BSc (Hons) Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science
Follow your passions for sport, and helping people reach their wellness goals. Our fantastic facilities and focus on practical experience will foster a rewarding career in a growing sector.
Within the BSc Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science course I explored a variety of different areas within the health, exercise and wellbeing sector. From fitness instructing, GP exercise referral and clinical exercise physiology, to human nutrition, public health and health psychology, I was able to find those areas in which I excel and which I wanted to experience further. Spending time in the labs on the Applied Exercise Science module was invaluable for my job now as I carry out health and physiological tests that I learned on my course. The course gave me a breadth of knowledge and experience in all aspects of health, nutrition and exercise, which is great because I know that, although I love my job as a health physiologist, I can branch out into nutrition, personal training, or even massage therapy in the future, if I want to.
Having finished university in July 2020, I worked as a part-time fitness instructor alongside applying for full-time roles. This job role came in handy as I had already had some experience working as a fitness instructor at the University after finishing a level 2 gym instructing qualification during my first year. I actually had a paid job with Solent University while I was studying, running exercise classes for women (the ‘Health for Her’ initiative). This gave me loads of confidence when I went for my first interview, as well as putting a few extra pounds in my pocket while I studied. It’s so important to pin down that first job when you leave university, and gaining that experience at Solent – alongside the other initiatives I got involved in – was the route into my career.
When I came across a health physiologist role being advertised, I noticed that the job description included all of the areas I had studied within my course, as well as opportunities to expand my knowledge further. I have to admit I couldn’t believe it when I got the job – it’s like my dream job! I am working with physiotherapists and doctors in a clinical setting so, although I bring my own skills and knowledge to the team, I’m still learning so much from my colleagues.
Lastly, the course leader and lecturers were very supportive and always on hand to offer help and assistance if needed. I have to admit that I struggled a bit at first. It can be overwhelming at times to get used to a new institution and workload, but I could feel myself grow through the process, and they were amazing in the way they spotted areas where I needed help and knew exactly what to do to improve me. Those first few months soon became a distant memory, and I met loads of friends and had some memorable times at Solent.
All in all, this course has prepared me well for starting a career in the area that I knew I was passionate about when I started university, and has given me the confidence to immerse myself in a variety of different work environments. I now have my dream job and am excited about what I’ll do in the future.