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Postgraduate Sport Hartpury University

Sport and Exercise Science

MRes

As the field of sport science grows, so do opportunities. The need for both practitioners and researchers to work in high performance sport settings is becoming more common. This course provides those looking to enter this industry with a blend of research and practical skills to help provide real word, research-informed solutions to enhance athletic performance.

At Hartpury, sport and science mix perfectly. Build your knowledge using high performance technologies in a semi-professional sports environment. Benefit from extensive networks with clubs, the community and national governing bodies.

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Key Information

Course Duration: 1 year full-time; part-time options available
Part or Full Time: Full Time / Part Time
Level of Study: Master's and PhDs
Typical Offer: 2:1 honours degree

Course information

High-level performance

Make the most of facilities and expertise that supports 10 performance Sports Academies across different disciplines, as well as national and international athletes and teams. You could undertake research, working with athletes and coaches on our sports pitches, as well as human performance and biomechanics laboratories with the latest technologies.

Develop professional networks

We’ll support you to undertake research in your workplace or contribute to an important project through our extensive network of leading clubs, organisations and schools by working with us to improve what they do. Partners include England Rugby, Cheltenham Town Football Club, Forest Green Rovers Football Club, Gloucester Rugby, GB Rowing and Pentathlon GB.

Be supported to succeed

Our expert lecturers, professors and industry networks will support you to design credible research and find practical solutions for important challenges in your chosen topic. A mix of learning pathways, including campus and online delivery, will help you to design your timetable around other commitments.

Academic

A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject area which has involved an independent dissertation project. Additionally, you will need to be able to clearly articulate your potential research project and its proposed significance to the topic area.

International

In addition to the academic qualification an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required.

Please contact us for further information.

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You’ll have opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills through real-world research. You'll learn from research active staff and sport and exercise practitioners to broaden your knowledge and networks.

Research in professional environments

Focus your research on an external environment, such as your workplace, or make the most of our professional sport and commercial activities on campus. These include the Sports Academy and associated performance teams, the sports medical centre, the human performance laboratories, Hartpury RFC, and equestrian sport events.

Alternatively, we have strong industry partnerships through the Hartpury Sports Business Hub, which enable students to engage in applied research which directly impacts practice. These partnerships include England Rugby, Cheltenham Town Football Club, Forest Green Rovers Football Club, Gloucester Rugby, GB Rowing, Pentathlon GB.

Conferences and events

You'll be encouraged to take an active role in industry events and conferences. Our students present dissertations and research projects – fantastic experience for professional reputations.

Graduate destinations

Studying a Master of Research provides the opportunity for you to enhance your own practice or prepare for PhD studies. Delivering contemporary research will place you at the forefront of knowledge within your discipline.

Success Stories

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential while you're here so that you can achieve your personal and professional goals.

Duration

One year, full-time

You can study this qualification full-time and complete in one year.

Two-three years, part-time

Part-time pathways enable students to manage their studies alongside other commitments. Options can be tailored to suit your needs, enabling you to complete your qualification in two or three years.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one. This will range from your lecturers, supervisors and personal tutor to our specialist academic (Achievement and Success Centre), employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) and wellbeing teams.

Course information

Overview

High-level performance

Make the most of facilities and expertise that supports 10 performance Sports Academies across different disciplines, as well as national and international athletes and teams. You could undertake research, working with athletes and coaches on our sports pitches, as well as human performance and biomechanics laboratories with the latest technologies.

Develop professional networks

We’ll support you to undertake research in your workplace or contribute to an important project through our extensive network of leading clubs, organisations and schools by working with us to improve what they do. Partners include England Rugby, Cheltenham Town Football Club, Forest Green Rovers Football Club, Gloucester Rugby, GB Rowing and Pentathlon GB.

Be supported to succeed

Our expert lecturers, professors and industry networks will support you to design credible research and find practical solutions for important challenges in your chosen topic. A mix of learning pathways, including campus and online delivery, will help you to design your timetable around other commitments.

Entry requirements

Academic

A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject area which has involved an independent dissertation project. Additionally, you will need to be able to clearly articulate your potential research project and its proposed significance to the topic area.

International

In addition to the academic qualification an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required.

Please contact us for further information.

Employability

You’ll have opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills through real-world research. You'll learn from research active staff and sport and exercise practitioners to broaden your knowledge and networks.

Research in professional environments

Focus your research on an external environment, such as your workplace, or make the most of our professional sport and commercial activities on campus. These include the Sports Academy and associated performance teams, the sports medical centre, the human performance laboratories, Hartpury RFC, and equestrian sport events.

Alternatively, we have strong industry partnerships through the Hartpury Sports Business Hub, which enable students to engage in applied research which directly impacts practice. These partnerships include England Rugby, Cheltenham Town Football Club, Forest Green Rovers Football Club, Gloucester Rugby, GB Rowing, Pentathlon GB.

Conferences and events

You'll be encouraged to take an active role in industry events and conferences. Our students present dissertations and research projects – fantastic experience for professional reputations.

Graduate destinations

Studying a Master of Research provides the opportunity for you to enhance your own practice or prepare for PhD studies. Delivering contemporary research will place you at the forefront of knowledge within your discipline.

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential while you're here so that you can achieve your personal and professional goals.

Duration

One year, full-time

You can study this qualification full-time and complete in one year.

Two-three years, part-time

Part-time pathways enable students to manage their studies alongside other commitments. Options can be tailored to suit your needs, enabling you to complete your qualification in two or three years.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one. This will range from your lecturers, supervisors and personal tutor to our specialist academic (Achievement and Success Centre), employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) and wellbeing teams.

Qualifications and modules

Progress your career through a unique piece of postgraduate research, the focus of which lies outside our existing curriculum. You’ll develop both theoretical and practical expertise, whilst contributing positively to real-world practice.

Research areas

Your research focus can be externally driven by an employer or you may work collaboratively with an industry partner to solve a problem that they are currently facing. Alternatively, you may choose to focus your research on an area of our high-performance sports teams and athletes on campus.

Potential research areas include;

  • Applied Sport Sciences (e.g. Nutrition, Psychology, Biomechanics, Physiology)
  • Performance Analysis
  • Physical Activity and Wellbeing
  • Physical Education
  • Sports Coaching
  • Strength and Conditioning

Modules have been designed to equip you with advanced research expertise and skills for critical evaluation of concepts, research design and accurate data analysis, allowing you to apply current empirical thinking to your specific research area. You’ll spend time working independently on your research with an allocated supervisor for support.

Alongside this, you’ll select 45 credits of optional modules to complement your research from our range of sport and exercise postgraduate modules across all of our sport courses.

This provides the opportunity to advance new knowledge to help shape your research or, depending on your choice, may provide the chance for you to build your applied skills through a sport and exercise science work placement. This could be on site in one of our human performance laboratories or with one of our Sports Academy teams.

Explore the modules for this course. Successful completion of your modules will enable you to gain academic credits that may accumulate towards your final master’s degree award (pass, merit or distinction). Modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands.

MRes students will study 180 credits, made up of compulsory modules and 45 credits of optional modules. Module enrolment is subject to programme manager approval.

Module credits

Upon successful completion of your modules you’ll gain academic credit that accumulates towards your award. The marks you gain may contribute towards your final master’s degree differential award (pass, merit or distinction).

The Research Process (15 credits)

Discuss research methodologies and applications, as well as strengths, weaknesses and limitations of different methods.

Applying Sport and Exercise Research (30 credits)

Gain experiences of exploring literature, understanding and utilising research methodologies and data analysis aligned to your specific area of interest within sport and exercise. This process will lead to the design, completion and write up of a preliminary research project where dissemination of research outputs will also be covered to develop scientific communications skills.

Extended Postgraduate Research Project (90 credits)

Develop and undertake a detailed and independent research project on a topic of your choosing, related to your Master of Research degree.

Postgraduate Independent Study

You will undertake an extended literature review in an area of your choice, supported by an academic supervisor.

Applied Practice in Strength and Conditioning

Students will develop their critical evaluation, analytical and practical skills in the designing, coaching and monitoring of strength and conditioning programs.

Coach Education in Context

Students will consider current knowledge on how to develop coaches, through a range of coach education strategies.

Coaching Craft

Understand coaching philosophy and coaching behaviours and decision‐making.

Contemporary Issues in Performance Analysis

Students appraise current developments and challenges faced by the sports performance analyst.

Digital Media and Marketing in Sports Business

Develop and apply innovative sports business marketing approaches, evidencing the importance of digital marketing, and understanding the processes involved in producing media, such as blogs and podcasts.
Examine digital marketing trends such as search engine optimisation, pay‐per‐click advertising analytics,
social media and content analysis.

Evaluation and Learning for Sports Management Practices

Sports management organisations are exploring ways to evidence the impact of their provision through monitoring and evaluation approaches. Within this module, you’ll critique the current context of evidence in the contemporary climate and learn about innovative evaluation approaches to inform sports
management practice.

Fundamentals of Performance Analysis

Students have the opportunity to apply theoretical competencies to practice through contact hours with Hartpury’s Sports Academy.

High Performing Environments

Students will develop a critical understanding and appreciation of how to work effectively within industry and multi‐disciplinary/inter‐disciplinary teams.

Pedagogy in Practice

This module focuses on the use of learning theories and pedagogic principles as a conceptual lens through which to view practice. It provides practitioners with an opportunity to increase their understanding of the field of pedagogy in order to develop a conceptual base from which to refine and critique their practice. Students enrolled on this module will be required to write a report as well as design and deliver a presentation to provide practitioners with underpinning knowledge that will allow them to develop more pedagogically aware practice.

Performance Profiling and Testing for Athletes

Progress an enhanced understanding of the relevant testing methods that can be used by strength and conditioning coaches as well as the data analysis methods used to assess athlete or client physical testing
capabilities.

Planning and Monitoring for Athletic Training

Develop a detailed understanding of the specific dose‐response and adaptations to strength and conditioning training methods, and how this influences training prescription and programming.

Postgraduate Industry Placement Experience

This module will bridge the gap between the student’s academic preparation and the real worldenvironment. Students are required to source and complete 200 hours of industry‐ based placement in a
pre‐approved environment.

Professional Development Portfolio

Students will develop an evidenced portfolio of their current practice within their professional area of expertise.

Real World Issues in Sports Management

Critique contemporary issues in the sports management industry. Explore and apply a wide range of models in areas such as entrepreneurship, deregulation, management, sustainability, asset‐based approaches to sports management, internationalisation, globalisation, and health and wellbeing.

Reflective Practice

Developing reflective practices and their use in coaching.

Skill Acquisition for Strength and Conditioning

Students will develop an enhanced understanding in the scientific underpinning of human movement control and the applied strategies to enhance athletic performance

Strategic Leadership in Sports Management

Develop strategic leadership and consultancy skills, enabling you to effectively drive and manage change. Focus on strategic and operational engagement, supported by the development of leadership skills and a consultancy‐led approach towards business improvement.

The Scientific Coach

Prepares students to review current research, and conduct their own research projects in the area of coaching.

Qualifications and modules

MRes degree

Progress your career through a unique piece of postgraduate research, the focus of which lies outside our existing curriculum. You’ll develop both theoretical and practical expertise, whilst contributing positively to real-world practice.

Research areas

Your research focus can be externally driven by an employer or you may work collaboratively with an industry partner to solve a problem that they are currently facing. Alternatively, you may choose to focus your research on an area of our high-performance sports teams and athletes on campus.

Potential research areas include;

  • Applied Sport Sciences (e.g. Nutrition, Psychology, Biomechanics, Physiology)
  • Performance Analysis
  • Physical Activity and Wellbeing
  • Physical Education
  • Sports Coaching
  • Strength and Conditioning

Modules have been designed to equip you with advanced research expertise and skills for critical evaluation of concepts, research design and accurate data analysis, allowing you to apply current empirical thinking to your specific research area. You’ll spend time working independently on your research with an allocated supervisor for support.

Alongside this, you’ll select 45 credits of optional modules to complement your research from our range of sport and exercise postgraduate modules across all of our sport courses.

This provides the opportunity to advance new knowledge to help shape your research or, depending on your choice, may provide the chance for you to build your applied skills through a sport and exercise science work placement. This could be on site in one of our human performance laboratories or with one of our Sports Academy teams.

Modules

Explore the modules for this course. Successful completion of your modules will enable you to gain academic credits that may accumulate towards your final master’s degree award (pass, merit or distinction). Modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands.

MRes students will study 180 credits, made up of compulsory modules and 45 credits of optional modules. Module enrolment is subject to programme manager approval.

Module credits

Upon successful completion of your modules you’ll gain academic credit that accumulates towards your award. The marks you gain may contribute towards your final master’s degree differential award (pass, merit or distinction).

Compulsory modules

The Research Process (15 credits)

Discuss research methodologies and applications, as well as strengths, weaknesses and limitations of different methods.

Applying Sport and Exercise Research (30 credits)

Gain experiences of exploring literature, understanding and utilising research methodologies and data analysis aligned to your specific area of interest within sport and exercise. This process will lead to the design, completion and write up of a preliminary research project where dissemination of research outputs will also be covered to develop scientific communications skills.

Extended Postgraduate Research Project (90 credits)

Develop and undertake a detailed and independent research project on a topic of your choosing, related to your Master of Research degree.

Optional modules

Postgraduate Independent Study

You will undertake an extended literature review in an area of your choice, supported by an academic supervisor.

Applied Practice in Strength and Conditioning

Students will develop their critical evaluation, analytical and practical skills in the designing, coaching and monitoring of strength and conditioning programs.

Coach Education in Context

Students will consider current knowledge on how to develop coaches, through a range of coach education strategies.

Coaching Craft

Understand coaching philosophy and coaching behaviours and decision‐making.

Contemporary Issues in Performance Analysis

Students appraise current developments and challenges faced by the sports performance analyst.

Digital Media and Marketing in Sports Business

Develop and apply innovative sports business marketing approaches, evidencing the importance of digital marketing, and understanding the processes involved in producing media, such as blogs and podcasts.
Examine digital marketing trends such as search engine optimisation, pay‐per‐click advertising analytics,
social media and content analysis.

Evaluation and Learning for Sports Management Practices

Sports management organisations are exploring ways to evidence the impact of their provision through monitoring and evaluation approaches. Within this module, you’ll critique the current context of evidence in the contemporary climate and learn about innovative evaluation approaches to inform sports
management practice.

Fundamentals of Performance Analysis

Students have the opportunity to apply theoretical competencies to practice through contact hours with Hartpury’s Sports Academy.

High Performing Environments

Students will develop a critical understanding and appreciation of how to work effectively within industry and multi‐disciplinary/inter‐disciplinary teams.

Pedagogy in Practice

This module focuses on the use of learning theories and pedagogic principles as a conceptual lens through which to view practice. It provides practitioners with an opportunity to increase their understanding of the field of pedagogy in order to develop a conceptual base from which to refine and critique their practice. Students enrolled on this module will be required to write a report as well as design and deliver a presentation to provide practitioners with underpinning knowledge that will allow them to develop more pedagogically aware practice.

Performance Profiling and Testing for Athletes

Progress an enhanced understanding of the relevant testing methods that can be used by strength and conditioning coaches as well as the data analysis methods used to assess athlete or client physical testing
capabilities.

Planning and Monitoring for Athletic Training

Develop a detailed understanding of the specific dose‐response and adaptations to strength and conditioning training methods, and how this influences training prescription and programming.

Postgraduate Industry Placement Experience

This module will bridge the gap between the student’s academic preparation and the real worldenvironment. Students are required to source and complete 200 hours of industry‐ based placement in a
pre‐approved environment.

Professional Development Portfolio

Students will develop an evidenced portfolio of their current practice within their professional area of expertise.

Real World Issues in Sports Management

Critique contemporary issues in the sports management industry. Explore and apply a wide range of models in areas such as entrepreneurship, deregulation, management, sustainability, asset‐based approaches to sports management, internationalisation, globalisation, and health and wellbeing.

Reflective Practice

Developing reflective practices and their use in coaching.

Skill Acquisition for Strength and Conditioning

Students will develop an enhanced understanding in the scientific underpinning of human movement control and the applied strategies to enhance athletic performance

Strategic Leadership in Sports Management

Develop strategic leadership and consultancy skills, enabling you to effectively drive and manage change. Focus on strategic and operational engagement, supported by the development of leadership skills and a consultancy‐led approach towards business improvement.

The Scientific Coach

Prepares students to review current research, and conduct their own research projects in the area of coaching.

  • Modules can contain a mixture of scheduled learning – the compulsory modules are delivered predominantly through online, synchronous modes of teaching and learning, but the research undertaken may require a student to utilise the facilities onsite. Furthermore, the optional modules chosen will likely be delivered onsite through lectures, workshops and practical sessions. Alongside this, students will be expected to engage in independent studies.
  • Teaching contact time and method will vary depending on the module you’re studying. You’ll be expected to dedicate at least two to three hours of independent study per contact hour.
  • The course is taught in English.
  Contact learning Placement learning Independent learning
MRes degree 7% 11% 82%

You’ll be assessed through practical exams and written assignments. Some modules will include a mixture of assessment types, whilst others will be based on one. Feedback will be provided in written form, with the option for follow-up discussions with academic staff. The types of assessments will vary depending on which modules the student selects. As a guide:

  Written exam Practical exam Coursework
MRes degree 0% 26% 74%

Typically, courses are taught over three semesters, with semesters normally consisting of 12 weeks of scheduled teaching and then assessment weeks. However, this programme differs from this norm due to its high level of independent research content.

More specifically, the compulsory modules are offered through online learning and require the student to engage in independent research. Depending on choice, the optional module is likely to be offered via onsite learning and will incorporate a mixture of interactive campus-based sessions with independent study.

Attendance dates and timetables will be made available before enrolment.

View term dates

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Studentship scheme

Our Postgraduate Studentship Scheme provides a fantastic development opportunity, enabling you to complement your postgraduate study with important real-world research within a paid position at Hartpury.

MRes Bursary

You maybe eligible for a £1,000 bursary to support your research project. Please visit our finance page for more details.

Extra costs

Clothing and footwear:

Hartpury Branded kit (circa £100) - Specific modules require branded kit - polo and tracksuit bottoms - to be worn when representing Hartpury as part of our Sports Academy. Students can purchase branded kit from our online shop.

Travel:

Travel costs for your professional work placement are self-funded.

Performance Sports Academy membership

Find out costs and details for joining one of our performance Sports Academy teams.

Explore Sports Academies

Hartpury gym

Find out about costs and details for joining the Hartpury gym.

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Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.

For further details about this course, including the programme specification and module descriptions, please visit our document library.

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Book an appointment

Discuss this course with an Academic Programme Manager

Prospective students can book an online appointment with one of our programme managers to discuss our courses and options for postgraduate study at Hartpury University. 

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Fees & Funding

It's a good idea to think about fees and funding around your course as early as you can. We can help you to understand and take control of your finances. Here’s everything you need to know at a glance.

Postgraduate Fees Funding Hartpuy University (1)

Facilities

Our specialist facilities match our specialist nature. Students benefit from access to some of the most advanced facilities in the world at an educational institution.

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Find out more about our courses, professional learning environments and commercial industry connections. Learn about our world-class facilities and speak with our academic teams about how our qualifications could help to change or progress your career.

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We're a top 20 UK university for postgraduate teaching, engagement, assessment, organisation and support (PTES 2023).

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World leading

Our research has been recognised as 'world-leading' and 'internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

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Research and Innovation

Every year we support projects across a wide range of subject areas that help drive positive change in animal and equine wellbeing, agriculture, sports performance and public health. Research undertaken at Hartpury is regularly published and presented to audiences worldwide.

Research & Innovation
Gerry Mcginty

“Why Hartpury? I’ve trained there myself – they have outstanding facilities and their staff are experts at what they do.

My research will help to influence more tailored coaching and games programmes, better suited to the differing development rates of talented young footballers whose potential may otherwise not be reached.”

Gerry McGinty, Owner, Bridge Football Academy

“Why Hartpury? I’ve trained there myself – they have outstanding facilities and their staff are experts at what they do.

My research will help to influence more tailored coaching and games programmes, better suited to the differing development rates of talented young footballers whose potential may otherwise not be reached.”

Gerry McGinty, Owner, Bridge Football Academy

World-class facilities

Develop hands-on expertise and undertake research in our over £10 million Sports Academy, enabling our students to learn using some of the most advanced technologies in the UK.

Develop your practical skills using industry-standard equipment that’s utilised by professional coaches to enhance strength, power, speed and injury prevention qualities.

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Get in touch

Whether you're looking for more details with regards to a specific course, or information on your own academic options or life at Hartpury, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable Admissions team. 

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Important information

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are reviewed and developed regularly. Changes or cancellation of courses may be necessary to ensure alignment with emerging employment areas, to comply with accrediting body requirements, revisions to subject benchmark statements or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make necessary changes and will notify all offer-holders of changes as and when they occur.

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