MSc Sport and Health Sciences

With an excellent reputation for teaching quality, our MSc Sport and Health Sciences presents an exciting and challenging opportunity to develop scientific understanding of sport, exercise and health. Programme content is underpinned by past and current research from our internationally recognised research groups: Integrative Physiology; Human Movement Science, and Physical Activity and Health Across the Lifespan.

Our MSc Sport and Health Sciences provides you with a sound grounding in research methods and analytical procedures relating to sport and health sciences. The programme presents opportunities to employ theoretical concepts in applied sport, health and exercise settings and allows you to choose from a diverse range of modules allied to our research expertise.

Delivered within a friendly and supportive learning environment, the programme draws upon innovative multi-method and multi-disciplinary research and teaching by our leading academics. You will have access to state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities including modern laboratories for biomechanics, physiology and psychology. You will also have the opportunity to be involved with on-going research projects and develop key transferable skills, which has led to a number of students subsequently seeking PhD study.

A dedicated careers day and tailored career support for each student are provided. Graduates of the programme have typically found employment in a variety of sport, exercise, leisure management and consultancy, and health promotion settings. Recent examples include: community based obesity practitioners and physical activity facilitators; lifestyle support worker and public health officers for NHS trusts; sports development officers; and a research assistant at the Medical Research Council.

This programme is suitable for sport, exercise and health-related professionals seeking continuing professional development. Recent examples of professionals graduating from our programmes include medical doctors, practice nurses, physiotherapists and youth sports managers/coaches.

Programme structure

The programme is made up of compulsory and optional modules, which may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. The following are examples of what you can expect to be learning.

Compulsory modules

The compulsory modules are likely to be:

• Research Methods and Analytical Procedures
• Dissertation (Journal Article).

Optional modules

Some examples of optional modules are as follows:

• Biomechanical Aspects of Lower Limb Injury
• Laboratory Techniques in Physiology
• Paediatric Exercise and Health
• Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease
• Current Issues in Sport and Exercise Psychology

Learning and teaching

The MSc Sport and Health Sciences presents an academic challenge whilst also providing you with the skills to apply theoretical concepts in real-world laboratory and field settings. The Masters programme is intended to enhance teaching and learning through research and applied practice derived from sport, health and exercise. It will provide you with the opportunity to employ theoretical concepts in applied sport, health and exercise settings and acquire a range of transferable skills to develop as an autonomous and reflective individual.

Ranked 3rd in the UK for world leading and internationally excellent research across the discipline^, all of our teaching staff are active researchers and their work informs public policy on exercise and health. For example, we provide scientific support and consultancy services to national and international athletes and teams including Rugby Football Union, England and Wales Cricket Board, and the Football Association.

A variety of teaching and learning methods will be used throughout the programme. You will learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratories, computer laboratories, field-based work, and self-directed research-based work.

Careers

MSc graduates are well placed for career opportunities in a number of different employment sectors such as sport, exercise, leisure management and consultancy, health promotion, finance and marketing. In addition, the Masters degree provides an opportunity for further study.

More information

For more information on careers in exercise and sport sciences take a look at:

• British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) careers guide
• University Employability and Graduate Development Service’s section for Working in Sport

Other information about careers and employability can be found on the University’s Employability website.

Visit the MSc Sport and Health Sciences page on the University of Exeter website for more details!