Research-powered clinical teaching
Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria is ranked 5th for research power in the UK (REF, 2021).
Entry year
2027/28
Clinical Exercise Physiology MSc
- Typical Annual Fee Scholarship & Discount eligibility may apply
- Modules
- Entry Requirements
-
Mode of Study
2 years Part Time1 other option available
-
Start Date
September 2027
Clinical Exercise Physiology at Northumbria
Clinical Exercise Physiology MSc at Northumbria gives you the clinical knowledge, practical skills, and research expertise to use exercise as a powerful tool for assessment, prevention, and treatment across a wide range of conditions.
Study the science behind cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, and metabolic health, learning to design and deliver individualised exercise interventions that improve patients' quality of life. A substantial clinical placement immerses you in real clinical and community settings alongside healthcare professionals, building the practitioner skills employers value.
Taught by internationally active researchers, this course aims to equip you with the clinical knowledge and professional credibility required to pursue a rewarding career across NHS, private healthcare and community settings.
Learning & Assessment
Learn through lectures, seminars, and laboratory practicals, balancing theory with hands-on skill building. Clinical placement learning complements academic study, with assessment spanning case studies, practical skills, portfolios, and research work.
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
- School of Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation
- City Campus, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Module Information
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
Year One Core Modules
This practical focussed module will provide the foundations of exercise assessment, prescription and physical activity promotion. You will critically appraise the evidence base and guidelines related to exercise assessment, prescription, and physical activity promotion. You will cover important principles in relation to the frequency, intensity, type, time, volume and progression of exercise in the context of strength, aerobic fitness, balance, flexibility and mobility. You will also consider the needs and preferences of the patient or client in your exercise prescription. The core principles learned on this module can be applied within the condition specific modules on the programme, where you will learn how to tailor them to different conditions.
On this module you will explore the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of respiratory, cancer and neurological conditions and learn how to safely assess and prescribe exercise for people living with these conditions. You will critically appraise the literature related to exercise intolerance, physical activity promotion and exercise as a treatment to manage these conditions. You will also develop an understanding of good clinical practice for the assessment of patients and evaluate and interpret patient’s physical capacity, using physiological tests, such as lung function assessment.
On this module you will explore the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of ageing, musculoskeletal and metabolic conditions and learn how to safely assess and prescribe exercise for people living with these conditions. You will critically appraise the literature related to exercise intolerance, physical activity promotion and exercise as a treatment to manage these conditions. You will also develop an understanding of good clinical practice for the assessment of patients and evaluate and interpret patient’s physical health, using physiological tests, such as strength assessment and gait analysis.
Year Two Core Modules
On this module you will explore the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of cardiovascular conditions and learn how to safely assess and prescribe exercise for people living with these conditions. You will critically appraise the literature related to exercise intolerance, physical activity promotion and exercise as a treatment to manage these conditions. You will also develop an understanding of good clinical practice for the assessment of patients and evaluate and interpret patient’s physical health, using physiological tests, such as blood pressure and ECG assessment.
This critical appraisal of evidence in clinical exercise physiology module will help you understand how to critically appraise the evidence base related to a topic in Clinical Exercise Physiology. You will learn how to conduct a systematic review within an area of clinical exercise physiology, in accordance with PRISMA guidance. You will also learn how to use quality assessment tools in the appraisal of research. This module aims to improve your ability to critique the evidence base that underpins practices in the field of clinical exercise physiology.
This clinical placement and professional practice module will help you learn and gain experience of working in a professional environment. You will learn about the scope of the clinical exercise physiologist, how to reflect on your practice, and important skills in motivational interviewing and behaviour change that you can apply to your practice. You will undertake a placement within one or more clinical or community settings that fall within the scope of the clinical exercise physiologist. You will keep a record of your learning activities in a portfolio and reflect on your experiences. You will also write up an evidence-based case study based on your experience on placements. This module aims to enhance your understanding of working in a clinical/community environment and enhance your employability prospects.
You will learn a range of research approaches and data analysis methods applicable to your subject of study as well as a critical understanding of their relative strengths and weaknesses. You will learn how these approaches can be applied in the planning of a methodologically-rigorous and ethically-sound research study.
Entry Requirements 2027/28
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in a related subject area such as sport science, physical education, or physiotherapy, or in another discipline which includes anatomy and physiology. Work experience in a relevant field and/or a professional qualification may also be considered.
Additional requirements:
Applicants may be required to attend an interview. Admission is subject to a suitable DBS Enhanced Certificate and a satisfactory health check.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Fees and Funding 2027/28 Entry
Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.
*if your course is longer than one year
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
You will be required to purchase suitable footwear for use in placement, and some placement hosts may have uniform requirement, each of which may cost approximately £50. You will need to pay for your own travel costs, which may be approximately £400 per year depending on your placement location. If using a car to attend placement, you may also need to pay parking charges of approximately £200 per year. Students may choose to undertake additional qualifications, for example professional qualifications, ISAK course, etc. which can vary between approximately £200 and £700.
Scholarships and Discounts
Apply Now
Start your application
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
WHY NORTHUMBRIA
Hands-on clinical practice
A substantial placement module offers you 140 hours of supervised experience in clinical and community healthcare settings, applying your skills with real patients and building professional confidence.
Strong healthcare connections
Northumbria's established links with NHS organisations and health providers across the region create pathways into clinical careers, supporting your transition from student to practising clinical exercise physiologist.
Specialist labs, real skills
Northumbria's exercise physiology, biomechanics, and integrated performance laboratories give you the technical grounding to work confidently with clinical populations, using the same equipment found in professional healthcare settings.
Study on your terms
Choose full-time study over one year or part-time over two, with a course structure designed to fit your life without compromising depth, rigour, or career outcomes.
This carousel contains 5 slides. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate.
-
Research-powered clinical teaching
Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria is ranked 5th for research power in the UK (REF, 2021).
-
Hands-on clinical practice
A substantial placement module offers you 140 hours of supervised experience in clinical and community healthcare settings, applying your skills with real patients and building professional confidence.
-
Strong healthcare connections
Northumbria's established links with NHS organisations and health providers across the region create pathways into clinical careers, supporting your transition from student to practising clinical exercise physiologist.
-
Specialist labs, real skills
Northumbria's exercise physiology, biomechanics, and integrated performance laboratories give you the technical grounding to work confidently with clinical populations, using the same equipment found in professional healthcare settings.
-
Study on your terms
Choose full-time study over one year or part-time over two, with a course structure designed to fit your life without compromising depth, rigour, or career outcomes.
1
5
slides
Career Prospects
Many qualified clinical exercise physiologists work across the NHS, private healthcare, and community settings.
Graduates of this course can aspire to advance into those areas, pursuing careers such as exercise-based rehabilitation specialist, health and well-being physiologist, NHS trainee clinical scientist, exercise referral coordinator, and mental health exercise instructor. Roles may span cardiac, respiratory, oncology, musculoskeletal, and metabolic rehabilitation, as well as obesity management and exercise therapy for special populations.
The analytical and research skills gained also offer a strong platform for those aspiring to doctoral study or an academic career.
Graduates of this course can aspire to advance into those areas, pursuing careers such as exercise-based rehabilitation specialist, health and well-being physiologist, NHS trainee clinical scientist, exercise referral coordinator, and mental health exercise instructor. Roles may span cardiac, respiratory, oncology, musculoskeletal, and metabolic rehabilitation, as well as obesity management and exercise therapy for special populations.
The analytical and research skills gained also offer a strong platform for those aspiring to doctoral study or an academic career.
Student Projects
This course places significant emphasis on applied clinical learning, with student work closely connected to a real-world healthcare context.
Potential student projects could span topics such as exercise prescription for cardiovascular rehabilitation, systematic reviews of evidence-based clinical exercise physiology practice, and case study analyses of patient management across a range of chronic conditions.
The clinical placement module also provides opportunities to contribute to evidence-based case studies in clinical and community healthcare settings.
Potential student projects could span topics such as exercise prescription for cardiovascular rehabilitation, systematic reviews of evidence-based clinical exercise physiology practice, and case study analyses of patient management across a range of chronic conditions.
The clinical placement module also provides opportunities to contribute to evidence-based case studies in clinical and community healthcare settings.
Facilities
This course places significant emphasis on applied clinical learning, with student work closely connected to a real-world healthcare context.
Potential student projects could span topics such as exercise prescription for cardiovascular rehabilitation, systematic reviews of evidence-based clinical exercise physiology practice, and case study analyses of patient management across a range of chronic conditions.
The clinical placement module also provides opportunities to contribute to evidence-based case studies in clinical and community healthcare settings.
Potential student projects could span topics such as exercise prescription for cardiovascular rehabilitation, systematic reviews of evidence-based clinical exercise physiology practice, and case study analyses of patient management across a range of chronic conditions.
The clinical placement module also provides opportunities to contribute to evidence-based case studies in clinical and community healthcare settings.
Teaching Staff
Learn from internationally recognised researchers whose work spans cardiovascular health, respiratory conditions, cancer, neurology, and metabolic disease. Active research demonstrates collaborations with regional, national and international partners.
Any Questions?
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901.
Register your interest
If you'd like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University's Privacy Notice please click here
