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Overview
Gain the skills you need to analyse and optimise sport and exercise performance in either individual or team sports and in arduous occupations such as defence or firefighting on this Applied Sport and Exercise Performance Master's.
Sports science at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 3rd of all post-1992 universities for research quality
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
On this MSc course, you'll learn what it takes to win and perform at an elite level in both sporting and professional environments. You’ll develop applied monitoring and testing techniques, practical skills, research expertise and grasp various scientific concepts for improving performance, while also learning to integrate contemporary issues like inclusion and ethical practice into your skillset.
You’ll learn to assess and use new innovation and technology to enhance human performance, and understand how environmental factors affect work and sports performance – discovering ways to mitigate against them in a changing climate. You’ll explore current concepts relating to human performance and discover current research in sport and exercise performance.
During your studies, you can choose to work toward British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accreditation as a sport and exercise scientist.
The University of Portsmouth is pleased to be the first course in the country to receive provisional postgraduate endorsement for this course from our professional body, the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. This course is currently "endorsed with conditions" which will be met by 30 September 2024.
On this Master's, you'll focus on applied performance in both sports and occupational settings. If you're looking for a clinical course, try our Master's in Clinical Exercise Physiology or Physiotherapy (Pre-registration). Please note that Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) is for UK nationals only.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Develop an interdisciplinary approach to enhancing and maintaining human performance and understanding the techniques used to measure team and individual performance in sporting or occupational environments
- Hear from, and network with, industry insiders like UK Sports Institute and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- Use your laboratory and field-based skills to conduct multidisciplinary analysis of human performance in a range of environments, including performance profiling and assessing physiological determinants of performance
- Develop your interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to communicate with clients in a professional and approachable style
- Undertake professional development opportunities to gain a variety of new skills
- Use our professional facilities in biomechanics, physiology, psychology and performance testing
- Access our new Ravelin Sports Centre, designed to be one of the UK’s most sustainable sports facilities
Why study a Master's in Applied Sport and Exercise Performance?
If you’re interested in analysing and optimising sports performance, this course will deepen your knowledge of the physiology, psychology, performance analysis and biomechanics of sport.
Dr Emma Neupert: We are looking to develop the practitioners of the future.
Within MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Performance, we are looking to shape the practitioners of the future.
It’s an interdisciplinary course with a focus on physiology, but we also introduce other aspects such as the importance of technology to human performance and extreme environments as well.
There are five modules. We have a project module, the applied sports physiology module, the current concepts in sport and exercise performance, technology and performance in sport and exercise.
Our final module is the humans in extreme environment module, so we're really excited by this course.
We give students the opportunity and access to our state of the art equipment.
Will Brooks: To be able to get downstairs and use some of the physiology equipment and do all of the applied stuff in a lab setting.
Daniel Fatomide: Getting that exposure to professional settings is great for their experience and it definitely makes them a lot more employable.
Dr Emma Neupert: We've got a world leading extreme environments lab, a flume, environmental chambers, treadmills, bikes, cardiopulmonary exercise testing machines, a series of sports halls, squash courts, 25 metre swimming pool, and even a ski simulator.
Daniel Fatomide: Some of the placement opportunities on the course range from working with professional and semi-professional clubs in the area.
Dr Emma Neupert: There are volunteering opportunities.
We have a great partnership with Portsmouth Football Club.
We've got physiology placements that we do, which are in-house, working with our sports scholars.
Will Brooks: Originally when I started, my aim was to work in elite sport, but through some of the opportunities that I've had at the university, I'm actually now thinking along the lines of staying in education and looking at PhD opportunities.
Dr Emma Neupert: The one thing about this course that I really love is getting students to build those relationships with athletes and with industry partners and seeing them go on to excel and I think that’s really one of the great aspects of our course.
Number 1 in the UK for student support
Our sport and exercise sciences courses are ranked first in the UK for student support in the 2024 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
January 2025 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
- Applicants who hold a non-related degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- For those who do not hold a degree or relevant professional qualification, extensive experience together with evidence of scholarly ability will be required.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
September 2025 / January 2026 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
- Applicants who hold a non-related degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- For those who do not hold a degree or relevant professional qualification, extensive experience together with evidence of scholarly ability will be required.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (January 2025 start)
- Full time: £10,400
- Part time: £3,470 in year 1 and £6,930 in year 2
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £10,400
- Part-time: £3,470 in year 1 and £6,930 in year 2
- Full time: £17,200
- Part time: £5,330 in year 1 and £10,670 in year 2
Tuition fees (September 2025 / January 2026 start)
- Full time: £10,900
- Part time: £3,630 in year 1 and £7,270 in year 2
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £10,900
- Part-time: £3,630 in year 1 and £7,270 in year 2
- Full time: £17,200
- Part time: £5,330 in year 1 and £10,670 in year 2
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Sport scholarships of up to £3,000 for student athletes
If you're competing at national standard or above in your sport, you may be eligible for funding. Around 20 student-athletes are awarded bursaries between £500 and £3000 per year.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: If you choose to study on-campus, accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Full-time
All modules on this course are core.
Using your awareness on conducting physiological tests in sports performance, you'll design appropriate testing protocols and analyse data built on a problem-based learning scenario. You'll demonstrate how to safely conduct these tests and interpret feedback from assessing athletes.
You'll write a report on a topic relating to sports performance, discussing the concepts that relate to physiological testing and sports performance.
Rigorously evaluate contemporary and future scientific concepts to practically enhance performance in sport and occupational arenas.
You’ll reflect how issues such as inclusion and ethical practices can be incorporated into applied practice and develop persuasive communication and teamwork skills to clearly present new ideas.
Link theory to practice for maintaining and enhancing performance in adverse environmental conditions, demonstrating your ability to administer a variety of methods used in the study of environmental physiology.
Discuss how environmental extremes affect physiological responses to exercise, training, and competitive performance. Identify the factors that maintain, enhance, or impair performance in sport, exercise, and work.
Develop a scientifically and ethically sound outline research proposal and conduct a project that will enhance your knowledge in your chosen area. Apply appropriate research philosophy and design as you use qualitative and quantitative analysis tools to produce a written report and poster that reports on your research findings.
Employing problem-based learning, you'll critique technology usage across occupational and sports domains.
You'll master data management techniques to handle, process and visually interpret datasets.
Combining knowledge with hands-on experience, you'll discern strengths and limitations of emerging technologies, learning to select, implement and adapt technology that optimises human performance.
Part-time
All modules on this course are core.
Using your awareness on conducting physiological tests in sports performance, you'll design appropriate testing protocols and analyse data built on a problem-based learning scenario. You'll demonstrate how to safely conduct these tests and interpret feedback from assessing athletes.
You'll write a report on a topic relating to sports performance, discussing the concepts that relate to physiological testing and sports performance.
Link theory to practice for maintaining and enhancing performance in adverse environmental conditions, demonstrating your ability to administer a variety of methods used in the study of environmental physiology.
Discuss how environmental extremes affect physiological responses to exercise, training, and competitive performance. Identify the factors that maintain, enhance, or impair performance in sport, exercise, and work.
All modules on this course are core.
Rigorously evaluate contemporary and future scientific concepts to practically enhance performance in sport and occupational arenas.
You’ll reflect how issues such as inclusion and ethical practices can be incorporated into applied practice and develop persuasive communication and teamwork skills to clearly present new ideas.
Develop a scientifically and ethically sound outline research proposal and conduct a project that will enhance your knowledge in your chosen area.
Apply appropriate research philosophy and design as you use qualitative analysis tools to produce a written report and poster that reports on your research findings.
Employing problem-based learning, you'll critique technology usage across occupational and sports domains.
You'll master data management techniques to handle, process and visually interpret datasets.
Combining knowledge with hands-on experience, you'll discern strengths and limitations of emerging technologies, learning to select, implement and adapt technology that optimises human performance.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Facilities
Ravelin Sports Centre
Introducing our new sports centre for our students, staff, and the local community – featuring a swimming pool, climbing wall, ski simulator, squash courts, and more.
Physiology Laboratory
This lab includes treadmills, a swim bench, ergometers and a physiological monitoring kit for analysing athletes' blood, heart rate, and urine.
Dr Alex Milligan Research Laboratory
A flexible work space featuring a Polhemus motion tracking system for tracking athletes' movement in 3D and a DEXA scanner for measuring body fat.
Extreme environments laboratories
See how altitude and humidity affect people's comfort, performance and survival. Features an immersion pool and swimming flume, which acts like a treadmill for swimmers.
Biomechanics Laboratory
Use equipment including force plates, pressure plates and our electromyography system to explore the impact of exercise on the body in this lab, from the limits of human endurance to the effects of chronic health conditions.
Sports and Human Performance Testing
Analyse sports performance and environmental physiology, and use some of the best extreme environments facilities in the UK.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in on-campus or in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
However, we aim to condense our teaching on this course within the working week.
This course involves hands-on practical components. You’ll be asked to participate in laboratory practicals which include submaximal and maximal physical exercise. You’ll also be using information technology, including software packages such as Word, Powerpoint, Excel and the coding platform ‘R’ throughout your studies.
Course structure
- We recommend that full-time students allocate 37 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a full-time job
- We recommend that part-time students allocate around 18 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a part-time job
- Studies include teaching time (lectures, seminars and tutorials), course work, independent learning and assessments
- Teaching is on-campus and in person over two teaching blocks (September to January and January to May)
- Your Research Development and Practice project will typically be developed and realised across both teaching blocks, with an increasing emphasis on this project towards the end of your studies
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree and the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- practical assessments
- client reports
- posters and presentations
- projects
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can also get feedback on practise and formal assessments, which you can incorporate as you move through the modules to your final project.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Career development
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
When you graduate, you'll be qualified for a career in areas such as research, sports development, science support and the health and fitness sectors.
This course will also give you the theoretical basis for further academic research – you could go on to do a ProfDoc in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Graduates of this course could go onto roles such as:
- Fitness and Health Manager
- Sports Physiologist
- Personal Trainer
- Sports Coach
- Wellbeing Personal Trainer
- Scientific Researcher
Graduates of this course could go on to work for companies such as:
- Lotus Strength and Fitness
- Nuffield Health
- English Institute of Sport
- Qinetiq
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and our Careers and Employability Centre – which you can access for up to 5 years after you graduate.
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.
Career support
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with employers
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Placements and industry connections
On this MSc course, you’ll access a range of professional development opportunities depending on your needs and interests. Some of our students organise work experience through our local partners and professional contacts at organisations like Portsmouth Football Club and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
You’ll also benefit from our regular visiting speakers who are industry experts and can provide their own advice and insights on professional and career development.
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but by studying on campus, you'll get lots of face-to-face support from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You’ll also get support via video and phone, but the majority of your studies will be in-person and face-to-face. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your course.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Start this course in September 2025
Apply now (Full-time – 1 year)
Apply now (Part-time – 2 years)
Start this course in January 2026
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.