With an emphasis on applied theory, practical work, and community engagement, this programme aims to provide students with a multidisciplinary understanding of sport science with an option to specialise in a particular area.
The MSc Sport Science is designed for graduates from sport-related degrees and professional practitioners wishing to keep their scientific knowledge and skills up to date.
Students will be encouraged to undertake applied work in the areas that best fit their interests and career plans. Academics with specialist knowledge offer mentorship and support throughout the research project.
Students can choose to focus their independent work within one of three named pathways - Biomechanics, Physiology, or Psychology - or study the MSc Sport Science without a designated pathway, in order to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of their studies.
The School maintains close links with local and national athletes, sports clubs, coaching networks, and elite athlete support programmes. These links can provide students with diverse, real-world opportunities for delivering applied support and for sharing their sport science knowledge with the community through workshops and consultancy activities.
Continuing career support after your course finishes
A focus on theoretical knowledge, understanding, and practical experience
Teaching delivered by experts in the field
Emphasis on the development of professional and research skills
Complete a research project in a specialist area
Timetabled learning activities may include lectures, workshops, and practical sessions, which are combined with extensive opportunities for independent learning. Specialist individual mentoring provides assistance in an area of a student's choice during applied sport science support and research projects.
In the first term, students will study modules that explore the theory underpinning practice in the main disciplines of sport science. These are also designed to provide the practical skills and knowledge necessary for undertaking research or applied support work in these areas. There is an option to specialise further in term 2 with two modules that involve external engagement and application of knowledge.
In the final term a Sport Science Research Project provides an opportunity for independent study that culminates in the submission of a journal manuscript. Students can choose their own research topic, and recent student research projects have explored a diverse range of topics, such as goal setting, the effects of supplements on performance, running economy, the use of sensors for gait detection, the psychology of excellent performance, player performance profiling, and the impact of training load on injury incidence.
Named Pathway
Students who opt to focus their independent work in a single discipline can opt to add a named pathway to the title of their award. Alternatively, they may choose to receive the MSc Sport Science without a designated pathway in order to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of their studies.
Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least two to three hours in independent study or taking advantage of additional opportunities to practice laboratory and field testing skills. For more detailed information please contact the Programme Leader.
The University of Lincoln’s Human Performance Centre offers excellent facilities to meet the academic needs of our students. Our experienced staff have academic and professional expertise in a range of areas including sport and exercise physiology, sports biomechanics, sports psychology, coach education, and sports nutrition.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
There are two research groups within the School, the Performance Research Group and Wellbeing Research Group, where specialists are conducting exciting research into a number of areas at both national and international level.
To help MSc Sport Science students contextualise their learning, they have benefitted from activities such as internships at Lincoln City FC, visits to the Game Changer Performance sport science and rehabilitation facilities at St George’s Park, and guest lectures from practitioners working within elite sport.
The broad range of assessment methods for this programme include an applied support portfolio, delivery of a workshop, applied practical assessments, written reports, a presentation, and a dissertation.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to you promptly, usually within 15 working days after the submission date.
Postgraduate Application Support
Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.
First or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience, and a successful interview.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Applicants will be invited to interview, where they will be able to discuss how the course can support their career plans.
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.
The University offers a range of merit-based, subject-specific, and country-focused scholarships for UK and international students. To help support students from outside of the UK, we offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required. Some courses provide opportunities for you to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for travel and accommodation will be covered by the University and so is included in your fee. Where these are optional, you will normally be required to pay your own transport, accommodation and general living costs.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
Postgraduate Funding Options
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
Postgraduate study is an investment in yourself and your future. It can help you to further or completely change your career, develop your knowledge, enhance your salary, or even prepare you to start your own business. The material and experiences of this course can prepare graduates for a range of career opportunities, including sport science support, research or teaching in sport science, and physical education.
For more information about this course, please contact the Programme Leader.
Dr Sandy Willmott
It was an unforgettable experience at Lincoln. The first thing I read as soon as I entered the University campus for the very first time was 'Wherever you are from, you are home!' and it always felt like a home in Lincoln.
Vaibhav Shah
MSc Sport Science
To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.
