- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to June)
Applications open 15th January 2025
HND Fitness, Health and Exercise - 2nd year is suitable if you already have HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise and would like to build upon your knowledge and practical leadership skills to pursue a career in the fitness industry, mainly within leisure centres, and private Health clubs and/or progress into higher education including teaching.
CIMSPA recognised Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification is embedded within the course as well as the opportunity to gain other fitness industry awards such as kettlebells and Les Mills disciplines.
What will I learn?
This HND Fitness, Health and Exercise course will include:
- Planning and instructing activities for all client groups
- Preparing to start a business
- Metabolic considerations for personal trainers
- Plan and deliver personal training sessions
- Current exercise trends
- Applied nutrition
- Applied fitness testing for special populations
- Applied exercise prescription for special populations
- Managing events
- Research (graded unit 2)
Once you achieve all 30 credits, you can send your qualification to CIMPSA who will register you with your Level 3 Personal Trainer Award.
Please note: A Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check will be required to undertake any coaching placements/work experience which may be included in the course.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- 15 credits on the Fitness, Health and Exercise framework. However, if you have fewer than 15 credits, you may be able to infill into first year units where appropriate. Please contact the Faculty directly if you are in this position
- Demonstratable active interest in fitness/studio/gym-based exercise
Entry requirement equivalency table
- If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
The College has excellent links with:
- National Governing Bodies (Sports Scotland, CIMSPA, Pegasus, Les Mills, Rebound UK, Tri-HiiT)
- Glasgow Life Sport
- David Lloyd, Pure Gym, Exercise 4 Less and more
- Local primary and secondary schools
- East Renfrewshire, Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire councils
- Active School Co-ordinators
Jobs and further study
- 2nd/3rd year entry to BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at the University of the West of Scotland
- 2nd/3rd year entry to BA (Hons) Sports Coaching at the University of the West of Scotland
- 2nd/3rd year entry to BA (Hons) Sports Development at the University of the West of Scotland
- 2nd/3rd year entry to BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development at the University of the West of Scotland
- Employment in the fitness industry
- Health promotion officer
- Strength and conditioning coach
Take a look at the course progression map for health and fitness courses.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply:
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an interview session
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
You will also be sent details on an information day. This normally takes place in June and will give you the chance to meet other students on your course, get a tour of the college, meet some ex-students and get a chance to speak to people from the industry.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction. This will normally be sent out in June / July. The induction will usually be held in August, 2-3 weeks before the course starts.