Skip to main content

Health, Nutrition, Performance and Coaching - Certificate of Higher Education*

Summary

Are you passionate about sport, health and helping others achieve their potential? The Cert HE in Health, Nutrition, Performance and Coaching at B&FC is your gateway to a dynamic career in the health and fitness industry. This exciting one-year programme blends scientific theory with hands-on practice, preparing you to make a real impact in community wellbeing, sports coaching and personal training.

You’ll explore the foundations of human anatomy, nutrition, biomechanics and coaching, while developing the professional behaviours and academic skills needed to thrive in higher education and the workplace. Delivered by expert tutors and aligned with industry standards, this course is ideal for aspiring coaches, fitness professionals and health advocates looking to kickstart their journey.

Whether you're progressing from college, changing careers, or returning to education, this qualification opens doors to employment, further study, and specialisation in areas such as strength and conditioning, nutrition, and high-performance sport.

  • Course code TH1HE0011
  • UCAS code C691
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Tuesday
  • Time 09:00 - 18:00

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
07 Sep 2026
University Centre
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Sports coach, health and wellbeing practitioner, fitness manager, event coordinator, or progression to Level 5 FdSc.
In detail:
Graduates of the Cert HE can enter roles in coaching, fitness, and community health or progress to the Foundation Degree (Level 5) in Health, Nutrition, Performance and Coaching. This qualification provides a strong foundation for careers in personal training, sports development, and health promotion, and sets the stage for specialisation in elite sport, nutrition, or education.

Next steps at B&FC

FdSc - Health, Nutrition, Performance and Coaching

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Cert HE can enter roles in coaching, fitness, and community health or progress to the Foundation Degree (Level 5) in Health, Nutrition, Performance and Coaching. This qualification provides a strong foundation for careers in personal training, sports development, and health promotion, and sets the stage for specialisation in elite sport, nutrition, or education

Key information

Entry Requirements

  • 64 UCAS points (e.g. two A-Levels or Level 3 BTEC in Sport or related subject)
  • Access to HE Diploma (minimum 64 UCAS points)
  • Applications from mature students and those with relevant experience are warmly welcomed
  • GCSE English Language at grade C/4 or above
  • GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above is advantageous
  • IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5) for non-native English speakers 

 

Qualification obtained

Health, Nutrition, Performance and Coaching - Certificate of Higher Education*

Fees and funding

Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding, including additional financial support for those on low incomes, with dependent children or adults or with disabiltiies.

Extra costs and equipment

All students are expected to provide their own stationery for taking notes during lectures and tutorials. Having access to your own PC or laptop is advantageous, but students can access these facilities onsite and can arrange to borrow a college laptop as required.

There is also the option to purchase B&FC-branded sports kit from £63.30, but this is not a mandatory requirement.

What will I learn?

What will I learn?

Modules/Subjects Covered 

  • Health-Based Nutrition
  • Skill Acquisition
  • Fundamental Principles of Human Movement and Performance
  • Introduction to Strength and Conditioning
  • Academic Study, Professional Skills and Career Development 

 

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

Industry Placement and Field Trips
While there is no formal placement at Level 4, students will engage in practical coaching and lab-based activities with real clients and athletes. Educational trips may be offered to industry events such as CIMSPA and ELEVATE.

Please note: educational trips may incur additional costs, which vary annually depending on the event and location

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Health Based Nutrition TH4MD0013 20 No
    Strength and Conditioning Practice TH4MD0014 20 No
    Fundamental Principles of Human Movement and Performance TH4MD0015 20 No
    Introduction to Strength and Conditioning TH4MD0016 30 No
    Academic Study Professional Skills and Career Development TH4MD0017 20 No

How will I learn?

You’ll attend one full day per week (9am–6:30pm) for on-campus learning, including lectures, seminars, workshops and practical sessions. You will also be expected to undertaken 6–8 hours of independent study weekly, supported by digital platforms and our Learning Resource Centres.

Different teaching methods are employed to ensure that material is accessible to all students with a range of different learning styles. During sessions, students will have the opportunity to access one-to-one support and receive feedback on their progress allowing them to continuously improve their performance during the course.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 240 0 0
Independent 844 0 0
Placement 0 0 0
Total 1084 0 0

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Methods
The course is assessed via a mix of coursework, practical assessments, presentations and written exams. These include:

  • Nutrition report and presentation
  • Coaching session design and delivery
  • Biomechanical analysis using digital tools
  • Strength and conditioning consultation and session delivery
  • Academic portfolio and career development plan 

Assessments are designed to reflect real-world tasks and promote reflective practice, critical thinking, and professional communication.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 52% 0% 0%
Exam 4% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%