Jump to content
MSc

Sport and Exercise Science (by Research and Thesis)

Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences at Kent provides an excellent environment in which to conduct postgraduate research. The breadth of staff research interests enables us to provide research degree supervision in a range of areas in the sport and exercise sciences and in sports therapy.

Apply now
Sport

Key information

Start
September
Location
Canterbury
Study mode
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Fees (per year)
UK:
International:
Typical offer
2.1 or above in an acceptable subject
All entry requirements

Overview

This degree requires you to undertake a substantial, original research project, under the supervision of one or more members of academic staff who act as supervisors (see our Master's by Research projects). Your supervisory team provides guidance both in terms of research project development and execution. Typically, you meet with your supervisors more frequently at the initial stages of research than during the phases of data collection and analysis.

Reasons to study Sport and Exercise Science at Kent

  • We offer a wide range of Master’s research projects for you to choose from.
  • Our academic staff are leading experts in Sport and Exercise Sciences, ensuring you receive the best possible supervision. Find out about the staff who are open to supervising research students, together with their research interests.
  • There's a wide range of training available to Master's students where you will gain traditional, transferable skills, plus research-specific training. This is either provided by Sport and Exercise Sciences staff or by the University's Graduate and Researcher College.
  • You are invited to attend the School’s postgraduate seminar series to develop subject-specific knowledge and research skills relevant to your field of interest. 
  • Our world-leading research activity is divided into two main themes: Endurance Performance; and Sports Therapy, Physical Activity and Health; and spans the areas of physiology, psychology, nutrition, biomechanics, older people, clinical population, elite athletes, and members of the general population.

Find an MSc project and a supervisor

Choose an area that interests you from our wide range of Master’s research projects.

Once you have identified a project and a potential supervisor, please contact them directly by email to discuss the possibility of undertaking an MSc under their supervision. Please outline your interest in the research project, supply a CV including all relevant experience and details of how you will fund your study.

Apply for the course

After securing a project and a supervisor, you can proceed to make an online application for this course (click 'Apply now').


About Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences

Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences is one of the most exciting and innovative sports departments in the UK. Based on the University’s Canterbury campus, we have well-equipped, state-of the-art sports science laboratories, a sports therapy clinic, sports rehabilitation gymnasium and respiratory clinic. Our laboratories include the latest equipment, such as our:

  • anti-gravity treadmill, originally developed to help NASA astronauts to exercise in space

  • cycling and rowing ergometers to measure anaerobic capacity

  • isokinetic dynamometer to measure muscle and joint function

  • brain and muscle stimulators

  • 3D motion video analysis

  • imaging and treatment ultrasound

  • gait analysis and force pedals

  • blood testing and gas analysis equipment

  • rehabilitation gymnasium

  • environmental chamber, which can recreate the atmosphere in the Brazilian jungle or at the top of Everest.

As a Kent student, you'll also have access to some top-class leisure and study facilities. For example, the Sports Centre and Pavilion provide:  

  • an air-conditioned fitness suite across two floors 

  • dance and fitness studios with numerous classes 

  • indoor courts for badminton, basketball, netball, volleyball and squash 

  • training facilities for martial arts, boxing and combat sports 

  • outdoor pitches for rugby, football and American football.

The course

How you'll study

Postgraduate taught modules are designed to give you advanced study skills, a deeper knowledge of the subject, and the confidence to achieve your ambitions.

Entry requirements

2.1 or above in an acceptable subject

Minimum entrance requirement is an Upper Second Class Honours (2.1) or equivalent in Sport and Exercise Science or related subjects, though acceptance of any candidate is at the discretion of the supervisor.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

Fees and funding

The 2026/27 annual tuition fees for this course are:
  • Full-time (UK)
  • Part-time (UK)
  • Full-time (International)
  • Part-time (International)

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy.

The 2026/27 annual tuition fees for UK postgraduate research courses have not yet been set by the Research Councils UK. This is ordinarily announced in March. As a guide only, the full-time tuition fee for new and returning UK postgraduate research courses for 2025/26 is £5,006.

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

Funding

In addition to the tuition fees, a bench fee of approximately £400 will be applicable to this course. This fee covers the cost of specialist equipment, laboratory costs and consumable requirements.

Please note that, due to the technical requirements of some laboratory-based research projects, some projects additionally incur additional research costs to support consumable requirements. Additional research costs are typically in the range of £500-£2,000, though exceptionally these can be as high as £5,000 for resource-intensive research projects. Additional expenses associated with a specific project will be highlighted on the School’s related web pages. 

You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.

General additional costs

Find out more about student accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both: 

Other funding

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Kent can apply for 10% reduction in fees for their Masters programme. 

Students can also apply for a £1000 Graduate School Scholarship to help pay for their fess or apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Degree loan.

International scholarships

Unlock your potential with scholarships up to £5,000

Research

Kent is a leading research university, meaning that you will be informed about new discussions and developments by the people making them. This means your work will have real potential to make a difference.

Staff research interests

Kent’s world-class academics provide research students with excellent supervision. The academic staff in this school and their research interests are shown below. You are strongly encouraged to contact the school to discuss your proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application. Please note, it is possible for students to be supervised by a member of academic staff from any of Kent’s schools, providing their expertise matches your research interests. Use our ‘find a supervisor’ search to search by staff member or keyword.

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.

Your future

Our programmes have been developed and designed to provide students with the required knowledge and skills to work autonomously in the field of sport science and sports therapy. The programmes provide opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate both specialist academic and transferable skills such as good communication, problem solving, critical analysis and the ability to work independently to a high standard. The programmes also aim to give you the opportunity to build long-term careers within your chosen field.

Postgraduates earn

£6,000
more per year than graduates (Graduate Labour Market Statistics, 2021).

A degree can boost average lifetime earnings by over

£300,000
Graduate employment outcomes - Universities UK

Ready to apply?

Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

Everything else