MSc
Clinical Exercise Science
Promoting health and fitness through science
Course Overview
Why take this course?
With current obesity and diabetes epidemics resulting from sedentary living, poor dietary habits and high stress lifestyles, the need for Clinical Exercise Specialists (CES) is now greater than ever before.
This innovative course is, therefore, designed to inform you in the clinical aspects of exercise, providing a qualification that will enable you to apply theory to practice.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Develop lab and field-based skills alongside the ability to communicate with clients in a professional and approachable style
- Become proficient in diagnostic techniques and the delivery of effective physical activity programmes to optimise the health-related fitness of clients
- Use specialist facilities and benefit from our strong links with the School of Health Sciences and the National Health Service
What opportunities might it lead to?
The programme will provide opportunities for you to work toward the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Specialist certification and units aligned to Level Four National Occupation Standards for Health and Fitness.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- health and fitness companies
- NHS
- therapy and physiology
- further postgraduate research in the UK and the USA
This Master’s is a unique course and very practical throughout.
Louisa Herring, MSc Clinical Exercise Science student 2012
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time, 2 years part time
- Entry
A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. In addition, admissions requirements also include completion of the initial training component of a REPS approved Level 2 gym instructor award. Applicants are subject to interview. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 5.5.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £5,000, part-time students - 2 year route: £2,500 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500, part-time students: 2 year route: £5,950 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5550 - Department
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science
Structure & Teaching
You can choose to take this course in either full-time or part-time mode. Our course draws on the strengths and thriving research expertise of a variety of departments. The Department of Sport and Exercise Science will deliver the majority of the course units whereas the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences will teach nutrition and health, and the School of Health Sciences and Social Work will deliver the clinical physiology aspects of the course.
Here are the units you will study:
- Clinical Physiology and Nutrition: This unit is concerned with the diagnostic procedures and pathophysiology of chronic disease and deals with global health concerns relating to nutritional practices.
- Exercise Programming and Behaviour Change: You will develop skills in risk stratification and leading safe and effective physical activities, dealing with the psychology of disease and how to effectively engage clients in health-enhancing behaviours.
- Clinical Placement: On this unit you will gain experience of working in clinical exercise settings, such as cardiac rehabilitation, to allow you to apply your knowledge in a professional environment.
- Applied Research Methods: This prepares you for your Research Project by covering research design, discussing different investigation strategies and identifying appropriate statistical analyses. The unit will also guide you through the submission of a research proposal and the submission of research in the form of a manuscript.
- Research Project: Your final project will enable you to carry out an individual study in the area of clinical exercise.
Teaching and Assessment
Your learning experience will be research-informed, and will be delivered by enthusiastic, dedicated and knowledgeable staff who will encourage and assist you to achieve your full potential. Teaching is largely based around seminar, practical and workshop sessions.
How are you assessed?
You will be assessed in a variety of ways with a focus on self-assessment and problem-based assignments. Here’s how we assess you:
- practical assessment
- research reports
- applied essays
- case studies
- project report
- poster presentation
Facilities & Features
Laboratories
We are one of the leading departments offering sports science-based programmes in the UK
Learning Environments
You will benefit from our many specialist labs
Research Groups
Our academic staff have a close affiliation with sport and are research active within their chosen specialism
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
Laboratories
We are one of the leading departments offering sports science-based programmes in the UK according to the National Student Survey (NSS), the Times Good University Guide, the Independent University Guide, and the Guardian University Guide league tables. You will learn in a several different environments including our biomechanics, physiology, psychology and kinanthropometry labs, home to some of the country’s finest facilities, including:
- 3 climatic chambers for manipulating temperature, humidity and altitude
- an immersion pool
- a swimming flume
- an automated tracking system
- visual 3D software
Learning Environments
You will also benefit from plenty of indoor space for practical activities. Along with our many specialist labs, dedicated seminar spaces and interview rooms, the Department is located next to the University’s Nuffield Sports Centre and very near to the University’s St Paul’s Sports Centre. These two centres offer many facilities including sports halls, a 100-station gym, squash courts and fitness studios, all located at the heart of the University.
Research Groups
Our academic staff have a close affiliation with sport and are research active within their chosen specialism. We have three main research areas which include biomechanics, physiology and psychology, with BASES accredited and BPS chartered members of each area possessing prolific research profiles. Here are the areas of our current research:
- Extreme Environmental Medicine and Science (co-ordinator: Dr Jim House)
- Breast Health (co-ordinator: Dr Joanna Scurr)
- Human Performance and Health (co-ordinator: Dr Jo Corbett)
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
The demand for qualified clinical exercise specialists (CES) is high. The duties performed by a CES are linked closely to treating patients with a chronic disease in which exercise has been shown to provide therapeutic benefit. The knowledge and skills you will gain from this course will be valued in a wide range of clinical settings.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- GP exercise referral coordinator
- NHS trainee clinical scientist
- health advisor
- cardiopulmonary exercise testing research technician
- health and wellbeing physiologist
- mental health exercise instructor
- NHS physical activities adviser
- private exercise physiologist
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.