4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
The Sport Science, Health and Nutrition with Foundation Year at NTU is designed for students who want to build their confidence in science before moving into a full degree. It’s a great fit if you’re passionate about health, fitness, and wellbeing, and want to understand how exercise and nutrition work together to improve lives.
Curriculum Structure
Foundation Year
You’ll start with the essentials — exploring human anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and psychology, while also building your academic and research skills. Modules such as Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology, Food and Healthy Eating, and Psychology of Health and Wellbeing prepare you for the more advanced study that follows.
Year 1: Building the Foundations
Your first year lays the groundwork in sport, health, and nutrition. You’ll study modules like Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology to understand the body’s systems, Psychology of Health and Wellbeing to explore how exercise affects mental and physical health, and Sport and Exercise Nutrition to learn how to fuel performance effectively. This year combines theory with hands-on experience to set you up for more advanced study.
Year 2: Developing Skills and Knowledge
In the second year, you’ll go deeper into applied sport science. Modules like Fitness, Training, and Testing teach you how to assess and improve fitness, Sociology of Sport, Health and the Body explores how society influences health and sport, and Professional Skills for Sport and Exercise Science helps you build skills for careers and professional growth. This year emphasizes practical experience alongside academic learning.
Year 3: Specialization and Research
Your final year is about applying everything you’ve learned and exploring your interests in depth. You’ll take modules such as Integrated Applied and Professional Skills to understand research in the field, Practical Applications in Sport and Exercise Psychology to apply psychological principles to real-world contexts, and complete a Dissertation on a topic you’re passionate about. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge, practical skills, and research experience to make an impact in sport and health.
Focus areas: Exercise physiology, Applied nutrition, Sport performance, Health promotion, Behaviour change, Research methods
Learning outcomes: Understand how diet and exercise impact the body, design and evaluate health programmes, gain lab and fieldwork skills, and develop critical thinking for professional practice
Professional alignment (accreditation): Opportunity to achieve CIMSPA Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer qualifications alongside your degree, giving you extra career recognition.
Reputation (employability rankings): NTU is ranked Top 20 in the UK for Sport Science teaching quality (Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024). Graduates go on to roles with the NHS, Nuffield Health, local councils, and sports organisations.
At Nottingham Trent University, this program isn’t just about lectures—it’s about learning by doing. Students gain hands-on experience through modern labs, real-world projects, and placements that prepare them for careers in sport, health, and nutrition. Whether it’s testing athletic performance, analyzing movement, or designing nutrition plans, you’ll be using professional tools and working in environments that mirror the industry.
Here’s how NTU helps you put theory into practice:
Sport and Exercise Laboratories: Work in fully equipped labs to assess fitness, analyze exercise, and apply your knowledge in a practical setting.
Environmental Chamber: Simulate different climates to see how conditions affect performance—just like real athletes experience.
Performance Analysis and Nutrition Suite: Study nutrition strategies and measure athletic performance in a professional environment.
Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology Labs: Learn how bodies move and respond to exercise using advanced technology.
Sport and Wellbeing Academy: Get involved in community health projects and improve wellbeing while gaining hands-on experience.
Work Placements: Gain real-world experience with schools, sports teams, and health centers to apply your skills outside the classroom.
Live Industry Projects: Collaborate with professionals on current challenges, building problem-solving and teamwork skills.
CIMSPA Personal Trainer Qualification: Earn a recognized fitness industry qualification alongside your degree.
At NTU, you’ll graduate not only with knowledge but also with the confidence and practical skills to step straight into the sport science and health sector.
Graduates from this program leave NTU ready to make an impact in the health, fitness, and sports sectors. With a strong mix of academic knowledge, practical skills, and industry experience, you’ll be prepared for roles such as:
Sports Nutritionist – advising athletes and teams on nutrition to boost performance
Health Promotion Specialist – designing programs that improve community health and wellbeing
Exercise Physiologist – assessing physical health and developing exercise plans
Sports Coach or Trainer – coaching athletes at different levels and helping them reach their potential
To support your career journey, NTU offers several resources and opportunities:
Employability Team – specialist careers advice, CV support, interview prep, and job-hunting guidance
Work Placements – over 25 health and sports organizations, including Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottingham City Council, provide real-world experience
CIMSPA Personal Trainer Qualification – earn an industry-recognized certification alongside your degree
Industry Endorsement – the program is accredited by the British Dietetic Association’s Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR), giving your qualification long-term professional value
Further Academic Progression:
After completing your degree, you could continue your studies by pursuing:
Postgraduate Programs – master’s degrees in areas like Sports Nutrition, Exercise Science, or Public Health to specialize and enhance career prospects
Professional Certifications – joining professional bodies such as the British Association for Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) can open doors to advanced roles in sport science and health
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