Physical Activity and Health
Physical activity and health is a discipline that applies the sciences of exercise and physiology to the urgent public health challenge of increasing participation in physical activity and reducing the burden of chronic disease. Sedentary lifestyles are one of the leading causes of preventable illness in the UK and globally, and the demand for professionals who can design, deliver, and evaluate physical activity interventions has grown alongside the recognition of this problem. The degree draws on physiology, psychology, public health, and behaviour change science to understand both what physical activity does to the body and how to help people engage with it sustainably.
At Abertay University, this four-year degree takes a practical and applied approach to physical activity and health, developing the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive impact on individual and community health. You will study exercise physiology, physical activity epidemiology, health psychology, behaviour change, public health nutrition, and the design and evaluation of physical activity programmes. Practical learning is central, giving you experience in assessment, prescription, and delivery of physical activity interventions in a range of settings.
The degree includes a year abroad, providing an opportunity to study physical activity and health in a different national context and to develop the international perspective that is increasingly relevant in a field where health challenges are global and responses increasingly draw on international evidence.
Graduates of physical activity and health degrees work in health promotion, community sport development, health and fitness facilities, corporate wellness, rehabilitation, and public health teams in NHS and local authority settings. Many pursue further professional qualifications or postgraduate study in exercise science, public health, physiotherapy, or occupational therapy. The combination of scientific knowledge and practical intervention skills is also valued in the third sector, sports development organisations, and international health organisations working to address the global physical inactivity crisis.