Health improvement continues to be high on the government agenda, resulting in a range of initiatives linked to physical activity, obesity and healthy living that are being run by local authorities, primary care trusts and voluntary organisations.
The National Health Service (NHS) Plan has incorporated physical activity within its national service frameworks while the private healthcare sector (e.g. Nuffield Health) is providing an increasing number of opportunities for exercise professionals.
Sport and Health job profiles
Think about the area of ‘Sport and Health’ that you want to specialise in. Below are examples of job profiles related to careers in Sport and Health, which you can research further at Prospects job profiles.
- Physiotherapists – qualify by studying a 2-year pre-registration fast-track postgraduate course, open to those with a good sports science degree. Applications to this course will be improved with relevant work experience
- Sports Therapists – give advice to athletes on how to train and compete safely, as well as treat injuries and assist with rehabilitation. Many Sports Therapists are self-employed and the profession is not currently state registered
- Dieticians – translate scientific information about nutrition into practical advice to help people make health-conscious decisions about food. Many work within the NHS and must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). After completing your Sports Science degree you could choose to complete a postgraduate diploma in dietetics
- Health Promotion Specialist – these roles help people to improve their health and increase their control over it. Work may vary from giving face-to-face advice to individuals to producing strategic policies for health promotion. Health Promotion Specialists work in a range of locations like communities, health centres, local authority buildings, hospitals, offices, and sports and fitness centres.
- Healthcare Scientist – primarily work within the NHS, carrying out a variety of duties that range from disease diagnosis to rehabilitation engineering. They play a major part in providing health services at the cutting edge of technological advance, innovation, diagnostic and therapeutic science. A popular entry route is via the NHS Scientist Training Programme.
- Exercise Physiologists (two types): Sport and Clinical – Sport Exercise Physiology applies exercise knowledge to develop fitness conditioning routines for athletes, sport exercise physiologists work in a laboratory or in the field. Clinical Exercise Physiology uses exercise as a form of treatment and prevention of ill health, as well as for therapeutic purposes. Clinical exercise physiologists will work as part of a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and health professional, providing expert advice on exercise for people with chronic diseases. Typically they are based in hospitals, medical centres and private healthcare organisations.
Where to find opportunities, jobs, internships and volunteering in Sport and Health
- Careers Connect (Careers Network’s jobs, internships and work experience database)
- NHS Jobs
- HealthJobsUK - wide range of job vacancies and a Volunteers section with opportunities in NHS Trusts
- Self Management UK - volunteer opportunities with a charity supporting people with long term health conditions, in the community
- Careers in Sport – vacancies, events and a really useful section Careers Profiles where you can view interviews with a wide range of successful professionals in a variety of roles in the sports industry.
- Local Government Jobs – local government vacancies
- Guild of Students - University of Birmingham Jobs, Skills & Volunteering
- Worklink
Useful resources for Sport and Health careers
Further careers help
Find useful resources or book an appointment with a careers adviser through Careers Network.