Overview
How will I study?
This Foundation Degree takes a hands-on-approach to learning, through theoretical and practical based sessions, workshops, group work and presentations. You will also benefit from visits and guest lecturers.
The second-year employability skills module will provide a professional setting, allowing you to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired from the degree.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment methods include practical assessments, case studies, poster presentations, work placements, reflective writing, personal development planning, exams, written assignments and a research seminar/conference presentation.
Who will be teaching me?
You will be taught by highly qualified and enthusiastic lecturers, with a wide range of interests reflecting all areas of exercise, health and fitness and industry experience in both the public and private sector.
In addition, visiting speakers assist in the delivery of the degree, often providing novel approaches to, or presenting unique aspects of particular subjects.
Entry Criteria
Entry Requirements
For 2021 entry, you will need 80 UCAS Tariff points.
Some typical examples of how you can achieve 80 UCAS Tariff points are detailed below:
- A levels - CDD
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma - Merit, Merit, Pass (MMP)
- Access to Higher Education Diploma - 45 credits at Level 3, for example 15 credits at Distinction, 0 credits for Merit and 30 credits for Pass. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.
Prior Learning and Experience
University Centre St Helens intends to recruit students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.
Additional Entry Requirements
All suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. This is designed to be an informal meeting, providing you with the opportunity to see if this degree is suitable for your needs. It will also provide an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your career interests with the Programme Leader.
Information for International Applicants
If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.
Year 1
Modules
SS4901 Anatomy for Exercise (20 credits)
This module provides you with an in-depth understanding of how the musculoskeletal system operates and interacts during exercise. This will allow you to analyse joint movement and muscle activation for a diverse range of resistance based exercises.
SS4902 Health-Related Fitness (20 credits)
This module introduces you to the components that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. It will provide a brief overview of the relationships between exercise, health and fitness and the amounts of exercise recommended to positively incur health benefits.
Additionally, the module will teach you how to conduct a comprehensive health screening analysis via effective interviewing.
You will also develop the practical skills required to conduct a range of fitness tests to ascertain a client's current health status, risk classification and readiness to exercise by comparing test results to normative values.
Throughout the module, you will develop an evaluative and critical approach to fitness testing by recognising the benefits and limitations of selected tests so that accurate interpretation and appropriate client feedback can be provided.
SS4903 Introduction to Research Methods (20 credits)
This module introduces you to research methods, specifically in relation to exercise. You will explore descriptive methods of data collection, presentation and analysis, whilst understanding methods of report writing. The module will place a strong emphasis on the basic principles of qualitative and quantitative research methods and experimental design and in what contexts such methods can be applied.
There will also be an introduction to the purpose of research, searching and reviewing primary and secondary research literature, data analysis and also how to construct a formal report.
Introduction to Public Health and Promotion (20 credits)
This module will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the key determinants of health at both an individual level and in the wider societal context.
You will explore the strategies used to address public health issues with a focus on specific interventions to improve health, whilst gaining an understanding of trends of ill health in the UK and the determinants of ill health (including, socio-economic, lifestyle and environmental). Ethical issues in Public Health regarding individual rights, the role and responsibility of government and business will also be examined.
As part of this module, the role of psychology and models of behaviour change will be introduced to enable an understanding and appreciation of how such models can be used to influence lifestyle behaviours.
Exercise Physiology (20 credits)
This module has been designed to provide you with knowledge and understanding of physiology and how it relates to exercise, placing a strong emphasis on the practical application of testing physiological aspects of fitness for the purpose of prescribing effective exercise. Being able to accurately assess the fitness level of an individual for health and sport/exercise purposes is fundamental to effective exercise prescription.
The module also explores how the energy systems operate and interact during modes of exercise of differing intensity and duration.
Additionally, you will work towards gaining the theoretical knowledge of how the body's cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular systems respond to both acute and chronic exercise training. This will enable you to provide advice and guidance to clients as to the expected benefits that can be achieved via regular cardiorespiratory and resistance exercise.
Fitness Instruction and Exercise Prescription (20 credits)
During this module, you will be introduced to the components and principles of exercise and fitness to show how regular exercise and physical activity can be used to improve health and specific fitness parameters.
The module will have a strong practical focus to develop the skills required to plan and deliver gym-based exercise programmes. This will include the use of cardiovascular machines, resistance machines, free weights and other types of equipment within the gym environment.
You will also learn how to plan long-term progressive exercise and physical activity programmes for clients to encourage adherence and independence.
Year 2
Modules
Nutrition for Health and Exercise (20 credits)
This module aims to provide an understanding of the principles of nutrition so that you are equipped with the knowledge and skills to conduct a basic nutritional assessment in order to provide safe and practical nutritional recommendations for health and exercise.
You will also explore current recommended guidelines for healthy eating and topics such as food labelling, and food marketing terminology will be critically examined. The issue of weight management will be addressed, including dietary approaches, the influence of genetics, the obesogenic environment, lifestyle behaviour and the role of physical activity.
Role of the Personal Trainer (20 credits)
This module has been designed to incorporate the Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training qualification. This qualification is widely recognised across the fitness industry and is becoming the minimum standard to gain employment within the sector relating to fitness. This integration aims to provide you with the theoretical knowledge, understanding and hands-on skills applicable to the role of personal training.
The module places a strong emphasis on the practical application of effective health screening, lifestyle analysis, goal setting, fitness testing and exercise programming and delivery. You will develop knowledge of advanced exercise techniques and methods to devise training programmes tailored to individual needs and different abilities.
Further Research Methods (20 credits)
This module has been designed to build on your knowledge and understanding of research methodology studied at Level 4. The content and application of the module will provide you with the skills to plan for your dissertation at Level 6 whilst also meeting the assessment requirements of Level 5. This will be achieved through the planning of an initial research proposal which will be developed throughout Level 5 study.
The module will cover ethical considerations for conducting research, how to effectively review the relevant literature, data analysis for both qualitative and quantitative research and the structuring of an appropriate research proposal. As part of the module assessment, you will have the opportunity to present your research proposals at a student conference, where you will discuss your proposals with academic staff and selected student groups.
Health and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)
The importance of psychology, in relation to the factors that influence health and exercise, has become increasingly more evident in recent decades. This module has been designed to provide you with the opportunity to build on the psychological models introduced at Level 4 of the degree.
Further understanding of psychological models that relate specifically to health behaviour will be developed and you will have the chance to appraise and implement strategies for promoting behaviour change and motivating individuals to engage in regular exercise. Additionally, theories of stress and how the condition can be managed psychologically will be examined.
Health Perspectives and Physical Activity Interventions (20 credits)
This module will focus on the relationship between physical activity and health -specifically, the epidemiology of physical activity and fitness with an emphasis on coronary heart disease (CHD), obesity and diabetes will be examined.
Quantitative aspects of health-enhancement will be explored to help understand the dose-response relationship, in regards to the potential of regular physical activity and exercise to offset disease. Additionally, the module will also review current interventions for promoting physical activity and health with an emphasis on local strategies including exercise referral schemes, leisure activities and community-based interventions.
Employability Skills for Exercise, Health and Fitness (20 credits)
This module builds on and facilitates the application of skills studied at Level 4. It is designed to further develop those attributes needed to be successful in the world of work. This is achieved through experiential learning via the completion of a compulsory work placement.
Ideally, you will negotiate and secure a work placement in an area that you have a keen interest in as a career goal. The module places a strong emphasis on independent learning and engagement with employers and being accountable.
Integral to the module is the requirement for you to effectively reflect on your practice in the workplace, in order to identify, action and develop your skills set to enhance employment opportunities.
Careers and Progression Routes
Career Prospects
This Foundation Degree will provide a platform for entry into a number of career pathways in the health and fitness industry.
Previous students have progressed into diverse careers upon completion of their studies including personal training, gym management, public health, lifestyle specialists, exercise referral specialists, sports coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, PE teaching and community health improvement.
Progression Routes
As well as providing a platform for entry into the exercise, health and fitness industry, this degree also offers the opportunity to progress on to the third year of the BSc (Hons) Physical Activity and Health at the University of Chester.
To progress on to the BSc (Hons), a new application will need to be made.
Typical Careers
As a graduate, you can choose to enter a range of professions, potentially seeking employment as a:
- Personal Trainer
- Health Club Manager
- Health and Wellbeing Adviser
- Nutrition Adviser
Finance
Full-time
For 2021 entry, tuition fees for full-time study are £7,750 per year.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available in our University Centre St Helens Policies and Procedures section.
For more in-depth information on the application process, please visit our guidance page.
Financial Support
Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
Study Enhancement Gift
All new, first year (level 4), full-time undergraduates studying a qualifying Foundation Degree, Bachelor Degree or Higher National Diploma at University Centre St Helens, will receive a non-repayable Study Enhancement Gift up to the value of £400. This could be a specific gift, such as a laptop, or subject specific equipment, extra qualifications or trips and visits.
For more information, visit our Study Enhancement Gift page.
Additional Costs
| Optional Items |
Estimated Costs |
| Travel to course related work placements, work experience, voluntary work or site visits. |
Variable dependent on the distance travelled and the method of transportation. |
| Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. |
Students are required to undertake a formal work placement whilst on their course. Dependant on the nature of the placement, a DBS check may be required. Approximate cost - £44. |
| Costs of obtaining medical or other evidence to support applications for extenuating circumstance applications relating to assessments |
Eg. Medical certificate/letter - £10 each |
| Printing costs eg. electronic books, journals, reports, course materials and other course documents. |
The FdSc will incur consumable costs throughout the academic year. Journal access is provided through the University of Chester. Library access to both University Centre St Helens and the University of Chester is available to students. |
| Trips |
Travel and entry costs e.g. optional trip to Amsterdam for Bodyworks Anatomy exhibition. |
| Equipment |
Students who enrol on the FdSc are expected to provide their own practical kit to participate in fitness testing sessions and gym-based practical activities. |
| Vocational additional qualifications |
Whilst studying the FdSc, students also have the opportunity to achieve the Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training. Approximate cost is £500. |
| Volunteering opportunities for additional personal development |
Variable depending on type of activity. |
Apply
How to Apply
Apply online through UCAS using institution code S51 and course code C610.
Visit Us
We are more than happy to arrange a visit to University Centre St Helens, where you will have the opportunity to speak to our lecturers, tour our campus and facilities and discuss your finance options. Get in touch with our Enquiries Team, using the contact details below, to arrange a visit.
Request a Higher Education Guide
Get an overview of the benefits of studying at University Centre St Helens and explore our full range of degrees before you apply. You can view and download our Higher Education Guide by visiting this section.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about this degree or would like to arrange a visit to University Centre St Helens, please contact:
Tel: 0800 99 66 99
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