Exercise and Health Science
Empower individuals to lead healthier and more active lives: explore the scientific foundations of movement, physical activity, and well-being to enhance individual and community health outcomes.
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: GOS 2025
Develop strong foundations in the sciences of movement, physical activity, and well-being; essential knowledge to enhance individual and community health outcomes.
You’ll gain a clear understanding of the scientific principles connecting exercise, physiological adaptations, disease prevention, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle across the lifespan.
Learning in small class groups, you’ll benefit from individual attention and the specialist facilities available at ARU Peterborough and you’ll apply your learning in practical scenarios and projects.
This course is subject to validation; details may change.
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Develop practical skills in exercise testing, prescription, and health promotion strategies.
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Prepare for a range of careers in the health, fitness and science industries
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Develop valuable knowledge in the fields of exercise science, behavioural science and public health
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Learn in specialist teaching facilities at ARU Peterborough
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Choose full or part-time study
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
Your employability after graduation is central to this course and you will be supported to understand the wealth of graduate opportunities available to you.
You’ll prepare for your future career through a personalised career development planning process including networking events, cv building and interview and communication skills, supporting you to apply for roles in areas such as health promotion, health policy, exercise physiology, community sports/exercise, exercise rehabilitation and data analysis.
Teaching and modules
This course features a range of core modules supporting the four main pillars of Anatomy and Physiology, Research and Academic Skills, Nutrition and Psychology and Behavioural Science. Modules develop across the course, building on prior learning and enhancing your knowledge and understanding as well as practical skills. You will learn to work safely and ethically as an exercise and health scientist.
All modules were designed with industry input and collaboration to provide a wealth of applied knowledge and skills, with the opportunity to specialise in year 2 to enhance your knowledge of either behavioural science and community management, or nutrition and health.
Our teaching is in small groups and we encourage you all to participate, bringing challenge and debate in equal measure. You will get hands on experience working with members of the public Staff are readily available between lectures to discuss your learning and support needs.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Maths for Biosciences (15 credits)
- Academic Skills for Exercise and Health Science (30 credits)
- General Microbiology
- Health, Fitness and Training (30 credits)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Epidemiology and Physical Activity (15 credits)
- Applied Physiology (30 credits)
- Research in Exercise and Health Science (30 credits)
- Behavioural Science for Exercise and Health (15 credits) *
- Metabolism and its Control *
- Nutrition, Health and Disease (15 credits) *
- Healthy Spaces (15 credits) *
- The Science of Aging (30 credits)
- Clinical Exercise Prescription (30 credits)
- Contemporary Issues in Exercise and Health (30 credits)
- Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits) *
- Undergraduate Placement Project (30 credits) *
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr William HumphriesSenior lecturer, Course Director
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Andi SeagoSenior Lecturer Practitioner
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Dr Ian TennantLecturer in Biomedical Science
Facilities
You’ll learn in our specialist biomedical sciences lab, category 2 microbiology lab and tissue-culture lab.
These are some of the newest facilities in the country, equipped with the latest industry-standard equipment, ensuring you graduate well-used to the kit used in employers’ labs.