Clinical Exercise Physiology (Taught)

This unique Master’s course allows you to build on your sport and exercise background so you can transition into clinical settings specialising in exercise physiology. It gives you the opportunity to investigate the physiological consequences of chronic, debilitating diseases and the role of exercise testing in detecting the changes these diseases cause. You put learning into practice via real-life opportunities at our on-site Community Exercise Clinic, working with a range of clinical populations including neurological, cardiac, dementia and hypotensive, with further work-based placement opportunities with industry experts.

Course accreditation/industry endorsement
The MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology programme is accredited by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS). The course is also endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), allowing you to gain additional qualifications as a Gym Instructor, Core Group Exercise and Working with People with Long Term Conditions.

Facilities and specialist equipment
CASES-accredited laboratories including a biomechanics laboratory with 3D camera system
Put learning into practice via real-life opportunities in our Community Exercise Clinic
Human Performance Centre with an environmental heat chamber where professional athletes and sports people come to train
Nutrition research kitchen
Sports injury and rehabilitation centre
Additional equipment includes a Woodway treadmill; metabolic cart with integrated 12-lead ECG and RMR hood; hydrostatic weighing tank; and echocardiogram machine

Career-powered links
We are official partners of Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC as well as other sporting organisations in the region such as Bedford Tigers RLFC, MK Dons, Cricket East and Be Active, giving you opportunities to build your employability through work placements. We further increase your employability by being a Higher Education Partner of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). Additionally, our links to both local and national organisations, from the Premier League to grassroots sport, provide opportunities for industry-related work.

Your student experience
Learn from an industry-experienced teaching team, actively involved in research in their field.
Benefit from on-campus opportunities to extend your knowledge and put your learnt skills into practice through our Community Exercise Clinic, Human Performance Centre and sports injury clinic.
Complete 250 hours of work experience, with local placements including The MS Centre, Bedford; NHS Bedford Hospital; Milton Keynes Cardiopulmonary Community Group; and Bedford Council.
Our Human Performance Centre helps train professional athletes and sports people including triathlete Lucy Charles Barclay, Team GB and junior Formula 1 racing driver Frederik Vesti; the heat chamber is regularly used to acclimatise athletes taking on competitions and marathons in places with high temperatures.
Attend masterclass lectures from industry practitioners including Dr Cheryl Barford (exercise prescription for clinical populations); Tarryn Mutch (clinical exercise therapy); and Abbie Bell, Senior Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Bedford Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department.
Graduate with a degree that gives you employability. Our graduates have pursued careers as student cardiologists, exercise physiologists, paediatric respiratory physiologists, therapy assistants and health advisers at Bedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Southampton Children’s Hospital, Milton Keynes University Hospital, and BUPA.

Course modules

Placement for Clinical Exercise Physiology – At least 80 hours of practice-based learning in supportive clinical and exercise settings where you observe professionals in action and practise your skills.

Laboratory skills – Learn to prepare for and perform a range of physiological tests used to assess athletes and patients, then interpret the results.

Metabolic health – Develop a practical understanding of how physical activity and nutrition support the prevention and treatment of health conditions such as obesity, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and interpretation – Gain skills in preparing, performing and interpreting tests such as blood pressure measurement, ECG, lung function and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Behavioural science and public health – Draw on health psychology and behavioural science to prompt behaviour change leading to improved health and fitness.

Exercise prescription – Explore how a structured exercise programme with nutritional advice can help with a range of conditions; includes practice-based learning hours working under supervision in our Community Exercise Clinic.

Specialist postgraduate placement – Build your experience, employability skills and understanding of your chosen field in a placement lasting at least 60 hours.

Pathophysiology – Examine the relationship between physical activity, health and disease, considering risk factors, signs and symptoms as well as the protective role physical activity can play.

Research methods – Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to examine and conduct research in the field of clinical exercise physiology.

Special clinical dissertation – Undertake a substantial, ethically sound research project on a topic of interest appropriate for your Master’s course.

We make every effort to ensure the information here is accurate; however, for the most up-to-date information, visit our website.