Program Overview

Sports Medicine MSc

Overview

Advance your career in sports medicine with our cutting-edge postgraduate course. The MSc in Sports Medicine offers a rigorous and applied learning experience tailored for professionals and graduates aiming to specialise in sports medicine. Designed for physical therapists, physiotherapists, sports therapists, rehab specialists, sports scientists, aspiring sports physicians, and other multidisciplinary team members, this course provides the skills and insights required to thrive in a rapidly evolving field.

Career Focus

• We aim to educate a new workforce of highly skilled practitioners, who can work with clients, patients and clinicians to address sports-related injuries.

Great Support from Staff

• Our students and external examiner report that we go above and beyond for our students and provide an excellent student experience. You will also have a dedicated Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will guide and support you throughout your academic journey.

Learn by Doing

• We like to do things a little differently, offering a mixture of interactive, applied and practical/lab-based sessions. You will be taught how to analyse, interpret and apply science, enabling you to thrive as an evidence-based practitioner within the health and exercise sector, while also enhancing your employability skills.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Research Methods in Sports Sciences
• The Applied Sports Scientist - Core Competencies
• Experiential Learning in Applied Sporting Performance
• Research Project in Sports Science
• Anatomy, aetiology and epidemiology of athlete injury/illness
• Monitoring and managing athlete injury and illness
• Prevention of athlete injury and illness

Module Details

Research Methods in Sports Sciences

• Module content:
  • Applications to the Faculty Research Ethics Committee.
  • Formulating the research question.
  • Developing appropriate studies for hypotheses testing.
  • Key factors in research design, reliability, and validity. Population sampling techniques.
  • Current controversies in sports science research.
  • Data analysis techniques - quantitative approaches, including a review of the use and application of old and new statistical analysis, flaws and faults in statistics.
  • Introduction to data analysis software (SPSS for Windows) and descriptive and inferential statistics, using appropriate examples and data from Sports Science.
  • Reporting findings.
  • Research ethics.
• Module aims:
  • Develop in students an understanding of research methods applicable to post-graduate study within the field of sports science.
  • Facilitate students’ ability to evaluate research methods and critique current research within the sub-disciplines of sports science.

The Applied Sports Scientist - Core Competencies

• Module content:
  • Sports science support within the sub-disciplines.
  • Sports science practitioner competencies (interpersonal skills, communication, empathy, listening skills, conflict management and resolution).
  • Ethics when working in the field (BASES guidelines).
  • Key issues for special populations (Children’s Act, Vulnerable Adults Policy, Creating safe environments).
  • Interview and case history techniques (interview skills, observation, and note taking).
  • Referral processes, guidelines and examples.
  • Reflection and the reflective process for practice.
  • Working with data for presentation.
  • The role of experimental research in guiding practice (scientist –practitioner model, practitioner-scholar model, action research).
• Module aims:
  • Introduce students to the key competencies and skills of the sports science practitioner including the ethical guidelines associated with sports science support and working with athletes from differing populations.
  • Develop a broad understanding of the role of sports science support services.

Experiential Learning in Applied Sporting Performance

• Module content:
  • In the first four weeks of the module students will further develop an understanding of the roles of the sports scientist (research and applied) and develop core competency skills and knowledge relating to code of conduct, ethical implications of applied sport science support work, and designing and implementing intervention strategies.
  • Each student will work in their chosen area of sports science/medicine undertaking work for an assigned tutor and/or client.
• Module aims:
  • Prepare students for applied research in the field areas of sports science and medicine.
  • Further develop in students the skills and competencies necessary for preparing and completing job applications and interviews in sports science/medicine.
  • Develop the core practical skills necessary for working with athletes and coaches in field and laboratory settings.
  • Develop transferable work placement skills (team work, communication, report writing).

Research Project in Sports Science

• Module content:
  • Module content will vary according to the individual research investigation requirements and will evolve through student initiative and student-tutor negotiation.
• Module aims:
  • Develop students research skills building on the knowledge gained in the taught modules.
  • Plan, conduct and report upon an independent piece of research and in doing so fulfil the post-graduate QAA Master's Degree Characteristics benchmark of demonstrating self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and acting autonomously.

Anatomy, aetiology and epidemiology of athlete injury/illness

• Module content:
  • The epidemiology of medical events and conditions in sports.
  • The aetiology of medical events and conditions in sports.
  • Issues in epidemiological and aetiological research.
  • The anatomy/pathology of sports conditions.
  • Health and well-being in the elite athlete.
  • Biomechanical techniques to evaluate movement.
• Module aims:
  • Develop knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology and aetiology of common sports conditions.
  • Develop the practical abilities to identify common sports conditions and the associated risk factors.

Monitoring and managing athlete injury and illness

• Module content:
  • Rehabilitation processes.
  • Return-to-play processes.
  • Physiological, biomechanical and psychological techniques to evaluate the rehabilitation process.
  • Working within the multidisciplinary environment.
• Module aims:
  • Develop knowledge and understanding of principles of injury rehabilitation.
  • Develop the practical abilities to monitor and manage the health and well-being of athletes.

Prevention of athlete injury and illness

• Module content:
  • Preventing injury in athletes.
  • Preventing illness in athletes.
  • Anti-doping in elite and professional sport.
• Module aims:
  • Develop knowledge and understanding of preventative techniques implemented to reduce the likelihood of injury and illness in athletes.
  • Develop the practical abilities to implement preventative injury programmes.

Who You'll Learn From

• Dr Edd Thomson, Senior Lecturer
• Dr Grace Smith, Senior Lecturer
• Professor Jamie Highton, Professor
• Professor Paul Worsfold, Professor
• Professor Daniel Bloyce, Head of Division
• Dr Carmel Edwards, Senior Lecturer

How You'll Learn

• Lectures, seminars, group work and laboratory practical sessions
• Assessments are designed to assess a range of skills and forms of communication
• This course is designed around in-person study
• There may be some online learning activities
• Types of assessments include case study work, rehab/exercise plans, oral presentations, discussions, critical reviews and infographics. There are no formal examinations.

Beyond the Classroom

• On this course, you’ll spend time out on placement where you’ll apply what you have learnt to real scenarios in the workplace, giving you genuine experience and insight that will prepare you for your future career.

Entry Requirements

• Home Students: A typical background for an applicant will be someone who has a first degree (minimum requirement of a lower second class honours classification) in Sport or Exercise Sciences, exercise physiology, sports rehabilitation, sports therapy, physiotherapy or physical therapy.
• International/EU Students: A typical background for an applicant will be someone who has a first degree (minimum requirement of a lower second class honours classification) in Sport or Exercise Sciences, exercise physiology, sports rehabilitation, sports therapy, physiotherapy or physical therapy.
• English Language Requirements: For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Where You'll Study

• Exton Park, Chester
• The location: Exton Park is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student.
• Modern learning resources and library: We have dedicated resources and IT services across campus, as well as our Seaborne Library; home to an extensive selection of books, e-books and e-journals, as well as bookable multimedia rooms, video conferencing space, 24-hour access computer labs, and The Hub; a comfortable two-floor study zone, suitable for independent and group study.
• Fitness facilities: Exton Park boasts an impressive choice of indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities, which are used for both competitive and recreational sports.
• Student Services: Exton Park is home to a number of our central support services, including Disability and Inclusion, Careers and Employability, and Student Support.
• Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces: Built in 1847 by former students, the University Chapel offers regular services and a venue to services.
• Accommodation: Most of our student accommodation is located either on or near Exton Park.
• Catering: We have several catering outlets available onsite, offering a wide selection of hot and cold food to students and visitors.

Fees and Funding

• Home Students: £8,775 for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International Students: £15,000 for a full-time course (2025/26)
• Please note: For MSc programmes where a placement or project year is undertaken there will be an additional charge of £2,750 for the placement/project year (due at the start of the second year of the course).
• The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee.

Your Future Career

• Many of our graduates pursue careers in applied sports medicine, securing roles with prestigious organisations like the English Institute of Sport or joining professional sports teams.
• However, several graduates are now working within the NHS as physiotherapists, so prospects are varied.
• Others advance into PhD programs, contributing to research in sports medicine, or move into academic roles in Further and Higher Education, sharing their expertise with future generations in the field.

Careers Service

• The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
• Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.