Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MSc
As the ‘health of the nation’ comes under greater scrutiny the message about the health gains to be achieved through physical activity takes on renewed significance. As a result the role of professionals working in the health sector, local government, education and the fitness industry is changing. For these professionals physical activity is an increasingly important part of initiatives targeting quality of life and health improvement.
This practice-focused course allows you to develop knowledge of physical activity based public health policy and applied aspects of health and exercise (e.g. physical activity care pathways, weight management programmes and health promotion).
The course also encourages you to explore the social and political context in which physical activity-based health interventions take place and to consider how and why such initiatives can have a positive role in behavioural change work, enhancing physical, mental and social well being.
Drawing on debates from within health policy, evidence-based practice and behavioural change literature the course will encourage you to see physical activity in public health settings as a dynamic and exciting area of work.
Designed to maximise the potential for active learning and dialogue with local practitioners, the programme will get you thinking critically about issues and developments within the health promotion and physical activity fields. The course will offer opportunities for experiential learning through access to healthy walks, physical activity care pathways, healthy workplace initiatives and health promotion activities in other settings (i.e. schools, community groups, residential homes). Consideration will be given to how approaches to health promotion, social marketing and designing, developing and evaluating interventions inform best practice for physical activity and health professionals.
Benefits
- a practice-focused programme within which students are offered opportunities to engage with a network of physical activity and health practitioners, including course alumni
- opportunity to design and evaluate health promotion and physical activity interventions in diverse settings
- opportunity to complete an accredited cardiac rehabilitation course and there is a cardiac rehabilitation clinic on site
Career paths
- Strategic lead for physical activity within public health settings
- Healthy lifestyle development officers (local government)
- Senior Health Trainers
Entry requirements
You will need a good honours degree, or a relevant postgraduate or professional qualification, or relevant employment experience (a minimum of two years).
For international students English at IELTS 6.5(6 in writing) or equivalent.
Mode of attendance
Applications for full-time and part-time study are welcome. The Department utilises a variety of delivery modes to increase the accessibility of the programme for part-time students and for student who are working or at a distance; combining weekly on-campus delivery with independent study and ‘block delivery’ modules. Applications from Associate Students wishing to undertake single modules for continued professional development or work purposes are also welcome.
Location
Oxstalls Campus, Gloucester
Enquiries and Applications
Guidance & Recruitment Office
Waterworth Building
The Park, Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL50 4BS
Tel: 01242 714500
Fax: 01242 714827
Email: postgrad@glos.ac.uk