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Sport and Exercise Science & Medicine MSc
* This programme is subject to approval.
This taught Masters is designed to provide you with an advanced, research-led programme of study in sport and exercise science and medicine. A key strength of this programme is its flexibility, which enables you to take option courses aligned to your own needs and interests providing the potential to specialise in physical activity and health, sports performance, or sports medicine.
MSc Sport and Exercise Science & Medicine [mp4]
- This is the only MSc in Scotland that merges Sport and Exercise Medicine and Sport and Exercise Science within a single degree programme providing a broad range of options across these disciplines.
- You will benefit from access to the facilities and resources of the National Stadium Sports, Health and Injury Clinic at Hampden Park – a custom-built, state-of-the-art sports medicine facility. Practical clinical sessions and demonstrations will be undertaken where appropriate in the centre, giving you unparalleled access to professional sports medicine facilities.
- You will have access to a number of guest lecture staff providing interactive sessions in their specialist fields.
- You will develop and enhance your skills in literature searching and critically evaluating relevant scientific evidence; application of knowledge to novel concepts and situations; experimental design; research methods and ethics; data handling and statistics; interpretation and evaluation of experimental data; scientific writing; and oral presentations.
- The University has state-of-the-art facilities to study performance and health aspects of sport and exercise science, from the whole body to the molecular level. These include advanced exercise laboratories, metabolic investigation suites and a molecular biochemistry lab. We are the best equipped exercise science group for laboratory facilities in Scotland.
- The University has close links with a number of regional/national sporting bodies and a number of professional sporting clubs. There may be opportunities for internships (in place of a research project) for some students.
Programme overview
- MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
You will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and take part in lab classes, journal clubs, presentations, and self-directed learning. The programme is made up of 2 compulsory courses and 3 options (one each from options X, Y and Z below), plus a dissertation/project.
Core Courses
- Research methods
- Current issues in Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine
Optional Courses
Choose one X option, one Y option and one Z option.
Option courses X
- Physical activity and health: public health, policy & behaviour changes
- Sports injuries: scientific basis of prevention and rehabilitation.
- Clinical Sports Injuries
Option courses Y
- Physical activity and health: biological mechanisms
- Motor learning and skill acquisition.
- Sport and Exercise Medicine in Practice
Option courses Z
- Cellular and molecular exercise physiology
- The world class athlete: nature, nurture and maximising performance.
- Exercise in clinical populations
Dissertation/research project
Career prospects
The flexibility of this programme will provide you with many career opportunities. These include working in clinical exercise, health-promotion or in sports science support. A number of our graduates are employed in senior sports science positions with national sporting bodies and professional sports clubs. This programme also allows doctors and physiotherapists to aid their knowledge; for science graduates, there are opportunities in rehabilitation and higher education. It also provides an excellent basis if you wish to pursue PhD level research.
Further information: Dr Jason Gill
email: jason.gill@glasgow.ac.uk
Academic entry requirements
A degree in the Sport and Exercise Sciences, Physiotherapy, Medicine, other relevant biological/biomedical sciences, or other health professions/health-related areas (at least a 2:2 Honours Degree or equivalent). Alternative qualifications will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
An IELTS score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent qualification) is required for students who do not have English as their first language.
International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.
Further information regarding academic entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):
- overall score 6.5
- no sub-test less than 6.0
- or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
Common equivalent English language qualifications:
- ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
- CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
- CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
- PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
We ask that you apply online for a postgraduate taught degree. Our system allows you to fill out the standard application form online and submit this to the University within 42 days of starting your application.
You need to read the guide to applying online before starting your application. It will ensure you are ready to proceed, as well as answer many common questions about the process.
Guide to applying online
Do I have to apply online for a postgraduate taught degree?
Yes. To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We are unable to accept your application by any other means than online.
Do I need to complete and submit the application in a single session?
No. You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process. You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload additional documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
What essential documentation should I have available before I start my application?
As well as completing your online application fully, it is essential that you submit the following documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- Two supporting reference letters on headed paper
- Evidence of your English Language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)
Do my supporting documents need to be submitted online?
Yes, where possible, please upload the supporting documents with your application.
What if I am unable to submit all of my supporting documents online?
If you cannot upload an electronic copy of a document and need to send it in by post, please attach a cover sheet to it that includes your name, the programme you are applying for, and your application reference number.
You may send them to:
Recruitment & International Office
71 Southpark Avenue
Glasgow
G12 8QQ
Fax: +44 141 330 4045
Can I email my supporting documents?
No. We cannot accept email submissions of your supporting documents.
What should I do if am having problems using the online application system?
If you are having issues, please email doashelp@mis.gla.ac.uk
What entry requirements should I have met before applying? Where can I find them?
You should check that you have met (or are likely to have met prior to the start of the programme) the individual entry requirements for the degree programme you are applying for. This information can be found on the ‘entry requirements’ tab on each individual programme page, such as the one you are viewing now.
What English Language requirements should I have met before applying? Where can I find them?
If you are an international student, you should also check that you have met the English Language requirements specific to the programme you are applying for. These can also be found on the ‘entry requirements’ tab for each specific programme.
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately, they are also available within the help section of the online application form. You can also download a PDF with detailed guidance information for the online application system:
Applicants' Guide to Online Application
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
- References: Please provide the names and contact details of two academic references. Where applicable one of these references may be from your current employer. References should be completed on letter headed paper and uploaded on to your application.
Standard application deadlines
- International applications (non-EU) 23 July 2013
- UK and EU applications 27 August 2013
Classes start on 16 September 2013 (provisional date) for most courses and you may be expected to attend induction sessions the week before
