About the degree programme

Physical inactivity has reached pandemic proportions, claiming millions of lives worldwide and representing one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. The alarming levels of inactivity across all age groups demand immediate action, and experts who can lead the change.

Our MSc Physical Activity for Health addresses one of the world's most urgent health crises. As physical inactivity continues to rise globally among both adults and adolescents, we need skilled professionals who can:

  • design evidence-based interventions that get people moving
  • understand the complex relationships between physical activity, health and society
  • translate cutting-edge research into real-world health solutions
  • lead policy changes that create healthier communities

Who should apply

Our MSc programme welcomes:

  • Recent graduates who are passionate about making a difference in public health
  • Intercalating medical students seeking to deepen their understanding of preventive medicine
  • Current professionals from national and international organisations ready to advance their expertise in physical activity for health

Multidisciplinary learning 

Our comprehensive curriculum draws from five key disciplines, giving you a comprehensive understanding of physical activity for health:

  • sport and exercise sciences
  • health sciences
  • psychology
  • epidemiology
  • physiology

Programme rankings

  • One of the top 20 Schools in the world for Sport-Related Subjects (2025 QS World University Rankings)
  • Ranked 2nd in the UK for universities offering Sport Science (THE World University Ranking)

See our latest rankings

Programme benefits

A unique learning experience

Our students experience something unique. This MSc is the only dedicated postgraduate degree in physical activity for health in Scotland, making you part of an exclusive cohort of future health leaders.

Learn from world-leading experts

The programme is directed and delivered by members of the internationally renowned Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, a group of researchers whose work is shaping decisions in global health policy and practice. This means you won’t just learn about research, but you’ll learn from researchers who are actively advancing the physical activity for health field.  

Your education will be informed by research happening right now. Every lecture, tutorial, and practical connects directly to up-to-date research, giving you access to high-quality evidence and the latest findings before they reach textbooks.

I chose to study at Moray House School of Education and Sport because of the breadth of expertise within the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre ... The opportunities [I had] to conduct research using real-world settings provided me with great experience.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Additional programme costs

For those who are intercalated medical students, there is a possibility that enrolling in this MSc could affect your future funding entitlements for your medicine degree. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to consult with your funding body to confirm how you will finance your intercalated year and ensure there are no implications for funding the rest of the undergraduate medical degree after intercalating.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant discipline such as sport and exercise science, physical education, health sciences, psychology or physiology.

We may also consider your application if you have equivalent academic qualifications and significant professional training and experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

Applicants currently undertaking a medical degree and seeking to intercalate on the MSc Physical Activity for Health will be eligible after at least three years of their Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB/MBBS) programmes, or equivalent and will need to have achieved a minimum standard equivalent to a UK 2:1 honours degree at first attempt.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

The full-time MSc Physical Activity for Health combines compulsory and optional courses, which make use of:

  • traditional lectures
  • tutorials
  • seminars
  • some laboratory and field practicals

Assessment involves a combination of:

  • essays
  • reports
  • case studies
  • examinations
  • oral presentations
  • practical demonstrations

Dissertation

To complete the MSc programme, you will also produce an independently researched dissertation. 

Please note – intercalating medical students may be required to submit their dissertation at an earlier time-point than other students on the programme.

Compulsory courses

  • Assessment of Physical Activity and Body Composition
  • Physical Activity for Health
  • Physical Activity for Health Across the Lifespan
  • Psychology of Physical Activity
  • Research Process
  • Understanding Research Concepts

Option courses

You will also choose 30 credits of optional courses from across the University. Our students take courses related to:

  • sport management and policy
  • human performance science
  • exercise rehabilitation and medicine
  • psychology
  • public health

Example optional courses our students have taken (and enjoyed) in recent years include:

  • Sports Nutrition
  • Exercise Prescription for Rehabilitation
  • Intro to Global Mental Health
  • Sport, Society, and International Development
  • Sport Policy
  • Digital Games, Playing and Psychology of Learning
  • Travel Medicine and Infectious Diseases 

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Disclaimer

Please note that courses and course content may change each year.

Some of the option courses listed above are offered in other Schools.

Teaching and assessment

Learning outcomes

You’ll graduate with a thorough understanding of:

  • current research into the relationship between physical activity and health
  • what determines physical activity, and how do we measure it
  • considerations for specific and diverse populations
  • physical activity policies around the world
  • how research evidence informs current recommendations, policies and practice around the world
  • how to identify and suggest solutions to problems that arise from being inactive

Graduates will also develop a range of skills related to knowledge, understanding and research, including:

  • an understanding of and the ability to critique methods for assessing physical activity and health
  • physical activity’s role in maintaining health
  • the causes, prevention and treatment of disease

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

You will also have an appointed Academic Cohort Lead who will help create a sense of community in your cohort while also supporting you with academic development and concerns.

Our academic staff

This programme draws expertise from the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC). PAHRC is led by the internationally renowned Professor Marie Murphy, in the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences (ISPEHS).

View PAHRC members

Learn more abotu PAHRC members' research 

Career opportunities

Our MSc is designed to ensure that graduates are equipped to:

  • lead physical activity promotion initiatives in healthcare systems
  • conduct research that shapes global health policy
  • design community interventions that create lasting behaviour change
  • advise governments and organisations on evidence-based physical activity strategies
  • bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world application

Recent graduates have taken up roles in:

  • physical activity and sports development
  • health promotion (for example, within workplaces and local authorities)
  • health and fitness industry (for example, within gyms and sporting facilities)
  • physical activity and health consultancy
  • research positions (for example, within academic and non-governmental organisations)
  • teaching positions

Many of our graduates have chosen to extend their studies by undertaking a Doctoral degree following graduation. Following completion of their PhD, several have progressed into lectureship positions or stayed within academia in funded research assistant roles.

For any intercalated medical students, we anticipate that you will return to your medical studies on completion of the programme, and utilise your new knowledge and skills to widen your career options.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
14 September 2026 30 July 2026

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You do not need to provide a reference when you submit your application for this programme.

There may be certain circumstances when a reference will be required, for example if we need to verify work experience. If that is the case, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application to request a reference.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support