Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health MSc

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About the course

This MSc is designed to give clinicians and practitioners a deeper understanding of sports medicine, sports injuries and exercise medicine. The programme covers the evidence-based management of sports medicine and musculoskeletal injuries, and emphasises the vital role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. This MSc can be taken full time over one year, part-time over two years, or via flexible distance learning.

Visit the website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/surgery/courses/msc-sports-exercise-health 

Key Information

Application dates: 

Close: 28 July 2017


Optional qualifications This degree is also available as a PG Diploma with fees set accordingly.

Degree Information

The programme focuses on sports injuries and their prevention and treatment, and provides a thorough grounding in relevant areas of anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology and psychology, as well as the fundamentals of exercise in maintaining and improving health. Students develop essential research skills through an independent research project. 

Campus-based and distance learning options are available. All students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of seven core modules (105 credits), one optional module (15 credits). And a research project (60 credits). Taught courses run Tuesdays and Thursdays over two 12-week semesters starting in September and January. Clinical sessions are spread over the year: commitment is equivalent to one half-day per week over three 12-week semesters. Clinic options include sports injury, physiotherapy and podiatry, exercise testing, and team visits. 

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

Core Modules

Exercise Physiology 
Health and Physical Activity 
Sports Injuries I – Lower Limb 
Sports Injuries II – Upper Limb 
Sports Injuries III – Head, Neck and Spine 
Advanced Sports Injury and Injury Prevention 
Research Methods 

Options 

Team and Event Medicine 
Rehabilitation of Sports Injuries 

Dissertation/report 
All MSc students undertake an independent research project from a diverse range of available topics, which culminates in a dissertation, an oral examination and a presentation.

Careers

Graduates of the programme will gain a deeper understanding and valuable insights into the key areas of sports injury prevention and management, health and physical activity, and will be able to prescribe exercise safely for a range of medical conditions. This will prepare them for potential work in many areas from elite sports medicine to NHS sports and musculoskeletal clinics and exercise medicine services.

Top career destinations for this degree:

Osteopath, Self Employed (2011)
Paediatrician, NHS (2011)
Team Doctor, Football Club (2012)
Lead Physiotherapist, England u20 Basketball (2013)
Team Doctor, Semi Professional Rugby Club (2014)

Employability

A Master's level degree in Sports Medicine, Exercise & Health from UCL will open many doors in the sports and exercise medicine world, from sports injury clinics to developing exercise medicine programmes for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, and working with sports teams. UCL's MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise & Health is led by local experts with active involvement in NHS and elite sports and exercise medicine settings. A distinct feature of the programme is the wide variety and large number of distinguished external guest speakers, all experts in their own fields locally, nationally and internationally. Students have unrivalled access to our guest speakers for career advice and potential opportunities.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL is one of the world's very best universities, consistently placed in the global top 20 in a wide range of world rankings. The Division of Surgery & Interventional Science is part of one of the most prestigious medical schools in Europe, with a team of nearly 400 people, from surgeons and oncologists to clinical trials specialists and researchers. This programme is based at the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH). Our aim is to understand the causes of human disease and develop innovative therapies and technology to improve quality of life. 

The MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health at UCL places a strong emphasis on improving health through exercise alongside the management of sports and musculoskeletal injury. The programme has significant clinical content and students benefit from attendance at numerous specialist clinics and opportunities for field visits to sports teams and events. 

Graduate students on the MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health at UCL are from diverse backgrounds reflecting the true multi-disciplinary nature of sports and exercise medicine. 

Application and next steps

Applications 

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. 

Who can apply? 

This MSc is open to both medical and non-medical graduates with an appropriate background who wish to gain a deeper understanding of sports medicine, sports injuries and exercise medicine, are planning a career in the field, or wish to develop the skills necessary for further research. 

What are we looking for? 

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. 

For more information see the Applications page http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/apply

Visit the Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health MSc page on the University College London web site for more details!

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