Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
International/EU: £17,155 per year -
How long will I study?
3 / 4 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
6T77
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Transform people’s health through physical activity, exercise and cutting-edge treatments
- Take part in groundbreaking studies to combat diseases and long-term conditions
- Access state-of-the-art equipment at world-leading venues such as the UK Sports Institute
- Apply practical skills and knowledge in exciting real-world projects and placements
- Learn from expert researchers who work with elite athletes, sport organisations and governing bodies.
Discover how physical activity can change lives with our BSc (Hons) Physical Activity, Sport, and Health course while elevating your professional profile with expert understanding and real-world skills.
You will learn from staff who are active in consultancy for physical activity and rehabilitation projects while elevating your professional profile with expert understanding and real-world skills.
Accredited by
The course meets the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity’s professional standards for both Gym Instructor and Working with People with Long Term Conditions. The degree provides the knowledge, application, and skill development to allow students to gain these fitness industry qualifications. The awards are optional, with additional assessments needed to prove that the standards have been met. These fitness qualifications provide many employment options and are also the pre-requisite to Exercise Specialist courses such as Cardiac or Cancer rehabilitation.
Employability
90% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Teaching quality
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
We believe in the power of hands-on engagement – that's why you will have plenty of opportunities to work directly with community groups and clients who have health conditions.
You’ll have access to industry experts who are actively shaping the athletic landscape. Our teachers and staff engage directly with elite-level athletes and organisations, providing you with invaluable connections and insights at the forefront of change.
You learn through:
- Lectures, seminars and workshops
- A virtual learning environment (VLE)
- Work-based learning experiences
- Placements
- Field trips
- Practical activities in both simulated and in-situ environments
- Independent study
- Research opportunities
Key themes
You’ll learn to combat diseases and long-term conditions through the fusion of study and immersive, practical experiences. The topics you will explore range from the impact of sport and physical activity to health promotion, exercise prescription, public health and optimising wellbeing.
You’ll contribute towards the transformative power of physical activity – learning the art of designing and executing dynamic physical activity programmes that can change people's lives. You’ll have the chance to innovate and make a lasting impact, helping to shape a healthier and more vibrant future for individuals and communities alike.
Immerse yourself in groundbreaking studies, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field and staying at the forefront of the latest advancements. Become a skilled consumer of research, critically analysing and interpreting findings. Then step into the role of a research producer – designing and conducting studies that can truly impact the world of physical activity, sport, and health.
Course support
The course is designed to help you demonstrate your learning outcomes – with authentic assessment activities relating to real-world scenarios, your specific goals and your skills development.
Throughout your studies, various individuals will support your learning and target setting – guiding you towards resources for academic, professional and personal development.
These support roles include:
- Course and Module Leaders
- Your Academic Adviser
- Your Student Support Adviser
- Your Employability Adviser
- Central services like counselling, Library and IT
100% of students on this course were satisfied with academic support in the 2024 National Student Survey.
Course leaders and tutors
Hayley Mills
Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Exercise ScienceSenior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements between your second and final years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
You’ll also take on a mandatory short placement (minimum of 120 hours) at the end of your second year of study to further reinforce the critical role of learning through working.
Field trips
On field trips you will be able to understand how your learning is applied first-hand to real-world situations, gaining valuable insight into working practice.
Previous field trips have included visiting the Advanced Wellness Research Centre.
Networking opportunities
Your employability is enhanced by the involvement of employers and industry partners – from the real-world projects you complete to the opportunities to build networks at careers fairs and workshops.
We invite specialist industry experts to deliver guest lectures and share context-specific examples of the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need. And our ties to various sporting organisations and facilities both locally and nationally will give you superb opportunities to gain industry connections as you prepare for your career.
Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Community health roles
- Rehabilitation pathways
- Health and wellbeing
- Public health
- Physical activity referral
- Child and adult weight management
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- Community health organisations
- The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine
- The National Health Service
- Exercise referral programmes
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
Students have access to world-leading facilities and equipment to explore physical activity, sport and health, and help develop their practical skills. Our sport-specific training facilities and research laboratories include:
- The UK Sports Institute
- The Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park
- Physiology and biomechanics labs for movement and physical activity analysis
- A strength and conditioning teaching lab
- A physical activity suite
- A performance analysis suite, video analysis and motion capture
- An environmental chamber
- Sport psychology consultation rooms
Media Gallery
Learn more about your department
Sports Facilities Tour
Take a look around Sheffield Hallam University's sports facilities with Wellbeing, Sport and Physical Activity Officer Ellie.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112- 120
From at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications one of which must be in Physical Education, Sport Studies or a Science subject (such as Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology). We do not accept General Studies . For example:
- BBC-BBB at A Level including relevant subject(s).
- DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject(s).
- Merit overall from a T level qualification from Health or Science qualifiction.
- Distinction overall from a T level qualification from Health care Science.
- A combination of qualifications including relevant subject(s) and may include AS Levels or EPQ.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• Approved Access to HE Diploma in a sport science or science-based course. Normally we require 15 of the level 3 credits to be graded at distinction level with 6 of these distinctions from science units.
You also need to demonstrate an ability to
• study academic subjects at degree level
• debate topics and issues
• draw on conclusions from written material
• study independently as well as a member of a group
• use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods
• successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations
This is normally achieved by completing academic study at level three or above in the last four years.
* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent
• equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Coaching Sport And Physical Activity
Scientific Principles For Health
Scientific Principles For Sport
The Impact Of Sport And Physical Activity
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Living Well With Long-Term Health Conditions
Optimising Wellbeing
Physical Activity And Public Health
Elective modules
Alternative Physical Activities
Analysis Of Sport And Games
Event Management For Sport And Physical Activity
Sport As A Tool For Social Change
Sports Club Development
Sports Facility Management Simulation
Study Abroad - Sport And Physical Activity
Technology For Sport And Physical Activity
Testing And Analysis In Sport And Physical Activity
Year 3
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Exercise For Rehabilitation And Management Of Health
Independent Project In Sport And Physical Activity
Elective modules
Approaches To Talent Development
Coach Education And Development
Economics And Finance Of Sport
Entrepreneurship And Innovation For Sport And Physical Activity
Innovative Practical Pedagogy
Major Sport Events
Nutrition For Sport And Physical Activity
Performance Analysis Of Sport
Programming And Prescription Of Training In Sport And Physical Activity
Psychology Of Sport And Exercise
Sport And The Media
Sport, Brands And Culture
Sport Data Analytics
Sport Injury
Sport Journalism
Teaching As A Profession
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sport and Physical Activity (PDF, 144.2KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
