Exercise, Health and Rehabilitation Science

Exercise, health and rehabilitation science brings together knowledge from physiology, biomechanics, clinical health science and behavioural psychology to understand how physical activity supports recovery, prevents disease and promotes wellbeing. It is an applied discipline that sits between sport science and healthcare, training graduates who can work with diverse populations, from people recovering from injury or surgery to those managing long-term conditions or seeking to improve their general health and fitness. The field has grown in importance as the evidence base for exercise as medicine has strengthened and as the NHS and wider health system increasingly look for non-pharmacological interventions.

At the University of Brighton this three-year full-time programme is designed to prepare you for careers in health, rehabilitation and exercise professional practice. The programme includes a sandwich year and embedded work placements, ensuring that your theoretical grounding is complemented by direct experience in clinical and community settings. Brighton's description captures the programme's purpose well: you will be prepared for careers in which you help people overcome challenges and play a role in promoting health and wellbeing.

You will study human physiology, musculoskeletal anatomy, the science of exercise prescription, rehabilitation principles, physical activity promotion, and the behaviour change approaches that support people in adopting and maintaining healthier lifestyles.

The practical dimensions of the programme, including work with real clients and patients, develop the interpersonal skills and clinical judgment that are as important as technical knowledge in this field.

Graduates pursue careers as exercise physiologists, rehabilitation specialists, physical activity co-ordinators, exercise referral practitioners, personal trainers in clinical settings, and in sport and exercise science support roles within NHS teams, local authorities, leisure operators and private health providers. Many go on to postgraduate study in physiotherapy, exercise physiology or public health, and some pursue registration with bodies such as CIMSPA or BASES.