Students who study Health and Exercise Science at university typically pursue careers in health promotion, fitness, rehabilitation, sports science, and research. Their expertise in human physiology, exercise, and wellness prepares them for roles that focus on improving health, performance, and quality of life.
Career Paths After Health and Exercise Science
1. Health & Wellness Careers
- Health Promotion Specialist – Works in public health or corporate wellness to promote healthy lifestyles.
- Exercise Physiologist – Designs exercise programs for people with chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes.
- Public Health Advisor – Works in government or NHS settings to develop health policies and interventions.
2. Fitness & Sports Careers
- Personal Trainer – Works in gyms, health clubs, or freelance to help clients reach fitness goals.
- Strength & Conditioning Coach – Helps athletes improve performance through targeted training.
- Sports Scientist – Provides performance analysis and training recommendations for teams or individuals.
3. Clinical & Rehabilitation Roles
- Physiotherapy Assistant / Rehabilitation Specialist – Supports recovery from injury or illness (with further study, can qualify as a Physiotherapist).
- Occupational Health Advisor – Works with individuals to maintain physical well-being in the workplace.
4. Education & Research
- Health & PE Teacher – Teaches physical education in schools (requires a PGCE).
- Sports/Exercise Science Researcher – Conducts studies on human performance, injury prevention, or public health.
Further Training & Specialisation
- Many graduates pursue further study in physiotherapy, sports therapy, dietetics, or public health.
- Industry certifications like Personal Training (CIMSPA/REPs) or Strength & Conditioning (UKSCA) can boost job prospects.
Salary Expectations
- Entry-Level Roles: £20,000 – £30,000 per year
- Mid-Level (3–5 years experience): £30,000 – £45,000
- Senior & Specialist Roles: £45,000 – £60,000+
Graduates can work in NHS settings, private healthcare, sports teams, corporate wellness, research institutions, and fitness centres.
Detailed Career Paths, Further Study & Certifications for Health and Exercise Science Graduates
A degree in Health and Exercise Science provides a foundation for careers in health promotion, sports science, rehabilitation, fitness, and research. Many graduates also pursue further study to specialise in clinical, educational, or high-performance roles. Below is a breakdown of key career options, salary expectations, and recommended qualifications.
1. Careers in Health & Wellness
a) Health Promotion Specialist
? What They Do:
- Design and implement health improvement programs for the public, workplaces, or communities.
- Educate individuals about nutrition, physical activity, and chronic disease prevention.
- Work with local councils, the NHS, or charities to promote public health initiatives.
? Where They Work: NHS, Public Health England, charities, corporate wellness programs.
? Salary: £25,000 – £40,000
✅ Further Training:
- Level 3 or 4 Health Trainer Qualification
- Master’s in Public Health (MPH)
b) Exercise Physiologist (Clinical & Non-Clinical)
? What They Do:
- Work with patients with chronic conditions (e.g., heart disease, diabetes) to improve their health through exercise.
- In sports settings, they help athletes enhance cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
? Where They Work: NHS, private healthcare, rehabilitation centres, elite sports teams.
? Salary:
- Entry-level: £25,000 – £35,000
- With NHS Band 6 Experience: £40,000+
✅ Further Training:
- MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology
- British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Accreditation
2. Careers in Fitness & Sports Science
a) Personal Trainer / Strength & Conditioning Coach
? What They Do:
- Design training programs for individual clients or athletes.
- Work in gyms, private studios, or self-employed settings.
- Strength & Conditioning Coaches focus on athletic performance and injury prevention.
? Where They Work: Gyms, sports teams, private practice, corporate fitness.
? Salary:
- Personal Trainer: £22,000 – £40,000+ (self-employed trainers can earn £50,000+)
- Strength & Conditioning Coach: £25,000 – £50,000 (senior roles £60,000+)
✅ Further Training:
- Level 3 Personal Training Qualification (CIMSPA/REPs approved)
- UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) Accreditation
b) Sports Scientist / Performance Analyst
? What They Do:
- Analyse athlete performance data to improve training.
- Use GPS, motion capture, and physiological testing to optimise performance.
? Where They Work: Elite sports teams, universities, private sports science firms.
? Salary:
- Entry-level: £25,000 – £35,000
- Senior roles (with experience): £50,000+
✅ Further Training:
- MSc in Sports Science or Biomechanics
- BASES Accreditation
3. Clinical & Rehabilitation Careers
a) Physiotherapy Assistant / Sports Therapist
? What They Do:
- Support patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions.
- Work alongside physiotherapists in rehabilitation clinics or sports injury settings.
? Where They Work: NHS, private clinics, sports teams.
? Salary:
- Physiotherapy Assistant: £22,000 – £28,000
- Sports Therapist: £25,000 – £40,000 (self-employed can earn more)
✅ Further Training:
- MSc in Physiotherapy (for HCPC registration)
- Level 5 or 6 Sports Therapy Diploma
b) Occupational Health Advisor
? What They Do:
- Help individuals stay physically and mentally well at work.
- Prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.
? Where They Work: NHS, corporate workplaces, private healthcare.
? Salary: £30,000 – £50,000
✅ Further Training:
- MSc in Occupational Health
4. Careers in Education & Research
a) Physical Education (PE) Teacher
? What They Do:
- Teach physical education in schools.
- Encourage fitness and well-being in young people.
? Where They Work: Primary & secondary schools, colleges.
? Salary: £30,000 – £50,000 (depending on experience).
✅ Further Training:
- PGCE in Physical Education (1 year, required for teaching in schools).
b) Sports & Exercise Science Researcher
? What They Do:
- Conduct studies on human performance, injury prevention, and sports technology.
- Work in universities, private research institutes, or healthcare innovation.
? Where They Work: Universities, government-funded research labs, private sports firms.
? Salary: £30,000 – £60,000+
✅ Further Training:
- MSc/PhD in Exercise Science or Biomechanics
- BASES Accreditation
5. Alternative Career Options
? Health & Wellness Coach – Works in corporate wellness programs or private practice to help people achieve their fitness and nutrition goals. (£30,000 – £50,000)
? Rehabilitation Case Manager – Coordinates patient recovery programs for insurance companies or private clinics. (£35,000 – £55,000)
? Sports Nutritionist – Advises athletes and fitness clients on optimising diet for performance. (£25,000 – £45,000)
6. Salary Expectations Based on Career Path
| Career | Entry-Level Salary (£) | Experienced (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Promotion Specialist | 25,000 – 30,000 | 35,000 – 40,000 |
| Exercise Physiologist | 25,000 – 35,000 | 40,000+ |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | 25,000 – 40,000 | 50,000+ |
| Sports Scientist | 25,000 – 35,000 | 50,000+ |
| Physiotherapy Assistant | 22,000 – 28,000 | 30,000+ |
| PE Teacher | 30,000 – 40,000 | 50,000+ |
| Researcher | 30,000 – 40,000 | 60,000+ |
Final Thoughts
A Health and Exercise Science degree provides diverse career opportunities, from fitness and sports science to rehabilitation, teaching, and research. Many graduates enhance their career prospects with further study or industry certifications.
Choosing the Correct Pathway
The units listed below include 15 ungraded and 45 graded credits at Level 3, enabling you to apply to university for a Health and Exercise Science course. Most UK universities accept the Access to Higher Education Diploma; however, we recommend checking the entry requirements on the undergraduate course webpage of your chosen institution.
For more details about the Access to HE (Health Science Professions) Biology Pathway, click HERE.
