MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine
Advance your career in sport and exercise medicine at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Gain practical experience in rehabilitation, exercise, performance and healthcare.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Professional Graduate Diploma
- Start date September 2027
- Duration MSc full-time: 12 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
Overview
Develop advanced expertise in sport and exercise medicine. Learn to support people to recover, perform and stay active across a range of sporting, healthcare and performance environments.
Demand for sports medicine is rapidly growing. The global sports medicine market is projected to reach £13.1bn by 2033 (Grand View Research) and exercise professionals are increasingly recognised as an important part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams. Our MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine will ensure you can be part of the growth.
This MSc is for those looking to develop their expertise or move into a new area of sport and exercise medicine. It’s suitable for those with a background in physiotherapy, sport and exercise science, sports therapy, rehabilitation, clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, health sciences and related disciplines.
Develop your Sport and Exercise Medicine knowledge and skills
The course combines sport and exercise medicine with rehabilitation, exercise physiology, nutrition, sport psychology, digital health and applied research. You’ll gain practical experience and engage with real-world sport and exercise medicine scenarios.
You’ll explore:
- assessment, screening, clinical reasoning and injury-risk management in sport and exercise medicine;
- contemporary clinical practice;
- rehabilitation, load management and return-to-performance decision-making;
- athlete health and welfare:
- exercise physiology, nutrition and psychological factors that affect performance;
- qualitative and quantitative research methods;
- digital innovation and leadership in sport and exercise medicine;
- the impact of digital technologies on healthcare delivery, patient outcomes and health systems;
- ways to interpret exercise test data and design individualised exercise prescriptions;
- developing evidence-informed nutrition strategies for diverse populations;
- strategies for addressing mental health and promoting psychological well-being among athletes and sports personnel.
You’ll apply your learning to produce a dissertation on a topic relevant to your area of professional practice.
Put your learning into practice
On our MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine you'll complete a structured 20-hour supervised practice component in an approved exercise medicine or sport science setting.
You’ll also learn through:
- practical workshops,
- lab sessions,
- simulation,
- applied observation,
- case-based learning,
- structured work-related learning activities.
There's 30 hours of work-related learning which may include opportunities within our student-led clinics.
Learn from experts across sport and exercise medicine
You'll learn from academic staff and invited contributors. Their clinical, research and industry experience will help connect your learning with contemporary practice
Guest lectures will bring experience from a range of high-performance and professional sporting environments. This may include speakers from:
- Scottish Premiership and English Premier League football
- Professional and international rugby, including Scottish Rugby
- The Scottish Institute of Sport
- Scottish Golf
- Aspetar, a world-renowned specialist sports medicine and orthopaedic hospital
- Major international sporting events and World Cup competition
Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence
You’ll study within a distinctive sport, health and performance environment at Stirling. We conduct world-class research in all aspects of sport and prepare athletes to compete at the highest level. Our facilities include advanced labs for research into human anatomy and physiology. Use the latest equipment to gain practical experience of testing aerobic, cardiovascular and metabolic responses during exercise.
You’ll benefit from our close connections with national and international sporting organisations and governing bodies. Our campus is home to the National Swimming Academy, Scottish National Tennis Centre and sportscotland Institute of Sport.
Our sports facilities are ranked 1st in the UK (International Student Barometer 2024), and we are the 2027 UK Sports University of the Year (Daily Mail). You’ll have access to tennis courts, 50m swimming pool, athletics track, gym and performance suites, and much more as you discover what makes Stirling an elite choice for studying sport.
Top reasons to study with us
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work experience are encouraged to apply.
Your relevant degree or equivalent qualification will be in sport and exercise science, physiotherapy, sports therapy, rehabilitation, clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, health sciences, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, podiatry, psychology, nutrition, biomedical science or a related discipline. Applicants should normally have prior study or relevant experience in areas such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise science, rehabilitation, sport science, health, psychology or research methods.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Modules
Modules
| Yr 1, semester 1 - Autumn | Research Methods in Health (MPHP003) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 1 - Autumn | Advanced Exercise Physiology, Health, & Nutrition Across the Lifespan (SEMP001) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 1 - Autumn | Current Issues in Sport Psychology (SPSP044) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 2 - Spring | Applied Digital Healthcare Leadership and Innovation (PHYP008) | 20 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 2 - Spring | Applied Sport and Exercise Medicine: Assessment, Rehabilitation and Return to Performance (SEMP002) | 40 credits |
| Yr 1, semester 3 - Summer | Masters Dissertation (Health) (MPHP007) | 60 credits |
Teaching
The course will be taught on campus, supported by blended learning activities where appropriate.
Fieldwork
You will have work-related learning opportunities during your studies which may include the areas of sport, exercise, rehabilitation, performance, research, innovation, health or athlete support.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by a combination of exams/class tests and coursework, including written assignments and presentations.
Course director
Dr Dylan Powell, Course Director
Fees and funding
|
2027/28 |
|
|---|---|
| UK and Republic of Ireland students | £11,800 |
| International (including EU) students | £22,500 |
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Fee information
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Learn more about loans and funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods—including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
We ensure Sport and Exercise Medicine graduates leave with the confidence, connections, and competencies they need for an impactful career.
Depending on your prior qualifications, professional registration and experience, you’ll be prepared for roles such as:
- Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Practitioner
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist
- Exercise Medicine Practitioner
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Sports Scientist
You could work in industries such as:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Private medical care
- Exercise medicine services
- Sports teams
- National sporting organisations
- Rehabilitation services
- Fitness, health and wellbeing
- Digital health
- Sport and health innovation
- Research
This MSc does not confer eligibility for professional registration or qualify graduates to practise as a doctor or other regulated healthcare professional. If you are already professionally registered, you must continue to practise within your existing professional scope.