Biomedical Sciences with Health, Exercise & Nutrition - BSc (Hons) Degree

Foundation Year (Year 0):
This programme can incorporate a foundation year (year 0), for those students who aspire to enrol onto the first year of a science based honours degree programme within the Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences, who have not achieved the standard entry requirements, or who have not studied subjects that provide the necessary background within the scientific disciplines required to enter the first year of the chosen honours degree programme.

Students wishing to undertake the foundation year will apply for the degree programme they intend to progress to, using the relevant UCAS code listed on this course page and apply for entry point 0 on the UCAS website. As such, students following the foundation route will take an extra year to complete their honours degree.
Further information about the foundation year can be found by clicking here.

Biomedical Sciences with Health, Exercise & Nutrition pathway:
Modules are designed to allow you to understand the interactions between our bodies and minds and the environment in which we live. These are complemented with exercise-based modules in clinical exercise physiology, psychology of sport and exercise, metabolic adaptation to exercise, public health nutrition, sport and exercise nutrition and sports medicine. These modules will allow you to understand and predict how the body responds and adapts to exercise, and to consider the strategies that can be employed to improve health, fitness and performance.

A major theme throughout the course will be to consider the impact that lifestyle has on health. You will learn how appropriate changes to lifestyle, such as exercise and a healthy diet, may be effective in preventing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes. Innovative approaches to sports medicine will also allow you to gain experience in the rapidly expanding area of ‘exercise prescription’.

You will have access to well-equipped, recently refurbished laboratories at the Llandaff campus, including the recently developed Health Assessment Suite, excellent computing and open-learning facilities and well-stocked libraries with a full range of current journals and periodicals. In addition, you will have full access to the extensive facilities at the Cyncoed campus, which include human performance laboratories, the National Indoor Athletics Centre, synthetic surface outdoor athletics track, Astroturf, indoor tennis centre, swimming pool and a sports hall.

Year One:
You will be introduced to the underlying themes of human nutrition, human physiology, biochemistry, and psychology of sport and exercise. Emphasis is placed on the effect of exercise on the physical and mental development of the body. This will enable you to develop a foundation in applying scientific principles, reasoning and practice to the field of health and exercise science.

Modules (All Core):

• Biochemistry (20 credits)
• Cell Biology & Genetics (20 credits)
• Anatomy & Physiology (20 credits)
• Infection & Immunity 1 (20 credits)
• Laboratory Skills & Data Analysis (20 credits)
• Professional & Interprofessional Development 1 (20 credits)

Year Two:
You will apply your knowledge obtained in year one, through the use of laboratory-based techniques and practical sessions to understand the relationships between exercise, health and disease. Emphasis is placed on the detection, assessment and monitoring of the effects of exercise and nutrition on health and fitness. You will have the opportunity to gain experience in using techniques for the detection and measurement of performance-enhancing drugs.

All second year modules are core and include:

• Analytical, Research & Diagnostic Methods (20 credits)
• Blood and Cellular Sciences (20 credits)
• Molecular Biology and Genetics (20 credits)
• Clinical Exercise Physiology & Physiological Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Physiology, Pharmacology & Toxicology (20 credits)
• Professional & Interprofessional Development 2 (20 credits)
  

Year Three:
During your final year you will be able to develop your individual strengths and interest in relation to health and exercise science, and their place in the wider worlds of medicine and public health. You will also undertake a dissertation, developing original and critical thinking, which will equip you for a range of careers in the biomedical, exercise and health areas.

All third year modules are core and include:

• Research Project (40 credits)
• Contemporary Topics in Biomedical Sciences (20 credits)
• Sports Medicine (20 credits)
  
• Nutrition in Sport & Exercise (20 credits)
  
• Molecular & Metabolic Adaptation to Exercise (20 credits)
  

Learning and teaching strategies include traditional lecture-based teaching sessions complemented by tutorials and practical sessions. Students also have access to ‘drop-in’ lunchtime workshop sessions in Biochemistry and Physiology. The curriculum is supported and informed by the research activities of academic staff. The personal tutorial system encourages students to continue to develop their interpersonal and reflective skills throughout their studies. 

Students are assessed using a mixture of assessment method: some modules employ written assignments such as essays and literature reviews, others involve examinations, practical reports, presentations, case studies and (in the final year) an important component is the completion of a scientific research project and poster.

This unique and exciting course is designed to allow graduates to take full advantage of employment in a number of areas. There is a booming economy in the health and fitness sectors, and successful completion of this programme of study should provide a variety of careers in areas such as the Sport and Leisure industry, National Health Service, National Sports Councils, Sporting National Governing Bodies, Health Promotion and Wales National Exercise Referral Scheme.

Graduates will also be well qualified for a career in the Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage industries. Opportunities for further study are excellent and include other health related studies and higher degrees (MSc and PhD).

The Cardiff School of Health Sciences has excellent links with all relevant sectors associated with the Health Sciences. Many staff pursue ‘cutting edge’ research initiatives with collaborative Institutions including Cambridge University Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Cardiff University Medical School, the Welsh School of Pharmacy, University of Bath and the Institute for Sports Nutrition.​

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Find out more about how studying this degree helped recent graduate Tom Maynard​ secure a position as a Performance Nutritionist at Sport Wales.

Foundation route:

Applicants should normally have five GCSEs including English Language (or Welsh First Language), Mathematics* and Science at grade C or above / grade 4 or above (for applicants holding newly reformed GCSEs in England) plus one of the following:

• 56 points from at least 2 A level qualifications or their equivalent at an appropriate standard for entry into Higher Education at Year 1, but in subject areas which fail to meet the entry requirements for their intended undergraduate degree programme.

• 56 points from at least 2 A level qualifications or their equivalent in subject areas relevant for their intended undergraduate degree programme, but at a standard which fails to meet the entry requirements to Higher Education at Year 1.

Prospective students who do not meet the above criteria may be considered on an individual basis and may be called for interview.

For specific information on entry requirements or if your qualification isn't listed, please either contact Admissions or  refer to the UCAS Course Search. Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking here.

Degree:

Applicants should have five GCSEs including English Language (or Welsh First Language), Mathematics* and Science at grade C or above / grade 4 or above (for applicants holding newly reformed GCSEs in England) plus 112 points from at least two A levels (or equivalent).  

Typical offers may include​:

• 112 points from at least two A levels to include grades CC in Biology and an equivalent Science; Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma considered as a third subject (equivalent sciences include Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, IT, Maths, Food Technology, Environmental Science or Geography)
• RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma/Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma DMM within Applied Science

• 112 points from at least two Scottish Advanced Highers to include grades DD in Biology and an equivalent Science (including Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, IT, Maths, Food Technology, Environmental Science or Geography), Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers
• 112 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include 2 x H2 grades in Biology and an equivalent Science (including Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, IT, Maths, Food Technology, Environmental Science or Geography). Higher level subjects considered only with a minimum grade H4
• 112 points from the Access to Higher Education Diploma within a Science subject covering sufficient Biology

Or Cardiff Metropolitan University 'Foundation leading to BSc Health Sciences

*For Welsh applicants sitting the reformed Mathematics GCSE, we will accept either GCSE Mathematics or Mathematics – Numeracy.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, the ‘Foundation leading to BSc Health Sciences’ is available one year full-time and will provide you with a relevant qualification that will allow you to progress to this degree upon successful completion. For further information about the Foundation course,please click here

If you are studying combinations of the above or if your qualification isn't listed, please either contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search for the entry requirements. Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking here.

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:
Selection is normally based on the receipt of a UCAS application form​.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at www.ucas.com. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in transferring credit from another institution to study at Cardiff met for a course which accepts entry for year 2 and/or 3, you can find further information on this and information on how to apply on the RPL page. Please contact Admissions for any queries that you have on RPL.

Mature students

A mature applicant is anyone over the age of 21 who didn't go to university after school or college. Cardiff Met welcomes applications from mature applicants and further advice and information can be found here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Cathryn Withycombe:
Email: cwithycombe@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2041 5994