Sport & Exercise Science Masters - MSc/PgD/PgC

The core modules of our MSc awards focus on enhancing students' awareness of the professional issues and research applications associated with being a sport and exercise scientist. The combination of professional and research training meets the ultimate aims of many of our students in the context of securing future, graduate employment.

Option modules for the generic Sport and Exercise and specialist pathways allow students to tailor their programme based on personal interests within the respective disciplines and the possibility of selecting modules leading to a final MSc award with named pathways allows for recognition of specialities within the programme. Students may alternatively maintain a breadth in their areas of study by combining multiple discipline-based option modules. Students should be aware of the possibility that, experiences and projects that form the basis of work placements and internships can result in academic credit through the completion of the widely available Independent Study module. 

All modules, except the 60-credit, independent dissertation module, carry a tariff of 20 credit modules. Timetabled delivery for each taught module usually equals a minimum of 30 hours of time supplemented with up to 60 hours of directed study time and up to 60 hours of independent study time. We offer distinct step-off points at postgraduate certificate (60 credits) and diploma (120 credits) level, as well as complete and validated MSc awards (180 credits).

Students are able to complete these awards either in part-time of full-time modes of study. To facilitate part-time study, the delivery of our taught provision is restricted to two days a week. This enables student to be flexible with their study and engage with complementary, extracurricular activities as well as existing employment.

Student contact consists of a mixture of lead lectures, small group seminars, targeted laboratory practical sessions, workshops and one-to-one tutorials. Typically, module delivery occurs through a combination of lecture, seminar and practical based sessions. During the past two years, delivery has evolved, adopting a hybrid approach of on line teaching, as well as face-to-face delivery. Virtual sessions can take place in a synchronous (i.e., live) or asynchronous (i.e.,recorded via Panopto) format. The latter format increases flexibility of student learning; as live, virtual sessions take place and are recorded using Microsoft Teams, students can access and stream content at their convenience.

Group discussions and tasks are frequently used. Members of staff also facilitate and support student learning using Moodle, our organisation's virtual learning environment. This virtual platform provides learning resources over and above that found in the learning centre (library). From an ongoing, pastoral perspective, the Programme Director provides all students with access to informed support; essentially, the Programme Director fulfils the role of personal tutor at Level 7. 

No module that comprises the MSc in Sport and Exercise Science includes written examinations. With the exception of a 60-credit dissertation, we assess all through a combination of written work, combined with other assessment formats. Students must demonstrate an ability to work confidently as independent learners, but also as an integral component of a coherent and focused group.

Assessment methods require students to demonstrate their understanding of acquired theoretical knowledge. Importantly, students must be aware of how their theoretical knowledge transfers to the real world, providing the basis of informed professional practice. Students achieve this by completing coursework essays, designing feasible and informed interventions, compiling laboratory reports based on empirical data collection, through the delivery of presentations and by completing oral, viva voce examinations.

Students complete a dissertation as part of any MSc award. There is an opportunity to present findings of a dissertation either as a scientific journal article, or as a traditional thesis of 12,000 words. If a student selects a journal article format, s/he must identify a suitable journal that specifically relates to the chosen topic of their dissertation topic. A student should then follow the guidelines for authors associated with a chosen, peer-reviewed journal.

Internships:
Internships are not compulsory, but we advertise numerous internship opportunities to MSc students before the start of any academic year. Due to changes in funding strategies, the details of opportunities may vary from year-to-year. Examples of internships that our MSc students have completed in recent years include opportunities with Sport Wales, Welsh Athletics, Welsh Triathlon, Newport County AFC and the City of Cardiff Swimming Club. 

The Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences has established extremely good working relationships and strategic partnerships with local, regional and national sporting clubs and organisations. We advertise all student opportunities through our School’s central MetHub system. This ensure that provisions for our students within any work placement or internship environment are both safe and valuable, helping to develop postgraduate level knowledge and skills. 
Many of our former students have secured relevant and related employment within professional sports clubs, both within the UK and further afield. There are other numerous examples of where our graduates have secured gainful and worthwhile positions with national governing bodies and home nation institutes of sport.

Employability:
Many students who graduate from the MSc awards in Sport and Exercise Science go on to secure relevant and gainful employment in research or professional practice in relates directly to the content of our established and highly respected provision. Many graduate students go on to study postgraduate research degrees (MPhil/PhD), whether that be domestically or internationally. 

Other graduates have pursued careers as clinical and applied science consultants, lecturers (further and higher education) and, in the fitness and training industry. Recent graduates have also secured employment as applied sport scientists in the National Institutes of Sport (e.g., English Institute of Sport and Sport Wales), within UK academic departments and within clinical practice settings. 
It is important to note that the emphasis of strategies and work completed by organisations mentioned above relate to competitive as well as recreational sport. This speaks to some of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s goals to contribute to civic engagement, helping to build more health, equitable and prosperous communities across Wales and beyond.
We have a thriving campus, with a focus on sport and exercise, and we have excellent links with governing bodies. Both of these characteristics help to provide students with vital work experience to help create worthwhile professional networks, helping students to secure future employment. Beyond the working day and during weekends, numerous sports academies run on the Cyncoed campus. These activities, as well as support that is required by of our successful British University and Colleges Sport teams, also provides local and accessible opportunities for our students. 
Finally, linked to our thriving research community, there are often opportunities for students to become involved in these endeavours. Many student gain experience by work shadowing academic staff and postgraduate research students – some of these links develop into opportunities for students to complete dissertations in subject areas that complement this postgraduate research activity.

The programme is designed for science-based graduates or professionals working within a related field. The specific entry requirements include:

• An honours degree (2.1 or above) in a sport or exercise related area appropriate to the programme.
• An honours degree (2.1 or above) in an alternative discipline area that is acceptable to the Programme Director.
  
• Candidates with exceptional and extensive work experience in sport science or exercise science will also be considered for entry to the programme.
  

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.5 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:
Students are normally selected on the basis of their formal application, curriculum vitae and may be asked to attend an interview. Applicants are usually invited to have an informal conversation (skype or phone) with the programme director before any offer is made.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the university via our self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the RPL page.

Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available. Please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.

Part-time fees:
Charges are per Single Module unless specified:
Undergraduate = 10 Credits; Postgraduate = 20 Credits