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MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 1 year
- Campus:
- City
About this course
The Clinical Exercise Physiology MSc focuses on the practical application of research.
- The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked 6th for Sports Science (QS World University Rankings 2024)
- This masters course is the first in the UK to be accredited by the Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS), which allows registration as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist upon successful completion
- Choose this course developed by world-leading academics in our pioneering School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Benefit from a small class size - student numbers are capped at around 20 for this highly competitive course to give you dedicated access to staff and facilities
- Use state-of-the-art laboratories in our award-winning Tom Reilly Building
- Enjoy a combination of invaluable practical experience, including a substantial, compulsory clinical placement and theoretical learning. Our Placement Learning Support Unit will support you with sourcing a placement
- Access cutting-edge equipment, including 12-lead ECG and cardiopulmonary stress exercise testing equipment. We also house several ultrasound machines echocardiography and vascular physiology and we are world leaders in utilising this equipment in a practical-based setting
- Look forward to enhanced job opportunities in NHS and private clinical physiology
There has never been a more exciting time to undertake an MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology. Exercise now represents one of the world's major businesses and scientists have an increasingly prominent role in working with healthy and clinical populations to maintain healthy lifestyles and reduce disease.
This Masters programme is ideal if you want to go on to specialise in exercise physiology in a clinical setting. The course provides a detailed knowledge of physiology applied to clinical contexts, but is also designed to extend your knowledge beyond 'classical' exercise physiology studies and into novel techniques and theories underpinning exercise physiology and health.
You will gain extensive practical experience in key physiology laboratory tests such as ECG and cardiopulmonary testing. You will also develop a good understanding of modern and novel ultrasound assessments of cardiovascular function. Academic development is provided in fundamental scientific techniques including research methods, statistical analysis and scientific communication.
Go on a tour of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Cardiovascular physiology research
Find out more about studying MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules. Teaching is three days per week and the modules run consecutively over the first two trimesters. One module is a clinical placement - this replaces your dissertation or research project and will demonstrate your advanced learning. This module runs over three trimesters.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Professional accreditation
LJMU is the first university to gain Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) accreditation for MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology.
With membership of ASET, the UK’s leading authority on work based and placement learning, LJMU’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is committed to providing Work-based and Placement Learning (WBPL) experiences to our students that are quality assured and supported in accordance with best practice guidelines.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Students will be in three times per week for practicals, taught material and/or seminar work. This may be supplemented by reflective tutorials during the semester. Private study will cover both time spent studying (e.g. in the library), collecting data in the laboratory and completing directed tasks and coursework. Taught sessions will provide an orientation to the topic and opportunity for classroom discussion and debate. You will also be expected to read widely using primary sources of reference material.
Teaching is mainly on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Semester 3 is for your clinical placement - times and hours will vary depending on the placement provider.
Teaching methods
Our teaching is delivered primarily through lectures, laboratory practicals and student-centred learning techniques, such as problem-based learning.
Applied learning
In place of a traditional research project, you will have the opportunity to gain essential experience through a 140 hour clinical placement, based in a hospital clinical exercise physiology department or related department in the NHS or private healthcare sector. This extensive placement affords you the unique opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained during the Masters in a 'real-world' setting, and places you in a highly employable position.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
On this course you will be assessed in a variety of ways, including: practical assessments' oral presentations; coursework and essays, in some cases combined with oral defence.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
This MSc programme is delivered in the City Campus, in the £28 million Tom Reilly Building, which provides world-class sport and exercise science facilities. For Sport and Clinical Exercise Physiology this includes 12-lead ECG and cardiopulmonary stress exercise testing equipment, ultrasound machines, echocardiography and vascular physiology, and we are world-leaders in utilising this equipment in a research setting. The School also houses 800m2 of exercise physiology laboratory space and 100 m2 of molecular/biochemistry laboratory space.
Course tutors
Dr Ellen Dawson
- Programme Leader
Seeing students develop their skills, confidence and knowledge is one of the best parts of my job. It's also very rewarding to hear from past students about how we provide them with the tools to succeed in their future careers.
Seeing students develop their skills, confidence and knowledge is one of the best parts of my job. It's also very rewarding to hear from past students about how we provide them with the tools to succeed in their future careers.
Dr Dawson is a senior lecturer in cardiovascular physiology at LJMU. She completed a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science at Manchester Metropolitan University, followed by an MSc in Human and Applied Physiology at Kings College London. Dr Dawson then returned to Manchester Metropolitan University to do a PhD in Exercise Induced Cardiac Fatigue. She has undertaken post-doctoral fellowships at the Copenhagen Research Centre in Denmark and the University of North Texas Health Science Centre. Dr Dawson is particularly interested in vascular function in health and disease including responses to acute exercise, adaptation to acute injury and improved vascular function with exercise training. The aim of the research is to understand the mechanisms underlying vascular function (both dysfunction and improved function) and its associated links with cardiovascular disease and health.
-
Reader -
Lecturer in Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The substantial placement that you will undertake during the course of this programme will prepare you for a number of relevant roles in Clinical Exercise Physiology. Previous students have gained their experience at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Harley Street clinics, and a range of NHS Royal Trust clinics.
This programme gives you the opportunity to learn from national and international leaders in the field, and its unique combination of theory and practice provides you with invaluable practical experience, giving you a distinct advantage when securing a job in this highly competitive market.
The masters offers you the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills as a practitioner, obtain professional registration as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and leave ready to succeed in a number of rewarding roles. Opportunities within the clinical field include cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, prehabilitation services, Scientist Training Programme, wellbeing and fitness, public health, running your own business and Clinical Exercise Physiologists. Alternatively you may choose to continue in education or research, even taking your studies to doctoral level.
Tuition fees and funding
- Home fee:
- £10,705
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.