Course overview
Develop the skills needed to assess and treat musculoskeletal injuries as you progress to a career in healthcare or professional sport.
Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) is a rapidly growing field across healthcare and professional sport. There’s an increasing expectation that clinicians working in musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine or sport will have completed structured, Masters-level training.
This MSc is designed to meet that demand. Whether you’re a doctor, physiotherapist, sports therapist or allied health professional, it will help you develop the specialist knowledge, practical skills and confidence to assess and manage MSK conditions in both patients and athletes.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop the clinical and decision-making skills needed to work effectively in both healthcare and sporting environments. You’ll learn how to assess and treat MSK injuries, apply SEM principles in practice, and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams. Your learning combines face-to-face teaching, online study and hands-on placements in clinical settings and sports clubs, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts.
By the time you graduate, you’ll be well placed to progress your career in healthcare, private practice or professional sport. Many graduates go on to take on extended roles in NHS MSK services, work with professional sports teams or develop portfolio careers in SEM. With SEM now recognised by the General Medical Council as a formal training route and identified as a key area for growth, this qualification provides a strong foundation for career progression, further training or research - giving you the skills, experience and confidence to make a meaningful impact in sport and health.
Why study at Leeds?
- Learn from leading clinicians: You’ll be taught by consultant SEM physicians and scientists working in elite sport and MSK medicine. Meet more of our team and find out why they are at the forefront of their fields.
- Develop hands-on clinical skills: The course provides a strong focus on practical techniques essential for Sport and Exercise Medicine
- Train in specialist facilities: Learn in state-of-the-art anatomy labs with cadavers and prosections as well as brand new sports facilities.
- Gain real-world experience: Gain clinical placement knowledge and university-run pitch-side training delivered by experts in the field, alongside some of Yorkshire’s professional sports teams.
- Take a flexible approach to study: There are options to take a full-time or a part-time route with 2–3 on-campus days per month to suit your professional commitments.
- Achieve an industry-recognised certification: You’ll have the opportunity to complete the IMMOFP qualification accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Access dedicated mentorship: Access ongoing support and careers guidance from experienced SEM clinicians.
- Explore research and career opportunities: Complete an independent project with potential to present or publish, and progress into roles across NHS, private practice and professional sport.
“The practical sessions and dissections really suited my learning style and enabled me to apply new skills straight into practice.”
Course details and modules
This Masters is available as a one-year full-time course or two-year part-time course, offering the flexibility to fit your studies around your professional and personal commitments. Teaching typically takes place on campus over two to three full days per month (Wednesdays), supported by flexible online learning activities, including tutor meetings, clinical placements, and pitch-side experiences.
During your studies you’ll focus on the following areas:
- Functional sports anatomy and clinical assessment.
- Musculoskeletal medicine and sports injuries.
- The sport and exercise medicine practitioner.
- Exercise physiology, health and sports nutrition.
- Clinical exercise prescription.
- Project work and dissertation.
You’ll also attend an immediate care in sport course and complete a variety of placements, including MSK clinic, SEM Doctor and Physiotherapy led clinics, as well as club placements to give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge through practical experience.
The course takes an interdisciplinary approach, helping you develop strong teamwork skills essential for working in diverse healthcare and sporting environments. You’ll be prepared to collaborate with professionals such as strength and conditioning coaches, team coaches, physiotherapists, sports nutritionists, and those working in acute injury care.
Course content and learning experience
- This course will equip you with the clinical knowledge, practical skills, and professional competencies needed to thrive in SEM.
- Develop clinical expertise in recognising and managing both acute and chronic MSK conditions, with hands-on teaching from experienced clinicians.
- Build practitioner-level skills, covering not only clinical knowledge but also the broader capabilities required to work effectively in SEM environments.
- Learn through a blended approach, combining face-to-face teaching with flexible online delivery. This includes pre-recorded content, live interactive sessions, and self-directed study.
- Engage in immersive practical workshops during on-campus sessions to enhance your diagnostic and treatment skills.
- Access a wide range of learning resources, including videos, patient examination sessions, case-based learning, workbooks, and live seminars.
- Advance your career with structured support for professional development and accreditation.
Modules
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Functional Sports Anatomy and Clinical Assessment | 15 |
| Musculoskeletal Medicine and Sport Injuries | 30 |
| The Sport and Exercise Medicine Practitioner I | 15 |
| Exercise Physiology, Health and Sports Nutrition | 30 |
| Clinical Exercise Prescription | 15 |
| The Sport and Exercise Medicine Practitioner II | 15 |
| Project Work and Dissertation | 60 |
Learning and teaching
- Core course material will be delivered by means of face-to-face teaching, online seminars, interactive workbooks, tutorials, and independent e-learning.
- Private study will be centred around accessible resources completed at a student-appropriate pace, involving practitioner-led material relevant to professional development.
You will attend on-campus teaching approximately two to three days per month (Wednesdays), which is compulsory. This will be supplemented by recorded lectures, online resources including workbooks to structure your learning, tutor meetings, and clinical and pitch-side placements.
Placements at professional clubs and clinics are arranged as part of the course, with some flexibility to negotiate dates and times. Contacts will be provided for additional self-organised opportunities to further improve your experience and CV.
In the past, students have worked with high-profile sports teams such as Leeds Rhinos, Leeds United, Huddersfield Giants, Real Madrid, Chelsea FC, Crystal Palace FC, Volleyball England, Burnley FC, Castleford Tigers RL, Hull KR RL and GB Basketball amongst others. MSK placements have included NHS and private clinics in MSK, SEM and orthopaedics.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment methods are designed to reflect the vocational nature of the course and the diverse skills required in Sport and Exercise Medicine. You’ll be assessed through a variety of formats that support both academic development and professional practice, including:
- Reflective portfolio
- Summative multiple-choice questions (MSQs)
- Clinical competency sign-off
- eLearning module completion
- Research synthesis
- Infographic
- OSCE (Objective Structure Clinical Examination)
- Project dissertation
- Poster presentation
- Investigative report
- Case studies
- Group and individual presentations
Applying
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally hold a 2:1 (hons) degree or international equivalent, in a related discipline. Currently, we are accepting candidates with degrees in medicine, physiotherapy, sports therapy, and sports rehabilitation/training. Appropriate professional registration should also be held with the GMC, Health and Care Professions Council, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers. Applicants without professional registration with UK governing bodies are required to have at least one year of relevant post-graduation clinical experience. All applicants should be able to demonstrate clear potential for benefiting from the programme.
Intercalated students
This Masters is also available as an intercalated option for medical students who have completed three years of a UK medical degree. To apply, you will need to submit evidence of appropriate experience and a clear interest in SEM. Find out more about the intercalation application process on the intercalation website.
If you are an external intercalating student, you may need to share the course teaching periods with your home institution to ensure it aligns with your MBChB schedule.
Key dates include:
- Start date: End of September
- On-campus teaching: Until mid-May
- Research project: January to August, including a poster presentation on campus in July
- Final submission: End of August (early submission is possible to accommodate return to studies).
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Documents and information you'll need:
- Completed online application form
- A completed supporting statement (one page maximum) including:
- Examples of your aspirations, and commitment to a career in Sport and Exercise Medicine.
- Reasons for choosing this specific course.
- A plan for completion of the course (your time available/schedule).
- Evidence of your identified funding route.
- A full up-to-date CV.
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you're still studying (please submit an official English translation where the original is not in English).
- Evidence of your English language qualification (non-native English speakers only).
- Copy of passport (if an overseas student).
Application deadlines
The Sport and Exercise Medicine MSc is a competitive programme with limited places so early applications are advised.
The 'Apply' link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
The deadline for international applicants is on 31 May 2027, to allow sufficient time for visa processing, funding arrangements, and securing accommodation in the UK.
For UK residents there is no formal deadline, but early application is advised due to limited places.
Next steps
- We process your application.
- We inform you of our decision.
- If we make you an offer, you respond by accepting or declining.
Taught postgraduate confirmation
Taught postgraduate applicants are required to submit their results for consideration as soon as possible. Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK are recommended to submit their results no later than 31 July, although they will still be considered if submitted after this date.
Interviews
As part of the admissions process, you may be invited to an interview. Interviews typically last 15-20 minutes and are conducted online with programme leads.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2027
Contact us
Faculty of Biological Sciences postgraduate taught admissions team
Email: fbspgt@leeds.ac.uk
Fees
UK: £16,300 (Total)
International: £33,900 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Learn more about Masters funding.
Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below:
Career opportunities
Career Opportunities
Where this degree could take you
Many of our graduates go on to secure roles or progress into more senior positions within the NHS, private clinics and professional sports organisations. This course also provides a strong foundation for further academic study; recent graduates have successfully progressed to PhD research in Sport and Exercise Medicine. Through support with your clinical mentor on the course, a range of opportunities for career development are available.
Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our Sport and Exercise Medicine graduates have obtained:
- Head of Academy, Yorkshire Carnegie
- Senior Physiotherapist, Yorkshire Sports Medicine Clinic
- Physiotherapist, GB Basketball U20 Women
- Club Doctor, York Knights RL
- Academy Doctor, Leeds Rhinos
- A&E Registrar (ST6)
- GP Registrar and Club Doctor, Hull KR
- Head Physiotherapist, Catalan Dragons
- Head of Performance Hull KR
- F3 Doctor
- GP Training
- Emergency Medicine Training
- Club Doctor, Millwall Football Club
- Club Doctor, Crystal Palace Football Club
- Club Doctor, Leeds United Football Club
- PhD researcher
- NHS Physiotherapy Roles
Careers support
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.
Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.
Dedicated Employability Team: Meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.
Employability and networking events: Get involved in a full range of events, including careers fairs and specialist industry talks with employers who are actively recruiting. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and a supportive careers community, helping you make connections, build your network, and shape your journey as a future professional.
Skills training: We embed transferable skills training in all our programmes to support your transition to the workplace. Gain expertise employers value, such as communication, problem-solving and research and data analysis.
MyCareer system: Access a dedicated portal where you can book careers appointments, view helpful resources and browse vacancies and events. Access digital tools, including LinkedIn support, video‑interview preparation, plus global job market and visa guidance. We also offer pre‑arrival support to help you prepare for career planning in the UK and make the most of your time with us.
Exclusive opportunities: Bring your enterprise to market with our award-winning business advice service, Spark. Apply for vacancies only available to our students. And hone your skills further with Leeds University Union, home to volunteering opportunities and over 300 clubs and societies.
Guaranteed industry experience
The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects. You’ll connect with leading companies worldwide to work on impactful, hands-on consultancy projects, enhancing your employability skills and enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to real business challenges.