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Sport, Physical Activity and Exercise Science
Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral
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Overview
This course is ideal for those learners wanting to pursue a career as an exercise referral instructor.
This qualification is designed to provide learners with the knowledge to ensure safe and effective exercise programming for patients with a number of medical conditions and common reasons for referral onto a community-based exercise referral scheme.
On completion of this course, learners will understand how to apply anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness, the principles of nutrition, positive health and fitness behaviours, programme and deliver personal training and develop professionalism and business acumen for personal trainers.
Learners will also be able to design and agree a safe and effective programme for patients with a range of common referral conditions and review and adapt a programme for patients with a range of common referral conditions.
How you’ll learn
Units you will study include:
- Applied anatomy and physiology for exercise and health
- Applying the principles of nutrition and physical activity
- Understanding medical conditions for exercise referral
- Professional practice for exercise referral instructors
- Planning exercise referral programmes with patients
- Instructing exercise with referred patients
Entry and progression
What you need and where it leads
- Entry requirements
- This course Level 3
- Further study
Entry requirements
- A suitable Level 2 qualification in Gym Instructing or Fitness Training
- The course requires physical exertion and individual participation is essential, therefore a degree of physical fitness is necessary.
- There is an element of communication (discussing, presenting, reading and writing) involved and learners should have basic skills in communication pitched at level 3.
Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.
Talk to us about where you could study after this course.
Careers it can lead to
- Fitness and Wellbeing Instructors £15.49 an hour
- Sports and Leisure Assistants £12.60 an hour
- Sports Players £18.44 an hour
- Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials £16.64 an hour
See all 8 careers
- Leisure and Travel Service Occupations £23,700 a year
- Leisure and Theme Park Attendants £12.91 an hour
With further study or experience
- Leisure and Sports Managers and Proprietors £31,800 a year
- Betting Shop and Gambling Establishment Managers £27,400 a year
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
Fees and funding
£399.00
course fee
Financial support
We also have a range of other financial support available.
Questions about fees?
Ask a question
or call 01724 281 111
Your next step
Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.
Want to visit first?
FE Open Event – 19th January 202719th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Got a question?
Ask us about the course, entry requirements or funding.
Call 01724 281 111
What happens after you apply
1
You apply
Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.
2
You meet your tutor
We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.
3
You get an offer
We’ll email you an offer, then invite you to enrol.