Applied Exercise Physiology MSc (PGCert PGDip)

International equivalencies

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Course structure

On this course all your modules can have an exercise physiology focus. You will take four 20-credit core modules, each finding their root in at least one of the course’s pillars: physiology, personal and professional development, science in practice. In addition, you will take two option modules from a choice of four and complete a final project.  

You will learn through a mixture of taught sessions, tutorials, online learning, group work, independent study and through work-related activities. Most classes take place in either our exercise physiology laboratories or a computer class with a ratio of 2:20 (staff:students). You will work in groups of four or five on problem-based situations. 

You are able to book individual tutorials with every lecturer. Group tutorials are also scheduled into our teaching programmes. 

The course is flexible in that it allows you to exit with a postgraduate certificate at the end of one semester (three 20-credit modules) or a postgraduate diploma at the end of two semesters (six 20-credit modules). You must complete the 60-credit research project to qualify for the MSc. 

Our course is taught on two days, normally on a Tuesday and a Wednesday. See part-time and full-time tabs for more details.

Areas of study

In taught physiology modules, you'll experience and discuss the responses of the human body to various stimuli, including acute and chronic bouts of exercise, effect of environmental changes (heat and hypoxic chambers) or of ergogenic aids which can be used to simulate peculiar clinical conditions and help you better understand human physiological responses and ultimately the benefits of exercise in healthy and clinical populations. This original approach to teaching integrative physiology will help you to develop a host of laboratory skills.

A core value of our course is ‘learn in the doing’. We want you to gain confidence in your ability to interact with, design and conduct exercise testing, explain physiological responses to exercise and training, and prescribe exercise gains. Most of our modules are taught in our sport and exercise science laboratories where you’ll learn to be a practitioner of tomorrow.

With modules such as Personal and Professional Development, you'll also gain vocational skills to give you a competitive edge in the job market; through placement opportunities and chances to network in the world of exercise physiology, you can graduate with a foot firmly in the industry. You will spend around 100 hours with an organisation related to the practice of exercise physiology, which will allow you to apply your academic knowledge in a vocational setting. 

Previous students have worked in organisations including a cardiac rehabilitation programme and fall prevention classes with Albion in the Community. Many students have started their professional careers with the organisation that provided them with work experience.

You will also be introduced to the latest in the research field of exercise physiology and will have an opportunity to conduct your own research project. You will be able to choose to write a dissertation or a research paper, and many of our past MSc students have published their own work.

Modules

Core modules

• Skills for Physiological Assessment
• Science in Practice
• Professional and Personal Development
• Clinical Exercise Physiology
• Final Project

Option modules

• Exercise Tolerance (Integrative Physiology)
• Applied Environmental Physiology
• Science of Physical Performance and Training
• Professional-based learning

To ensure the best learning experience the option module Applied Environmental Physiology will only run if enough students choose it. A decision will be made on its status during the first month of the course however due to its popularity the popular module has always run in past years.  

While there is an expectation for you to share the position of physiologist and exerciser during laboratory practicals, this is not compulsory, making the course suitable for those with a disability or health condition. Find out how we support students with disabilities.

 Part-time route 

Our course is taught over two days a week; usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You are in addition expected to practice skills and carry out exercise testing outside of the taught element of the course. 

As a part-time student you will discuss your personal circumstances and progress on a regular basis with the course leader. Most part-time students complete their course in two years and some in three years. 

Our approach is to accommodate you in the best way we can and optimise your learning throughout your study. The choice of modules taken each year may therefore depend on your own unique circumstances.

We can adapt your timetable to fit with your other commitments. Some students have attended taught sessions just one day a week for the majority of their time with us.

Example timetable for part-time study over two years.

Year 1

• First two weeks of course: Skills for Physiological Assessment module
• Tuesdays throughout Semester 1: Science in Practice module
• Tuesday throughout Semester 1: Option modules 

Year 2

• Wednesday throughout Semester 1: Option modules
• Wednesday throughout Semester 2: Clinical Exercise Physiology module and option module
• Throughout the year: Final research project and Personal and Professional Development module 

 Full-time route 

Our course is taught over two days, usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays, however days are subject to timetabling and may change from one year to the next. You are in addition expected to practice skills and carry out exercise testing outside of the taught element of the course. 

Example timetable for full-time study:

Semester 1

• First two weeks of the course: Skills for Physiological Assessment module
• Throughout the 10 weeks: Science in Practice module and option modules 

Semester 2

•  Throughout the 10 weeks: Clinical Exercise Physiology module and option modules

Throughout the year

• Final research project
• Personal and Professional Development module

Facilities

Our facilities include a gym over two floors with fitness equipment including a three-camera system to analyse weight-lifting actions and an isokinetic dynamometer to allow measurement of muscle strength.

Our sport and exercise laboratories which are all accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) include:

• a molecular genetics laboratory with biobanking
• a biomechanics laboratory with motion analysis equipment, various EMG systems, and immersive screen
• two exercise physiology laboratories where aerobic / anaerobic endurance, power and strength assessments as well as body composition, cardiac and pulmonary screening can be carried out
• an environmental laboratory with purpose-built environment chamber where we can simulate different climates by controlling the temperature (-20 to +50°C) and relative humidity (20 to 95%), and a 1.13m x 1.13m x 1.5m water immersion tank
• a research-based laboratory with an oxygen-controlled chamber to simulate altitude (hypoxia).

Why Brighton?

Four reasons to study with us

• You will get your hands dirty. Hands-on in the lab, you will have access to all our equipment and we will teach you how to use it and how to analyse and interpret the numbers.

• We will make you think. We will challenge your knowledge and your beliefs, and get you to find solutions to the problems and challenges that are relevant to today’s exercise physiologists.

• We will make you more employable. We’ll offer you opportunities to take on responsibilities, learn within a workplace and develop your understanding of the business world.

• You will be surrounded by experts. Our staff include internationally recognised coaches and researchers willing to share their knowledge with you.

Staff profile

Dr Louisa Beale, Senior Lecturer
Dr Louisa Beale teaches exercise physiology, nutrition, exercise and health. Her expertise lies in exercise and clinical populations, particularly in regard to heart disease and pregnancy.

Dr Beale conducts collaborative exercise cardiology research with East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust. She is a BASES-certified exercise practitioner and a BAPCR (British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation) exercise instructor, and she coordinates the university’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme.

Read more staff profiles for Applied Exercise Physiology MSc

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Eastbourne campus map