Program Overview
Rehabilitation and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
Year of entry
- 2026 - for 2026 entry see here - for 2025 entry see here
UCAS code
- B900
Duration of study
- 3 years or 4 years with International Year
Course summary
Develop the skills required to restore and promote both the physical and psychological wellbeing of individuals. Our innovative and diverse Rehabilitation and Exercise Science BSc provides you with the underpinning theory to enable you to practice competently and confidently.
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
Rehabilitation and Exercise Science at Keele
Course overview
Our Rehabilitation and Exercise Science degree at Keele explores themes such as promotion of physical activity, causes of disease and prevention of injury. 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 often changing 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 and research skills into our curriculum to further enhance your career opportunities.
Rehabilitation themes
You will study a wide range of rehabilitation themes including human anatomy and how it changes throughout a person’s life, physiology, the science behind movement, and human neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Different forms of disability are also 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 exercise physiology. 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 rehabilitation in sport 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.
Experiential learning
You 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, or you may self-source if you 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.
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, all are accredited with their relevant professional bodies from ACHS, BASES to HCPC. There are also nationally and internationally recognised academics, including Professor John Buckley, Advisor to WHO prehab 2020 for Ischaemic Heart Disease.
Course structure
Modules for Rehabilitation and Exercise Science
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are subject to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Research, Academic and Professional Skills (30 credits)
- Assessment and Applied Practice (30 credits)
- Human Anatomy, Physiology and Movement (30 credits)
- Public Health Nutrition and Physical Activity (15 credits)
Optional modules
- Health and Wellbeing (15 credits)
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Advanced Assessment and Applied Practice (30 credits)
- Lifestyle Risk Factor Modification (15 credits)
- Evidence in Sports and Exercise Medicine (15 credits)
- Exercise in Long Term Conditions (30 credits)
- Biomechanical Concepts and Techniques (15 credits)
- Research Skills (15 credits)
Optional modules
- Experiential Learning in Sport and Exercise (15 credits)
- Innovations in Sport and Exercise Technology (15 credits)
Year 3
Compulsory modules
- Rehabilitation in Sport and Exercise (15 credits)
- Practical Experience Placement (15 credits)
- Sport and Exercise Project (30 credits)
- Advanced Clinical Exercise Practice (15 credits)
- Health in Places of Work and Learning (15 credits)
- Organisational Management in Exercise, Health and Rehabilitation (15 credits)
Optional modules
- Interdisciplinary Approaches in Sport, Exercise and Performance (15 credits)
Entry requirements
These are the typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If your qualifications aren't listed, please contact us to check if we can accept them. If you don't think you'll meet the stated requirements, you may be able to access this course via a Foundation Year.
Typical offer
Please ensure you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and/or English language requirements.
- 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
- Access to HE Diploma
- BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma
- BTEC National Diploma / Diploma
- BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma
- T Level
- International Baccalaureate Diploma
- International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme
- Access to HE Diploma
- Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru
- Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- Core Maths
- Ireland - Leaving Certificate
- China - Gaokao
- India - Standard XII
- Germany - Abitur
- France - Baccalaureate
- Hong Kong - Diploma
- Spain - Bachillerato
- Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato
- Cyprus - Apolytirion
- Portugal
- Canada - Diploma
- Kenya - KCSE / Diploma
- Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND
- USA - Advanced Placement
- Ghana
- Sri Lanka - Advanced Level
- Malaysia - STPM
- Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate
- Singapore - A Levels (H2)
- European Baccalaureate
- NCUK
- Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education
- Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE
English language requirements
All our courses require an English language qualification or test. Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please visit our English Language pages for details, including test information for international students. For students who require a test, this course requires a result from Group A.
Alternative and contextual offers
We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. We offer alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying in the Keele region, and recognition of a range of additional qualifications.
General information
The entry grades outlined indicate the typical offer, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary conditions based upon a candidate's application.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year
- UK: £9,535 for the 2025/6 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval).
- International: Band 2, £20,200 for the 2025/26 academic year
Please note, our 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set. We set our fees on an annual basis and they will be updated here once set.
For Home students, the University's fees are regulated by the UK Government and may be subject to change in subsequent years of your course in-line with government policy or legal requirements. For continuing international students, fees will increase annually by RPI, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
For details of our international fee bands visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page.
Going to university can be daunting as well as exciting. It's important to understand the costs and financial support available.
Our Student Financial Support team offers confidential advice and guidance to help you manage your money, resolve issues with Student Finance, create a budget, explore your options if you're facing financial hardship, and access any funding you are eligible for, such as bursaries and scholarships.
Supporting you
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
Your future career
Keele’s Careers and Employability team offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability. From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.
Find out more about Careers and Employability Support at Keele
Your future career
This is an exciting course that gives you the skills, attributes, and opportunities to shape your own professional development. Rehabilitation and exercise science is a growth area offering the potential to follow diverse career avenues. You could work in health and wellbeing in the public, private and charity sectors, leisure industry, education, business or even set up your own business.
There are options to continue your studies at postgraduate level in subjects like physiotherapy, or you could pursue a management role in the health sector.
Enhance your employability
Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.
From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.
Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.
Teaching, learning and assessment
In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt. These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe, respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.
We use different teaching and learning methods depending on the module you are currently studying. These include;
- Lectures
- Digital communications platforms such as Microsoft Teams for online lectures, workshops and seminars that complement face to face teaching.
- Interactive lectures
- Practical work to allow you to develop your practice under the supervision of academic staff
- Small and large group workshops
- Individual and group presentations
- Student and tutor led tutorials
- Web based learning using Keele’s virtual learning environment (KLE)
- Independent study
Assessment
A variety of different assessment methods are used to monitor your progress throughout the Rehabilitation Science and Exercise Course. These might include;
- Written work and assignments
- Written exams in different formats including essays and multiple choice
- Oral presentations
- Research project, which is student led piece of independent study
Foundation year
Studying a Foundation Year, for whatever reason, offers an alternative route to Keele, and provides a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree. That extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, build your confidence.
Foundation year overview
Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete.
This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, build your confidence, and provide a better understanding of higher education.
On our Foundation Year, you'll join our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.
September entry overview
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
- Foundations of Human Biology for Health (15 credits)
- Foundations in Health and Society (15 credits)
- Foundations of Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Health Students (15 credits)
Semester Two Modules
- Advancing Human Biology for Health (30 credits)
- Advancing Health and Society (15 credits)
Year long modules (Semesters One and Two)
- 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
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.
January entry overview
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.
Information for international students
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.
