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Entry Requirements and Fees
2019 UK fee: £7,040
2019 international fee: £13,600
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.
Our facilities
Over the past few years, we have redeveloped both of our campuses so that you have the best facilities available as you study for your degree. We pride ourselves on the quality of the learning environment we can offer our students. 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. The Tudor Hale Centre for Sport incorporates a suite of state of the art sport science laboratories, a sports injury clinic, a strength and conditioning room and a fitness suite. In addition, there is a sports hall used for basketball, netball, trampolining, badminton, volleyball, cricket, soccer, table tennis, hockey and ultimate frisbee. Located beside the Tudor Hale Centre for Sport you will find our brand new Sports Dome, incorporating four indoor tennis courts, our all-weather astro turf pitch, and grass rugby pitch.
Facilities:
- 5 x Kistler force plates
- 1 x RS Scan pressure plate
- 3 x EMG systems
- 14 camera Vicon T-Series motion capture
- Integrated Visual 3D analysis
- Quintic video based kinematic analysis
- Cybex Norm isokinetic dynamometer
- Brand new Sports Dome, with four tennis courts, three netball courts
- Sports hall
- 110m synthetic athletics track
- Modern fitness suite
- Strength and conditioning room
- Two multi-purpose gymnasiums
- Indoor and outdoor climbing walls and climbing boulder
- Grass football and rugby pitches
- Outdoor netball and tennis court
- Floodlit synthetic Astro Turf pitch
- Two seminar rooms
- Cricket nets
Sport Science Laboratories:
- Four dedicated psychology labs
- Two dedicated biomechanics labs
- Five dedicated physiology labs
- An environmental chamber to simulate heat, altitude, etc
- A sports injury clinic and adjoining rehabilitation space
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, physicalactivity in green/blue space, and health economics
- Measurements in physical activity, public health and well-being: 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
- Applied Research Skills: An introduction to basic quantitative and qualitative methodology for physiology using practical and real-world examples to illustrate how we make sense of data
- 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
- Physical activity in public health interventions: conceptualisation and design: Gain knowledge in the process of developing and designing an intervention to increase physical activity for public health
- Project planning and management for public health: The discipline of project management will be critically surveyed and you will apply project management techniques and concepts
- 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.
