Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation MRes

Course overview

Work within a multidisciplinary field of Sport and Exercise to further rehabilitation techniques and understanding.

With advancing technologies and an ever-growing global emphasis on the role of sport, exercise and rehabilitation, our research-focused Masters will expose you to advanced tools and techniques in a highly research-active environment. This distinctive one year MRes has a strong emphasis on developing skills for practice as a specialist and practical application within exercise and rehabilitation environments.

Our MRes is based in the sport and exercise sciences department which has a wealth of expertise in the area of rehabilitation, with students being taught by some of the country’s leading sport and exercise scientists. Being part of the cardiovascular and sport and exercise sciences group, we are ranked highly in both UK and international studies*. The group covers a wide range of topics, which are underpinned by fundamental research, meaning you’ll be able to use an interdisciplinary approach to answer shared research questions.

*Top 10 in the UK for Sport Science – Complete University Guide 2025; Top 20 in UK for Sport Science – Guardian University Guide 2024

Make an impact in an ever-changing field.

Researchers in sport and exercise sciences use exercise as a fundamental physical challenge to gain insight into normal biological control processes and functional adaptability. This is fundamental to understanding the dynamic relationship between activity patterns, physical and mental health, predisposition to and recovery from chronic conditions (such as: cardiorespiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer) across the lifespan.

We believe exercise is currently under-utilised in diagnostic procedures, and that targeted exercise interventions are likely to be more effective than many current therapeutic approaches. Our approach involves an unusually broad molecular cell-to-systems research portfolio, with translational benefits ranging from the promotion of physical activity to rehabilitation strategies.

Course highlights

• Provides specialised knowledge in sport and exercise rehabilitation disciplines including; functional sports anatomy, movement assessment, musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine, sports injuries, exercise physiology and health, sports nutrition, physical activity and health, exercise prescription.
• Embeds student into wider research activities to build the skills and knowledge necessary to develop as a successful researcher in exercise rehabilitation.
• Gain first-hand experience by conducting an individual research project demonstrating competent use of a range of practical techniques.
• Access to brand new sports facilities and labs.
• Learn to analyse laboratory data from current researchers.
• The learning and teaching strategies used on the programme are intended to develop quantitative and computational skills, problem-solving skills, critical evaluation and enhance autonomous learning.

Course details

The course will begin by giving you an overview of the field of sport and exercise including advanced topics covering: biomechanics, exercise psychology, motor control, neuroscience, and physiology. This will include the use of advanced tools and techniques useful in interrogating data for preclinical and clinical purposes.

You’ll learn about the data analysis tools and fundamentals of bioimaging, both of which will be using data from real experimental scenarios. You’ll be taught the use of core statistical models for the analysis of different time-series datasets provided by the local researchers (EMGs, EEGs, continuous visual images, and human locomotion). These will enable you to analyse and interpret the large scale biological and biomedical data for physiological markers.

You’ll be introduced to the field of neurotechnology, pain medicine, real-time data processing for analysis of motor control, analysis of data and design of experiments to understand the underlying biological mechanisms using physical and mathematical tools.

In addition, you’ll be provided with data from the laboratories of different researchers (eg, biomechanics, exercise physiology, electromyography, and movement control) and introduced on ways to analyse data, including appropriate experimental design and statistics.

You’ll undertake a research project (dissertation) on an original topic in the applied sport, exercise and rehabilitation sciences area working alongside our staff on developing fields of interest. The expectation is that material from your dissertation would be of a quality suitable to contribute to a scientific publication.

At the end of your course you’ll have:

• Developed and demonstrated in-depth, specialist knowledge and understanding of techniques and research skills at the forefront of sport, exercise and rehabilitation.
• Gained knowledge of the process of project management including project preparation, organisation and implementation.
• Completed a research project demonstrating competent use of a range of research techniques applicable to your topic area.
• Gained experience in experimental planning, execution and analysis, and presentation of research data including the use of appropriate statistical tests.
• Developed sophisticated skills in the appropriate and selective use of electronic literature search tools such as Web of Science and Medline.
• Reported scientific findings through the preparation of a dissertation and presentation.

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation MRes in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

You will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical’s, complemented by e-learning and problem-based learning. All students have a personal tutor and a designated supervisor for their research project.

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

There are a variety of assessments that are employed on the course that give you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge but also developed skills. These will include:

• Presentations both group and individual.
• Poster presentations.
• Essay.
• Short essay.
• Project dissertation.
• Laboratory report.
• Case studies.
• Critical reviews.
• Examination based assessment.

All students will completed a number of assessments and the nature of the assessment will vary from student to student depending on your module choices. Engagement in the assessment on the course will expose you to a range of techniques and facilitate your knowledge development while exposing you to a range of contemporary issues.

Applying

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2:1, or equivalent (for example a pass in MBChB, BDS), in a relevant scientific discipline, normally biological, sport and exercise or biomedical sciences, but a natural sciences or engineering graduate will be considered subject to evidence of biological knowledge at an appropriate level.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any single 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.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

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 Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation MRes is a competitive programme with limited places so early applications are advised. Please note the deadline for international applicants is on 31 July 2025, in order to ensure sufficient time to complete all the necessary arrangements for studying at Leeds, e.g. visa and funding applications and securing UK accommodation, etc.

Documents and information you’ll need:

• Completed online application form (for Taught Postgraduate Study).
• Completed supporting statement.
• Full CV.
• Transcript of degree examination marks achieved to date.
• Copy of final degree certificate (if completed).
• Evidence of English language qualification (non-native English speakers only).
• Copy of passport (if you’re an overseas student).

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

It is standard procedure to interview applicants, prior to making a decision on their application, for MRes Neuroscience, MRes Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, MSc Biopharmaceutical Development (Industrial) and MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine. Interviews do not form part of the standard admissions process for other programmes in the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

Faculty of Biological Sciences

Contact us

Faculty of Biological Sciences postgraduate taught admissions team

Email: fbspgt@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £15,750 (Total)

International: £31,750 (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.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships for Faculty of Biological Sciences students

The Faculty of Biological Sciences offers a number of Masters scholarships to support and reward students from the UK and around the world. Don’t miss out on available support, visit our dedicated faculty scholarship page to check your eligibility.

Government-backed loan = If you are ordinarily resident in England or the Republic of Ireland and planning to start your first full-time, part-time or distance learning taught or research Masters course from September 2023 you may be eligible to apply for a UK government Postgraduate Masters Loan to help towards your study-related costs. Find out more.

Alumni bursary = If you are a former student of the University of Leeds you may be eligible for a 10% alumni tuition fee bursary.

You can also search our postgraduate scholarships database or you can also find information on MoneySavingExpert.

Career opportunities

There’s an increasing demand for people skilled in the knowledge of biological sciences applied to healthcare in the form of medical and exercise. The knowledge of innovative use of fresh developments in the fields of data gathering and analysis is critical and is leading to a drive forward towards an innovative and disruptive technological development for improving diagnosis with translational benefits ranging from promotion of physical activity to rehabilitation strategies.

Upon completion of this programme you’ll be well-placed to undertake a PhD in this field or as junior research assistants if working in an academic or industrial environment. You’ll also be qualified to undertake a career in exercise rehabilitation and other healthcare related occupations both within and outside the NHS. Employment within the field of sport and exercise could include preparation and recovery at both the novice and elite level.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.