Fitness Health and Exercise HNC

Course code 206C

What is special about this course?

If you have a passion for health and fitness and would like to teach others the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise* will give you the appropriate skills and training to work in a range of roles within the health and fitness industry.

The course will introduce you to the fundamental principles of training and science; the interdisciplinary nature of fitness and exercise; and how to involve individuals in their own fitness and health.

*subject to revalidation

Special features

  • You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal and professional circumstances

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

  • 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
  • 2 A Levels at grade D or above
  • These should preferably include English plus a science subject or Mathematics
  • Alternatively, the completion of a relevant sports-related NC or NQ at SCQF level 6 or above
  • For mature student entry, requisite experience with evidence of potential to succeed
  • Prospective students without the standard entry requirements as listed above are encouraged to apply, appropriate industry related experience will be taken into consideration
  • You may be required to attend an interview
  • This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Access routes

  • NQ Sport & Recreation
  • NQ Sport & Fitness
  • NQ Outdoor Adventure

Year 1 - HNC

Mandatory units are:

  • Exercise and fitness: health and safety management 
  • Exercise physiology and anatomy 
  • Exercise principles and programming 
  • First aid for sport and fitness 
  • Health screening 
  • Nutrition for fitness, health and exercise 
  • Working safely and effectively with clients 
  • Fitness, health and exercise: graded unit 1 

Option units include:

  • Plan teach and evaluate group exercise with music sessions 
  • Plan, teach and evaluate gym-based exercise sessions
  • Inclusive sport and physical activity for participants with disabilities
  • Inclusive sports provision: an introduction
  • Work experience
  • Psychology of sport and exercise
  • Psychology of sports coaching
  • Physical activity for children
  • Plan teach and evaluate group exercise session
  • Swimming pool lifeguard: skills and practice

Option units available may vary depending on study location, for more information contact your chosen campus.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will study by way of face-to-face lectures and tutorials in the classroom, and practical work in college sports facilities

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 1 year
  • Part-time: 2 years

Where can I study my course?

  • Inverness
  • Moray
  • Perth

Start date

  • September

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year £1,285 £1,285
Part-time (per HN credit) £86 £86

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year £7,110 £7,110
Part-time (per HN credit) £474 £474

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year £7,980 £8,775
Part-time (per HN credit) £532 £585

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

What can I do on completion of my course?

On completion of your course you might want to consider employment as a fitness instructor, exercise teacher, fitness adviser or gym supervisor; independently or in a leisure centre, gym or health club.

Can I progress into further study?

On successful completion of the HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise, you may be able to progress to the second year of the HND Fitness, Health and Exercise.

Is there more information available online?

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You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.

What makes the course special is the small class sizes and the way you can build up good relationships with the lecturers. They are very supportive and easy to communicate with. The course is ideal for opening your eyes to the different opportunities sport and fitness has to offer. It’s a great pathway to my future career. 

Iona studied Sport and fitness at UHI Perth. 

Apply for Fitness Health and Exercise HNC

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.