MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine
Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. Click here for 2026 entry.
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time 2-3 years part time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | St Luke's Campus |
| Typical offer | Typically a 2:2 degree in a related discipline. |
|---|---|
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.
Top 20 in the world for Sports-related subjects
QS World University Subject Rankings 2026
Top 5 in the UK for Sports Science
5th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and the Complete University Guide 2027
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.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
The MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine programme is a one year full-time or two-year part-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme consists of a single stage. Each stage is normally equivalent to an academic year.
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
You may take up to 30 credits of elective modules outside of the programme as long as you have obtained the explicit permission of the Programme Director, the permission of the discipline where the elective module is offered, any prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
Stage 1: 150 credits of compulsory modules and 30 credits of optional modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Research Methods and Analytical Procedures | 30 | |
| Dissertation (Journal Article) | 60 | |
| Introduction to Sport and Exercise Medicine | 15 | |
| Health Challenges in Sport and Exercise Medicine | 15 | |
| Orthopaedic Challenges in Sport and Exercise Medicine | 15 | |
| Preparation, Rehabilitation and Return to Sport | 15 | |
SHSM024: Research Methods and Analytical Procedures
Studying at Master’s level provides opportunities to take part in and design exciting and innovative research. This module will provide you with the tools to prepare for a Master's level dissertation using quantitative research methods. You will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of research methods, design and ethics, and learn how to use advanced-level statistics in research, including techniques that almost all of you will need to use to analyse your dissertation data.
SHSM025: Dissertation (Journal Article)
Writing a dissertation at MSc level will provide you with the opportunity to pursue, in depth, your interests within the field of sport and health sciences. You will develop your research idea that can involve a particular area of the course, or be interdisciplinary. You will develop your ability to find, interpret and present different materials for investigation as well as your independence of thought. The journal article will involve writing to the style of a particular journal that you will agree with your supervisor. You will also be required to make an oral presentation as part of the assessment for this module.
The dissertation is an opportunity for you to pursue systematically, and in depth, a personal interest in a particular topic, utilising the concepts, techniques, and skills developed within module SHSM024 or SSIM901 on quantitative research methods. The dissertation may be based within a particular area of the course or may be interdisciplinary in nature, and will encourage the synthesis of appropriate knowledge from different field s. It will cultivate independence of thought and develop your ability to find, and present material, according to selected approaches to understanding and prescribed methods of investigation.
Graduate attributes. As part of this module you are expected to develop the following skills:
SHSM035: Introduction to Sport and Exercise Medicine
This module will provide an evidence-based foundation to support the study of fundamental areas relevant to sport and exercise medicine. You will consider the latest research on factors relating to injury and illness risk and mitigation, and factors limiting performance in specific populations. Evidence will be applied to specific populations, including different age groups, sex and sport specialisation. You will learn about the application of this evidence by multi-disciplinary support teams to maximise athlete performance and to prevent and optimally manage sports related injuries and illnesses.
This module aims to develop your understanding of the knowledge underpinning the support of sports participants. The foundation developed will equip you with knowledge and understanding to critically appraise approaches to the management of those participating in sport and exercise.
Graduate attributes: As part of this module, you are expected to develop the following skills:
- Application of knowledge in developing an essay evaluating injury and/or illness epidemiology in a specific population and the role of the sport and exercise medicine support team in optimising the health and performance of the chosen population.
- Building confidence as a communicator in critically discussing research evidence in written arguments.
- People skills in communicating with peers and module teaching team.
- Enquiring mind in pursuing further reading on topics covered in the module.
SHSM057: Health Challenges in Sport and Exercise Medicine
In this module you will be introduced to a broad overview of non-orthopaedic health issues as they relate to Sport and Exercise Medicine, including energy deficiencies, heat stroke and concussion. This module leads to a summative assignment in the form of an evidence-based infographic, in the style of those published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine on a specific health topic for a defined audience of practitioners, clubs or teams or athletes.
The main objective of this module is to provide you with specialised knowledge and critical understanding of interdisciplinary health related topics in Sport and Exercise Medicine that relate to positive health and positive performance.
This module will improve your employment prospects by enabling you to critically evaluate the evidence supporting the guidelines and consensus statements issued by the relevant advisory bodies in Sport and Exercise Medicine. You will develop transferable skills in identifying and reviewing the relevant literature, summarising and condensing information and communicating complex information in an accessible form to a specific audience within sport and exercise.
SHSM058: Orthopaedic Challenges in Sport and Exercise Medicine
In this module you will be introduced to a broad overview of orthopaedic health issues as they relate to Sport and Exercise Medicine. This module comprises two study days taught by practitioners and academics, supported by online engagement with reading and activities on the module's ELE page, leading to a summative assignment in the form of an abstract and e-poster, aligned to the format of one of the key conferences in the field.
This main objective of this module is to provide you with specialised knowledge and critical understanding of interdisciplinary orthopaedic-related topics in Sport and Exercise Medicine that relate to positive health, performance and recovery from injury.
This module will improve your employment prospects by enabling you to critically engage and evaluate the evidence relating to key issues relating to orthopaedic challenges in Sport and Exercise Medicine. Through the contact days, you will have interactive sessions which will provide you with insights to anatomy and clinical examination techniques, as well as case-based approaches to ensure a holistic understanding of the context in which orthopaedic issues are considered and managed, for different sports and a range of athletes. You will develop transferable skills in identifying and reviewing the relevant literature, summarising and condensing information and communicating complex information in an accessible form to a specific audience within sport and exercise.
SHSM060: Preparation, Rehabilitation and Return to Sport
This module will focus on the athlete journey from preparation for competition, through to injury diagnosis and rehabilitation, and determination of return to sport readiness. The module will consider areas such as periodic medical assessment, functional performance screening, load management, injury diagnosis and injury classification systems, acute and overuse injury management, nutritional considerations, and psychological readiness. This module will provide you with a detailed, theoretical basis and practical experience in preparation for future employment in sport and exercise medicine environments.
This module aims to develop your understanding of the role of different screening and monitoring methods in the management of athlete health and performance throughout their competitive journey. This will provide you with the skills and knowledge to critically evaluate the role of musculoskeletal, physiological, biomechanical, and psychological screening, providing an evidence base for the appropriate selection of athlete-specific screening methods for preparation, rehabilitation, and return to sport.
Graduate attributes. As part of this module you are expected to develop the following skills:
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 | ||
| Laboratory Techniques in Physiology | 30 | |
| Nutrition for High Performance | 30 | |
| Applied Experience in Sport and Exercise Medicine | 30 | |
SHSM006: Laboratory Techniques in Physiology
This is a specialist module on measuring human physiology in response to exercise. A pre-requisite for this module is good understanding of undergraduate level exercise physiology. A major feature of the learning and teaching methods in this module will be the active encouragement of laboratory work. Much of this module will take place in the laboratory utilising techniques not necessarily previously available to undergraduate students. Part of the learning and teaching strategy will include practical class participation and this may include exercise from time to time.
This module aims to develop your understanding of laboratory techniques utilised in physiology research laboratories. The module will be research-driven and will benefit from recent and ongoing research of Lecturers involved in the module.
By the completion of this module you will have an understanding of different laboratory techniques, collection and subsequent analysis of data and interpretation of results. In addition, through your participation in this module you will expand your skill set and acquire practical skills that are required in your career.
SHSM059: Nutrition for High Performance
This module explores how nutrition drives high-quality training and elite performance, but with a strong focus on real-world practice. You won’t just learn what the literature says, you will learn how to translate research findings into evidence-based decisions for actual athletes with unique goals, lifestyles, training demands and performance pressures.
You’ll engage with cutting-edge studies across a range of sports, from explosive power to long-duration endurance and weight-category competition—and critically evaluate how well different nutritional strategies work in practice. The emphasis is on understanding not just what the research shows, but how to apply it to individual athletes without losing scientific integrity.
A major feature of the module is developing the skill of adapting best-practice guidelines to real people. You will assess athletes’ nutritional intakes, explore performance-enhancing strategies and ergogenic aids, and learn how to manipulate diets to meet evidence-based targets. By working through real case scenarios, you’ll gain the confidence to bridge the gap between theory and elite practice, an essential capability for anyone aiming to work in applied sports nutrition or in any applied field.
SHSM071: Applied Experience in Sport and Exercise Medicine
This module provides the theory and practice of undertaking assessments of physical function in individual athletes and athletic groups. Assessments on individual athletes will be undertaken during their rehabilitation from injury and will be used to inform decision making on rehabilitation status, evidence of progression, and readiness to return to sport. Athletes will primarily be involved with the University of Exeter High Performance Sport Programme (HPP) and under the care of a sport and exercise medicine team. You will gain hands-on experience of planning, conducting, and reporting on assessments of the athlete’s physical function from tests conducted in the laboratory and/or field.
For assessments on athletic squads, these will represent either pre, mid, or post-season tests to provide information on physical fitness status, risk factors for injury, and the status of rehabilitated injuries. You will operate as part of a multidisciplinary sport and exercise medicine team including physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, sport scientists, and sport psychologists. There may be opportunities to complement your in-house university experiences with time spent with our external partners operating in high-performance sport and military environments.
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.
Read more from Dr Sharon Dixon
Dr Sharon Dixon
Programme Director Honorary 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 the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply.
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
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
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.
