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Faculty of Health Sciences

MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology

Postgraduate - Taught MSc PGDip PGCert

Open for admission in 2023/24

Start in September

Qualification Full time Part time
MSc 1 calendar year 2 calendar years
PGDip 1 year 2 years
PGCert n/a 1 and a half years

About the course

Clinical exercise physiology is an emerging discipline and this MSc offers you the chance to carry out progressive research to further advance the field.

Students are supported throughout by teaching staff active in research that is critical to our understanding of the subject.

The course is designed for a wide variety of groups, including sports and exercise science graduates, personal trainers, health workers, nurses and physiotherapists. Students gain an understanding of the science behind clinical exercise physiology and develop an extensive range of laboratory skills.

We offer opportunities to apply the scientific knowledge you learn to real-life settings. We have strong links with the NHS, the City Healthcare Partnership and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Students will also undertake a significant research project which they will deliver to an end-of-year postgraduate conference.

The programme is available at postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma and masters level. The MSc has been designed to allow flexible study, enabling professionals to continue working.

What you'll study

The course combines theory and practice to focus on advanced exercise physiology, clinical exercise testing and training, exercise prescription, pathophysiology of disease and exercise adherence. It includes submaximal exercise testing and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing, resting and exercise electrocardiography.

Each student will undertake a significant research project delivered to an end of year postgraduate conference.

The masters course is a 45 week programme of full-time study although different levels of award are available as follows:

  • Postgraduate certificate: 3 x 20 credit taught modules taken over an academic year (part-time)
  • Postgraduate diploma: 6 x 20 credit taught modules taken over an academic year
  • Masters degree: Successful completion of the postgraduate diploma stage allows progression to the masters stage which consists of a research project and dissertation written as a journal article and submitted, where possible, to a relevant peer-reviewed national/international academic journal.

Core modules

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.


  • Clinical Exercise Testing, Prescription and Programming

  • Biochemical Analysis of Health and Disease

  • Pathophysiology of Cardiometabolic Disease

    Study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cardio-metabolic disease induced by obesity and ageing. You will have the opportunity to collect and interpret physiological data, be exposed to clinical environments and present evidence-based contemporary exercise therapies to diseased patients.

  • Psychology of Health and Disease

    Learn about health-related behaviours (such as drinking alcohol and smoking), chronic disease - like cancer and heart disease - and how to help people adopt to a healthier lifestyle.

  • Research Methods and Statistics

  • Dissertation (Clinical Exercise Physiology)

    This supervised module allows you to develop your specialist interest and skills in a designated topic within clinical exercise physiology.

Where you'll study

The location below may not be the exact location of all modules on your timetable. The buildings you'll be taught in can vary each year and depend on the modules you study.

Click to view on Google Maps
Hull Campus

Click to view directions on Google Maps

‘‘The work we’re doing and the University’s strong industry links means we are actively helping to improve patient care."

Simon Nichol, PhD in Cardiac Rehabilitation (Exercise Physiology)
Cancer_rehab_edit

Fees and funding

  • Home£11,550

UK students can take out a Masters Loan to help with tuition fees and living costs. For 2023 entry, they provide up to £12,167 for full-time and part-time taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Find out more about Postgraduate Loans.

  • International £12,000

Please see the terms and conditions for International fees 2022/23

Graduate PGT Scholarship

The University of Hull is pleased to offer graduates progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate taught study a £1,000 scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Graduate PGT Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

For a list of all scholarships and bursaries for international students, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Scholarships and Bursaries

The University offers a range of scholarships to help you with your studies.

For more information, please visit the Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Study under experts who collaborate with the likes of the International Olympic Committee, FIFA and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Our state-of-the-art sports facilities are currently being upgraded in a substantial £16-million investment.

Work with professional sports teams and elite athletes, as well as with NHS patients wanting to improve their health.

Our £1.5-million Health and Human Performance Lab boasts the sector's latest and most innovative technology.

Entry requirements

A minimum of a 2.2 Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject (sport and exercise science, nursing, sports therapy, physiotherapy, public health or medicine).


In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group, if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved. In addition, existing undergraduate students at the University of Hull have a guaranteed ‘Fast Track’ route to any postgraduate programme, subject to meeting the entry criteria (excluding Social Work).

International students

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each skill.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses

Visit your country page to find out more about entry requirements.

Future prospects

This programme is designed to help embed the theories and practice of exercise physiology in health workers.

Many people undertaking this programme of study may already work for the health service or within the sports industry. For these students, the course will strengthen your CV and enable further professional development as you become an expert in your field. People who do not already work in the sector may seek employment within the NHS, or for private healthcare providers including BUPA and Nuffield Health, or as sports rehabilitators.

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