- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 7
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HNC
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 year (August to June)
Applications open 15th January 2025
HNC Physical Activity and Health will give you the underpinning knowledge and practical leadership skills required to pursue a career in the health and fitness industry, mainly within leisure centres, and private Health clubs and/or progress into higher education including teaching.
You will gain experience working with various client groups: children, additional support needs, general population clients and sports-specific clients during your work placements.
Gym Practitioner and Group Exercise Practitioner qualifications are 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 new and exciting Next Generation pilot course can help turn a passion for physical activity, fitness and health into a nationally recognised qualification. The course is designed to provide you with the underpinning knowledge to work within the ever-expanding physical activity and health industry, as well as the teaching and instructing skills for successful progression to HND level of study. There will also be the opportunity to gain additional career-enhancing industry qualifications as part of your study.
HNC comprises of a range of practical sessions, lecturers and group workshops delivered by vastly experienced health and fitness professionals and instructors.
During this HNC Physical Activity and Health course you will cover the following units:
- Training principles of exercise
- Preparing to work in the physical activity and health industry
- Anatomy and physiology for exercise and human movement
- Health promotion, behaviour change and nutrition
- Exercise practitioner
- Strength and conditioning
As part of an on-going learning process, work is assessed throughout the year and assessments may be in the form of assignments, project work, case studies, oral and poster presentations, open and closed book assessments and tutor observations of practical performance. Ongoing tutor support will ensure learners are provided with support and feedback to meet the demands of this innovative course.
The award is jointly certificated with Sportscotland and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). This partnership will allow you to gain employment in a variety of roles and gain a better understanding of how you can support people becoming more active and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Highly qualified staff will share current and relevant industry experience to motivate you to succeed.
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)
- Minimum of one Higher at C or above, must be English-based
- A relevant Level 6 qualification in Sport such as NC Sport and Exercise (Level 6), NQ Health and Fitness (Level 6), NQ Sports Coaching (Level 6) or NQ Sport and Fitness (Level 6) - must include Communications at Level 6 or an English based subject at Level 6
- Demonstrable active interest in fitness/studio/gym based exercise
- Applications may be considered for those who do not meet the minimum entry requirements but who can demonstrate a keen interest in fitness or sport and/or have other relevant prior learning, life or work experience. Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis.
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.
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.
Employer and industry links
The College has excellent links with:
- National governing bodies including CIMPSA, Sports Scotland, Pegasus, Les Mills, Rebound UK and Tri-HiiT
- Glasgow Life Sport
- East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and Glasgow councils
- David Lloyd, Pure Gym and Exercise 4 Less and more
- Local primary and secondary schools
- Active School Co-ordinators
Jobs and further study
- HND Physical Activity and Health Year 2 at Cardonald (subject to availability)
- 1st or 2nd year entry to BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at the University of the West of Scotland
- 1st or 2nd year entry to BA (Hons) Sports Coaching at the University of the West of Scotland
- 1st or 2nd year entry to BA (Hons) Sports Development at the University of the West of Scotland
- 1st or 2nd year entry to BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development at the University of the West of Scotland
- 1st year entry to BA Sports Studies at the University of Stirling
- Employment in the sports and 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 attend two induction sessions
- 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 industry.
You will then be sent out information about the induction date. This will be held in August, 2 – 3 weeks before your course starts.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in June / July