Paediatric Exercise and Health MSc

I chose to study my MSc at Exeter due to the state-of-the-art facilities, the wealth of top-level researchers/professors involved in the course, and also to be able to take part in many cutting-edge research projects that are run throughout the year here. Ultimately, I hope to be involved in childhood health promotion and involve myself in key research crucial to the future health of our children.

I wanted to study at Exeter because of its excellent reputation for research and the bespoke Children’s Exercise and Health Research Centre. At Exeter, the team really are leading the science in much of the paediatric research.

As a PG student I’ve had the opportunity to join in with their fortnightly meetings and hear from guest speakers, learn about their own research, and discuss what the centre and its research will move forward with in the coming months and years.

I really enjoy the flexibility built in to modules that allows you to go away and develop your own knowledge and beliefs around your own personal interests. We are never told our opinions are right or wrong, or often even given the lecturer’s opinions. In the seminars you are then expected to be able to defend your choice based upon your reading, leading to some excellent debates. Rarely does everyone agree on the same point, and it really makes you consider what you are reading and why you believe what you do.

One of my highlights has been working within the exercise physiology labs. For example, being able to run tests looking at things like oxygen uptake kinetics and Lactate Profiling on friends away from university who plan to run the London Marathon - and then being able to apply their results to help improve their training.

The lecturers have been incredibly supportive and considerate of the additional needs that come with having a physical disability. My attendance can be negatively impacted at times, especially when admitted to hospital - but the head of the programme, and my personal tutor both remained in contact, and adjustments were put in place. The humour, personalities and genuine desire to help students shines through the lecturers on this course, who have been nothing short of amazing.

I am based at the St Luke’s Campus, which is very friendly and relaxed, and rarely do you wander around and not bump in to someone you know. As a result you mix with students from other course areas significantly more in my experience, and it is certainly less daunting at the start of the year.

My advice for prospective students is to apply. The worst that can happen will be that you decide it’s not for you. But the best? It will change your life.