Falling within the Applied Sports Science Area, along with our BSc (Hons) in Sports Development, Sports Coaching and Sport & Exercise Science, our Fitness & Health degree focuses in on the issues, processes and skills required to increase the fitness and health of all people within the wider community.

The word ‘Applied’ in the Subject Area title is very much in evidence as the various modules of study are centred on practical applications to real people in the community at large.

There are two entry points to Fitness & Health, either direct into Year One of the Honours Degree Programme, or via the School of Health & Bioscience Extended Degree Programme, which offers an additional ‘access-type’ Foundation Year, before proceeding on to the Honours Programme. This Extended Degree is aimed at those candidates currently lacking the necessary Honours entry requirements, as well as those who need an extra year to develop their skills and confidence before commencing the Honours Programme.

The 'Applied' nature of the Programmes means that there is a constant focus on ensuring that our students develop the necessary knowledge, skills and experience required to be attractive to potential employers at the end of the Programme. The ways in which we achieve this are by;

• Developing broad-based, up-to-date subject knowledge
• Developing strong 'people' skills - e.g. communication/presentation skills
• Developing relevant work skills - e.g. fitness assessment, use of information & communication technologies
• Developing an increasing range of opportunities to gain additional, vocationally-related qualifications - e.g. the UEL/PEA Certificate in Exercise & Health Studies
• Developing external contacts with people working in the industry to deliver presentations, provide 'live' case studies and to provide work placement opportunities

The Honours Programme is for 3 years and has both a full-time and a part-time mode of study available. The Extended Degree route takes 4 years and, again, may be studied either full- or part-time. On completion of the Foundation Year, students progress on to the First Year of the Honours Programme.

The First Year of the Honours Programme is common between Fitness & Health and the three other Applied Sports Science Programmes. This allows students to make their final choice of programme at the end of that first year. It also allows students to acquire the basic grounding in a variety of programme ‘themes’ so that they can keep their options as open as possible in the second and third years.

The Second and Third Years of the Honours Programme are made up of a mixture of Core (i.e. Compulsory) and Optional Modules. The options can come from the full list of modules offered by the Subject Area, including those modules core to the other programmes.

The Programme Area as a whole seeks to use a wide range of teaching and learning methods so as to reflect the range of ways that different students learn. The methods used include;

• Work-Based Learning
• Coaching Practicals
• Case Studies/Problem Solving
• Student-led research activity
• Group work/discussions
• Information & Communication Technology applications
• Visits/Observations
• Guest Speakers
• Seminars

The facilities used include our Human Physiology and Biomechanics Laboratories, Newham Leisure Centre, as well as specialist facilities operated by partner organisations, such as the Docklands Water-sports Centre.

If examinations are your least favourite thing then do not fear! Though we do use examinations as part of assessment they make up less than 20% of the total. To develop the range of skills we require in our graduates, we see it as essential to use a range of relevant, work-related assessment methods. These include;

• Coaching/Leadership Practicals
• Work Placements
• Presentations
• Report writing
• Information Technology applications
• Projects
• Case Studies

The range of assessment methods means that all students get the opportunity to show their existing strengths, whilst developing new ones.

To help everyone develop their confidence in the different assessment methods all of them are used during the First Year when the results do not count towards your final degree classification. The hard task is to ensure that you pass them all! Once into the Second Year, from then on all the assessments will contribute towards your final degree classification, with the greatest weighting attached to your Year Three results.

Whilst all students are encouraged from the start of the Programmes to take every opportunity to gain relevant work experience, whether a formal part of the programme or not, we have identified the need to support this even more.. The Fitness & Health programme includes Work Based Learning Modules as options at both levels two and three. In these students are able to gain substantial work experience as well as credits towards their degree.

The largest piece of work that students carry out on the programme is the final year Project. The topic for this is chosen by the student, in conjunction with the tutor, and is based on the student’s own, original piece of research.

In preparation for this there are a number of modules that include smaller scale project work, either on an individual or group basis. Some lead to written assessments and some to formal presentations, most allow for a high degree of student selection of the topic.

Though we cannot make any promises about getting a job at the end of the programme we know that we will have increased your employability significantly. Our focus not only on the subject knowledge but also the wider skills required in the work place means that you will have a great deal to offer a potential employer.

We will also make full use of our range of local partners to help set up opportunities for students to gain additional qualifications, such as National Governing Body coaching awards.

• Physiology of Sport
• Fitness Assessment
• Sports Nutrition
• Health Promotion
• Working with people from a variety of backgrounds
• The Psychology of Exercise
• Creating opportunities for more people to become/stay fit & healthy

Then the answer is yes.

• Studying in an environment where you are a name and not just a number
• Being encouraged to express your point of view
• Learning from the experiences of your fellow students as well your lecturers
• Mixing with like-minded people from a range of backgrounds
• Being challenged to develop yourself further than you thought you could
• The support of a positive and encouraging staff team

Then the answer is yes.

• A programme that combines class-based study with practical activity
• A programme that looks at fitness & health from the individual level through to issues affecting larger groups within society (e.g. young people, disabled people)
• A programme that looks at the wide range of issues that can impact on people's fitness & health
• A programme that allows you to obtain work experience while you study

Then the answer is yes.

Our Fitness & Health programme has been running for a number of years now and graduates have been very successful in gaining employment or going on to further study in the following areas;

• Fitness Club management
• Personal Trainer
• Fitness Instructor
• Physiotherapist Training
• Health Promotion

The success of our students in the Fitness Industry means that a number of employers are now former students, providing greater recognition in the marketplace, particularly if you take all the opportunities for work experience that you are offered along the way.

All students are allocated a personal tutor to whom individuals may turn with any problems/issues. In addition all module tutors offer additional support outside of the actual teaching periods.

Through the use of study skill modules in the First Year of the programme we aim to help all students make the step up to degree level. This module includes, amongst others, computer skills, report/essay writing, academic referencing, research, including use of the internet, and presentation skills. We also provide additional classes for those students who wish to dedicate more time and effort into developing their academic writing skills as fully as possible.

If any students require further support (e.g. due to dyslexia) then the systems are in place to ensure that the support is available.

Fitness & Health is a growing area both in terms of University study and employment opportunities. Changes are happening fast in the industry and it is an exciting time to be involved. The nature of the programme at UEL and the skills, knowledge and industrial contacts of the staff mean that you will be right at the ‘cutting edge’ of those changes as they occur.