Sport and Fitness BSc (Hons)
Course code C600
What is special about this course?
The BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness is designed to be a diverse sport and fitness qualification with a focus on practical application of skills that enables you to put theory into practice.
This course will provide scientific underpinning knowledge and technical skills in this specialist field, as well as a solid formation for a career in the sport and fitness industry.
Special features
- A key feature of this programme is the opportunity to personalise your own modules for any sport or physical activity you are interested in, allowing you to build a strong portfolio of personal interest areas.
- You will also focus on the practical application of skills enabling you to put what you have learned into practice and develop relevant job skills.
- A large number of volunteering opportunities are available which will support you in building strong vocational experiences alongside your academic profile
- The university is a Higher Education Associate Partner with CIMSPA and the BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness is a named Associated Course. The partnership also offers many benefits for students studying this course. We are one of only two institutions in Scotland to hold this.
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above OR
- 2 A Levels at grade BC or above
- Applicants without the standard entry requirements but with relevant industry qualifications will be considered on an individual basis
- Advanced entry to year 2 may be possible if you have completed a relevant HNC such as HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise or HNC Sports Coaching and Development, or equivalent
- Advanced entry to year 3 may be possible if you have completed the HND Fitness Health and Exercise or HND Sports Coaching and Development, or equivalent
- This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
- You must also attend an interview
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
For International students requiring Student Route sponsorship
Please note that international students with a Student Route visa can only take part in sports activities or as part of a work placement, as an amateur and not as a professional or semi-professional. You will not be allowed to become a member of a professional sports association while a student. This is due to ‘professional sportsperson’ restrictions imposed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as outlined in their Student Route Policy Guidance.
Year 1 - CertHE
Core modules are:
- Human structure and function
- Professional skills and knowledge
- Mechanics of human movement
- Principles of sport and exercise psychology
- Practical exercise instruction
- Introduction to sports coaching and leadership
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following core modules:
- Introduction to research methods
- Sport and exercise physiology
- Nutrition for performance and health
- Movement analysis
Plus two option modules, which may include:
- Physical activity and health
- Applied coaching and leadership
- Work placement 1 – team working and communication
- Principles of sport and exercise psychology
Year 3 - BSc
You will study the following two core modules:
- The professional practitioner – ethics, policy and practice
- Research methods (sport and fitness)
You will also choose one further module from the following:
- Design, manage and evaluate human fitness and physical performance
- Work placement: industry-specific skills
Plus three option modules which may include:
- Applied sport and exercise psychology
- Sport and exercise science: a critical analysis
- Sport nutrition and dietary considerations
- Strength and conditioning
- Analysing physical activity, lifestyle and adherence
Year 4 - BSc (Hons)
You will choose two of the following core modules:
- Advanced applications of coaching and instruction
- Delivering physical activities and sport development programmes
- Work placement: professional practice
Plus two option modules from the following:
- Physical activity for all
- Sports and exercise psychology
- Sports and exercise rehabilitation
- Legal issues in sport and fitness
- Small business planning
You must also complete a dissertation.
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn through a combination of practical sessions, group-working, face-to-face and video conference lectures in the classroom as well as individual online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), supported by tutors and classmates
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years
- Part-time: 8 years
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness - years 3 and 4 only**
- Moray - years 2, 3 and 4 only*
- Perth - years 1, 3 and 4 only**
*For year 1 study at Inverness and Moray, please see HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise or HNC Sports Coaching and Development.
**For year 2 study at Inverness and Perth, please see HND Fitness, Health and Exercise or HND Sports Coaching and Development.
Start date
- September
- January (part-time study only)
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Study Mode | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
---|---|---|
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £645 | £915 |
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £215 | £305 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, studying full time, the following fees apply:
Year | Level | 2022-23 Full-time | 2023-24 Full-time |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £4,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Year | Level | 2022-23 Full-time | With scholarship | 2023-24 Full-time | With scholarship |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | CertHE | £14,310 | £10,310 | £15,360 | £11,360 |
Year 2 | DipHE | £14,310 | £10,310 | £15,360 | £11,360 |
Year 3 | Degree | £14,310 | £10,310 | £15,360 | £11,360 |
Year 4 | Honours | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
Study Mode | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
---|---|---|
Full-time per year (120 credit modules) per year | £14,310 | £15,360 |
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,155 | £7,680 |
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,385 | £2,560 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
It is highly recommended that you invest in your own career development by making an allowance for the following:
- Purchase of our branded polo/t-shirt (approximately £23)
- Membership of the CIMSPA - £5
- Cost of any vocational qualifications, approx £200, although these costs will vary depending on your specialism
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers as:
- Active schools co-ordinator
- Sports development officer
- Health promotions officer
- Physical activity initiative officer
- Research officer
- Project officer PCS and school sport lecturer
- Programme administration and liaison manager
- Policy officer (health inequalities programme)
There are opportunities in local authorities, national governing bodies (NGBs), small businesses, private sector, self-employment and voluntary organisations.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
The course has provided me with lots of coaching opportunities, including working with Inverness Swimming Club and Inverness Caledonian Thistle (under 18s). This enabled me to become a fitness instructor during my studies and has been invaluable to my improvement as a coach. The level of support from lecturers has been fantastic and has really enhanced my learning experience as there’s always someone to turn to for feedback and guidance.
Ally Velzian graduated with a BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness in October 2019, having started on our HNC Coaching and Developing Sport. He’s gone on to study at postgraduate level.
My work placement at the climbing wall at Inverness Leisure Centre gave me the opportunity to work more with the general public and led to me setting up my own performance climbing coaching company, Team Langland Coaching (TLC). At TLC I mentor and train a thriving and expanding group of young, aspirational climbers. I’m also one of the lead climbing coaches for the Scottish Youth Climbing Team which is a role I hope to develop more.
Pete Langlands graduated with first class honours from the BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness at our UHI Inverness campus.
What makes the course special is the small class sizes and the way you can build up good relationships with the lecturers. They are very supportive and easy to communicate with. The course is ideal for opening your eyes to the different opportunities sport and fitness has to offer. It’s a great pathway to my future career.
Iona Campbell is on the BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness at our Perth College UHI campus.
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Thank you for your interest in studying Sport and Fitness BSc (Hons) with us.
If you are ready to apply, please start your application below by selecting when you would like to start your course. This will take you to the UCAS website or our online application system.
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