Program Overview

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MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine

Overview

You will develop your scientific understanding of sport, exercise and medicine through theoretical concepts in applied sport, health and exercise settings. The subject areas you will study are underpinned by internationally recognised research, with a diverse range of optional modules allied to our research expertise. You will be taught in an outstanding teaching and learning environment, as recognised through the awarding of a Gold rating in the UK Government’s first national Teaching Excellence Framework. The majority of the programme is based at St Luke’s Campus, providing a unique collaborative setting and range of facilities. The campus culture has a focus on research in exercise and health, with thriving societies in Sport and Health Sciences and Sport and Exercise Medicine. Your peers will include a diverse mix of students, such as graduates of sport and health sciences, medical sciences, physiotherapy, medicine and other health care professions.

Entry Requirements

Typically a 2:2 degree with 55% and above in a related discipline. Related disciplines may include: Exercise and Sport Science, Sport and Exercise Medicine, Physiotherapy, Medical Sciences, Medicine, Human Biosciences. A 2:2 degree below 55% in a related discipline will also be considered.

Applicants who do not meet the exact published entry criteria should also submit a personal statement outlining why they wish to study this programme.

Please note that for the optional module Sport and Exercise Medicine Placement and, in some circumstances, research projects as part of a dissertation, students will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Course Content

This course is open to graduates and professionals from a wide range of backgrounds including exercise and sport science, sport and exercise medical science, physiotherapy, doctors and other health care professionals.

The unique collaboration between two sector-leading disciplines of sport science and medicine provides numerous opportunities to gain new, evidence-based knowledge and experience.

Our world-leading staff expertise in biomechanics, psychology, physiology, nutrition, and physical activity and health along with additional research expertise in the areas of public health, health promotion, and the impact of the environment on health, allows us to create a unique flavour to the course with research-led modules in a variety of areas.

The course provides an extensive range of modules, which allow you to tailor your degree in line with your background and future ambitions. Through development of a grounding in sport and exercise medicine theory and practice, you will obtain the skills and knowledge to work in a sports setting.

A particular benefit of this course is the option to undertake a professional placement in a performance sports or military setting, for example with one of our partner organisations. This practical experience will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the role of support teams in these settings, an important consideration for students seeking a career in this field.

Modules

• 150 credits of compulsory modules and 30 credits of optional modules.
• a select either SHSM024 or HPDM092 and HPDM093 (you cannot select all three of these modules).

Compulsory Modules

Code	Module	Credits
SHSM025	Dissertation (Journal Article)	60
SHSM057	Health Challenges in Sport and Exercise Medicine	15
SHSM058	Orthopaedic Challenges in Sport and Exercise Medicine	15
SHSM035	Introduction to Sport and Exercise Medicine	15
SHSM060	Preparation, Rehabilitation, and Return to Sport	15
SHSM024	Research Methods and Analytical Procedures	30
HPDM092	Fundamentals of Research Design	15
HPDM093	Systematic Reviews for Policy and Practice	15

Optional Modules

Code	Module	Credits
HPDM055	Qualitative Methods and Process Evaluations	15
HPDM056	Clinical Trials	15
HPDM105	Education Essentials	15
SHSM006	Laboratory Techniques in Physiology	30
SHSM022	Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease	30
SHSM037	Sport and Exercise Medicine Placement	15
SHSM054	Vascular Physiology and Health	15
HPDM194	Management and Leadership in Global Healthcare	30
HPDM154Z	Future Health: Beyond Data	15
HPDM155Z	Future Health: Reimagining Systems	15
SHSM059	Nutrition for High Performance	30

Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year:

£14,900 full-time; £7,500 part-time (2 years); £5,000 part-time (3 years)

International fees per year:

£30,900 full-time; £15,500 part-time; £10,300 part-time (3 years)

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone taught Masters degree (eg MA, MSc, MRes, MFA, LLM, PGCert, PGDip) or research degree (eg MPhil, PhD) with us a scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees. These scholarships are worth 20% of the first year tuition fee for students enrolling on a postgraduate taught or research programme of study in 2025/26. Full details can be found here.

Teaching and Research

Sport and Health Sciences and the Medical School both have thriving research cultures, enhanced by joint collaboration in several areas.

World-leading researchers span areas including:

• physiological testing of elite performers
• children’s health and exercise
• physiological and metabolic factors underpinning human performance in health and disease
• mechanisms and management of sport injuries
• maintenance of physical activity in people with impaired function
• physical activity monitoring and epidemiology for populations across the lifespan
• diabetes
• cardiovascular risk and ageing
• dementia
• neuroscience and mental health
• diagnostics
• primary care
• health economics
• health services policy
• medical imaging
• relational health
• and patient involvement in health research.

Sport and medical specialists from outside the University who contribute to teaching include:

• Dr Kay Brennan - Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant
• Lucy Wright - Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Gold ACPSEM Accreditation

Visiting speaker seminar series available to students include those in sport and health sciences, health research, primary care and clinical education.

There are many opportunities for MSc students to gain experience working with research groups, including for their dissertation project.

Existing collaborations with industry and sports teams provide numerous and wide-ranging opportunities to gain applied research experience, for example through internships and placements.

Careers

Each year students are able to access a huge range of opportunities when considering their future career options. After graduating, you might expect to pursue careers in a variety of sport, exercise, consultancy, management and health promotion settings.

The programme has been designed to align with aspects of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (FSEM) curriculum content, thus providing a training opportunity for medics wishing to take the FSEM membership exam to become a Sport and Exercise Medicine specialist. For other clinical professionals and sport scientists, opportunities such as the British Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Supervised Experience can be undertaken to demonstrate excellent knowledge, skills and networks that will equip them for a career in elite sport.

Related Courses

• Sport and Health Sciences MSc
• Health Research Methods MSc
• Sports Management MSc
• Advanced Clinical Practice MSc
• Extreme Medicine MSc (Distance)
• Clinical Education MSc

View all Sport and Health Sciences courses.