Are you one of life’s adventurers or thinking of a career in Adventure based sport?

If so, then this is the course for you!

You may have dreamt of climbing Everest, wondered what ‘it takes’ to Big Wall climb in Yosemite or perform successful Glacial travel in Antarctica. You may have Ice climbed in Norway, walked the 15 peaks of Wales, or completed Trad climbing in the UK. Perhaps you dream of Sailing the Atlantic, Surfing ‘Jaws’, or Kayaking the Conwy Valley? Maybe you’re interested in undertaking an expedition in adventurous terrain or simply excited about Adventure Sport? This course is uniquely designed to help you realise these dreams.

By providing you with ‘hands on’ experience and understanding of the core Sport Science studies of human responses to adventure environments and performance in adventure sports, you will gain the skills required for a career in the expanding Adventure market. This essential core Sport Science knowledge is uniquely combined with the continuous opportunity to develop your own adventure and outdoor skills. Specifically, as well as learning core Performance and exercise science, you will complete ‘doing’ modules with the emphasis on adventuring out and learning practically. If you want to get out in the mountains, beaches, camp, hike, scramble, winter walk, climb, explore the sea cliffs on foot and from a kayak, and want to do it practically ‘hands on’ through whole days out then this course for you.

The MSci is an extended undergraduate programme that allows students to graduate either with a BSc (Hons) at the end of Year 3 or with a Masters at the end of Year 4. The School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences offer this course.

Key to this degree is the scientific study of human responses to the extreme environments and of performance in the outdoors.

We place a strong emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge to performance and all students, regardless of the course they are on, undertake a Research Skills module. This gives them the opportunity to integrate the knowledge they have accumulated in an individual Research Project during their MSci year. Both these modules are compulsory. 

Research Skills – This covers three main topics; quantitative research design, the analysis of group differences and regression analyses using quantitative methods and qualitative research methods and analysis.

Students read series of scientific papers to develop their critical understanding of research design, including formulating a question, generating a hypothesis, study designs, sampling methods, ensuring validity and reliability, and good dissemination practices. Both original investigations and review studies will be included.  The second topic involves using a wide variety of quantitative methods to analyse group differences and regression analyses. The qualitative part of the module will address the different philosophical positions underpinning quantitative and qualitative research; data collection methods, including interviews, focus groups and observational methods; and qualitative data analysis, including thematic content analysis, grounded theory and discourse analysis.

Research Project – This is an independent piece of research, and acts as the culmination of the academic challenges faced by the student. The module comprises 60 credits (ie equivalent to three double modules) and will formally equate to some 600 hours of student time.

Students work closely with their supervisor to develop a research project. Academic supervisors are leaders in their field of study and provide excellent research training and guidance throughout this process. Once an appropriate research question is agreed, students will implement a research design and method suited to the area of enquiry.  

Multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies, which might involve the student’s ongoing sport/exercise experience, will be encouraged. Each topic will normally involve data collection, analysis and interpretation and allow students to demonstrate their powers of imagination, initiative, independence and time management. Students are expected to show a thorough knowledge of the relevant sources of information and the ability to use them with discrimination; to provide full references; to exercise sound and independent judgment; to structure work logically and to express themselves with clarity and precision.  

Students will typically have one or two hours of lectures per week for each module as well as laboratory time, seminars and tutorials. This direct contact time is tied with student-centred learning such as reading, writing essays and reports, gathering information and data, working on group projects and preparing verbal and poster presentations. These form the basis of your assessment, along with examinations, case studies and critiques of research.

25% of students’ time is spent in lectures, seminars and lab practicals. We keep our lectures, seminars and lab class sizes small:

• Lectures: 30-150
• Seminars: approx. 12-15
• Laboratory practicals: approx. 25

This means that our students have closer contact with lecturers and tutors, and all our students have access to regular one-to-one meetings with staff.

What will you study on this course?

We aim to equip you over the programme to become adventure ‘experts’ in terms of applying core sport science to the world of adventure, whilst also giving you the practical skill sets to undertake independent mountain and water based adventures yourself. There is a real focus on you developing your own personal and group skills in judgment and awareness as well as the practical skills of a variety of adventure activities. These independent skills will stay with you for life and help you realise your goals.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Adventure Sport Science Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

All postgraduate taught applicants (Home/EU /International, full-time and part-time) are eligible to APPLY to become a Graduate Assistant (GA).  

Graduate Assistants are paid to work with academic staff in a range of teaching, learning and assessment activities to support undergraduate student learning for up to 60 hours each academic year.  

Our research-led curriculum covers the core Sport, Health and Exercise Science topics of physiology, psychology, exercise, health and medicine, biomechanics and effective coaching. Our expertise and high calibre teaching will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need for a career in the expanding sport, health, exercise and adventure markets.