MRes Health and Wellbeing

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum 2:1 degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.

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

Course content

This programme is designed to enhance your interdisciplinary understanding of the social, biological and environmental drivers of individual health behaviours and interventions appropriate to develop health and wellbeing. It will extend your understanding of the social science that underpins the development of effective interventions, strategies and policies aimed at sustainable improvement in health and wellbeing, and reducing physical and psychological health inequalities.

The programme examines contemporary issues related to modifiable disease risk behaviours, and the determinants and correlates of these lifestyle behaviours across the lifespan. You will develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary skills and processes to translate scientific research into practical health and wellbeing applications.

MRes Health and Wellbeing forms part of the Economic and Social Research Council South West Doctoral Training Partnership - a hub of world-class social science research comprising five South West universities. The MRes also forms the first part of a collaborative (MRes + MPhil/PhD) pathway, which includes further collaborative elements with the Universities of Bath, Bristol and the West of England. Read more about the MPhil/PhD in Sport and Health Sciences.

The modules we outline here 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.

Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year:

£10,900 full-time; £5,500 part-time

International fees per year:

£30,900 full-time; £15,500 part-time

Scholarships

We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students. This includes over £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*.

For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

^{*Selected programmes only. Please see the Terms and Conditions for each scheme for further details.}

Teaching and research

Learn from experts

Ranked 1st in the UK for research*, all of our teaching staff are active researchers and their work informs public policy on exercise and health. For example, we provide scientific support and consultancy services to national and international athletes and teams including Rugby Football Union, England and Wales Cricket Board, and the Football Association. Some of our academics sit on the UK Chief Medical Officer’s physical activity expert group, which informs government policy on physical activity guidelines.

How you'll learn

The MRes Health and Wellbeing adopts a range of small-group teaching methods alongside encouraging independent study. An innovative element of the programme is its integrated inter-institutional teaching through the ‘Contemporary Debates in Lifestyle Behaviours and Public Health’ interdisciplinary module. This module provides an insight into the challenges of working across disciplines with staff and fellow students.

Specifically, you will be exposed to the following learning and teaching methods:

Read more

Careers

The programme aims to prepare you for a career as a professional researcher in either academic or non-academic environments. It  provides you with a range of transferable skills appropriate to Masters-level research within this theme, and is a solid foundation for embarking on doctoral level studies. Upon graduation you should be well-equipped to progress to PhD study or work in the area of health and wellbeing policy and practice.

Careers Services

Our careers teams at the Career Zone can help guide you through a wealth of information to match your skills and interests to a career that will suit you. Our staff work with regional, national and international employers to develop new work placement, project and graduate opportunities.

Recent graduates

Below are a few examples of initial jobs undertaken by graduates of University of Exeter Sport and Health Sciences Masters programmes. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2016/17. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.

Recent graduates are now working as:

• Football Systems Operator
• Health Adviser
• Sports Science Testing Assistant
• Strength and Conditioning Intern

Read more

Related courses

View all Sport and Health Sciences courses