A postgraduate degree to suit you

Offered on a full-time or part-time basis, this course can be tailored to match your personal interests and career development plans. You can choose from several different module options across sport and exercise disciplines, allowing you to tailor your interest within a specific area, or combine modules for a broader study programme.

The programme has been tailored to aid your preparation for applied practice and application for The British Association of Sport and Exercise (BASES) Supervised Experience programme. BASES endorsement for the psychology pathway indicates that students who study the pathway will have covered relevant knowledge as part of an appropriate Masters level qualification for entry onto the BASES Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR).

Professional work placements

Our emphasis is on how theory can be applied to practice. You’ll gain first-hand experience through 150 hours on placement in a real-world workplace setting.

To organise your placement, you can draw on our wide-ranging partnerships in the sports world. Our network of contacts spans leading football, cricket, rugby and swimming clubs who regularly offer internship and placement opportunities to our students.

Our close liaison with Team Derby also gives you further chances to work directly with athletes. Team Derby is the focal point for the development of sport at the University and they currently work with external partners such as Derby County Community Trust and Derventio eXcel.

Research skills to take you far

Independent research is a cornerstone of this MSc. You’ll gain analytical and research skills as you undertake a substantial investigation into a theme of your choosing. The aim is to develop a realistic and worthwhile research project which will also improve your critical thinking, project management and decision-making skills – all qualities which are valued by employers.

You’ll benefit from being part of a dynamic research community at the University. Our staff are breaking new ground in areas ranging from professional practice in sport psychology to human balance control and injury risk reduction.

Outstanding facilities

You’ll hone your skills and conduct research in our exceptional sport and exercise facilities boasting the latest equipment and software for measuring performance, movement, health and fitness. Our laboratories are of such a high standard that they have even been used by Derby County FC for pre-season training programmes.

Our Sport and Exercise Physiology Laboratories are fully equipped for biomechanics and physiology analysis while our Strength and Conditioning Suite is the ideal setting for developing practical and coaching skills. We were one of the first universities to invest in a Vicon motion capture system and two Kistler force platforms.

You can also take full advantage of our award-winning £10.8m multi-purpose  which opened in autumn 2015 to become one of the region’s most iconic sporting venues. It features an impressive sports hall, badminton and squash courts, a 70-station fitness suite, a dedicated fitness studio, climbing wall and indoor sprint track. Our outdoor facilities include a 3G all-weather pitch, tennis courts and a rugby pitch.

How you will learn

A range of teaching and learning methods will be used to enhance advanced learning and skill development, which include lecture-seminar style sessions, guest lectures, computer-based sessions, practical laboratory sessions and field-based sessions.

Real world learning is an important element of our course, with applied placement and internship opportunities, as well as the chance to develop independent study skills.

Learning will take place in our £10.8m Sports Centre, specialist sport science laboratories, and in conjunction with multiple sports based partners in the region.

Assessment

Students will complete both summative and formative assessment throughout the course to include written essays, reports and case studies, oral presentations, and viva-voce exams. Students’ will be assessed on their practical skills, their application of scientific knowledge to practitioner settings, and their ability to critically evaluate the role and requirements of an applied practitioner.

Support from an experienced team

Our academic team are active researchers and practitioners, ensuring course content incorporates current research and is industry informed. They are leading experts in sport and exercise psychology, physiology, exercise and health, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, performance analysis and nutrition.

When you enrol, you’ll be allocated an academic mentor who will act as your personal tutor. During your placement, you’ll also have a work-based mentor, an experienced practitioner who will help steer your progress and enhance your employability.