| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | St Luke's Campus |
| Discipline | Sport and Health Sciences |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | Normally a 2:2 degree or equivalent |
|---|---|
Overview
- Our MSc Sport and Health Sciences provides you with a sound grounding in research methods and analytical procedures relating to sport and health sciences
- The programme presents opportunities to employ theoretical concepts in applied sport, health and exercise settings and allows you to choose from a diverse range of modules allined to our research expertise
- Delivered within a friendly and supportive learning environment, the course draws upon innovative multi-method and multi-disciplinary research and teaching by our leading academics
- You will have access to state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities including modern laboratories for biomechanics, physiology and psychology
- Opportunities are available to be involved with ongoing research projects and develop key transferable skills, which has led to a number of students subsequently seeking PhD study
Top 30 in the world for Sports-related subjects
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Top 3 in the UK for Sports Science
3rd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
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
Top 30 in the world for Sports-related subjects
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Top 3 in the UK for Sports Science
3rd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
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
The course content is topical and up to date, taught by some great lecturers. My dissertation supervisor has been great in supporting me to identify a topic that I am interested in and helping me shape it into a feasible project.
Exeter has a great reputation for sport and health sciences and is one of the best in the country.
There is a good range of modules covering different aspects of sport science. There is also a good variety of lecturers within each course so you are taught by people who have a real interest and speciality in the subject.
My dissertation is on the kinetics of blood flow through the middle cerebral artery in response to exercise. I am working in a team with a PhD student and another Masters student which allows us to collect more data. It’s the first time this sort of data has ever been collected in children so it’s very exciting to link it to adult data.
For me, I love the fact that the University has two campuses based in Exeter, both with amazing facilities for everyone to use. Sport Science is on the smaller of the two campuses which means you get to know a lot of other students and staff very well. There are lots of different workspaces and you can choose what sort of environment you like, depending on what work you are doing/how you work best. Plus, it is really easy to access town and other food outlets in Exeter.
Livvy
MSc Sport and Health Sciences
Entry requirements
Normally a minimum 2:2 degree with 55% and above or equivalent in a relevant discipline e.g. Health, Sport, Exercise, Biology, Medicine.
Applicants who do not meet the exact published entry criteria should also submit a personal statement outlining why they wish to study this programme.
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 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
With an excellent reputation for teaching quality, our MSc Sport and Health Sciences presents an exciting and challenging opportunity to develop scientific understanding of sport, exercise and health. Course content is underpinned by past and current research from our internationally recognised research groups: Integrative Physiology, Human Movement Science, and Physical Activity and Health Across the Lifespan.
Studying this course either over one year or two years (i.e. part-time) affords you the opportunity to develop your scientific skills across a wide range of areas, which are delivered by leading researchers in their field. Specifically, our discipline is ranked 1st for research by the Research Excellence Framework 2021. This research-intensive environment enables students to be involved in the very latest developments across a broad array of areas.
You will be taught (and have the opportunity to pursue a dissertation supervised) by members of staff who are at the frontier of the research field. This covers a wide array of areas – from health to performance, with expertise in physiology, psychology, biomechanics, skill acquisition, motor control, nutrition and sports medicine.
The modular nature of the course exposes you to new opportunities, whilst allowing you to pursue areas you are most interested in. This culminates in the chance to work closely with a supervisor and specialise in an area by completing a dissertation project.
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.
90 credits of compulsory modules, 90 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SHSM024 | Research Methods and Analytical Procedures | 30 |
| SHSM025 | Dissertation (Journal Article) | 60 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SHS MSc SHS opt 2024-5 | ||
| SHSM006 | Laboratory Techniques in Physiology | 30 |
| SHSM014 | Paediatric Exercise and Health | 30 |
| SHSM022 | Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease | 30 |
| SHSM054 | Vascular Physiology and Health | 15 |
Dr Victoria Stiles is a Biomechanist interested in measuring aspects of human movement relevant to bone health and injury. She is experienced in collecting and analysing laboratory-based biomechanical data and large-scale accelerometry data to measure the prevalence of bone-specific activity in free-living individuals.
Dr Victoria Stiles
Programme Director and Senior Lecturer in Sports Biomechanics
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£13,200 full-time; £6,600 part-time
International fees per year:
£30,900 full-time; £15,500 part-time
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.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Teaching and research
How will I learn?
This Masters course is intended to enhance teaching and learning through research and applied practice derived from sport, health and exercise. It will provide you with the opportunity to employ theoretical concepts in applied sport, health and exercise settings and acquire a range of transferable skills to develop as an autonomous and reflective individual.
A variety of teaching and learning methods will be used throughout the course. You will learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratories, computer laboratories, field-based work, and self-directed research-based work. Smaller group or individual meetings can also be scheduled (either on campus or in person).
Learning from experts
Ranked 1st in the UK for world-leading and internationally excellent research across the discipline*, all of our teaching staff are active researchers and their work informs public policy on exercise and health.
Assessment
Different modules require different types of coursework. Some will require you to attend practical classes in order to collect data that has to be analysed as part of the coursework assessment and attendance at these sessions is compulsory. Other modules require you to submit coursework essays resulting from individual study. Some modules include oral presentations, so that you can develop those important scientific communication skills.
Facilities
The department boasts state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities including modern laboratories for biomechanics, physiology and psychology.
*Research Excellence Framework 2021 based on 4* research submitted to UoA24 Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
I stayed at Exeter to do a Masters as the way elite sport is moving it’s a real plus to have one. I worked with Hockey Wales and as I handed in my dissertation started working with GB rowing which I continued up until the Rio Olympics. Now as Strength and Conditioning Coach for English Institute of Sport, I work with British Skeleton athletes and England women’s rugby players.
Mitch
BSc Sport and Exercise Science and MSc Sport and Health Sciences graduate
Careers
Employer-valued skills this course develops
MSc graduates are well placed for career opportunities in a number of different employment sectors such as sport, exercise, leisure management and consultancy, health promotion, finance and marketing. In addition, the Masters degree provides an opportunity for further study.
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
Recent graduates are now working for:
- Exeter City Football Club
- NHS
- Petroc College
- Southampton Football Club
- Speedflux
- Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
Further study
Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from a University of Exeter Sport and Health Sciences Masters programmes. Below are a few examples of further study undertaken by recent graduates of our Masters programmes. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2016/17.
- PhD in Sport and Exercise Science
- Medicine
- MPH Sport and Health Sciences
Since leaving Exeter I have been working as a Sport Data Engineer, which involves combining exercise science with artificial intelligence. I chose this career because I found it interesting and saw the potential in this industry. I actually get to apply a lot of the things I learnt during my degree into my work.
Curtis
MSc Sport and Health Sciences 2020 graduate
