Health, Nutrition and Movement - 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.
This course is currently Subject to Validation. For more information please visit our Subject to Validation, Revalidation and Approval page.
- 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
|
Before applying, please check whether you meet the entry requirements under 'Key Information' for this course. Don't hesitate to call us on 01253 504343 if you need assistance.
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 and Movement - 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.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institute: N/A
Awarding Body: The University of Lancaster
Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)
Terms and conditions
Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.
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
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
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?
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.
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 52% | 0% | 0% |
| Exam | 4% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 0% | 0% | 0% |