Health And Fitness Courses After 12th: Course Detail, Fees, Syllabus, Scope

As our lives get busier to match pace with the dynamic world around us, there is an increasing need and willingness among people to focus on their health seriously. With the health and fitness industry growing rapidly and wellness tourism becoming a highly lucrative front, more and more young people are opting for a career in the field. 

If you too are conscious about what you eat and how you regulate your body and want to help people do the same, health and fitness courses are a great way to expand your knowledge and make a thriving career. To apply for undergraduate courses, you need only a basic understanding of nutrition and human anatomy and good analytical and critical thinking skills. 

Read Also: The Rise of Wellness Tourism Trends: What to Expect in 2025?

With a deep knowledge of food science, metabolism, food safety regulations, and details about exercising yoga, and wellness, professional courses build a strong foundation and offer advanced training. It is a great way to kickstart your professional journey and learn how to navigate the professional space. 

Read ahead for a detailed guide to popular health and fitness courses and the job opportunities they offer.

Essential Knowledge Skills to Pursue A Career in Health and Fitness

Choosing the right course for yourself is a big decision. If you are reading this, you are already on the right track – thorough research about the discipline you want to study and understanding the requirements is the first (and quite important) step. 

Here are some key skills you will need to pursue a career in health and fitness – 

Understanding human anatomy – Nutrition, exercises, and diet plans are not one-size-fits-all. Knowledge of human anatomy is a must if you want to pursue a career in health and fitness – it allows you to structure personalized diet charts, suggest the right workouts, and help people keep themselves healthy. 

Basic Knowledge of Nutrition – Our diet, lifestyle, and what we put on our plate has a direct impact on our health. An idea of food groups and nutrients and their contribution to improving health and metabolism is key to building a foundation in health and fitness. 

Analytical and Presentation Skills – As a health and fitness professional, you will analyze diet charts, understand health reports, and simplify jargon to talk to people in a way they understand. 

Soft Skills – Skills like critical thinking, communication, time management, and problem-solving are integral to a career in health and fitness. It will help you empathize with people, ensure you convey messages effectively, work within deadlines, and create a collaborative work environment for your team. 

Eligibility Criteria

To enroll in health and fitness courses, you must complete your 10+2 with a minimum aggregate score of 45% – 50% or the equivalent grade point (CGPA) from a recognized board (CBSE, ICSE, State Boards, NIOS, and so on). 

Many universities require you to study specific subjects in your 10+2 to apply for these programs. While some courses have PCMB (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology) or PCB as their subject requirement, others allow students from any stream to study nutrition, dietetics, and health-related courses. 

Universities and colleges that offer undergraduate degree courses can have their specific eligibility criteria as well. Don’t forget to check out the official websites of the institutes you want to apply to for detailed information regarding application processes. 

Entrance Exams For Health And Fitness Courses

There are multiple national-level entrance exams/eligibility tests that you can take to enroll in an undergraduate degree course.

CUET (Common University Entrance Test) is an all-India entrance exam for students pursuing health, fitness, and nutrition-related courses after 10+2. You will require at least a 50% aggregate score to take the exam. Once you have cleared it, you can choose colleges based on your score and rank. 

Read Also: Emerging Trends in Health and Wellness Education in 2025

For those who want to study B.Tech in Food Technology, JEE Mains allows you to choose from some of the most reputed institutes in the country. You need a minimum 50%-60% aggregate score with PCMB in your 10+2 to appear in the exam. 

Other than these, there are state-level exams and tests conducted independently by institutes – WBJEE, AAFT GEE, and more – that will let you enroll in a number of health and fitness courses after 12th. These are sometimes followed by a Personal Interview (PI) round preceding the final admissions. 

Start working on your basic skills and preparing for the eligibility tests for a seat in the top colleges and get ahead of the curve.

Health and Fitness Courses in India – Syllabus and Course Fees

Depending on where you want to work and what professional route you want to take, there are multiple courses with varied lengths, subject combinations, and prospects. Here are some of the most popular undergraduate degree and diploma courses that you can pursue – 

Course	Course Duration (Years)	Approximate Fee Structure (INR)	Subjects Taught
B.Sc in Nutrition & Dietetics	3	10,000 – 2,00,000	Nutrients & Their FunctionsAnatomy & Human DevelopmentUnderstanding MetabolismMethods of Assessing the BodyBasics of Public Healthcare SystemsIntroduction to MicrobiologyDiet CounsellingFood Safety Laws & PracticesPediatric & Geriatric NutritionBudget Cooking and Meal-Planning
B.Sc. in Sports Nutrition	3	10,000 – 2,00,000	Basics of Nutrition & Food ScienceHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyExercise PhysiologySports Nutrition, Assessment, & CounsellingSports PsychologyMeal Planning & Preparations
B.Sc. in Physical Education, Health Education, and Sports	3	2,000 – 1,80,000	Health EducationExercise PhysiologyAnatomy & KinesiologySports NutritionSports Medicine & RehabilitationSports AdministrationFundamentals of Sports TrainingKinesiology & Biomechanics
B.Tech in Food Technology	4	16,000 – 8,00,000	Introduction to Food Science & TechnologyPrinciples of Food PreservationBasics of Food Chemistry Basics of Food EngineeringFood Microbiology & SafetyFood Processing OperationsPost-Harvest ManagementFood Business Management
Diploma in Food & Nutrition	1-3	10,000 – 50,000	Principles of Nutrition & HealthFood Selection & Meal PlanningMethods & Principles of Food PreparationCommercial & Large Scale Food PreparationsFood Science & TechnologyBasics of Therapeutic Nutrition & Diet Therapy
Diploma in Yoga	1	8,000 – 45,000	Fundamentals of YogaHistory & Origin of YogaAlignment of AsanasBasics of Human Anatomy & PhysiologyIntroduction to AyurvedaUnderstanding Indian PhilosophyBasics of Disease Prevention Teaching Yoga

Jobs in Health and Fitness

With the rapid growth of the health and fitness industry in the country, the employment rate is expected to rise as well. The changing needs of society and emphasis on holistic growth are prompting educational institutes to provide adequate health and fitness infrastructure. Companies too are focusing on wellness as an in-house recreational facility to boost efficiency and productivity. 

As a new professional, you can work across industries and sectors depending on your specialization, skills, and interests. While the pay varies from one position to another, you can expect an average annual salary of ₹3,50,000 – ₹5,00,000 in entry-level jobs. 

Read Also: How to Start a Career in Nutrition and Dietetics

Here are some popular career options and their average entry-level salaries that you can consider as a fresher  – 

Nutritionist – ₹4,00,000 – ₹5,00,000

Dietitian – ₹3,00,000 – ₹3,50,000 

Health Coach – ₹4,00,000 – ₹6,00,000

Fitness Trainer – ₹2,50,000 – ₹3,50,000

Fitness Writer – ₹4,00,000 – ₹4,50,000

Wellness Coordinator – ₹2,40,000 – ₹3,50,000

Food Inspector – ₹4,50,000 – ₹5,50,000

Food Quality Controller – ₹3,00,000 – ₹4,00,000

Conclusion

If you are in school right now and want to pursue a course in health and fitness, start by building a foundation and learning the basics of the relevant subjects. Online resources and video tutorials are a great way to introduce yourself to the discipline and get a headstart in your academic and professional life after school.

Read Also: Dietetics vs Nutrition Science: What’s the Difference?

Take an entrance test to get the chance to study the health and fitness course of your choice in a reputed institution and make a successful career. With an undergraduate degree or diploma and relevant certifications, you can work as a nutritionist, get into fitness training, or work as a food quality controller, and land high-paying jobs. Make sure you check the institute’s eligibility criteria, accreditations, infrastructure, faculty expertise, placement opportunities, and alumni base before enrolling in a course. 

AAFT Nutrition and Dietetics Course is a glimpse into the world of health and fitness through hands-on training, relevant materials, and acclaimed facilitators. With this 3-year degree course, you can be proficient in technical and non-technical skills, and be ready to transition into the industry.