MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science

The MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science at University of Derby trains students to become advanced sport and exercise professionals — whether in physiology, psychology, or performance analysis. It suits graduates who want hands-on experience with athletes, applied research skills, and a pathway toward sport-science careers or accreditation.

Curriculum Structure

In the core phase, students complete Practitioner Development in Applied Sport and Exercise Science, gaining 150 hours of real-world placement experience and practical practitioner skills. Through Advanced Research Methods and Independent Research in Sport and Exercise, they build strong research design, data-analysis and project-management skills, culminating in an independent master’s-level research dissertation.

Depending on their chosen pathway, optional modules such as Applied Practice in Sport Psychology, Sports Training Principles, Strength and Conditioning Science, Applied Performance Analysis, or Psychology of Exercise and Physical Activity let students specialise — whether in mental-performance, physical conditioning, biomechanics, or data-driven performance analysis.

Focus areas (string):
“Applied sport science, exercise physiology, performance analysis, sport psychology, strength & conditioning, research methods, real-world placements”

Learning outcomes (in a string):
“Deliver applied sport-science support to athletes; conduct rigorous exercise or performance research; design and interpret training or conditioning programmes; analyse performance data; apply psychological, physiological and biomechanical principles in real settings.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The Psychology pathway is endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES), giving eligibility for supervised practice and future accreditation.  

Reputation (employability rankings):
University of Derby highlights strong student satisfaction (100% agree staff explain well; 93% find the course intellectually stimulating) and good course-quality ratings among postgraduate sport-science students.