Sport and Exercise Medicine MSc

Are you interested in enhancing your skills in Sports Medicine?

This flexible Masters course is designed to offer medical doctors, physiotherapists and sport therapists a unique and practitioner-led education in the field of sport and exercise medicine (SEM). We are based in Yorkshire, home to a range of fantastic professional sports teams and musculoskeletal (MSK) services.

Our MSc and department are also home to four of the UK’s consultants in SEM and a number of the UK’s leading physiotherapists in MSK medicine and elite sport. Our MSc is based in the sport and exercise science department of the university and, with a faculty including some of the country’s leading SEM doctors and physiotherapists, we’ve got all areas of SEM covered.

This is a flexible course comprising of a mixture of face-to-face learning, placements in clinics and elite sport alongside online learning, providing a course that’s suitable for applicants in full-time employment as well as those looking to study full time. You will join a small student cohort of 15-20 healthcare practitioners, offering you the opportunity to network and learn from peers.

Benefits:

• Specialised knowledge in SEM disciplines; functional sports anatomy, dissection, clinical assessment, MSK medicine, sports injuries, exercise physiology and health, sports nutrition, physical activity and health, exercise prescription.

• Strong emphasis on the development of technical skills necessary for SEM practice.

• Hands-on training in MSK clinics and pitch-side experience (organised around your diary).

• Access to brand new sports facilities and labs.

• Wide range of supervised practical experience available via club placements and clinics.

• Two days a month of fixed university contact time (fits within NHS study leave allowances).

• Extensive employment opportunities exist within: NHS MSK, private sports medicine clinics and sports clubs.

• Allocated SEM mentors to support not only your MSc study but also to provide careers advice and mentorship.

With this Masters, you will be able to apply what you learn to any physical activity, exercise or sporting event that requires qualified SEM cover, with immediate effect.

For doctors, SEM is now a recognised training route by the GMC for clinicians. SEM is a key deliverable in new government strategies, demand for training has increased with portfolio GPs and those wishing to work as GPs with an extended role in MSK medicine or sport and exercise medicine looking to gain formal training through courses such as an MSc in SEM. There’s an increasing expectation amongst professional sports clubs that team doctors will have undergone structured training programmes to Masters level.

Within physiotherapy and sports therapy there’s a growing demand for postgraduate training to cover many areas of the SEM curriculum not addressed in undergraduate courses. This course offers you the unique ability to learn and work alongside a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, physiotherapists and sports therapists, just as you would in an elite sports setting.

Our academics and lecturers

Below are just a few of our world-leading academics that teach on our programme:

• Dr Camilla Nykjaer BSc MSc PhD FHEA | Programme Lead | Lecturer in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health.

• Professor Stuart Egginton PhD, DSc, FRSB, FPhysiol | Deputy Programme Lead | Chair of Exercise Sciences.

• Dr Dane Vishnubala MBBS PGCME MRCGPMSc DipSEM(UK) FFSEMFHEA | Clinical Lead | Consultant in SEM.

• Dr Jon Powers MBBS MRCGP MSc DipSEM (UK) FFSEM | Placement Director | Consultant in SEM.

• Dr Craig Zalecki MBBS MRCGP MSc DipSEM (UK) FFSEM | Clinical Tutor | Consultant in SEM.

Meet more of our team and find out why they are at the forefront of their fields.

Current and past students

View student case studies to find out how this programme is helping their careers.

This Masters is available as both a one year full time course and as a two year part time course, giving you the flexibility to adapt the course to suit your needs. Course attendance is approximately two days at the University per month (Wednesdays), plus clinic and club placements which you’ll arrange via provided contacts.

During your studies you’ll focus on the following areas:

• Functional sports anatomy and clinical assessment.

• Musculoskeletal medicine and sports injuries.

• The sport and exercise medicine practitioner.

• Exercise physiology, health and sports nutrition.

• Physical activity, health and exercise prescription.

• Project work and dissertation.

In your first semester, you will attend a University two-day immediate care in sport course and arrange MSK clinics and club placements to give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge through practical experience.

You’ll also have access to our brand new labs and sports facilities, where Olympic athletes train.

The course will equip you with strong team working skills through its interdisciplinary approach to training. You’ll be equipped to work in teams of professionals with complementary expertise such as strength and conditioning, team coaches, physiotherapists and acute injury settings.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Sport and Exercise Medicine MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Sport and Exercise Medicine MSc Part Time in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

Attendance is compulsory and will be approximately two days a month (Wednesdays). This will be supplemented by recorded lectures and specific online resources including workbooks to structure your learning

Seminars will be recorded, where appropriate. Practical sessions, group tutorials and specific teaching sessions will be compulsory.

Placements at appropriate professional clubs and NHS clinics will be organised, with some flexibility to negotiate clinic dates and times, and contacts will be provided for further self-organised additional experience opportunities to further improve our students' experiences and CVs. Predominantly we use a case-based approach; the eLearning each week will have a relevant case or scenario identified and required reading and practical tasks set.

In the past, students have worked with high-profile sports teams such as Leeds Rhinos, Leeds United, Huddersfield Giants and GB Basketball amongst others. MSK clinics have included NHS and Private MSK and Orthopaedic clinics.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

There’ll be a variety of assessments, appropriate for the vocational character of the course and the nature of the subjects studied. These will include:

• tutor observed assessment (case study presentation)

• reflective log

• summative MCQ

• short essay

• clinical competency sign-off

• emergency pitch-side course

• eLearning completion

• OSCE- Observed Structure Clinical Examination

• project dissertation

• laboratory report

• case studies

• group and individual presentations

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have at least a 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent), in a related discipline. Currently, we are accepting candidates with degrees in medicine, physiotherapy, sports therapy or sports rehabilitation/training. Appropriate professional registration should also be held with the GMC, Health and Care Professions Council, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers. Applicants without professional registration with the GMC, Health and Care Professions Council, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers are required to have at least one year of relevant post-graduation clinical experience. All applicants should be able to demonstrate clear potential for benefiting from the programme.

This course is also available as an intercalated option to students studying Medicine who have completed three years of a UK medical degree. In order to apply, you will need to submit evidence of appropriate experience and interest. Find out more about the intercalation application process on the intercalation website.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Applications for 2022 entry will open on Friday 1 October 2021. From that date this page will contain a link to take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

The Sport and Exercise Medicine MSc is a competitive programme with limited places so early applications are advised. Please note the deadline for international applicants is on 31 May 2022, in order to ensure sufficient time to complete all the necessary arrangements for studying at Leeds, e.g. visa and funding applications and securing UK accommodation, etc.

Next steps

• we process your application

• we inform you of our decision

• if we make you an offer, you respond by accepting, declining or deferring.

Applications without all of the following will not be considered:

• completed online application form (for Taught Postgraduate Study)

• a completed supporting statement that must include:

  • Examples of your aspirations, and commitment to a specialty career in Sport and Exercise Medicine.

  • A plan for completion of the course (your time available/schedule).

  • Evidence of your identified funding route.

  • Reasons why you wish to study this particular course.

• full CV

• transcript of degree examination marks achieved to date

• copy of final degree certificate (if completed)

• evidence of English language qualification (non-native English speakers only)

• copy of passport (if an overseas student)

Taught postgraduate confirmation

Taught postgraduate applicants are required to submit their results for consideration as soon as possible. Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK are recommended to submit their results no later than 31 July, although they will still be considered if submitted after this date.

Interviews

Except for MSc Biopharmaceutical Development (Industrial) and MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine, interviews do not form part of the Faculty of Biological Sciences’ standard admissions process however, in some cases, an applicant may be invited for an interview if it will help inform whether or not an offer should be made.

Alternative Entry Scheme for mature applicants

As per the information detailed in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy the Faculty of Biological Sciences will consider prospective students via the Alternative Entry Scheme run by the Lifelong Learning where appropriate applicants will be referred to the Lifelong Learning Centre, who will advise the applicant further.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2022

Fees

• UK: £12,750 (total)
• International: £24,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships for Faculty of Biological Sciences students

We award a generous range of scholarships to UK and international students. We consider all eligible applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and excellent personal and professional skills. Find out more about the range of scholarships we have to offer.

Government-backed loan = Up to £11,222. Find out more.

Alumni bursary = If you are a former student of the University of Leeds you may be eligible for a 10% alumni tuition fee bursary

You can also search our postgraduate scholarships database or you can also find information on MoneySavingExpert.

As outlined in the recent publication ‘Science Industry Partnership: Skills Strategy 2025’, there is a demand for the skills that you will develop on this programme. Upon completion of this programme, you’ll be well-placed to undertake a PhD in this field. Through support with your clinical mentor on the course, a range of opportunities will be made available

Careers support

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website. Alongside the support, advice and guidance from the University’s Careers Centre, you will have an academic mentor and a clinical mentor who will meet you regularly. They will help you to plan your career path and identify the experiences, qualifications and people that can help you on your way. Our Sports Medicine faculty will continue to support you even after the degree!

Graduate roles and destinations

• Head of Academy Yorkshire Carnegie

• YSM Clinic Senior Physiotherapist

• GB Basketball U20 W Physiotherapist

• York Knights RL Doctor

• Leeds Rhinos Academy Doctor

• A&E Registrar ST6

• GP Registrar, Hull KR Club Doctor

• Head Physiotherapist, Catalan Dragons

• F3 Doctor