BSc (Hons) Health and Wellbeing Practitioner
Prepare for a career in the expanding fields of public health and person-centred healthcare. You'll train in our on-site clinics, empower people to make lifestyle and behaviour changes to improve their health and wellbeing.
Gain practical experience and embedded qualifications on this CIMPSA endorsed course
Entry requirements
Three A-levels at grades CCC or above.
Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above.
Or Access Level 3, 23-45 credits with a minimum of 6D.
And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above.
UCAS points 96
UCAS code HWB1
Duration Three years full-time or up to six years part-time
Places still available to start in September
Register your interest and we'll call you to chat about clearing and your options at Marjon.
Course Summary
Developed in consultation with NHS trusts, our BSc (Hons) Health and Wellbeing Practitioner is designed to prepare students to work in the areas of public health, health improvement and person-centred healthcare.
In line with the NHS Long Term Plan and Personalised Care initiative to improve patient choice, activation and self-management, you will be equipped with the skills and experience to set up, deliver and evaluate health promotion schemes. You will help people gain the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to become active participants in their own care so that they can reach self-identified health and wellbeing goals.
Initially you will study modules that are fundamental to your understanding of health and wellbeing (e.g., physiology, psychology, sociology). This knowledge will underpin your studies of public health, health coaching, physical activity, social prescribing, healthy nutrition, and health policy. You will also develop an understanding of the theory behind approaches such as behaviour change and health literacy.
Throughout the degree we emphasise employability skills and the practical application of health and wellbeing interventions. During your time at Marjon you will have the opportunity to gain professional qualifications and experience in a range of on and off campus clinics and wellbeing schemes. These include our own health check services and several health and Wellbeing clinics (e.g. chronic back pain, cancer, fibromyalgia, leg ulcer or diabetes).
The high professional standards our students work to are endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). It meets their Professional Standards for ‘Health Navigator’ and ‘Working with people with long term conditions’. This demonstrates to employers in the sport and physical activity sector that you’ve got the knowledge and skills for specific roles, and also assures the high quality of your training.
Marjon Health & Wellbeing is a pioneer of health and wellbeing provision in the South West and is increasingly recognised as a centre of excellence for health and wellbeing practice by regional health care providers. We run clinics both onsite and out in the local community, where student practitioners train alongside our expert clinicians.
Our strong links to the local healthcare system means you will also have access to a range of internal and external partners which provide excellent opportunities for hands-on experiences to enhance your academic experience and professional development. You'll also develop contacts for your future career through the organisations we work with which include Livewell Southwest, Macmillian Cancer Support and the NHS.
Why this course at Marjon?
We work closely with NHS teams and local health employers to ensure students develop the skills and knowledge that are most desired by graduate employers.
You’ll get real world experience in our laboratories and on-site clinics and through our extensive professional networks.
You'll be taught by a multi-disciplinary team of academics ensuring you learn from a range of experts.
You'll develop the ability to design, deliver and evaluate a variety of health intervention programmes using physical activity, social engagement and behaviour change models.
Gain practical skills training at our on-site clinics and in our sports science lab which is accredited by the British Association of Sport & Exercise Science (BASES).
You'll work with real patients as part of a professional health and wellbeing team.
Students say...
Monika Gregory
“I enjoy every topic of this course and I’m gaining the knowledge and skills to help others with their health and wellbeing needs. I’m also improving my knowledge of how to research things. The support, personal and academic, is amazing and I would recommend Marjon to anyone. I’ve come from Europe and this course is giving me an opportunity to learn about the differences between cultures which makes it really interesting.”
Hayley Knight
“The thing I enjoy most is the broad range of topics, spanning across all aspects of health. Not only does it keep the course exciting, but it provides a broad knowledge base that can be applied to many professions - the skill sets earned are wide. Marjon are focused on developing us individually and help us create an individualised plan towards our long-term career goals. As a first-year I’ve already had opportunities to engage with the University’s clinics which provide unique experience.”
This course is perfect if you're curious about
How can health and wellbeing interventions better support people in health crisis?
How could we break the cycle of GP and emergency services for some patients and give them sustained ongoing support?
How do health and wellbeing professionals approach working with individuals and groups?
What can the government do to improve the health of the nation?
Why are there inequalities in health between different groups in society, and is there anything we can do about it?
How can science help improve health and wellbeing in vulnerable groups?
“ This degree provides a solid foundation in the understanding of health and wellbeing, and graduates will comprehend the importance of lifestyle intervention as a model of care. They will have spent time working in a healthcare environment and will have demonstrated skills in health economics and quality improvement. Graduates looking to enter healthcare will be equipped with skills needed to help the change and they will ensure the continual improvement that is required to sustain it.”
What might you become?
Health and Wellbeing professionals are in high demand. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and deliver health and wellbeing services. With an ability to understand health inequalities, provide consultancy and advice on health and wellbeing and to be able to initiate, deliver and evaluate health and wellbeing services a broad range of career opportunities open up.
Typical roles include (but are not limited too):
- Health Improvement Practitioner - provides specialist advice on health-related issues in a range of settings to set up schemes and implement government initiatives to promote health and wellbeing.
- Health and Wellbeing Coach - applies life coaching principles to empower people and organisations to overcome barriers and achieve lifestyle and health improvement goals.
- Health Navigator - empowers those with long term health conditions to navigate a complex health care system so they can be more confident in managing their condition.
- Social Prescriber - supporting local agencies to connect people with community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
- NHS Graduate Scheme - focus on health analysis, policy and public health.
The course also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate study with options to progress onto our Master of Public Health or Master of Research (MRes) programmes.
Endorsed by:
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
Modules for this course
Course Snapshot
“ In your first year you will learn a sociological, psychological and physiological viewpoint on the wellbeing of a person. You will also learn techniques to help people via physical exercise and engagement. During the second year you will learn more about health and wellbeing across all ages, including nutrition, as well as how to encourage behaviour changes in patients via counselling techniques. During the third year you will learn about healthcare policy, provision and nutrition and hone your practical skills as a health care professional.”
Modules
1st Year
The Health and Wellbeing Professional
Exercise for health
Anatomy and physiology of health and wellbeing
Sociological perspectives in health and wellbeing
Psychological perspectives in health and wellbeing
Exercise prescription and the fitness professional
2nd Year
Exercise prescription and the fitness professional
Nutrition for health
Behaviour change for health and wellbeing
Health promotion
Research methods and analysis in sport and health sciences
Work based learning
3rd Year
Advanced lifestyle practitioner
Physical activity, public health and policy
Nutrition across the lifespan
Public health nutrition
Honours project
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum
Fees for International students: £12,000 per annum
Teaching and assessment
How will you be taught?
Innovative and flexible teaching includes interactive lectures, tutorials, group work, practical sessions, online activities and independent study.
How will you be assessed?
A wide range of innovative and contemporary assessments help students develop essential skills. These include essays, report writing, practical assessments, presentations and website development.
Course leader
Dr Joseph Layden
Joe has 20 years experience within the area of health and exercise physiology. Prior to arriving at Marjon he worked as an occupational physiologist and researcher for organisations such as the UK Ministry of Defence and the Netherlands National Research Office. Joe's research interests are in health and well-being and he has published work on health care interventions, physiology and metabolism and he is passionate about sharing knowledge and educating others.
View full profileLecturers
Saul's research focuses on the prevention and treating non communicable disease through lifestyle interventions. He has established several health and wellbeing clinics in partnership with the NHS and charitable organisations to support patients with back pain, cancer, fibromyalgia and leg ulcers.
John is an exercise specialist with an interest in lifestyle behaviour change and health services evaluation. He holds an MSc in Preventive Cardiology and REPS accredited qualifications in exercise referral and cardiac rehabilitation.
Kass is a qualified PE teacher who has taught in schools, colleges, and universities in New Zealand, Japan, Canada, and the UK. He is a member of the University of Toronto’s Suffering, Pain and Ethics Lab Scientific Team. His research examines experiences and practices in physical activity health promotion, sport, and physical education.
Juliana is a BACP Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist and currently works in private practice alongside this lecturing role.
Ben has more than twenty years of experience working in various health and fitness roles. In this time he has worked with more than a thousand participants and helped train hundreds of fitness professionals.
Alister teaches psychology and its applications to sport, exercise, and health. His main research interest is how psychological interventions can be used to improve the performances of people who participate in endurance events, such as middle- and long-distance running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon events.
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