MSc Sport and Exercise Science

Program Overview

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Train in the practical and theoretical elements of sport and exercise science. Explore the broad spectrum of areas that underpin health; sport and exercise. With our state-of-the-art facilities and science-based approach, you gain a solid understanding of the biology, physiology, biomechanics, nutrition and psychology of sport. You study a wide variety of topics including:

• The analysis of movement
• How extreme environments can affect human performance
• Paediatric exercise science
• Sport psychology

Our course allows you to gain practical hands-on experience in our specialist laboratory facilities, as well as learning the theoretical approaches. Our seminar-based teaching gives students a platform to participate in small group discussions and share expertise and knowledge. This course is also available part time.

Sport scholarships

Our Performance Sport Scholarship programme has been created for talented athletes playing at regional, national or international level, and offers a range of benefits. We want students competing in our focus sports (basketball, volleyball, tennis, football and rugby 7s), as well as other team sports and individual athletes, to contribute to our performance sport programme. Our scholarships can include fee discounts of up to 100%, offered to athletes who demonstrate sporting excellence. Athletes who are awarded the scholarship will receive a host of other benefits, including free kit, access to state-of-the-art facilities, performance coaching, the option to live in our Athlete Village (accommodation fees may vary) and a support package valued up to £1,500. These benefits are designed to help athletes focus on their training, and development, and to enable them to reach their full potential alongside their studies. Why we're great.

• Gain in-depth knowledge by using our cutting-edge advanced research equipment.
• We are 12th in the UK for Sports Science in The Guardian University Guide 2023.
• Have the opportunity to undertake a final dissertation research project or a work-based capstone project.

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Our expert staff

We offer a lively, friendly and supportive close-knit environment with research-led study and high-quality teaching. As part of our vibrant sports science community you learn from and work alongside internationally recognised academic researchers. Key academic staff for this course includes:

• Dr Jo Barton , Director of the Green Exercise Research Group and leading the way in this specialised research area
• Dr Matthew Taylor , leading expert in a wide variety of research interests from Exergaming to Ageing and Gait analysis
• Dr Gavin Sandercock , explores geographical and social interactions with exercise

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Specialist facilities

• Work in an open and friendly department, with shared staff-student social spaces
• Conduct your final-year research alongside academics and PhD students in shared labs
• Gain valuable experience working with our Human Performance Unit
• Dedicated research facilities
• Teaching facilities including new undergraduate laboratories

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Your future

The sports science, fitness, health and leisure sectors are booming and provide a variety of careers for sports and exercise science graduates. Typical career destinations include sports performance, sports management and sports development, health care, teaching, the health and fitness industry and academic research. We have great industry links and work closely with the University’s Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Program Outline

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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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. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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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. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 The research project module is an opportunity for you to carry out an individual scientific investigation on a topic relating to your degree specialisation. It will help develop your skills in reviewing synthesising and critically appraising academic literature. You will also be expected to design, analyse and interpret data and present findings in a scientific paper format. View Research Project on our Module Directory This module will focus on the fundamental assumptions underlying quantitative research, including; research design methods, sampling, and the validity and reliability of measurements in exercise science. Students will master the techniques needed to critically appraise published research and carry out a piece of original research. View Further Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health on our Module Directory Human movement, in particular walking gait is studied in some detail. Particular focus will be on what is 'normal' gait and from there the focus will shift to clinical populations and how gait is altered. The methods with which gait is analysed, from observational gait analysis to three-dimensional motion analysis, will also be explored with emphasis on interpreting the data and understanding how the data was obtained. View Biomechanics of Locomotion on our Module Directory This module explores contemporary topics in exercise and health psychology, focusing on translational research evidence. Physical activity and exercise are increasingly used to improve the health and wellbeing of the general population. You will gain an understanding of up-to-date research evidence on topics including motivation, self-concept, mental health, social support and the environment. You will explore how research is translated into applied interventions and how these interventions are evaluated. View Physical Activity and Wellbeing on our Module Directory This module explores the medical and physiological challenges associated with human adaptation to and tolerance of extreme environments. Students will engage with historical and contemporary research in the field, with the aim of proposing novel solutions to problems in survival physiology, working at altitude and extended duration space flight. View Applied Physiology on our Module Directory Provide a comprehensive understanding of the appropriate application of psychological knowledge to the measurement and assessment of human performance and develop applied skills necessary to service the needs of the athlete or coach and professionals in exercise settings. View Applied techniques in sport and exercise psychology on our Module Directory In this module, students will compare physiological responses to exercise of children and adolescents, with those of adults, examining the effects of age, sex and maturation. Students will examine the role that physical activity and fitness can play in improving markers of health and wellbeing in young people; an increasingly important area of study due to recent evidence (from work at the University of Essex showing declines in children's fitness). This module will explain the immediate and possible future benefits of physical activity and exercise for the health and wellbeing of healthy children and young athletes. View Developmental Issues in Sport and Exercise on our Module Directory The module will focus on the emerging personalisation of dietary strategies associated with health and performance. It will also consider exercise / physical activity context or advice relevant for health conditions or sporting performance. Particular attention will be paid to the mechanisms of how these strategies work, the methods by which their efficacy can be tested and the analysis of these results. Laboratory practicals will assess the biochemical response of extracellular buffers and the ergogenic potential of a personalised supplement strategy. View Personalising Health and Performance Nutrition on our Module Directory

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Teaching

• Lectures and seminars
• Small group laboratory sessions
• Practical skills sessions

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Assessment

• Our modules are assessed by a combination of exams, essays, verbal/visual presentations and written reviews