MScSport and Exercise Medicine

Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/sport/sportmed/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/

MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine

MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine

Why study MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine at Exeter?

• 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.

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Select date of entry Sept 2026

Select programme Full time Part time: 2 years Part time: 3 years

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Apply for Sept 2026 entry

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Contact

Programme Director: Dr Chris Byrne

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

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Top 40 in the world for Sports-related subjects

QS World University Subject Rankings 2025

Top 5 in the UK for Sports Science

5th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and the Complete University Guide 2026

1st in the UK for world-leading research in Sports Science

Research Excellence Framework 2021 based on 4* research submitted to UoA24 Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism

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.

Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Entry requirements for international students

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.

The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.

Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

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.

The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Modules

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

*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

Optional modules

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MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine, as a collaboration between Sport and Health Sciences and the College of Medicine and Health, provides exciting opportunities for students to develop multidisciplinary skills in academic, clinical and elite sporting environments.

My research interests are in lower limb injury mechanisms and the investigation of interventions to minimise risk of these injuries. I coordinate the Exeter Biomechanics Research Team (ExBiRT), a group that uses biomechanical tools to improve understanding of human movement.

View my profile

Read more from Dr Sharon Dixon

Dr Sharon Dixon

Programme Director and Associate Professor in Biomechanics

Fees

2026/27 entry

UK fees per year:

£15,000 full-time; £7,500 part-time (2 years); £5,000 part-time (3 years)

International fees per year:

£31,200 full-time; £15,600 part-time; £10,400 part-time (3 years)

Scholarships

The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. 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 postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.

*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..

Find out more about tuition fees and funding »

Funding

UK government postgraduate loan scheme

UK students studying one or two year variants of this programme may be eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan. More information can be found on the government website.

Scholarships

Details of scholarships, including our Global Excellence scholarships for international fee paying students, can be found on our dedicated funding page.

Teaching and research

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Work with experts

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.

Teaching methods

A diverse range of teaching and learning methods are employed on this programme. This combination aims to facilitate interaction, optimise the use of contact time, provide practical experience and allow flexibility through independent study.

Methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Practical laboratory sessions
• Practical clinical sessions
• Group work and discussion
• Independent study
• Applied placement in a performance sports setting

Additional guest lecturers will provide specific applied expertise for some modules.

Contact hours

Typical contact hours will be around 34 hours for each of the 30-credit modules taught by Sports Sciences.

Modules offered by the Medical School are typically taught in two-day blocks, with pre-work and post-work towards an assignment.

Tutorial support

Each student is allocated a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There is also a postgraduate tutor available to help with further guidance and advice.

Assessment

Assessments include:

• Written coursework
• Written examinations
• Laboratory reports
• Applied placement portfolio
• Dissertation
• Oral presentations
• Posters and infographics

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Careers

Employer-valued skills this course develops

This programme is designed to provide you with a more in-depth level of understanding and a sound basis in research and analytical skills in relation to sport and exercise medicine. It also develops a sound understanding of the disciplines that constitute the sports and exercise science support services to sports and health organisations.

Employers will be able to recognise the advanced knowledge and in-depth understanding and skills within the specialised area of sport and exercise medicine, which has professional and technical demands, as well as academic. For example, the ability to analyse factors related to injury that have been developed by researchers, and to understand how these factors relate to the applied and clinical setting. Also, a flexible approach to work such that an understanding of how sports and exercise medicine can be applied via an inter-disciplinary approach, to advance clinical skills in sports medicine, is promoted.

Placement opportunities

The Sport and Exercise Medicine Placement module provides the opportunity for practical experience of working in a performance sport setting as part of the support team. You will work alongside sports science / sports medicine staff to deliver day-to-day support in an area of interest (e.g. sports science performance testing, physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation, clinical assessment, medical screening), dependent on your academic/professional background and professional interest.

The module will provide detailed insight into the challenges of working in the high-pressure environment of professional sport, performing as part of a team of support staff. Examples of partners we currently work with include Exeter Chiefs Rugby Union Club, Exeter City F.C., Bridgwater United Women’s F.C., Millfield School Institute of Sport and Wellbeing and Commando Training Centre Royal Marines.

Supporting your career

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.

Careers services

We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers service, ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. We offer the Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award which include employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market. Our graduates compete very successfully in the employment market, with many employers targeting the University when recruiting new graduates.

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