This course is also ideal for students who may not have traditional qualifications or who have been away from formal education for a while, by helping them to get back into academic study and equip them with the specialised knowledge to progress to an undergraduate degree. Students study the fundamentals of sport health and exercise therapy through a variety of themes, including leadership, fitness foundations, the sport industry, sport and exercise science contemporary sports issues, and volunteering. In addition to the core academic units, students also have the opportunity to gain professional fitness qualifications (REPS) and coaching qualifications (NGB) alongside their studies. All of the University’s sports courses place a strong emphasis on employability, and students on the sport health and exercise science foundation year have the opportunity to build practical skills and gain valuable real world experience working with our degree students by volunteering on local community projects. Successful completion of the sport health and exercise science foundation year will provide a pathway on to Applied Human Nutrition degree. This degree programme is the ideal preparation for careers in the growing nutrition and wellbeing sector. By working with a range of clients and learning how the food we eat can prevent disease, enhance wellbeing and improve performance, you’ll graduate well positioned for careers in food and health promotion, sports nutrition, government policy making, public health and postgraduate research. Our applied human nutrition curriculum will provide you with a thorough grounding in both scientific and applied human nutrition. Core topics of study include food science, food chains, social behaviours, wellbeing, exercise, weight management and professional conduct. There are also opportunities to tailor your studies, choosing from career focused optional units before using an independent research project in the final year to specialise your knowledge further. Practical working and industry experience will become a key part of your studies. Strong partnerships with primary, community and acute health and social care organisations provide a strong platform for real world learning. You’ll be encouraged to take full advantage of these links by taking part in placements, client briefs and case studies. You’ll also benefit from a range of real-world learning opportunities available right here on campus. These could see you working alongside the award-wining Solent Health initiative, the High Performance Academy (HPA) or the Southampton Talented Athlete Scheme (STAS). This experience of supporting athletic performance and leading healthy change within large organisations can go a long way towards improving your employability and helping you transition into the workplace after graduation.