Student doing a resistance exercise demonstration

Course Summary

Harness the power of physical activity, exercise prescription, and sport science to prevent disease, promote wellbeing and prolong life, in this exciting and fast-growing area of medicine. 

Whether you are an exercise scientist, health and fitness professional, or a medical practitioner, come and develop your understanding of how to prescribe exercise as treatment. You will explore the science of physical activity, exercise prescription, and behaviour change and gain the contemporary knowledge, critical skills, and practical-based experience required to bridge the gap between theory and practice. There are more employment opportunities in the health and exercise sector than ever before for highly skilled practitioners. Lifestyle-related diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and poor mental health) are all on the rise globally. 

These diseases are further exacerbated by low levels of physical activity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Backed by cutting-edge research, study engaging and informative modules on physical activity, physiology, exercise programming, nutrition, psychology, and advanced research methods, which will help springboard your career to the next level within the health and exercise sector. 

Students that do not wish to study the full MSc programme, can choose to study to a PGDip/PGCert level instead.


What you’llStudy

You will study six core 20-credit modules plus a 60-credit research project, where you can undertake a piece of independent research or you can complete a systematic review.

Module content:

  • Defining the physical behaviour continuum including sedentary behaviour, physical activity, exercise, sport, and fitness with relevance to their individual and collective links in public health, primary and secondary prevention, 
  • Considerations for the entire physical behaviour continuum, including the totality of human movement throughout history, from paleontological times to present day life: at home, at work, in transport, in leisure, in medicine
  • Contemporary issues relating to the assessment of physical activity and sedentary behaviour including the validity/ reliability of subjective/ objective methods
  • The value of epidemiological and observational evidence versus traditional clinical trial style for evaluating the effectiveness of physical activity in it underpinning of health strategies within national and international policies

Module aims:

To develop a critical understanding of how both the natural world in which people live and conscious choices people make in their lives affects how physical active they are and how this affects public health and clinical health policies and standards 

Module content:

An introduction to:

Literature searching and critical appraisal of research literature

Evidenced based practice

Research methods and methodologies

Qualitative and quantitative research methods 

Ethical considerations

Development of research questions and hypotheses

Preparation of a research proposal

Research planning and governance


Module aims:

To develop the critical appraisal skills necessary for level 7 study and in preparation for the development of a research proposal. To develop an awareness of different research paradigms and methodologies, that can be utilised and applied in a practical setting.

Module content:

Students will choose a pathway of focus either of psychology in exercise for health or human competitive performance

Core principles for all students will include mood, self-efficacy, planning or rehearsal

Exercise psychology will include

  • Theoretical foundations of exercise psychology;
  • Exercise issues and physical activity mediators within the general population;
  • Psycho-biological factors which influence uptake and adherence 
  • Theories of exercise behaviour and change including Social Cognitive Theory, Self-Efficacy Theory & Stage Theories;
  • Intervention planning key principles and guidelines for working with different populations.

Sport performance 

  • Practice and philosophy of the applied practitioner;
  • Mental training core principles and application;
  • Coaching roles and working with coaches;
  • Leadership styles including the application of leader member exchange;
  • Cohesion and the development of task and social cohesion;
  • Performance enhancement. 

Module aims:

  • Critically review the theoretical frameworks and skills relevant to sport psychology practice.
  • Investigate the practical applications of mental skills training.
  • Critically examine theories of behaviour change and the models and techniques that are used to modify behaviour
  • Explore the various factors that may affect the successful modification of behaviour

Module content:

Cardio-respiratory and metabolic responses to incremental exertion from rest to maximum oxygen uptake

Measures of muscle strength, power, endurance, flexibility, balance, coordination and proprioception

Factors of neuromuscular fatigue and loss of motor control- metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological, substrate availability

Comparing limitations of performance in athletes versus older clinical population

Comparing physiological adaptations in athletes with older clinical populations


Module aims:

To demonstrate a critical understanding of human physiological responses and adaptations to chronic physical activity/exercise training, respectively, in both athletic and in clinical populations

Module content:

  1. General principles of exercise testing
  2. Pre-exercise health screening and risk stratification
  3. Overview of types of exercise testing procedures
  4. Lab based assessments (cardio-pulmonary exercise testing, neuromuscular, and field-based functional capacity submaximal testing)
  5. Integrated analysis of exercise ECG and respiratory responses; alluding to risk stratification and exercise prescription, especially related to cardiopulmonary and metabolic dysfunction
  6. Exercise testing in athletic screening
  7. Designing exercise training programmes and guiding physical activity from test results
  8. Safety and effectiveness
  9. Effective use of heart rate and RPE in clinical lab settings and practical field settings
  10. Influence of cardiovascular medications on exercise and physical activity
  11. Practical functional tests of aerobic fitness (Step Tests, Cycle Tests, Shuttle Walk Tests)

Module aims:

  1. Analyse critically the physiological evidence base for exercise prescription.
  2. Develop a comprehensive understanding of clinical exercise testing procedures and critical evaluation of results, especially as they relate to cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic functioning
  3. Translate test results into effective and evidence-based exercise prescription in a variety of settings

Module content:

On completion of the taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. This knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a piece of research relevant to their taught programme of study. The project topic will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the Module Leader (Research Coordinator). 


Module aims:

  1. To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate systematically a health/medical based topic of direct relevance to physical activity, exercise or sport which is linked to the programme of study and the student's personal interests.
  2. To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in the broad field of sport and exercise medicine
  3. To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of a substantive written research project.

Module content:

For learning through a case-client approach, to choose content from any two of the programme's taught modules, MD7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, 7805, 7814, plus an option of additional sport and exercise medicine topics not found within these modules learned from CPD courses, conferences or modules at other institutions and then apply this learning to caring, exercise programming, training, rehabilitation with real clients or patients and evaluate its efficacy in relation to the evidence base and/or professional guidelines. Typical settings would include:

Public Health promotion services in physical activity, exercise referral services, or sports medicine settings or specialist rehabilitation units for a chosen condition or small set of conditions (e.g. cardiovascular-respiratory disorders, obesity and metabolic disorders, chronic musculoskeletal disorders, mental health, cancer, elderly or frail low functioning individuals)


Module aims:

To critically evaluate the pragmatics and efficacy of putting the related evidence-base into practice, with real clients/patients that relates to the core concepts of health and exercise science, including: public health & epidemiology, research techniques, psychology, physiology, biomechanics, nutrition/pharmacology, and as an option other areas of sports and exercise medicine not covered in the current programme modules learned from CPD courses, conferences or modules at other institutions

Module content:

  • Nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and ergogenic aids in health, wellbeing and disease.

  • Nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and ergogenic aids in athletic performance.

  • Effects of pharmaceutical interactions on exercise performance in health, disease and athletic performance, including relevance to rationale for WADA banned substances in athletic competition.


Module aims:

  1. To compare and contrast the nutritional requirements of the general public, clinical and athletic populations.

  2. Critically evaluate athletic dietary habits and whether they have a role in healthy eating practices?

  3. To understand whether a food, supplement, drink or drug is simply ensuring the body is working to its optimum or if it has a true effect as an ergogenic aid.

  4. To compare the medical use of pharmaceuticals to improve health and manage disease with their interactions/effects on athletic performance.

  5. To understand why a drug is placed on a banned substance list, including policies and procedures for its prescription for competing athletes, and what is considered an abuse of these regulations.

How you'll Learn

Sessions are currently delivered in a block with 30-40 hours of contact over four/five days, then four to six weeks to complete the assessment; this is repeated until all taught modules are complete. Our flexible approach allows students to have a job whilst studying, and encourages a better work/life balance. You will complete presentations, produce infographics, complete lab books, undertake data analysis, write proposals, and complete case studies. The final piece of work is an independent piece of research chosen by you. 

Entry Requirements

2:2 honours degree

Applicants should have an undergraduate honours degree or equivalent (2:2 or above) in medicine, professions allied to medicine, sport and exercise science, or related health or biological sciences degree (e.g. biomedical science, dietetics, human biology, human nutrition, human physiology, allied health care and nursing), or hold appropriate professional qualifications and be able to demonstrate suitable background knowledge and skills.

The individual modules can also be taken as Continuous Professional Development (CPD) modules and will provide opportunities for advancement in many health service career structures.

2:2 honours degree

Applicants should have an undergraduate honours degree or equivalent (2:2 or above) in medicine, professions allied to medicine, sport and exercise science, or related health or biological sciences degree (e.g. biomedical science, dietetics, human biology, human nutrition, human physiology, allied health care and nursing), or hold appropriate professional qualifications and be able to demonstrate suitable background knowledge and skills. 

The individual modules can also be taken as Continuous Professional Development (CPD) modules and will provide opportunities for advancement in many health service career structures. 

English Language Requirements

For those who do not have IELTS or an acceptable in-country English language qualification, the University of Chester has developed its own online English language test which applicants can take for just £50. 

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements

Where you'll Study University Centre Shrewsbury

Fees and Funding

£8,505 per year (2024/25)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2024/25 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.

£14,750 per year (2024/25)

The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £14,750. 

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.  

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.  

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.

Your future Career

Job prospects

Students from the course now work in the NHS, Armed Forces, Physiotherapy, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Education, GB Archery and various fitness organisations or are self-employed personal trainers. In addition, many have gone on to complete further research on MPhil/PhD courses. Additional occupation routes could also include (which may require additional training): Exercise Rehabilitation (across a range of chronic diseases e.g. Cardiac, Cancer and Obesity & Diabetes), Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultants or Physicians, Public Health roles, Sports or Exercise Therapists, and Clinical Exercise Physiologists. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs.