Rehabilitation and Exercise Science

Rehabilitation and Exercise Science - BSc (Hons)

Develop the skills required to restore and promote both the physical and psychological wellbeing of individuals. Our innovative and diverse programme provides you with the the underpinning theory to enable you to practice competently and confidently.

Year of entry

2025 - for 2025 entry see here - for 2024 entry see here

Course type

Single Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy

UCAS code

B900

Duration of study

3 years/ 4 years with International Year

Enquire about this course Clearing vacancies and entry requirements 2024 Book an open day Chat to students

Why study Rehabilitation and Exercise Science at Keele University?

Top 20 in the UK for Health Professions (Guardian University League Table, 2022)

Opportunity to undertake an international year

Gain practical experience in our on campus physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic

Growth area of rehabilitation and exercise science in the UK offers diverse career opportunities

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Course overview

Rehabilitation and exercise science at Keele explores themes such as injury prevention, rehabilitation and the promotion of physical activity. All of these are aligned to an expanding range of sectors such as health and social care, and sport. Our innovative programme prepares you for an exciting and flexible career focusing on both health and rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation professionals are experts in utilising a range of methods to promote, restore and preserve the physical and psychological wellbeing of individuals of all ages. Our aim is for you to thrive in a rapidly changing and sometimes uncertain external environment and to give professional care with empathy and respect for others. You will explore the factors that influence managing rehabilitation and advance your problem-solving techniques, communication, and interpersonal skills.

As well as giving you the essential clinical expertise we also incorporate business skills into our curriculum to further enhance your career opportunities. For example, you may have future ambitions to be your own boss and we currently deliver a module that focuses on how to set up and market your own business.

Rehabilitation themes

You will study a wide range of rehabilitation themes including human anatomy and how it changes throughout someone’s life, physiology, the science behind movement, and human neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Different forms of disability are also studied and analysed along with disabling conditions aligned to areas such as cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and neurological. You will explore the full range of demographics including the elderly and children, not just individuals involved in sport related activity.

The course enables you to develop your practical handling and the therapeutic skills that underpin physiotherapy assessment and management. You will learn contemporary concepts and issues around global health and wellbeing and their impact on healthcare economies.

As you progress through the course you will enhance your understanding of rehabilitation strategies and look at increasing your organisational and management skills. There are opportunities to focus on sport rehabilitation and to understand the different techniques used in this area along with the prevention and management of sports injuries. You can also deepen your knowledge around health behaviour change and the prescription of physical activity in specialist areas like cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

The course draws on knowledge from other areas including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medicine, nursing, psychology, nutrition, and public health.

You will benefit from inter-professional education, drawing upon areas such as physiotherapy, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, nutrition and public health.

Experiential Learning

All students will complete at least 50 hours work experience in a setting related to the course content. This will be with one of clinical or professional partners, students may also self source if they have a specialist area of interest.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic

Our on campus clinic offers opportunities for you to gain experience of engaging with patients, enhance your rehabilitation skills and improve your communication skills. The clinic offers ‘hands on’ treatments for a wide range of common musculoskeletal injuries. You will have opportunities to be involved with leading rehabilitation sessions on members of the public once your gym qualifications have been achieved. There will also be the possibility to conduct massage on patients should you attain the relevant qualification.

Externally recognised gym exercise

The degree embeds nationally recognised qualifications such as Gym Instructor and Personal trainer into the first year of study. These will expand your employability opportunities on graduation and while you are studying.

Scientific research

Embedded into the course is the importance of scientific research evidence. You will develop your awareness of how this research contributes to the general health and wellbeing of individuals, including in the management of global conditions including coronary heart disease, osteoarthritis, stroke, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Our expertise

A team of highly qualified and knowledgeable academic staff teach on this course, some of who are recognised nationally and internationally as experts in their fields, including Professor John Buckley, Advisor to WHO prehab 2020 for Ischaemic Heart Disease.

Student support

You will be supported through every stage of your studies on the rehabilitation science and exercise course. You will be allocated an academic mentor tutor who will be your first point of contact for advice and guidance and as a first year student, you are also offered a student mentor.

You will have access to a dedicated Student Experience and Support Officer who supports students from the School of Allied Health Professions. As part of Keele’s student services, they work collaboratively with other teams across the university to enable you to easily access the support you need.

There is peer support, and additional help available from the School's Disability Inclusion Tutor who provides an additional layer of support for all students, particularly for those who have special learning needs.

You will have access to a mixture of advice and support services at Keele which include;

Learning Support and Academic Guidance
Disability Support and Inclusion
English Language Unit
Student Advice at Keele (ASK)
Student Support Services
Occupational Health Department

Next steps

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Explore studying sport at Keele

Watch our Q&A with academic teams in Sport & Exercise Science and Rehabilitation and Exercise Science here at Keele, to delve into our courses and opportunities here at the university.

An individual on an exercise bicycle

Teaching Excellence Framework GOLD

Keele University has been awarded the highest rating of gold in the teaching excellence framework (TEF), 2023. The TEF assessment identifies excellence in the educational experience and outcomes of our students, focusing on all undergraduate courses and students.

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Learn a language International year GCP Elective Pathways Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Typical offer

Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

A Level: BBC

BTEC: DMM

T Level: Merit

Please select your qualification from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

A Level

BBC in three A Levels.

Contextual Offer: CCC in three A Levels.

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma

DMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.

Contextual Offer: MMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC National Diploma / Diploma

Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and C in one A Level, or Merit and Merit in BTEC Diploma and A in one A Level.

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma

Distinction in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and CC in two A Levels, or Merit in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and BB in two A Levels.

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

T Level

Merit in any T Level.

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

International Baccalaureate Diploma

554 in three Higher Levels or 29 points.

Contextual Offer: 444 in three Higher Levels or 27 points.

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, or 3 in IB Middle Years Maths, or 3 in IB Diploma Standard Level Maths (any), plus an English language qualification (see below).

International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme

We encourage applications with the IBCP but recognise that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.

If you are taking a BTEC National Diploma / Diploma with one or more Higher Levels, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.

For any other combination, please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

Access to HE Diploma

112 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 15 Level 3 credits.

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru

The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course (see A Level). All subject specific requirements will still need to be met.

Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers

BCCCC in five Highers, or CD in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCD in three Advanced Highers.

You will also need: C in National 5 Maths, or 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

Core Maths

If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

Ireland - Leaving Certificate

H3, H4, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate.

You will also need: O4 / H6 in Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

China - Gaokao

70% in the Gaokao.

You will also need: 60% in Senior Secondary School or Gaokao Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

India - Standard XII

Average of 65% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 70% from four subjects in any other Standard XII.

You will also need: 6 or C2 in Secondary School Examination Maths, or Pass in Standard XII Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Germany - Abitur

2.4 overall average in the Abitur.

You will also need: 10 in Maths in the Abitur, plus an English language qualification (see below).

France - Baccalaureate

12 in the French Baccalaureate / International Option Baccalaureate / Baccalauréat Français International.

You will also need: 10 in Maths in the Baccalaureate, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Hong Kong - Diploma

443 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE.

You will also need: 2 in HKDSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Spain - Bachillerato

Overall average of 7 in the Título de Bachillerato.

You will also need: 5 in Graduado en Educación Secundaria (GES) Maths or 6 in Título de Bachiller Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato

75% in the Esame di Stato.

You will also need: 5 in Maths in the Diploma, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Cyprus - Apolytirion

17.5 / 83% in the Apolytirion.

You will also need: 14 in Maths in the Apolytirion, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Portugal

Overall average of 15 in a Secondary Certificate.

You will also need: 10 in Secondary Certificate Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Canada - Diploma

60% / BCCCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diploma.

You will also need: 50% in Grade 11 Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Kenya - KCSE / Diploma

We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

We may accept a two year Diploma. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND

We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

We may accept an Ordinary National Diploma with GPA of 2.5 or a Merit / Lower Credit. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

USA - Advanced Placement

443 from three Advanced Placement subjects.

You will also need: C in Grade 12 High School Diploma Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Ghana

We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

Sri Lanka - Advanced Level

BBC in three Advanced Levels.

You will also need: C in O-Level Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Malaysia - STPM

BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM.

You will also need: C in SPM Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate

We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

Singapore - A Levels (H2)

BBC in three H2 Levels.

You will also need: C in O-Level Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

European Baccalaureate

70% overall.

You will also need: 6 in European Baccalaureate Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

NCUK

Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBC and a C in EAP English Language module and grade A in EAP for Nursing courses.

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or international equivalent.

Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education

BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education.

You will also need: 6 in UACE or UCE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE

BBC in three Advanced Level subjects.

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group A.

Alternative and contextual offers

We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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‌ Rehabilitation and Exercise Science at Keele University

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

Course Content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

This Foundation Year is a is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Rehabilitation and Exercise Science. For example, in the Academic and Professional Development for Health module you will begin to develop an awareness of professional standards that you will be working to in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

You will gain a greater appreciation of historical and contemporary approaches to health and social care within the UK, considering key health issues and challenges facing health and science services. At the same time, we will advance your knowledge of human biology and chemistry, giving you a solid grasp of body systems, science and lab work. You'll develop safe, professional laboratory skills and get to know the mathematical techniques and quantitative methods used across health science-related and social care programmes.

Throughout the programme, you will develop subject-specific and broad based skills that will be invaluable in your academic career and beyond. You can find out more about our Foundation Year, Including Information on learning, teaching and assessment methods and further opportunities available to you by visiting our homepage.

Course Structure

The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

Semester One Modules

FYO-00237	Foundations of Human Biology for Health	15 credits
FYO-00245	Foundations in Health and Society	15 credits
FYO-00213	Foundations of Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Health Students	15 credits

Semester Two Modules

FYO-00239	Advancing Human Biology for Health	30 credits
FYO-00336	Advancing Health and Society	15 credits

Year long modules (Semesters One and Two)

FYO-00181

Academic and Professional Development

30 credits

Entry Requirements

56 UCAS points including at least one Level 3 qualification (such as an A Level, BTEC, Access Course, or T Level).
Plus C in GCSE English / Level 2 Functional Skills English and C in GCSE Maths / Level 2 Functional Skills Maths

How to Apply

UCAS Applications

Visit UCAS for applications. You should apply for Rehabilitation and Exercise Science with Foundation Year

UCAS code: B902

Direct Entry Students

If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science, Health and Business courses.

Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but on a compressed timescale and tailored to a blended learning approach (with the majority of learning taking place online).

For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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