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Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This MSc / PGDip Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health is for clinicians who want to gain a deeper understanding of sports medicine, sports injuries, and exercise medicine. Teaching takes place at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), one of world's leading institutes for sport and exercise medicine.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£20,500
£10,250
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applications for in person programme options: 14 Oct 2024 – 11 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applications for distance learning programme options: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

We welcome applications from prospective students who hold a primary medical or allied health sciences degree e.g. medicine, physiotherapy, sports science. Applicants should have a minimum of one year post-graduation clinical experience relating to their primary degree.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

The full-time and part-time versions of this programme are taught primarily online with some teaching taking place on campus in London. As such, international students who apply to this programme are not eligible to apply for a regular Student visa for full-time study in the UK.

To attend the on-campus teaching sessions for this course, international students will ordinarily use a UK Standard Visitor visa for study.

Please note that UK immigration rules are subject to change by the UK Government, as such, there is no guarantee that the current rules referred to here will be in place for the duration of your study with UCL.

Should you have any questions regarding visa compliance, please contact the UCL Student Immigration Compliance Team.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree



Develop your knowledge of sports medicine, sports injuries, and exercise medicine on this evidence-based programme, with flexible study options to fit around work and other commitments.

The programme focuses on managing sports medicine and musculoskeletal injuries, and the vital role physical activity plays in preventing and treating chronic disease. You will learn about the prevention, diagnosis, and management of sports injuries and medical conditions in athletes, explore exercise physiology, and take an optional module on team and event medicine or the rehabilitation of sports injuries. All students study research methods, and those on the MSc also develop essential research skills by working on an independent research project.

Both the MSc and PG Dip can be taken full-time in one year, part-time over two years, or via a modular flexible route over up to five years. You can choose to study with us on campus or as a distance learning student with some face-to-face teaching in blocks.

The programme is delivered at the Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health (ISEH), an International Olympic Committee Injury Prevention Research Centre and one of world's leading institutes for sports and exercise medicine.

Who this course is for

This course is suitable for students who are keen to develop a career in sports and musculoskeletal medicine and in exercise medicine. We welcome applications from any UK or international student with a primary medical, physiotherapy or allied health science degree, including sports science graduates.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.

  • A thorough grounding on different strategies to improve health through exercise.
  • In-depth knowledge of the diagnosis, management and prevention of sports and musculoskeletal injury.
  • The chance to interact with numerous specialist sport and exercise medicine practitioners. 
  • Experience of the true multidisciplinary nature of sports and exercise medicine studying alongside students from diverse backgrounds, cultures and disciplines.
  • Teaching by local, national, and internationally renowned experts.
  • Study at the ISEH, one of world's leading institutes for sports and exercise medicine research, education, and clinical expertise. The ISEH is part of UCL Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, which is part of one of the most prestigious medical schools in Europe.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This MSc and PGDip awards will open many doors in the world of sport and exercise medicine. You will be ready for roles such as running a sports injury clinic, developing exercise medicine programmes for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, or working as a medic for a sports team or event.

According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), around 94% of our Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health graduates progressed onto highly skilled work (90%) or further postgraduate study (4%).

Being at UCL has opened so many doors for me to pursue exciting research and expand on my knowledge.

Nabeela Arbee

Nabeela Arbee

Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health, MSc

Learn more about Nabeela

Employability

Graduates develop a deep understanding of sports injury prevention and management, and of exercise prescription for health across a range of medical conditions. You will be prepared for potential work in many areas, from elite sports medicine to NHS sports, musculoskeletal injury clinics and exercise medicine services.

According to the HESA survey, our MSc Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health graduates have gone on to work for a range of employers, including:

  • NHS Hospital Trusts.
  • Professional football, rugby and basketball sports clubs.
  • Orthopaedic, musculoskeletal and sports injury specialists, such as Connect Health, Crossklinik AG in Basel, and Elite Physical Medicine.
  • Physiotherapy practices, such as Stronglines Physiotherapy, and Synergy Physio and Rehabilitation.
  • Self-employed / sole trader physiotherapists.
  • Healthcare recruitment consultants (e.g. MediLink Consulting).
  • Established brands, such as Virgin Active Health Clubs.

Their roles include physiotherapists, GPs, specialist medical practitioners, therapy professionals, sports coaching, and teaching in higher education.

Networking

There are many opportunities to network through our cross-disciplinary departments and research centres. We offer regular opportunities to meet and hear from external expert guest lecturers from all areas of sports medicine, exercise and health and we encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending clinics, shadowing at sporting events, and participating at conferences.

Teaching and learning

Throughout the programme, you will learn through a mix of formal lectures, hands-on practical sessions, small group seminars, exercise lab sessions. You will also take part in clinical experience sessions where your contribution through discussion is a vital part of the learning process.

Your teaching faculty are all highly experienced doctors, physiotherapists and sports scientists working in NHS and elite sports and exercise medicine settings. You will also have guest lecturers, who are national and international experts in their own fields. All teaching will emphasise evidence-based practice.

Assessment is through single best answer exams, presentations, coursework, oral examinations and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE). MSc students will also complete a dissertation, presentation, and viva voce (oral) examination. Exams are be taken online.

You will have approximately 30 hours of contact teaching for each module.

Teaching for campus-based students will be delivered face-to-face on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The rest of your time will be for your own study, which will include online learning tasks, coursework preparation and assessment revision.

Most of the teaching for distance learners will be delivered online. This will be supplemented with additional short blocks of residential teaching on campus.

You should plan for two to three hours of independent study time for every hour of scheduled teaching time. This self-directed learning time may be used to complete online learning activities related to your teaching, as well as revision, and coursework preparation.

Full-time students should expect to be studying for a least four days a week. If you have a job, we recommend that you don't exceed one day per week to ensure you have sufficient time for your studies. Students working more than one day per week should consider the part-time or modular / flexible route.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time nine months) is offered.

Modules

The programme consists of seven compulsory modules as well as one of two optional modules across two 12-week semesters (September to December and January to March).

Full-time students take four modules in each semester.

MSc students complete an independent research project throughout the year. You will choose from a variety of research projects, including original data collection on campus, analysing previously collected datasets, or systematic reviews.

You will also participate in 10 clinical experience sessions to support your learning by observing and discussing real-life cases. These are conducted both virtually and in-person.

Campus-based students will attend all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays during semesters one and two. The rest of your time will be for your own study, which will include online learning tasks, coursework preparation and assessment revision.

Distance-learning students will follow the same term and module schedule as campus-based students. Teaching for distance-learning students will be uploaded to UCL’s online learning platform each week and will include several live half-day online webinars for each module. You will complete online learning tasks, coursework preparation and assessment revision.

The teaching for distance-learning students on each module will be supplemented with one to two days of live teaching either residentially on campus (for modules with practical examination skills) or online. This is usually delivered in a two-week block after the Easter break.

The programme consists of seven compulsory modules as well as one of two optional modules across four 12-week semesters (September to December and January to March).

Part-time students will take two modules in each semester.

MSc students complete an independent research project throughout the second year. You will choose from a variety of research projects, including original data collection on campus, analysing previously collected datasets or systematic reviews.

You will also participate in 10 clinical experience sessions to support your learning by discussing real-life cases. These are conducted both virtually and in person.

Campus-based students will attend on Tuesdays in year one, and on Thursdays in year two during the first two semesters. The rest of your time will be for your own study, which will include online learning tasks, coursework preparation and assessment revision.

Distance-learning students will follow the same term and module schedule as campus-based students. Teaching for distance-learning students will be uploaded to UCL’s online learning platform each week and will include several live half-day online webinars for each module. 

The teaching for distance-learning students on each module will be supplemented with one to two days of live teaching either residentially on campus (for modules with practical examination skills) or online. This is usually delivered in a two-week block after the Easter break.

The flexible route enables you to fit your studies around your other commitments. Your personal tutor will guide you as to which and how many modules to take each year, depending on your circumstances. You can complete the course in between three and five years.

The programme consists of seven compulsory modules as well as one of two optional modules. Taught modules run over two 12-week semesters (September to December and January to March).

MSc students must complete an independent research project. You select your project by the end of your penultimate year and complete it during your final year. A variety of research projects are offered, including original data collection on campus, analysing previously collected datasets or systematic reviews.

You will also participate in 10 clinical experience sessions to support your learning by discussing real-life cases. These are conducted virtually and in person.

Campus-based students will attend for teaching on Tuesdays or Thursdays, depending on the module. You will also have online learning tasks, coursework preparation and assessment revision.

Distance-learning students will follow the same term and module schedule as campus-based students. Teaching for distance-learning students will be uploaded to UCL’s online learning platform each week and will include several live half-day online webinars for each module.

The teaching for distance-learning students on each module will be supplemented with one or two days of live teaching either residentially on campus (for modules with practical examination skills) or online. This is usually delivered in a two-week block after the Easter break. Modular students will attend the residential days for their current modules in the year that they take the particular modules.

Compulsory modules










Optional modules




Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

All students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

Medical lamp and equipment

As world leaders in medical and biomedical research, we design innovative courses for clinicians and scientists that meet new patient and industry needs. These are led by some of the greatest scientific minds, so you get a research-based learning experience. Our cutting-edge expertise ensures that you will be taught the latest techniques using the most advanced equipment. Our activities are split across three sites. Our Department of Targeted Intervention is based at Bloomsbury campus in central London. Our Department of Surgical Biotechnology is based at the Royal Free campus in Hampstead. Our Department of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science is based at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, north-west London.

Learn more about Surgery & Interventional Science

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £20,500 £10,250
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

The core textbooks for all modules are available in the UCL Libraries and journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically. Some students like to purchase their own textbooks or print course documents. We suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this.

Students will need to pay travel costs to teaching, clinical experiences or project locations. Find out about the cost of using public transport at Transport for London.

Your degree is also subject to an Additional Fee Element (AFE). The AFE (also known as bench fees) is an additional cost of £500 levied to cover the costs related to research consumables, equipment, and materials etc. which are not included in the tuition fee.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health at graduate level
  • why you want to study Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Surgery and Interventional Science
Division of Surgery and Interventional Science

sportsmedicineadmin@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.