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Sport

Applied Exercise Physiology MSc (PGCert PGDip)

  • Course
    in brief
  • Entry
    requirements
  • Course
    in detail
  • Careers and
    employability
  • Fees and
    funding
  • Location and
    living here
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    more
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Course in brief

Our Applied Exercise Physiology MSc is designed around three pillars. 

Physiology
Physiology is core to every module of our course with most sessions taking place in one of our five laboratories. During your MSc, you will learn integrative physiology through problem-based learning, and will get to use equipment such as our environmental chambers, breath-by-breath analysers and blood sampling analysers. We strongly believe students must learn through practice.

Science
Of great importance is the confidence you will gain in your own ability to critique scientific work so that you become a life-long independent thinker.

Personal development
You will gain real-world experience in areas relevant to your interests by working alongside experienced practitioners. Past projects have included working with participants in our cardiac rehabilitation and falls prevention programmes.

Our teaching laboratories are accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), as are most of our course staff. You can register on the BASES Supervised Experience Scheme to achieve personal accreditation.

We are one of just 10 institutions nationally, selected by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), to become a CIMPSA Higher Education Partner. We are part of their pilot programme to develop CIMPSA endorsed and quality assured degree programmes to improve students’ employment prospects. The partnership also offers many benefits for students studying this course.

 

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2–6 years

Accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences

Apply online

Please make sure that you meet the entry requirements before applying. If you have any questions the course team will be happy to help.

Apply now for your place

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2018. They should be used as a general guide.

We operate a flexible admissions policy – this means that you could receive a lower conditional offer than the typical offer, informed by our assessment of your complementary non-academic achievements and experiences. For courses that require interview or portfolio review, this may also be considered in the level of any conditional offer that follows if your application is successful.

Degree and experience
A good related honours degree (typically 2:2 or above) in sport or exercise sciences, or a relevant science-based degree such as psychology, physiology, biochemistry or zoology. Graduates in more fundamental sciences such as chemistry, physics and mathematics may also be acceptable. Applicants without the minimum qualifications may also be considered, providing they can demonstrate the appropriate background, work experience etc.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements; or equivalent qualification. 

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country
 
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For academic preparation courses.

Course in detail

Course structure

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.

You spend around 100 hours of the course with an organisation related to the practice of 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.

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Course news

Find out all the latest news on our courses, students, staff and research.

Areas of study

In taught physiology modules, you'll experience and discuss the responses of the human body to various stimuli, including effect of environmental changes (heat and hypoxic chambers) and of ergogenic aids which can be used to simulate peculiar clinical conditions and help students understand better exercise tolerance. This novel approach to teaching integrative physiology will help you to develop a host of laboratory skills. You will be introduced to the latest in the research field of exercise physiology and will have an opportunity to write your own paper from your research project.

With modules such as Professional Enquiry, 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'll graduate with a foot firmly in the industry.

Teaching environment

Laboratory work

  • We accept a maximum of 15 students on this course.
  • All classes take place in our exercise physiology laboratories with a ratio of 2:3 (staff:students).
  • Students work in groups of four to five on problem-based situations.

Tutorials

  • Students can book individual tutorials with every lecturer offering around three hours of tutorials per week.
  • Group tutorials are also scheduled in our teaching programmes.

Modules
Modules will cover the following areas:

  • critical insights into the study of physiology
  • professional and personal development
  • exercise tolerance (integrative physiology)
  • expertise in laboratory skills for exercise physiologists
  • applied environmental physiology
  • issues and innovations in physiology.

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).
climate lab

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.
Physiology lab reporting

Professional experience 

Professional-Based Learning Module

All credit-based postgraduate courses at the School of Sport and Service Management offer the Professional-Based Learning module.

The module offers you an opportunity to undertake practical experience in a work environment and gain invaluable first-hand knowledge. It is designed to help you engage with the process of planning and delivering expertise in practice, and to reflect upon and take steps to improve your academic, personal and professional skills.

In Semester 1 (September–January) you will have classes on CV development, interview skills, target setting, reflective practice and experiential learning, leading to 100 hours of professional experience in Semester 2 (February–June). This experience could take the form of a part-time job, an unpaid internship, a volunteering opportunity in the university or time as a mentee in your chosen industry. You can also take this module as part of a live consultancy in connection with one of your tourism, sport, hospitality or event modules, either in the UK or a School of Sport and Service Management project overseas.

Our school-based Employability Hub will be on hand to assist you in securing an experience that best meets your career goals and aspirations. Professional experience will enhance your practice and academic knowledge, and many of our students have started their careers with their placement organisation.

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

Louisa Beale

Careers and employability

Career opportunities for sport and exercise scientists are growing. Sports science is recognised as a vital ingredient in the success and development of most sports and for the individuals that take part it is an everyday aspect of their training.

Many hospitals and primary care trusts are also appointing specialists with exercise backgrounds to work in areas such as cardiac rehabilitation and health promotion.

An MSc in Applied Exercise Physiology from the University of Brighton will help you to stand out in today's competitive job market. It will equip you with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a successful career and is also ideal preparation for continuing your study at MPhil or PhD level.

More than half of our graduates secured positions as exercise physiologists in the private or public sector. 14% joined the community of sports coaches, 14% became data analysts in the private sector and 14% progressed into MPhil/PhD studies.

Role our graduates have secured include:

  • exercise physiologist at STAPS (Germany)
  • high performance strength and conditioning coach at Peak Power Sport Development (US)
  • health screening specialist at Bluecrest Health Screening
  • lead physiologist at Trainsharp Cycle Coaching
  • data analyst at Nisus Consulting Limited
  • clinical physiologist at BUPA
  • cardiovascular and physiological clinical trials officer at the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
  • cardiac technician/physiologist at the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (Full-time) 6,270 GBP

Island students (Full-time) 6,270 GBP

International (Full-time) 12,960 GBP


Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2018–19.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Eastbourne

Sunny, friendly and relaxed, there’s lots to do and enjoy in Eastbourne – music and arts festivals, theatre, galleries and sports – and all against the backdrop of the beach and the beautiful South Downs.

Eastbourne hosts some major sporting events, from Eastbourne Extreme – one of the biggest extreme sports festivals in the UK – to Eastbourne International, an annual tennis tournament where some of the world’s finest players prepare for Wimbledon.

Eastbourne has a close-knit community feel. From where ever you are on campus every place you need to go is around 15 minutes away on foot – the beach, the town centre and the South Downs. There is a great selection of clubs, pubs, restaurants and shops and always plenty of student-friendly deals on offer.

   Eastbourne Festival

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Located in one of the sunniest towns in the UK, our Eastbourne campus sits between the hills of the South Downs National Park and the south coast.

The campus has extensive sporting facilities, including a sports hall, fitness suite, climbing wall, swimming pool, three gyms, a dance studio and an artificial training pitch. For sport and exercise students, there are also exercise physiology labs, a human movement laboratory and an environmental chamber.

Professional-standard facilities on this campus include the Leaf Hospital Clinic, specialist practical skills rooms, culinary arts studio and accredited sports science laboratories.

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Accommodation

Eastbourne

Our Eastbourne hall of residence, Welkin Halls, is in the residential Meads area, next to the Hillbrow and Welkin site and within walking distance of Darley Road. The train station is about 20 minutes away on foot.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. We recommend Unihomes when you’re balancing learning with placements, shifts and other commitments, because they give you more choice and flexibility.

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

Find out more on our accommodation webpages, and if you have any questions, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accomeastbourne@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 643810.

Welkin Halls

Welkin bedroom


  

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

Eastbourne campus map

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Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Read the latest course news on the MSc course blog. You can also get in touch with current postgraduate students, graduates and staff by joining the school’s postgraduate Facebook group.

Student views  

Gregor Eichhorn

“After finishing my BSc and working in the field of exercise physiology, I decided to continue my studies and gain further knowledge and experience.

“During the course I enjoyed the many facilities and laboratories on offer here. Having both a heat and a hypoxic chamber is something out of the ordinary.

“The staff were an amazing help throughout the year, supporting me at every step and giving great feedback whenever it was desired.

“The course reassured my choice in the field of sports and has given me further confidence to work with athletes in a professional environment. I finished the course in September 2014 and now have a job as an exercise physiologist working with endurance athletes in Cologne, Germany. I am continuing my MSc research study assisted by the Sport and Exercise Science Consultancy Unit of the University of Brighton as I am aiming for publication.

“I recommend the course to people who want to broaden their knowledge and get applied experience through the many possibilities the University of Brighton has to offer.”

Gregor Eichhorn

Gareth Turner

“I completed the Sport and Exercise Science BSc at the university’s Eastbourne campus in 2007. I decided to continue my studies to masters level to gain more applied experience in the hope to pursue a career in sports science. 

“The Applied Exercise Physiology MSc enabled me to do this in a setting where I continued to learn, while being encouraged to find applied opportunities along the way. I gained valuable experience at Reading Football Club, the MCC Young Cricketers Academy and in Welkin Laboratories, and completed my MSc in November 2008. 

"I got a job in sports science quickly after finishing my MSc, working for the Lucozade Sport Science Team for two years. Fast forward eight months and I found myself unexpectedly applying for a PhD. This followed on nicely from my MSc dissertation looking at the effect of altitude training on endurance performance, which was jointly funded by the University of Brighton and the English Institute of Sport. Alongside my PhD, I now work with British Athletics as a physiologist for their endurance and altitude training programme."

Gareth Turner

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