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HNC in Sport & Exercise Science

Develop your skills in sport, fitness, and coaching for a career in the health and wellbeing sector.

Course overview

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) in Sport & Exercise Science is ideal if you want to deepen your knowledge of the sports and fitness industry and progress into employment or further higher education.

This course provides a broad foundation in areas such as anatomy and physiology, sports psychology, coaching, performance analysis and training principles. You will develop both practical skills and theoretical understanding that can be applied in real-world settings, preparing you for a wide range of careers in coaching, fitness, sport development and health and wellbeing.

What will I do?

You will build advanced knowledge and hands-on skills designed to support progression into the sport, fitness and wellbeing industries. You can choose a specialist pathway depending on your interests and career goals.

Coaching Science pathway modules include:

  • Contemporary Issues in Coaching
  • Advanced Coaching
  • Talent Identification and Development
  • Innovation in Coaching
  • Leadership and Management
  • Performance Analysis
  • Research Project

Exercise, Health & Lifestyle pathway modules include:

  • Exercise Prescription
  • Sport Rehabilitation
  • Contemporary Issues in Health
  • Health and Community Engagement
  • Strength and Conditioning for Coaching
  • Sport and Exercise for Specific Groups
  • Research Project

You will also have opportunities to gain practical experience by:

  • Working with the college Football Academy
  • Supporting local sports clubs
  • Applying coaching and performance analysis in real-world environments

What’s next?

After completing the HND you can:

  • Progress to the final year of a related university degree
  • Move into careers in sports coaching, personal training, sports development or health and wellbeing roles
  • Undertake further professional qualifications within the sport and fitness industry
  • Build the experience needed to work freelance or start your own fitness or coaching business

Is it for me?

This course is suitable if you:

  • Enjoy problem-solving and creative thinking
  • Work well both independently and as part of a team
  • Are adaptable, resilient and proactive in your learning
  • Have strong communication skills
  • Are passionate about helping others improve their health, fitness and wellbeing
  • Want a career in sport, exercise or coaching

Entry requirements

You will normally need:

  • An HNC in Sport & Exercise Science or a closely related qualification
  • GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent

Assessment methods are varied and designed to reflect real industry skills, including:

  • Examinations
  • Written assignments
  • Presentations
  • Practical observations
  • Portfolios of work

Your progress will be reviewed through:

  • Attendance at lectures and practical sessions
  • Completion of coursework and assessments
  • Regular one-to-one tutor meetings

This is a full-time course and typically includes:

  • Around 14 hours per week in college, usually across two full days and one half day
  • Approximately 20 hours per week of independent study, placements or coursework preparation

There are a variety of ways in which you can get help with fees and funding while studying. Get advice on applying for funding and assessing your eligibility for financial aid here.

This course attracts funding for eligible students, so please check with the admissions team about your own circumstances. 

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Fees subject to OfS approval

For detailed information on funding options and bursaries, please visit our Funding and Financial Support page.

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