Program Overview

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Integrated Master in Science: Sports and Exercise Science

The MSci Sports and Exercise Science is a four-year degree, extendable to five with an optional year in placement or abroad. You'll gain a new and exciting perspective on the world of sport, exercise, health, and physical fitness, ready to help athletes optimize their performance and improve the physical activity, health, and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

What is the MSci Sports and Exercise Science?

The MSci Sports and Exercise Science provides you with a strong understanding of the role of physiology, psychology, biomechanics, and nutrition in sports and exercise. You'll first study three years at undergraduate level, then a final year at Masters-level where you'll investigate more advanced topics and specialize in one area of research.

Why this course

• The MSci Sports and Exercise Science provides you with a strong understanding of the role of physiology, psychology, biomechanics, and nutrition in sports and exercise.
• You'll first study three years at undergraduate level, then a final year at Masters-level where you'll investigate more advanced topics and specialize in one area of research.
• By focusing on practical work in your first two years, you'll consolidate your professional and scientific skills needed for your final-year research project.
• You can also gain more real-world experience at our renowned Human Performance Unit (HPU) where you can work with performance scholars, students, staff, and members of the public.

Who should apply

• Future sports practitioners, coaches, or researchers
• Those looking to optimize athletes' performance or the fitness and wellbeing of the public
• Students considering careers through a broad understanding of sport and exercise science
• Practical learners eager to put new knowledge into practice

What you'll learn

• Energy: How and why different energy systems are deployed at different exercise intensities
• Biomechanics: Biomechanical principles behind acute and chronic sporting injuries, and how these can be applied to prevent injuries
• Aids: The role of ergogenic aids in improving athletic performance
• Prevention: How physical activity and nutrition can reduce the risk of cardio-metabolic disease
• Psychology: The design and implementation of psychological skills training programmes
• Specialise: Tailor your degree through your choice of optional modules

Your learning experience

• Optional study abroad year: Spend a year at one of our partner universities and experience another culture with the Study Abroad programme
• Optional placement year: Gain professional experience in a business or organisation with university support from Placements at Essex
• Expert teaching: Learn from experienced and expert researchers and practitioners with over 25 years' experience
• Specialist facilities: Access our Sport Arena, physiotherapy labs, sport and physiology labs, sports therapy labs, and sports therapy clinic

Careers and outcomes

An MSci Sports and Exercise Science degree prepares you for diverse careers in:

• Sports teams and clubs: Coaching, sports development, performance analysis, centre management
• National bodies: Health improvement, sports development, health and safety
• Education: Physical education teaching (primary or secondary)
• Health: Sports therapy, nutrition, physiology, sport psychology
• Fitness: Fitness training, personal training

Employers of graduates from this course

Graduates from this course have progressed to roles in national and international organisations, including:

• Triathlon England Youth Forum
• York St. John University

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

• GCSE: Mathematics C/4. Plus one of the level 3 qualifications below:
• A-levels: ABB - BBB or 128 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels and a minimum grade B in a science subject or Mathematics. PE and Psychology are acceptable as science A-levels.
• BTEC: DDM or 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken.
• Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 128 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent including B in one science subject or Mathematics. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
• IB: 32 - 30 points in the IB Diploma or 128 - 120 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects including 5 in a Higher level science subject or Mathematics.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries.

English language requirements

• English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Structure

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.

Components and modules explained

• Components: Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
• Modules: Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

Year 1

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
  • Professional Skills and Development 1 (30 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
  • Introduction to Sports and Exercise Science (15 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
  • Fundamentals of Human Movement (15 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
  • Sport and Exercise Psychology (15 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY
  • Principles of Nutrition and Metabolism (15 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY
  • Introduction to Exercise Physiology (15 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY
  • Anatomy and Physiology for Sport (15 CREDITS)

Year 2

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
  • Professional Skills 2 (15 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
  • Research Methods in Sport and Exercise (15 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL
  • Optional module(s) from list (30 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL
  • Optional module(s) from list (45 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 05: OPTIONAL
  • Optional module(s) from list (15 CREDITS)

Year 3

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
  • Research Project (45 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 02: OPTIONAL
  • Option(s) from list (45 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL
  • Option(s) from list (30 CREDITS)

Year 4 (Final Year)

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
  • Further Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health (30 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
  • Literature Review (30 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL
  • Option(s) from list (30 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL
  • Option(s) from list (30 CREDITS)

Placement

On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry.

Year abroad

On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£9,790 per year

International fee

£22,600 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.