We designed this course to continue specialist studies at masters level for students who already possess a relevant first degree. You may also have an appropriate combination of other subject specific qualifications and relevant practical experience.
Normally you need one of the following
• a good first or upper second honours degree in sport science
• a good honours degree in a relevant science discipline with suitable content
• an alternative qualification with a suitable concentration of relevant science (at the discretion of the course leader)
• a qualification in science or sport science at a level lower than first degree coupled with relevant practical experience
The course leader will interview applicants with non-standard qualifications.
If your first language is not English you must normally produce evidence of competence in English such as TOEFL 260 or 620 or IELTS 7.
Academic titleMSc/PgDip/PgCert Sport and Exercise Science
Course descriptionWe have a long history of providing courses in sport, physical education and leisure management.
We recently spent £5m refurbishing and expanding our sport and exercise science facilities and have first class suites of research and teaching laboratories.
Our specialist Centre for Sport and Exercise Science (CSES) provides research and consultancy services for sport science at elite level. These include the sports of • squash • yachting • table tennis • cricket • soccer • rugby union • tennis. We also successfully supported athletes at the Athens Olympics in boxing, cycling, sailing and speed skating.
CSES is also heavily involved with the non-competitive exerciser and has prestigious grant-funded projects. For instance
• in physiology, the effects of upper and lower body exercise on intermittent claudication
• in psychology, the effects of exercise on breast cancer survivors
• in biomechanics, factors that increase susceptibility to injury
You benefit from CSES activities by our continuous updating of course content.
Members of The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) can become accredited practitioners in one of the three major disciplines, biomechanics, physiology and psychology plus as interdisciplinary scientists. We designed the course to reflect BASES’ supervised experience scheme and combine core studies with routes in each of these three disciplines.
The course enables you to
• develop your understanding of science
• develop your ability to apply theory to practice in sport and exercise
• work towards BASES accreditation
• conduct independent research
• gain experience as a sport or exercise science consultant
• complete a vocationally relevant higher degree
Major themes include
• biomechanics and performance analysis – measurement, performance, reducing injury, motor learning and motor control
• physiology – instrumentation and measurement, assessment of training and performance, health and exercise
• psychology – motor learning and motor control, sport psychology, exercise and health psychology, applied sport psychology
• nutrition – nutrition for health and exercise, sport nutrition
• strength and conditioning – muscle function and mechanics. measurement, high intensity training and performance
• research methods – principles of research design and evidence-based practice
Associated careers
This course supports BASES accreditation. Anyone wanting to offer sport science support to any athlete or national governing body of sport funded through the National Lottery’s World Class Potential and World Class Start schemes is encouraged to gain this accreditation. This qualification is important for anyone who seeks a career as a sport science practitioner.
The government considers exercise science to have an increasingly important role in the UK as part of a positive public health intervention strategy. Important initiatives such as ’Healthy Living Centres’ or ’General Practice (GP) Referral Schemes’ need suitably qualified professionals in this area.
This course is an important first step into employment in higher education. Many universities with sport-related courses require staff to have accreditation as well as a higher degree. The course and accreditation orientation also opens many other doors into further training.
Students with this qualification and accreditation usually enter careers in, for example • research • the health and fitness industry • coaching • the pharmaceutical industry • the armed and uniformed services • journalism • teaching • local health trusts • professional soccer clubs • work with elite sport performers in a variety of sports
Other careers include
• sports science support officer – biomechanics, physiology or psychology
• sport national governing body and English Institute of Sport support workers
• opportunities in health clubs and gym
Course content
Core modules
• research methods 1 • scientific support 1
Biomechanics modules
• measurement techniques in biomechanics and performance analysis • improving performance • movement coordination and skill acquisition • reducing injury
Physiology modules
• training and performance: aerobic domain • physical activity for disease prevention and rehabilitation • measurement techniques in sport and exercise physiology • training and performance: high intensity domain
Psychology modules
• psychology of sport and performance • physical activity and health behaviour change • applied techniques in sport psychology • movement coordination and skill acquisition
Nutrition modules
• nutrition for physical activity and health • training and performance analysis: aerobic domain • advanced sports nutrition • measurement techniques in sport and exercise physiology
Strength and conditioning modules
• measurement techniques in biomechanics and performance analysis • muscle function and mechanics • movement coordination and skill acquisition • training and performance: high intensity domain
To gain the MSc you must submit a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words.
Course content
Core modules
• research methods 1 • scientific support 1
Biomechanics modules
• measurement techniques in biomechanics and performance analysis • improving performance • movement coordination and skill acquisition • reducing injury
Physiology modules
• training and performance: aerobic domain • physical activity for disease prevention and rehabilitation • measurement techniques in sport and exercise physiology • training and performance: high intensity domain
Psychology modules
• psychology of sport and performance • physical activity and health behaviour change • applied techniques in sport psychology • movement coordination and skill acquisition
Nutrition modules
• nutrition for physical activity and health • training and performance analysis: aerobic domain • advanced sports nutrition • measurement techniques in sport and exercise physiology
Strength and conditioning modules
• measurement techniques in biomechanics and performance analysis • muscle function and mechanics • movement coordination and skill acquisition • training and performance: high intensity domain
To gain the MSc you must submit a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words.