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Why study Clinical Exercise Physiology at Northumbria?

Become a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology. Discover the science and applied research approaches needed to study acute and chronic adaptations to exercise, understand physiologic functional capacity in healthy individuals and the diagnosis and rehabilitation of those with chronic conditions. 

 

 

Northumbria University is the leading provider of this Clinical Exercise Physiology Master’s program in the North East and boasts excellent links with key organisations to further support your development and knowledge. 

 

 

Based in our state-of-the-art British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) approved facilities, you will learn in an industry standard, inspirational environment.

 

What can I expect from this course?

Northumbria’s Clinical Exercise Physiology course will focus on the use of exercise for assessment, prevention, and treatment in a number of diseases and clinical conditions. During this course you will develop an understanding of the physiological factors associated with diseases and the underlying aetiology and pathophysiology of diseases. Our Clinical Exercise Physiology MSc will prepare you to be able to improve a person’s physical status and quality of life through individualised assessment, exercise prescription and behaviour change interventions in the dual context of clinical pathology (acute and chronic) and enhancement of daily living activities. You will also gain insight into how to interpret research and guidelines and understand how to design and conduct research in accordance with good clinical practices.

During this Masters course you will put your skills into practice by working in a clinical or community setting and getting to grips with client/patient interaction. Our physiology lab, teaching lab and bio-mechanics lab will equip you with a full range of skills in physiology, in high demand by employers. The clinics will teach you how to work with patients and make a diagnosis, as well as know which kind of exercise is geared towards which patient demographic.

 

How will this course prepare me for my career?

On completion of this course, you will possess the necessary knowledge and skills to assess an individual’s physical status and quality of life to provide a bespoke solution to enhance their daily living. You will begin training as an exercise physiologist from the outset of the academic year, to ensure that you graduate prepared and confident for the world of work.

This practical-skills based Masters is designed with employment in mind. Our graduates have gone on to scientist-in-training pathways with the NHS, PhD study and a range of careers in health and well-being physiology.

 

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
2 years Part Time
1 other options available

Department
Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2025

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

Discover More / Sport at Northumbira

Northumbria University offers a wide range of sports masters, hear from our world class academics on the study options available to you.

Our current Sport students provide an overview of what studying Sport at Northumbria is like - whether you want to get involved in management events, using our fantastic sport facilities, or play for a Northumbria Sport team, we have it all.

Funding and Scholarships

Discover the funding options available to you.

Alumni Discount The Postgraduate Loan, Find out how a government funded, postgraduate loan could cover the cost of your studies for up to £11,570

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Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships Study Options

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

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 2025/26 Entry

Full UK Fee: £11,000

Full International Fee: £20,950



Scholarships and Discounts

Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

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.

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

Modules Overview 2025/26

Modules

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 Year two

Year one

SP7002 -

Principles of Exercise Prescription and Assessment (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7004 -

Respiratory, Cancer and Neurological conditions (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7005 -

Ageing, Musculoskeletal and Metabolic Conditions (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

Year two

SP7000 -

Sport Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7001 -

Cardiovascular Conditions (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7026 -

Critical appraisal of evidence in CEP (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7027 -

SER PGT Clinical Placement and Professional Practice (Core,60 Credits)

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.

More information

Modules Overview 2026/27

Modules

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 Year two

Year one

SP7002 -

Principles of Exercise Prescription and Assessment (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7004 -

Respiratory, Cancer and Neurological conditions (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7005 -

Ageing, Musculoskeletal and Metabolic Conditions (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

Year two

SP7000 -

Sport Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7001 -

Cardiovascular Conditions (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7026 -

Critical appraisal of evidence in CEP (Core,20 Credits)

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.

More information

SP7027 -

SER PGT Clinical Placement and Professional Practice (Core,60 Credits)

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.

More information

Study Options

The following alternative study options are available for this course:

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

 

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

Student Inclusion support

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

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