Human & Applied Physiology MSc

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About the course

The course will give you a theoretical and practical basis for explaining the functioning of the muscular, respiratory and cardiovascular systems at rest and during exercise. You will explore the effects of extreme environmental conditions on whole body physiology, including in relation to aerospace and military medicine. You will study topics from both systemic and cellular/molecular perspectives in order to gain an understanding of the breadth of investigative approaches employed in human physiology research. You will also focus on practical work, learning how to plan and run experiments using human subjects. Ultimately, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and skills to enhance your understanding and expertise in human physiology in its broadest sense and build a career in a related field.

Base campus

Guy’s Campus

The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, and the Institute of Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard.

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures
Tutorials
Practical Work

For every 45-credit module we will provide you with 40 hours of teaching through lecture and tutorials, along with 30 hours of practical classes. For every 30-credit module we will provide you with 36 hours of teaching through lecture and tutorials, along with 24 hours of practical classes. For every 15-credit module you will have six hours of teaching. The 60-credit research project is a 12-week full-time laboratory-based research project, and how long it takes will depend on your project. We will expect you to complement all of this with self-study.

Lectures/Tutorials

Practical Classes

45 credit module

40 hours

30 hours

30 credit module

36 hours

24 hours

15 credit module

6 hours

-


Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Written Examinations
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Essays

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations which evaluate both the theoretical and practical components of the course. Forms of assessment may typically include oral presentations, poster presentations and written reports and essays. We supplement the taught programme with online formative assessment for learning. Coursework contributes approximately 50% and examinations approximately 50% to your final mark.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.

Structure

Required modules

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take:

Skeletal Muscle Function and Plasticity: from movement to molecules (30 credits)
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology: from rest to exhaustive exercise (30 credits)
Aerospace and Environmental Physiology (45 credits)
Library Project in Human & Applied Physiology (15 credits)
Research Project in Human & Applied Physiology (60 credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £16,950 (2025/26)

International:

Full time: £35,800 (2025/26)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.

The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.

  • If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
  • If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
  • Library fees and fines
  • Personal photocopies
  • Printing course handouts
  • Society membership fees
  • Stationery
  • Travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and for project placements
  • Graduation costs

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section .

Enquire

Start date Venue
01 Sep 2025 Distance learning Book now

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