Applied Sport Science MSc



76% of our graduates now work in the sports industry.

Overview

Are you passionate about advancing your career in applied sport science? Our MSc programme blends cutting-edge academic knowledge with hands-on, real-world experience—preparing you to thrive as a sport science practitioner.  You’ll explore the scientific principles of athletic performance, develop key academic and professional skills, and tailor elements of the course to your specific interests. Throughout the programme, you’ll gain expertise in planning and executing research, critically analysing current practices, and applying a wide range of sport science techniques. 

Learning takes place in our designated research, physiology, biomechanics, and environmental laboratories, providing the ideal environment for applied learning and experimentation. But it doesn’t stop there — you’ll also have full access to our excellent gym and sports hall facilities, supporting both your academic and practical development.

Please contact the programme leader Dr Lesley Ingram-Sills, for any questions you have about the course. The typical entry point to this course is in September.

Person playing cricket hitting the ball with a bat.

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as Part-time)

Duration:

1 years

Start date:

Sep

Course details

The MSc in Applied Sport Science is designed to give you a deep and practical understanding of how scientific principles underpin athletic performance and practitioner support. Whether you’re looking to advance your current career or enter the field, this programme will develop the academic, professional, and applied skills required to thrive in a wide range of sport science roles.

You’ll explore key areas such as physiology, biomechanics, and performance analysis, while also having the flexibility to tailor aspects of your learning to your specific interests. Throughout the course, we’ll help you strengthen not only your technical and research abilities — including planning, designing, and executing studies — but also essential soft skills needed for success in real-world environments.  A standout feature of this programme is the work-based placement, where you’ll put your knowledge into action in a professional setting.

Student placement opportunities have been a key highlight of the course, with past placements including major national governing bodies such as the Scottish FA, Scottish Rugby, Cricket Scotland, Scottish Gymnastics, and the Scottish Mountain Bike Centre.  Students have also gained experience with professional clubs and performance environments including Hearts Women’s FC, Hibernian FC, Greenock Morton FC, Boroughmuir Bears, Watsonians Super Series Rugby, and the Lost Shore Surf Resort.  Work-based learning options are wide-ranging and not limited to these examples, reflecting the programme’s strong industry connections and the diverse career pathways available. 

What you will study

  • Scientific methods
  • Psychological interventions for sport performance enhancement
  • Applied physiology and sport performance
  • Sport science support of performance athletes
  • Contemporary issues in sport performance
  • Independent study module
  • Independent research project

You will be taught by:

 
  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    Our MSc programme is designed to provide you with laboratory and field-based research experience.  This is a one-year full time course that is split into three semesters and delivered on campus.  You will learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, group work, laboratory work, practical sessions, independent study and professional placements.

     
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     You will be assessed by a combination of examinations, coursework and group work.
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    Work placement

     There is an opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of this course.  Placement locations we have accessed this year include Falkirk FC, Greenock Morton FC, Scottish Institute of Sport, Boroughmuir Bears Super Series Rugby.
  • library

    Facilities

    Find more information about our sports facilities at Edinburgh Napier University here. 

    Find out more about our work with Mark Beaumont.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Professional Practice ( SES11143 )

In this module you will learn how to develop your professional practice skills in order to enhance your applied sport science practice. You will explore key skills that are fundamental building blocks in your development as an applied sport scientist. These will include leadership approaches, styles and values; advanced communication skills and reflective learning. This module will also include significant research time, where you will work independently with a supervisor to develop the methodology for your own research project (this will be completed in trimester 3). Within this section of the module, you will develop skills relating to assessing risk, safeguarding, project planning, scientific methodology and consideration of limiting factors, data management and ethical considerations. Contemporary issues within the discipline will also be explored and you will develop a skill set of understanding how research contributes to existing knowledge and practice in the applied sport science setting.

Further information

Professional Work Based Learning ( SES11142 )

Through engaging in a work placement or work based learning experience related to the module you will explore issues such as, evidence based-practice, engagement with partners and people, resources and reporting, professional relationships, effective communication, self-reflection, observation and evaluation of practice with respect to contemporary literature, quality assurance, governance, monitoring and evaluation of injury and/or performance, physical activity and health or sport opportunities, terminology, exercise screening, exercise assessment, functional assessment, targeted and tailored interventions, person-centred interventions, data collection and reporting, monitoring athletes, safety considerations; delegated responsibility, professional boundaries, continuing professional development. These components may be related to the area in which you are working. You will relate your work experience to the academic content of your MSc programme and reflect on the value of prior learning. You will focus on self-assessment, write personal learning outcomes, and engage in reflective practice to enhance confidence and employability. Reflective practice and critical thinking are key to your submissions for this module.

Further information

Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Science ( SES11116 )

In this module you will learn about the process of knowledge construction and evaluation in contemporary sport and exercise science. You will examine a range of epistemological approaches and explore the philosophical implications of adopting different methods of constructing knowledge. You will look at issues around research design, including an examination of ethical and governance issues. You will critically examine the methods by which research is conducted, looking at the internationally accepted guidelines for randomised controlled trials and other prominent methodologies in the sport and exercise science literature. You will examine the contemporary debates around null-hypothesis significance testing (NHST) and magnitude based statistics and also examine the anticipated development of data synthesis techniques. Sport and exercise science is also an applied endeavor and students need to be capable of effectively disseminating complex technical data to a lay audience.During hands on laboratory sessions you will use the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and learn how to make decisions about the use of appropriate statistical tests and how to interpret the analysis outputs.

Further information

Research Project [60 credit] ( SES11107 )

In this module you will conduct an independent piece of research, either as a practical laboratory or field based project, or a piece of qualitative research (e.g. interviews, focus groups, surveys). This involves the design, development and implementation of a programme of research in a particular field of study relevant to your programme of study. You will critically analyse data/information generated, and communicate the outcomes in a written report, which will develop your skills in scientific writing. This will give you experience in summarising information and presentation skills. This module includes: Structured on-line literature searches. Literature review. Project formulation. Hypothesis generation. Experimental design. Development of practical skills/research technique. Data generation/collection and analysis. Use of appropriate statistical analysis. Evaluation of findings, critical analysis, synthesis and conclusions, with reference to supporting literature. Communication of original research results in a report written in the style of a scientific paper.

Further information

Scientific Support in Sport ( SES11103 )

In this module you will be provided with an understanding of the philosophical basis of science and how scientific knowledge is constructed. Building on this, the core theoretical and applied skills in the discipline areas within sport science will be contextualised in relation to performance enhancement in sport. This will be achieved by you learning about the perspectives of different disciplines within sport science and also the perspectives of specialists from the broader sport science support team, such as strength and conditioning coaches, technical coaches, video analysts and sports medicine specialists. This module will help you develop competencies that will enable you to apply for BASES supervised experience and ultimately accreditation.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Applied Sport Science?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:2 or above, or equivalent. We look for candidates to have a background in sport science, human physiology, coaching science, sports nutrition or other biological science degrees that contains a substantial element of exercise physiology/ psychology in order to be eligible for this programme.

We may consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience within the industry.

Can I get admission into Applied Sport Science based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,280 £7,650
Overseas and EU £18,800 £19,750
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please read our full T&C here
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

What can you do with an applied sport science degree?

By studying applied sport science at Edinburgh Napier University, you will develop the academic, practical and soft skills to become a sports science practitioner, go into a research-based career or even onto PhD study. Many of our graduates have been employed by the Scottish Institute of Sport, National governing bodies including the Scottish Football Association, Scottish Rugby Union, Scottish Canoe and CIMSPA.  Many students are now applied sport scientists in football and rugby internationally. You may also work in settings such as the NHS. By studying this course, you will become a strong communicator, allowing you to critically analyse and design, plan and execute your own research studies. If you are an analytical thinker who enjoys team working and wants to learn more about applied sport science, then this might be the right course for you.

What does a performance sport scientist do?

As a performance sport scientist, you will be responsible for uncovering athletic success through science. You will aim to enhance athletes’ performance through biomechanics, nutrition, sport psychology and physiology to optimise their training programme. You will most likely use a range of lab equipment, technology and measurement tools. In this role, you will be expected to be an excellent communicator, and have strong analytical, practical and problem-solving skills.

Daily tasks and responsibilities within this role may include:

  • Data analysis
  • Consultations with coaches and athletes
  • Designing and monitoring training programmes
  • Conducting tests and assessments
  • Updating athlete and research records
  • Writing up research
  • Reviewing athlete performance
Hand with monitors attached, holding on to the bike handle bars, running a physical activity test.