Program Overview

MSc (by Dissertation) Sport and Exercise Science

Overview

The MSc (by Dissertation) Sport and Exercise Science is a postgraduate research course that allows students to investigate a chosen topic in depth and reach a profound understanding. The course is based in the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences at the University of Essex.

Course Details

• Start date: April 2026, October 2026, January 2027, April 2027
• Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
• Duration: 1 year - 2 years
• Location: Colchester Campus

Research Areas

The School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences offers research supervision in all areas of staff expertise in sports and exercise sciences and related areas. Students have access to a range of specialist facilities, including:

• Ergometers and treadmills
• Stand-alone and portable gas analysers
• Force plates
• Isokinetic dynamometers
• Vicon motion capture system
• Electronic timing gates
• Full blood gas analysers
• EMG systems

Expert Staff

The School has a proven track record of excellence in teaching, research, and applied sports science. Students are allocated a supervisor who guides them through the different stages of their research degree.

Specialist Facilities

The School is housed within the Essex Sport Arena, a state-of-the-art development that brings together education, rehabilitation, exercise, and research. Facilities include:

• A sports hall the size of three basketball courts
• Two labs for sports therapy training
• A sports therapy clinic
• Dedicated physiotherapy labs
• A Human Performance Unit (HPU) that provides educational and coaching services

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• A good honours degree or Masters degree, or equivalent, in a related subject
• A well-developed research proposal
• Attendance at an interview/Skype interview for acceptance

International & EU Entry Requirements

• A wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries are accepted
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5, or equivalent, with a minimum of 5.5 in all other components

Structure

• A research degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving students the chance to investigate their chosen topic in real depth
• Students must attend two formal supervisory board meetings each year, where they submit literature reviews and research reports

Assessment

• The aim of undertaking the MSc (by Dissertation) is to train as an independent researcher who can critically assess other research work
• The MSD programme is usually one year's duration full-time and two years' part-time
• The MSD thesis is generally completed within one year and has a maximum length of 30,000 words

Fees and Funding

• Home/UK fee: ｣5,006 per year
• International fee: ｣22,550 per year
• Fees will increase for each academic year of study
• Scholarships, bursaries, or discounts may be available to help with the cost of the course

Related Courses

• MPhil Sport and Exercise Science
• PhD Sport and Exercise Science
• DSES Sport and Exercise Science

Your Future

Graduates go on to a range of careers in research and development, sales, industry, and teaching. The University's Performance Sport Scholarship programme is available for talented athletes, offering benefits such as fee discounts, free kit, and access to state-of-the-art facilities.