Why choose the School of Sport, Psychology and Social Science
Work experience in our on-campus community exercise clinic where clients include those with hypertension, neurological conditions, diabetes and stroke.
Complete 250 hours of work experience, with local placements including The MS Centre, Bedford; NHS Bedford Hospital; Milton Keynes Cardiopulmonary Community Group; and Bedford Council.
In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2025, the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ ranks UK 29th overall; it ranks in the top 10 for skills development.
About the course
This unique Master’s course allows you to build on your sport and exercise background so you can transition into clinical settings specialising in exercise physiology. It gives you the opportunity to investigate the physiological consequences of chronic, debilitating diseases and the role of exercise testing in detecting the changes these diseases cause. You put learning into practice via real-life opportunities at our on-site Community Exercise Clinic, working with a range of clinical populations including neurological, cardiac, dementia and hypotensive, with further work-based placement opportunities with industry experts.
Course accreditation / industry endorsement
We are working towards accreditation by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS).
The course is also endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), allowing you to gain additional qualifications as a Gym Instructor, Core Group Exercise and Working with People with Long Term Conditions.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Sports laboratories accredited by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) and including a biomechanics laboratory with 3D camera system
- Put learning into practice via real-life opportunities in our Community Exercise Clinic
- Human Performance Centre with an environmental heat chamber where professional athletes and sports people come to train
- Nutrition research kitchen
- Sports injury and rehabilitation centre
- Additional equipment includes a Woodway treadmill; metabolic cart with integrated 12-lead ECG and RMR hood; hydrostatic weighing tank; and echocardiogram machine
Industry links
We are official partners of Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC as well as other sporting organisations in the region such as Bedford Tigers RLFC, MK Dons, Cricket East and Be Active, giving you opportunities to build your employability through work placements.
We further increase your employability by being a Higher Education Partner of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
Additionally, our links to both local and national organisations, from the Premier League to grassroots sport, provide opportunities for industry-related work.
Your student experience
Learn from an industry-experienced teaching team, actively involved in research in their field.
Benefit from on-campus opportunities to extend your knowledge and put your learnt skills into practice through our Community Exercise Clinic; Human Performance Centre, and Sports Injury Clinic
Our Human Performance Centre helps train professional athletes and sports people including triathlete Lucy Charles Barclay, Team GB and junior Formula 1 racing driver Frederik Vesti; the heat chamber is regularly used to acclimatise athletes taking on competitions and marathons in places with high temperatures.
Attend masterclass lectures from industry practitioners including Dr Cheryl Barford (exercise prescription for clinical populations); Tarryn Mutch (clinical exercise therapy); and Abbie Bell, Senior Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Bedford Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department.
Graduate with a degree that gives you employability. Our graduates have pursued careers as student cardiologists, exercise physiologists, paediatric respiratory physiologists, therapy assistants and health advisers at Bedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Southampton Children’s Hospital, Milton Keynes ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Hospital, and BUPA.
Entry requirements
2.2 Honours degree or equivalent in a related area.
IELTS requirements
IELTS requirements for international students applying for this MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology with Academy of Health Care Science (AHCS) accreditation are:
- an overall score of 6.5
- no element below 6.5 for reading and writing
- Â 6.0 for speaking and listening.
Additional accreditation requirements
Students must pass each element of assessment with a 50% minimum mark to meet the Academy of Health Care Science (AHCS) requirements for the full, accredited MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology award.
Students who achieve an aggregate pass mark between 40-49% will be awarded the MSc Clinical Exercise Science without AHCS accreditation.
Course Leader - Dr Louise Ferrandino
I have been teaching in the area of exercise physiology, research methods, physical activity, disability and health since I completed my PhD investigating energy expenditure in wheelchair athletes at Loughborough ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ in 2012. I enjoy teaching all aspects of physiology from the epidemiology of physical activity and health at a population level to the nutritional and training aspects of elite performance.
Course Leader - Dr Louise Ferrandino
I have been teaching in the area of exercise physiology, research methods, physical activity, disability and health since I completed my PhD investigating energy expenditure in wheelchair athletes at Loughborough ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ in 2012. I enjoy teaching all aspects of physiology from the epidemiology of physical activity and health at a population level to the nutritional and training aspects of elite performance.
Placement for Clinical Exercise Physiology – At least 80 hours of practice-based learning in supportive clinical and exercise settings where you observe professionals in action and practise your skills.
Laboratory skills – Learn to prepare for and perform a range of physiological tests used to assess athletes and patients, then interpret the results.
Metabolic health – Develop a practical understanding of how physical activity and nutrition support the prevention and treatment of health conditions such as obesity, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and interpretation – Gain skills in preparing, performing and interpreting tests such as blood pressure measurement, ECG, lung function and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
Behavioural science and public health – Draw on health psychology and behavioural science to prompt behaviour change leading to improved health and fitness.
Exercise prescription – Explore how a structured exercise programme with nutritional advice can help with a range of conditions; includes practice-based learning hours working under supervision in our Community Exercise Clinic.
Specialist postgraduate placement – Build your experience, employability skills and understanding of your chosen field in a placement lasting at least 60 hours.
Pathophysiology – Examine the relationship between physical activity, health and disease, considering risk factors, signs and symptoms as well as the protective role physical activity can play.
Research methods – Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to examine and conduct research in the field of clinical exercise physiology.
Special clinical dissertation – Undertake a substantial, ethically sound research project on a topic of interest appropriate for your Master’s course.
For an at-a-glance list of modules for this course, download the course specification.
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A variety of assessment formats will be used across the course, these assessments are designed to develop the transferable skills of the students, such as written and oral communication, the ability to follow logical instructions, problem solving and time management. Further to this some assessments are designed to mimic the scenarios that students may find in the clinical environment, for example, practical exams assess client care, technical skills, analysis and interpretation of test results. All of these assessments are considered to be the best method to assess the learning outcomes of the particular unit, as well as developing professional and transferrable skills.
Careers
On completion of this course, you will be able to build on your sport and exercise background, knowledge and skills to transition into clinical settings specialising in exercise physiology. The course opens the way to a career in the NHS, local authorities, private healthcare, insurance or within the health and fitness industry in roles such as a health promotion specialist; clinical exercise physiologist; clinical technician; or researcher.
You can also continue to further research-based study on MSc by Research, MPhil or PhD programmes.
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
