- Location
- Anniesland Campus
- SCQF Level
- 5
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- NQ
- Course Type
- Short Full-Time
- Duration
- 18 weeks (August to January)
Applications open 15th January 2025
NQ Fitness, Physical Activity and Health (Level 5) course is designed to introduce you to Sport and Exercise training at a basic level which will prepare you for entry to NQ Sport and Fitness Activities at Level 6 (January start). You will gain practical skills and experience in a variety of sports and exercise contexts.
You will have an opportunity to gain various fitness industry qualifications, such as Pool Lifeguard, Emergency First Aid and SportsScotland Coach Connect Series.
You will visit local gyms and fitness facilities to participate in various exercise trends. You will also have an opportunity to work with our Active Campus Coordinator to deliver fitness activities which will enhance your CV.
What will I learn?
During NQ Fitness, Physical Activity and Health (Level 5) course, you will learn a variety of theoretical and practical sports and exercise subjects from the following:
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Circuits
- Indoor sports: including basketball, volleyball, swimming, table tennis, gymnastics and badminton
- Nutrition
- Exercise and fitness activiites including resistance, spin classes, boxing and kettle bells
There is a focus on gaining National Governing Body Awards where applicable, including Introduction to Badminton Coaching, SFA Coaching Certificate at 1.1 and 1.2 and First Aid.
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)
- Three passes at National 4, one must be English; OR
- Any relevant level 4 course such as NQ Introduction to Sport and Fitness (Level 4) or NQ Sport and Fitness Activities (Level 4)
- We will consider your application if you can demonstrate an active interest in sport or fitness but have no formal qualifications
Entry requirements equivalency table
- If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same or relevant subject area.
Employer and industry links
The College has excellent links with:
- National Governing Bodies (SportsScotland, CIMSPA, Pegasus, Les Mills, Rebound UK and Tri-Hiit)
- Glasgow Life Sport
- David Lloyd, Pure Gym, Exercise 4 Less and more
- East Renfrewshire, Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire Councils
- Active Schools Co-ordinators
Jobs and further study
- This course is designed to enable you to progress to various SCQF Level 5 and 6 courses such as Sport and Fitness, Sports Therapy and Fitness and Exercise and on occasions Level 7 depending upon qualifications
- Former students have accessed employment as Leisure Centre Attendants.
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 Admission Team and you will either be:
- made a direct offer (conditional or unconditional)
- 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.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding. This will normally be sent out within three weeks of you accepting the place.
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 take place in August, 2–3 weeks prior to your course starting.