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Entry Requirements and Fees
2020 UK fee: £7,800
2020 international fee: £14,300
Typical offer to come on this course if a student has attained (or be about to attain) at least a first or upper second class honours degree in a related scientific still be offered a place on this course if they can show evidence of the potential to succeed based on professional and/or related experiences subject from a recognised institution of higher education.
Students with a lower second class award may be accepted if they can provide a transcript to show that they performed near the upper second class level on appropriate modules. If a student does not have these academic qualifications, they could have relevant professional experience that would be considered.
If English is not your first language then English language proficiency required is IELTS 6.5 (with no element less than 5.5) – or equivalent qualification.
Course content
Location: Chichester Campus
This programme focuses on the promotion and maintenance of physical activity related to public health and wellbeing. It will equip you with key specific skills and provide you with a unique insight into the intriguing interactions between physical activity and health by infusing epidemiology, physiology, psychology and policy-relevant research. You will also develop important skills in designing and evaluating research and community interventions that promote health behaviour change.
There is a clear consensus that new professional scientific needs are emerging within this field. This programme recognises the need for specialisation in the intertwined disciplines of physical activity and public health, which is differentiated from other MSc courses in public health. With real-world applicability it substantially contributes towards higher-level qualifications emerging in this area extending the knowledge and practical skills for health sector professionals, physical activity and fitness professionals, teachers or local government employees.
The degree aims to develop a systematic and critical understanding of current theory, research and debates at the forefront of physical activity and public health to influence population health and well-being; develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of technical competencies and professional and ethical practice in the field of physical activity and public health; develop a critical and systematic understanding of the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health projects; and foster a self-directed approach to learning.
You can request a postgraduate prospectus here.
Our facilities
Campus Location: Chichester
We offer you some of the best sporting facilities available to study for a degree. All of our facilities are designed for academic teaching, research, British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions and for your social/recreational use throughout the week and weekends.
The world-class Tudor Hale Centre for Sport is the focus of sporting activities both academic and recreational at the University. It incorporates a suite of state of the art sport science laboratories, a sports injury clinic, a strength and conditioning room and a fitness centre. In addition there is a sports hall. Located beside the Tudor Hale Centre for Sport you will find our Sports Dome, lano sand dressed astro turf and a grass rugby pitch.
Facilities:
Sports Dome
Four tennis courts which can be used for a variety of sports.
 300 x 200.jpg "Blue flooring and blue curtains separating courts with student throwing javelins")
Sports hall
Used for basketball, netball, trampolining, badminton, volleyball, cricket, soccer, table tennis, hockey and ultimate frisbee.
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Fitness suite
Various membership levels available. Weights, resistance and cardio machines.
 300 x 200.jpg "Weights, resistance and cardio machines")
Indoor and outdoor climbing walls and climbing boulder
Available for any student to use after an induction and when Tudor Hale Centre for Sport is open.
Grass football and rugby pitches
Floodlit lano sand-dressed astro turf
A top of the range Lano sand-dressed astro all completely compliant to International Hockey federation standards.
- 110m synthetic athletics track
- Strength and conditioning room
- Two multi-purpose gymnasiums
- Outdoor netball and tennis court
- Two seminar rooms
- Cricket nets
Sport Science Laboratories:
Four dedicated psychology labs including a Virtual Reality Reader, Brain Imaging Unit and Observation Suite.
 300 x 200.jpg "Student using software to track activity of body for sport psychology")
Two dedicated biomechanics labs
 300 x 200.jpg "Student running with rugby ball with sensor on past tracking posts")
Five dedicated physiology labs
Used for testing on treadmills, bikes and various other pieces of equipment.
An environmental chamber
Used to simulate heat, altitude, etc.
A sports injury clinic and adjoining rehabilitation space
Sports Therapy students use these spaces for practical sessions and run a clinic. It is open for students, staff and external visitors who require treatment also either from Sports Therapy students or staff.
Where this can take you
Physical activity and public health are no longer viewed as the responsibility of only those working in the health sector. A wide range of opportunities are available in statutory, voluntary, charity, private and community organisations as well as in local government and academic institutions.
Students may also progress to further postgraduate study.
Indicative modules
- Principles and Practice of Physical Activity and Public Health - A broad introduction to the subject matter of public health and physical activity, develop an understanding of and competence in basic epidemiological measures, gain an appreciation of the process of systematic review and meta-analyses and their interpretation, and explore a selection of contemporary areas of physical activity research such as data modelling, physical activity in green/blue space, and health economics.
- Measurements in Physical Activity, Public Health and Wellbeing - This module adopts an evidence-based approach to identifying ‘best practice’ in terms of protocols and procedures when undertaking work in the area of physical activity and public health.
- Physical Activity in Public Health Interventions: Conceptualisation, Design and Delivery - This module will provide you with knowledge of the process of developing and designing an intervention to increase physical activity for public health.
- Enhancing Physical Activity Participation and Wellbeing - Contemporary research and theory relating to the adoption and maintenance of physical activity participation for health and wellbeing will be explored.
- Project Planning and Management for Public Health - In this module, the discipline of project management will be critically surveyed and you will apply project management techniques and concepts to plan a project in the area of public health.
- Applied Research Skills - This is an introduction to basic quantitative and qualitative methodology for physiology using practical and real-world examples to illustrate how we make sense of data.
- Research Dissertation or Consultancy Project - The credit of Master of Science is achieved by completion of either a full write-up or write-up and presentation dissertation, or a consultancy project.
International English Studies
Teaching and assessment
Class sizes depend on the type of module. Specific modules may have up to 15 students and modules such as research methods and statistics will have up to 50 students.
The course team has ensured that this course is characterised by an appropriate breadth and depth of content that includes the latest research, and a variety of teaching, learning and assessment methods. The teaching and learning methods used in the course reflect the wide variety of topics and techniques associated with physical activity and public health.
Learning and teaching methods include:
- Lectures and seminar led by academic staff or guest lectures
- Laboratory classes for learning and practising techniques
- Workshops for teaching a range of skills including research methods
- Seminar investigating specific topics including case studies
Indicative methods of assessment:
- Individual and group work
- Written report
- Oral and poster presentations
- Practical skills assessment
- Written examination
- Research project dissertation
All modules will include formative assessment. Formative assessment comprises feedback on students' performance, designed to help them learn more effectively and find ways to maintain and improve their progress. It does not contribute to the final mark, grade or class of degree awarded to the student.
