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MSci Sports and Exercise Science (integrated masters) including placement year

Course details
  • MSci
  • 5 Years
  • Full-time
  • 10/2025
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Colchester Campus

Course summary

How can athletes optimise their training and performance? How can individuals and communities improve their physical activity, health and wellbeing? Our inter-disciplinary team of scientists and practitioners will help you understand the role of physiology, psychology, biomechanics and nutrition in sport and exercise science.

On our MSci Sport and Exercise Science (Integrated Masters), you develop the same key skills as on our BSc Sport and Exercise Science. These skills include:

  • How and why different energy systems are deployed at different exercise intensities

  • Biomechanical principles behind acute and chronic sporting injuries, and how these can be applied to prevent injuries

  • The role of ergogenic aids in improving athletic performance

  • How physical activity and nutrition can reduce the risk of cardio-metabolic disease

  • The design and implementation of psychological skills training programmes

In addition, you achieve a Masters-level qualification and have the opportunity to investigate more advanced topics in sport and exercise science, specialising in one of the areas of research being undertaken within our School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, such as:

  • The analysis of movement

  • How extreme environments can affect human performance

  • Paediatric exercise science

  • Sport psychology

Our course allows you to gain practical hands-on experience in our specialist laboratory facilities, as well as learning the theoretical approaches. Alongside lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratory sessions, there are a range of online resources to support your learning.

The first two years provide you with the professional and scientific skills needed to conduct independent research projects in your final years. You also have the opportunity to work with our Human Performance Unit, which applies the latest science to analyse performance and help top athletes stay at the top of their game.

As such, the course provides you with the knowledge and experience of working with different client groups, and helps prepare you for a fulfilling career in a range of industries, especially sport, health and education.

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
C690
Institution code:
E70
Campus name:
Colchester Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 120 - 128 points

128 - 120 tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels

A level - ABB - BBB

ABB- BBB or 128 - 120 tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels including Science or Mathematics grade B (PE and Psychology are considered to be science A-levels).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

Entry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis. Please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice on acceptability

Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits M: 30 credits

QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit – 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, please contact ugquery@essex.ac.uk for more information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 - 32 points

Or three Higher level certificates with 655-555, including Higher Level Science or Mathematics grade 5, plus Standard Level Science and Mathematics or Maths Studies grade 4, if not taken at Higher Level. Please note that Maths and Science in the IB are not required if you have already achieved GCSE or IB Middle Years Maths and Science at grade C/4. We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programmes at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information on ugquery@essex.ac.uk.

T Level - D

We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Essex we consider your whole application – not just grades. If you don’t meet the exact grade requirements, you may still be considered.
We’re dedicated to helping students from underrepresented groups to access an Essex education. We may give you a Contextual Offer up to two A-Level grades below our standard conditional offer based on where you live, your school, and other details from your application. Involvement in our on-campus events may also support eligibility for a Contextual Offer.

Learn more on the University of Essex website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9250Year 1
Northern Ireland£9250Year 1
Scotland£9250Year 1
Wales£9250Year 1
Channel Islands£9250Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9250Year 1
EU£21525Year 1
International£21525Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fees displayed are for the 2025-26 academic year. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.

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