Applied Sport and Exercise Science MSc

Duration

2 Years

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Take our innovative Masters degree and explore the science behind how to help athletes improve their performance.

The MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Science is taught by internationally renowned researchers and is delivered entirely online.

It gives you the flexibility to fit studying round your other commitments and to be based anywhere in the world. You’ll learn through a mixture of recorded lectures, class discussions, drop-in sessions and a wide range of online resources.

The course uses case studies and role play to bring topics to life. You could be applying interventions to help an individual or a sports team.

As part of our multidisciplinary curriculum, you’ll get to grips with biomechanics and injury, physiological support and the practice of sport psychology.

We’ll also help you to apply your knowledge and skills. The imaginative approach includes (in one of the modules) getting you to work with real athletes through video sessions. You will draw up a series of physiological tests for them and will then watch them undergo the tests in a lab.

You can draw on the research expertise of our staff as well. Our ground-breaking biomechanics research was classed as world-leading in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

We are also leading the way in research into women’s sport, with one of our academics founding an international network of researchers in the field. The research focuses on issues such as the relationship between hormones and exercise and how to achieve optimum performance during the menstrual cycle.

Our MSc attracts a diverse group of students from the UK and overseas. They include sport and conditioning coaches, PE specialists in colleges, people looking for a complete career change, and footballers training for new careers after retiring from the game.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science

Course content

The course covers everything from mental health and helping athletes cope with stress through to movement patterns and muscle functions. As a sport scientist, you’ll be delving into how athletes perform under pressure, fitness science, and biomechanical interventions for musculoskeletal cases, such as sport injuries.

You will also look at advanced research methods so you can undertake your own research project. It could be something related to your own workplace or another aspect of sport. Recent student projects have included the impact of specific trainers on running time and the endurance capabilities of footballers.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Advanced Research Methods And Data Analysis 40 credits
Physical Activity And Mental Health 20 credits
Physiological Support Of Athletes 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Masters Research Project: Science/Coaching Journal Article Part 2 40 credits
Masters Research Project: Science/Coaching Proposal And Ethics (Part 1) 20 credits
Practice Of Sport And Exercise Psychology 20 credits
Sports Biomechanics And Injury 20 credits

Entry requirements

You’ll need an undergraduate Honours degree (grade 2:2 or higher) in Sport and Exercise Science or a related discipline, from a UK university or international equivalent.

You must be able to demonstrate a good standard of English. We require a minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands) or an equivalent qualification.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

GO

Facilities

Sports Psychology Lab

The Basil Ashford Sports Psychology laboratory and consulting room are used extensively for teaching, research and consultancy in the areas of Sports Psychology, Exercise Psychology and Motor Learning. Read more

Find out more about our Ashford Sport Psychology Lab.

Biomechanics Facilities

The Gait Analysis Laboratory within the Biomechanics Facility consists of motion capture and associated software, force platforms, digital video camera and associated kinematic analysis software and plantar pressure measurement system. Read more

Find out more

Support for distance learners

Studying remotely doesn't mean that you will be left to study alone. Which is why we ensure that however you study with us, you'll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students. Read more

However you study with us, or wherever in the world you’re based, you’ll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students, including IT and study support, online library, careers and wellbeing service. We’ll help to connect with other online learners to help you get the most out of your learning experience and feel a part of the community. Find out more: Support for distance learners

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Careers

The MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Science provides a grounding for careers as a sport and exercise science professional. Graduates can also go on to undertake an accreditation route with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) of their own volition.

As with many postgraduate qualifications, students often use the Masters to enhance their existing career and gain professional development. It’s an ideal platform for those involved in strength and conditioning or who work in schools or colleges as a lecturer in Sport.

The course may also be attractive to elite athletes looking to transition to a new career or other types of professionals considering a career change.

Some graduates may choose to do further studies, such as a PhD.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a distance learning student, you'll be an active learner interacting with content, your fellow students and your module tutors. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your module tutor, your personal tutor, digital services staff and a subject specialist librarian by phone or email.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are via your PC, tablet or phone. This includes accessing video, audio and discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Assessment

This course is assessed 100% via coursework that is submitted, graded and returned to you electronically.

You’ll experience a wide variety of assessment formats including project briefs, negotiated assignments, self-initiated proposals and reports tailored in the form appropriate to professional outcomes required for each module.

For each assessment undertaken, you receive a set of guidelines and a set of specific grading criteria outlining the standards expected.

Summative assessment is provided in the form of a grade percentage, an annotated assignment and accompanying summary feedback sheet outlining strengths and areas of improvement.

Learning support

You’re supported throughout the course by specialist tutors within the modules you study and are also allocated a personal tutor during your time with us. We have a well-developed personal tutorial system and staff are only a phone call, email or Teams/Zoom chat away. In addition, you are carefully introduced to the online learning process via an online preparatory course, and, have access to a subject specialist librarian and course administrator.

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way. Mental Health support is also available via our Student Wellbeing Service.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We will normally give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days.

For a given module you will typically need to devote 10-15 hours engaging with the weekly tasks set up. In addition, you will need to spend some time on preparing for and submitting assignments to demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes of each module studied. Actual study time will of course vary from student to student.

Independent learning

The focus of this course is supported active learning, combining individual study with peer-to-peer interaction to facilitate a cohort driven, learning community approach to your study.

Your study time will consist of a mix of tasks:

  • Watching and interacting with video-based presentations
  • Reading and discussing set material from a core text or identified readings
  • Commenting on and critiquing e-journal research with your fellow students
  • Searching for additional resources to support assignment preparation

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MSc-Part-time, distance learning
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £9,135 per course £9,135 per course

The expected study pattern on this programme enables you to complete modules totalling 80 credits in your first year of study and the other 100 credits in your second year of study.

You will be invoiced for the modules that you register for each year, so if your study pattern is different from the expected pattern, you will pay more or less each year accordingly.

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:

The module fee does not cover any required core learning resources.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Our students

It has been a demanding, but ultimately very rewarding experience and one which I would recommend to others.

The delivery format gave me a unique chance to obtain a postgraduate qualification in Applied Sport and Exercise Science. There are no opportunities for postgraduate study in sport and exercise science either locally or regionally, and my desire to keep working while studying meant that the online masters from Staffs fitted my circumstances perfectly. It has been a demanding, but ultimately very rewarding experience and one which I would recommend to others.

Lorinda Slater

MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science

The skills I acquired on the course have really benefitted me, my career, and now my business.

The online MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise science allowed me to pursue my ambition of teaching sport science at a Higher Education level, which I achieved leading a foundation programme at a local college, and then onto a commercial role at a local university, without having to interrupt my working life.

My experience of studying the MSc online really inspired me and made me an avid fan of the online learning approach, and it is this that I know use for my own education business, which uses an online approach to deliver nationally recognised vocational qualifications in fitness instruction and personal training. 

So, a big thank you to the team; the skills I acquired on the course have really benefitted me, my career, and now my business.

James Luscombe

MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus MSc Part-time, distance learning 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations

Have you considered?

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021