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Career in Sports

Health, Nutrition and Movement - Foundation Degree*

Summary

Take your knowledge further and apply it in real settings. The FdSc develops movement science, performance monitoring and analysis, inclusive coaching and leadership, and research skills. 

With over 40 hours of embedded work‑based learning, you’ll work with clients, athletes and community partners while using modern tools to collect and interpret data. 

The course is mapped to CIMSPA standards and builds a clear pathway towards advanced practitioner roles.

  • Course code TH1HE0012
  • UCAS code C692
  • Duration 2 Years
  • Day/s of week Thursday
  • Time 09:00 - 18:00

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
07 Sep 2026
University Centre
2 Years

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Roles include wellness coach, athlete coach/trainer, sports development officer, community health practitioner or fitness manager. Progress to the BSc (Hons) Top‑Up to specialise and advance.

The foundation degree prepares you for roles spanning coaching, fitness and health settings, including community health and wellbeing delivery, sports development and leadership roles within leisure/fitness environments. It also provides a clear progression route to the BSc (Hons) Top‑Up, where you can specialise in mental health/resilience, specialist population practice, advanced professional identity and independent research through the dissertation.

Next steps at B&FC

Personal trainer, wellness coach, sports development officer, nutrition advisor, or progression to Level 6 BSc Top-Up.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the FdSc are well-prepared for careers in coaching, fitness, nutrition, and community health. You’ll be equipped to work in gyms, schools, sports clubs and health organisations, This qualification also supports progression to postgraduate study and professional accreditation.

Key information

Entry Requirements

GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 (or Functional Skills Level 2).

HNC (Level 4, 120 credits) in a relevant subject (e.g., Community Sport and Physical Activity — PASS) or other sport‑related HNC (subject to suitability review).

CertHE (Level 4, 120 credits) in sport/coaching/health/fitness/nutrition (subject to suitability review).

Recognition of prior learning/experience may be considered via APL/APEL/RPEL processes.

Qualification obtained

Health, Nutrition and Movement - Foundation Degree*

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 disabilties.

Extra costs and equipment

  • You’ll need regular access to a laptop/PC.
  • Optional B&FC sports kit from £63.30 may help for practical sessions.
  • If trips are offered, costs will be confirmed in advance (most learning is local).

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

At Level 5, the programme includes 40+ hours of embedded work‑based learning within practical modules to ensure authentic experience with clients/athletes/community projects.

 

  • 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
  • Modules at level 5

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Monitoring and Evaluating Health and Performance TH5MD0025 30 No
    Skill Acquisition TH5MD0026 30 No
    Applied Coaching Pedagogies and Leadership TH5MD0027 20 No
    Research Methods TH5MD0028 20 No
    Movement Science for Health and Exercise TH5MD0029 20 No

How will I learn?

You’ll attend one full day per week (typically 9am–5pm) with lectures, seminars and practical workshops, supported by Canvas. Expect around 8–10 hours of independent study weekly, plus 40+ hours work‑based learning at Level 5.

Delivery blends face‑to‑face teaching (lectures, seminars, workshops and practical/lab activity) with digital support via Canvas. You typically attend one day per week and complete around 8–10 hours independent study weekly. At Level 5, work‑based learning (40+ hours) is embedded within modules, enabling you to apply monitoring, movement science, coaching and leadership skills in real settings while developing professional behaviours aligned to industry expectations.

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?

Assessment includes reports, essays and research portfolios, plus practical coaching assessments, data presentations and professional discussions—designed to mirror real workplace tasks.

  • Monitoring and Evaluating Health and Performance (30 credits)
  • Skill Acquisition (30 credits)
  • Applied Coaching Pedagogies and Leadership (20 credits)
  • Research Methods (20 credits)
  • Movement Science for Health and Exercise (20 credits) 

Assessment is authentic and practice‑based, using written coursework (reports/essays/research portfolios) and practical assessment (coaching delivery, workshops, presentations and professional discussion). Level 5 assessment includes needs analysis and performance analysis presentation, coaching session delivery and group discussion, coach education workshop plus analytical/reflective writing, qualitative and quantitative research portfolios, and data interpretation presentation plus biomechanical analysis plan.

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 52% 56% 0%
Exam 4% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%