Robert Adams

The course has been brilliant for connecting with people from right across the SEM world, including fellow students, lecturers, guest speakers, and clinicians from a range of settings. The diversity of backgrounds and experiences in the cohort meant I learned just as much from my peers as from the formal teaching. I have been able to make genuine professional connections that I know will be invaluable going forward, and I doubt I would have had access to this breadth of contacts anywhere else. 

Before starting, I had a fairly narrow view of what SEM could look like as a career. The course completely changed that. Through lectures, seminars, and conversations, I realised just how many different avenues there are, including elite sport, public health, research, military medicine, performance medicine, and more. It has given me a much wider vision for where I might want to take my own career, and it is exciting to know there is no single "one size fits all" pathway. 

The anatomy teaching has been exceptional. It has been pitched perfectly, clinically relevant, thorough, and made to stick. The dissection labs were a genuine highlight for me; there is nothing quite like seeing the structures in three dimensions, and it really brought my textbook knowledge to life. Being able to relate that directly to clinical scenarios was incredibly valuable. 

The days at York Sports Medicine Clinic were fantastic for bridging the gap between theory and practice. Observing real cases, discussing decision-making, and seeing how SEM is delivered in a clinical setting gave me a much clearer picture of the realities of day-to-day work. It was also a great chance to ask practical questions and to see the multidisciplinary team approach in action. 

The energy, enthusiasm, and depth of knowledge from the teaching team really made a difference. There is a passion for SEM that comes through in every session, and it is infectious. I also really valued the "family feel" to the course. It never felt intimidating to contribute, ask questions, or share thoughts. That sense of approachability is something I will remember long after the course finishes. 

The course was very well organised, and the communication around assignments, deadlines, and expectations was clear from the outset. I always knew exactly what was expected and when, which made balancing the MSc alongside clinical work much more manageable. I also appreciated how responsive the team was to questions, even small queries were answered quickly and helpfully. 

One thing that really stood out was how we were treated as adult learners. There was no sense of being patronised, instead the tone was collegiate, with space for discussion, critical thinking, and debate. It made for a much richer learning experience and allowed us to bring our own backgrounds and perspectives into the teaching. 

Overall, I have come away from the MSc not just with more knowledge, but with practical skills, new perspectives, and a much broader professional network. It has also solidified my passion for SEM and given me a clearer sense of where I would like to focus my future work. 

It has been a genuinely brilliant experience from start to finish, and I would be more than happy to recommend the course to any peers or colleagues considering SEM in the future.