Sport & Exercise Science & Medicine MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

This online taught MSc in Sports Science aims to provide you with an advanced, research-led programme of study in Sport & Exercise Science & Medicine. A key strength of this programme is its flexibility, enabling you to specialise in physical activity and health, sports performance, or sports medicine.
- Online distance learning
- Academic contact: Gemma.ryde@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- Online
- MSc: 36 months part‑time
- PgDip: 24 months part‑time
- PgCert: 12 months part‑time
Why this programme
- This is the only MSc in Sports Science in Scotland that merges Sport & Exercise Medicine and Sport & Exercise Science within a single degree programme, providing a broad range of options across these disciplines.
- You will benefit from access to the expertise of staff at the National Stadium Sports Health & Injury Clinic at Hampden Park, a custom-built, state-of-the-art sports medicine facility.
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).
- Develop and enhance your skills in:
- Application of knowledge to novel concepts and situations
- Data handling and statistics
- Experimental design
- Interpretation and evaluation of experimental data
- Literature searching and critically evaluating relevant scientific evidence
- Oral presentations
- Research methods and ethic
- Scientific writing
- Group working
- You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities to study performance and health aspects of Sport & Exercise Science, from the whole body to the molecular level. These include advanced exercise laboratories, metabolic investigation suites and a molecular biochemistry lab.
- You will have the chance to network with a number of regional/national sporting bodies and a number of professional sporting clubs. There may be opportunities for internships (in place of a research project) for some students and we work closely with the University of Glasgow Sport to provide additional opportunities to gain real world experience where possible.
- As well as our expert core staff, we engaged guest lectures who work in sport and exercise science and medicine in practice to provide interactive sessions in their specialist fields.
Video: Sport & Exercise Science & Medicine online programme
Why study online?
Programme structure
The course will involve online lectures, seminars and tutorials. During a residential week at the end of year 1 you will take part in lab classes and other interactive sessions with the teaching team (not compulsory). You will also take part in journal clubs, presentations and self-directed learning.
The programme is made up of 180 credits over the 3 years for the full MSc (60 credits per year). Each credit is around 10hrs of study which includes lectures, reading, tasks and other learning activities.
In year one, for each semester you have one core course (research methods and stats) and the option of one elective course from that semester. In year two, you will choose one elective course in semester 1 and two in semester 2. Year three you will be working on your major project.
Year one
Semester one
Core
Optional
- Nutritional Aids in Sport and Exercise
- Factors Influencing Performance
- Physical Activity and Health: Biological Mechanisms
- Exercise Prescription
Semester two
Core
Optional
- Working with Elite Athletes
- Physical Activity and Health: Public Health, Policy and Behavioural Change
- Technology and Analytics in Sport and Exercise
- Sports Injuries: Scientific Basis of Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Sports Injuries for Doctors & Physiotherapists
Year two
Semester one
Optional
- Nutritional Aids in Sport and Exercise
- Factors Influencing Performance
- Physical Activity and Health: Biological Mechanisms
- Exercise Prescription
Semester two
Optional
- Working with Elite Athletes
- Physical Activity and Health: Public Health, Policy and Behavioural Change
- Technology and Analytics in Sport and Exercise
- Sports Injuries: Scientific Basis of Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Sports Injuries for Doctors & Physiotherapists
Year three
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
The flexibility of this programme will provide you with many career opportunities. These include working in clinical exercise, health-promotion or in sports science support.
A number of our graduates are employed in senior sports science positions with national sporting bodies and professional sports clubs.
This programme also allows doctors and physiotherapists to aid their knowledge. For science graduates, there are opportunities in rehabilitation and higher education.
It also provides an excellent basis if you wish to pursue PhD level research.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2025-26
MSc
UK / EU / International:
- £15,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits
PgDip
UK / EU / International:
- £10,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits
PgCert
UK / EU / International:
- £5,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.
Fees for students funded by the NHS or UK social care organisations or UK health and social care partnership (HSCP)
- £11,820 (total cost for MSc)
- £7,880 (total cost for PgDip)
- £3,940 (total cost for PgCert)
- £1,314 per 20 credits
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
UK Study Online Scholarship
Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
Alumni Discount
Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)
The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Sport and Exercise Sciences, Physiotherapy, Medicine, Life Sciences, and other Health Professions with at least 40% of credit bearing modules in Science at an average grade of 2.1 or non-UK equivalent.
We may also accept degrees in Psychology and Physical Education.
Accepted modules
International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.
English language requirements
Computer requirements for studying online
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Please ensure that you choose 'Part Time Study' in order to select the programme.
Application deadlines
- Applications for this online programme will be accepted up until it starts.
More information about this programme
For information on our on-campus Sport & Exercise Science & Medicine programme, please see: Sport & Exercise Science & Medicine