, you can progress onto either the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course.
You will also have the opportunity to apply for the following courses after a successful interview (for professional programmes) and occupational health and DBS clearances, where appropriate:
- BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
- BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy.
Prepare for your future career
The course prepares you for a range of careers in the health and wellbeing sector so that you can progress to being an integral part of multi-disciplinary teams that provide the best care, injury management and rehabilitation to help people to live healthier and more active lives.
On this course you will:
- Develop your academic skills, knowledge and confidence.
- Have the opportunity to move onto a full undergraduate degree.
- Learn the fundamentals of Health and Exercise Science Practice.
- Feel the support of expert teaching staff for your professional and personal development.
The Course
Gain a firm understanding of Health and Exercise Science
You will study a set of modules within the Institute of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health which are designed to introduce you to studying at university level and will give you a better understanding of health and exercise science, related subjects, and the path you wish to choose.
Develop vital technical knowledge
The modules are designed to deliver key knowledge and skills to help you achieve success in your chose programme. They form the basis of the technical knowledge required for your chosen degree path alongside developing your independent learning capabilities.
Learn key practical skills
There will also be an emphasis on the importance of teamwork and digital skills as applied in the work environment, as well as a broad grounding in academic skills in data collection, analysis and interpretation.
Modules
Project
This module is an applied piece of work related to your chosen degree. It will require you to apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the foundation year and will enhance your ability to work individually and as part of a team. During the project you will develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen future specialisation. You will be encouraged to demonstrate creativity in the design, planning and execution of a project.
Foundations of Science
This module forms the foundation of knowledge of exercise science. The module is designed to enable students to explore the complex nature of human physical activity and apply theory relating to physiology, biomechanics and psychology to enhance knowledge and build a firm foundation for subsequent study in a range of disciplines including sport and exercise science, sports therapy, physiotherapy and nursing. The module will introduce fundamental principles of the exercise sciences, basic anatomy and the practical application of measurement techniques.
Biopsychosocial Foundations and Professional Knowledge for Health Care
This module will use definitions of health as an opportunity to explore concepts of ill-health and then proceed to look at healthcare options for those with health-related issues adopting a biopsychosocial basis. The notion of caring will be explored in light of the patient-centredness and students will also have the provision for use of Simulation Based Education in order to practise a baseline assessment of a patients. The module will also introduce a range of professional, personal, academic and employment-related skills.
Teaching and Assessment
Feel the support of our expert staff
Teaching
You will experience innovative and supportive teaching from our expert, experienced teaching staff, who will help you to achieve your own learning goals.
Teaching will be through lectures, discussion-based seminars, group-work and simulated practice, and you will be supported at every step to make learning an enjoyable experience.
Assessment
Throughout your year of study, you will undertake various practical and theory-based assessments to help you display your development and knowledge.
You will be supported throughout your assessments, with tutors on hand to offer support and guidance to ensure you feel comfortable and confident.
Facilities
Dedicated on-campus facilities designed to help you thrive
Sport, Nursing and Allied Health
The Department of Sport, Nursing and Allied Health is equipped with a range of specialist and sector-standard equipment to help our students to get the best out of their learning.
Sports Therapy and Sport & Exercise Science
Sports laboratories
We have four specialist psychology labs including a virtual reality reader, brain imaging unit and an observation suite.
Sports injury clinic
Sports Therapy students use our specialist injury clinics for practical sessions and to run a practice.
Tudor Hale Centre for Sport
Our Tudor Hale Centre for Sport acts as the focus for sports science, therapy and physiology.
Nursing and Physiotherapy
Flexible teaching space
Our newly opened Nursing building allows you to learn in bright and dedicated flexible teaching spaces.
Physiotherapy clinical teaching space
Our specialist teaching space supports your learning throughout your degree.
Learning and social hub spaces
These give you the opportunity to discuss and debrief following some simulated learning or from your classroom experiences.
Clinical skills and simulation environments
Our six-bed ward, community flat and dedicated consultation room replicate professional spaces.
Learning technology room
Use the latest healthcare technology so you can learn how to increase safely improve outcomes for patients.
Bishop Otter campus
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) contains the library, a caf茅, IT/teaching rooms and the Support and Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Degree Pathways
Open up your opportunities to further study
Flexible progression options
Upon completion of our Foundation Year in Health and Exercise Science, you can progress onto either the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course.
You will have the opportunity to apply for the following courses after a successful interview (for professional programmes) and occupational health and DBS clearances, where appropriate:
- BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
- BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy
Important
The progression on to our BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy and BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy programmes after the Foundation Year requires a full application and you must meet the entry requirements for that course.
You will also need to attend a values-based interview and complete satisfactory occupational health assessment and criminal records check disclosure and barring service (DBS) as a requirement to entry those programmes.
Careers
Prepare for a range of careers
During your time on this course, you will cultivate an elevated level of compassionate leadership, excellent digital literacy skills, resilience and evidence-based knowledge which is person-centred and will prepare you to enter a variety of health and exercise science career paths.
The course prepares you for a range of careers in the health and wellbeing sector, to allow you to help provide the best care, injury management and rehabilitation, and health advice to support people to live healthier and more active lives.
Potential careers include
- Community nurse
- Critical care nurse
- Sports therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Health and exercise practitioner
- Teacher.
Course Costs
Course Fees 2025/26
UK fee
International fee
EU/EEA Fee Reduction Scholarship
EU/EEA students automatically pay the equivalent of UK fees via the EU/EEA Fee Reduction Scholarship
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.
