Health Science

Health science with a focus on nutrition and exercise addresses some of the most pressing concerns in contemporary public health. Lifestyle-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and certain cancers, account for a large and growing proportion of the burden of illness in developed countries, and understanding how nutrition and physical activity affect the body at cellular, organ, and systems levels is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. This degree sits at the intersection of physiology, nutritional science, and exercise science, developing a scientifically rigorous approach to how lifestyle choices shape health outcomes.

At Aberystwyth this three-year full-time programme allows you to explore the progression and treatment of human health, wellbeing, and disease through the study of how cells, organs, and systems function. You will study human physiology, nutritional biochemistry, the effects of exercise on the body, and the evidence base for dietary and physical activity recommendations. The programme develops both your scientific knowledge and your ability to evaluate evidence critically, preparing you to engage with the research literature that underpins practice in nutrition and exercise science.

You will also engage with the broader context of public health, understanding how individual biology interacts with social, economic, and environmental factors to determine health outcomes. This contextual awareness is important for anyone who wants to work in health promotion, clinical nutrition, or exercise medicine.

Graduates move into careers in health promotion, fitness and lifestyle coaching, exercise referral, nutritional advice, public health, sports performance support, and research. Many continue to postgraduate study in nutrition, public health, exercise physiology, or related fields, which is often required for progression into clinical roles such as registered dietetics or physiotherapy.