Sport and Exercise Medicine MSc

Develop the skills needed to assess and treat musculoskeletal injuries as you progress to a career in healthcare or professional sport.

Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) is a rapidly growing field across healthcare and professional sport. There’s an increasing expectation that clinicians working in musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine or sport will have completed structured, Masters-level training.

This MSc is designed to meet that demand. Whether you’re a doctor, physiotherapist, sports therapist or allied health professional, it will help you develop the specialist knowledge, practical skills and confidence to assess and manage MSK conditions in both patients and athletes.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop the clinical and decision-making skills needed to work effectively in both healthcare and sporting environments. You’ll learn how to assess and treat MSK injuries, apply SEM principles in practice, and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams. Your learning combines face-to-face teaching, online study and hands-on placements in clinical settings and sports clubs, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be well placed to progress your career in healthcare, private practice or professional sport. Many graduates go on to take on extended roles in NHS MSK services, work with professional sports teams or develop portfolio careers in SEM. With SEM now recognised by the General Medical Council as a formal training route and identified as a key area for growth, this qualification provides a strong foundation for career progression, further training or research - giving you the skills, experience and confidence to make a meaningful impact in sport and health.

“The practical sessions and dissections really suited my learning style and enabled me to apply new skills straight into practice.”

Alexandra Stead, MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine

Why study at Leeds?

* Learn from leading clinicians: You’ll be taught by consultant SEM physicians and scientists working in elite sport and MSK medicine. Meet more of our team and find out why they are at the forefront of their fields.

* Develop hands-on clinical skills: The course provides a strong focus on practical techniques essential for Sport and Exercise Medicine

* Train in specialist facilities: Learn in state-of-the-art anatomy labs with cadavers and prosections as well as brand new sports facilities.

* Gain real-world experience: Gain clinical placement knowledge and university-run pitch-side training alongside some of Yorkshire’s professional sports teams.

* Achieve an industry-recognised certification: You’ll have the opportunity to complete the IMMOFP qualification accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

* Explore research and career opportunities: Complete an independent project with potential to present or publish, and progress into roles across NHS, private practice and professional sport.

Rankings and awards

Top 100 in the world for Sports-related subjects, QS World Rankings by Subject 2026

77th in the world, QS World Rankings 2027

Where this degree could take you

Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our Sport and Exercise Medicine graduates have obtained:

* Senior Physiotherapist, Yorkshire Sports Medicine Clinic

* Physiotherapist, GB Basketball U20 Women

* Academy Doctor, Leeds Rhinos

* Head Physiotherapist, Catalan Dragons

Career support

Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research 

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.