Physical Activity for Health MSc Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Sport Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study On campus Full-time MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School Moray House School of Education and Sport College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Study location Holyrood campus Accreditation Not available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview 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 movingunderstand the complex relationships between physical activity, health and societytranslate cutting-edge research into real-world health solutionslead policy changes that create healthier communitiesWho should applyOur MSc programme welcomes:Recent graduates who are passionate about making a difference in public healthIntercalating medical students seeking to deepen their understanding of preventive medicineCurrent professionals from national and international organisations ready to advance their expertise in physical activity for healthMultidisciplinary learning Our comprehensive curriculum draws from five key disciplines, giving you a comprehensive understanding of physical activity for health:sport and exercise scienceshealth sciencespsychologyepidemiologyphysiology 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 experienceOur 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 expertsThe 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. Victoria Whiteford MSc Physical Activity for Health graduate Fees, costs and funding 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 MSc Physical Activity for Health (1 year) tuition fees 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:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Funding opportunities Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study India Merit scholarship The University is offering a new international scholarship for the most academically gifted Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Masters students applying from India. These awards cover £5,000 towards tuition fees for PGT Masters students studying on campus during the 2026/27 academic year. The Scholarships will be tenable for the first year of study only and will be automatically deducted from your student tuition fee balance. Value: £5,000 towards tuition fees View details: India Merit Scholarship GREAT scholarship The University of Edinburgh offers GREAT scholarships to students from certain countries who are studying on a postgraduate taught (Masters) programme. Further details on eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the GREAT scholarship website. Value: £10,000 View details: GREAT scholarship Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.Postgraduate funding opportunities Entry requirements 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. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed 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 testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain 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 oldThe 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 AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll 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 countriesWe 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-MESCHow old your degree can beIf 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 Programme details What you will study The full-time MSc Physical Activity for Health combines compulsory and optional courses, which make use of:traditional lecturestutorialsseminarssome laboratory and field practicalsAssessment involves a combination of:essaysreportscase studiesexaminationsoral presentationspractical demonstrationsDissertationTo 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 CompositionPhysical Activity for HealthPhysical Activity for Health Across the LifespanPsychology of Physical ActivityResearch ProcessUnderstanding 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 policyhuman performance scienceexercise rehabilitation and medicinepsychologypublic healthExample optional courses our students have taken (and enjoyed) in recent years include:Sports NutritionExercise Prescription for RehabilitationIntro to Global Mental HealthSport, Society, and International DevelopmentSport PolicyDigital Games, Playing and Psychology of LearningTravel 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 MSc Physical Activity for Health (1 year) (2025-2026) 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 healthwhat determines physical activity, and how do we measure itconsiderations for specific and diverse populationsphysical activity policies around the worldhow research evidence informs current recommendations, policies and practice around the worldhow to identify and suggest solutions to problems that arise from being inactiveGraduates 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 healthphysical activity’s role in maintaining healththe 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 membersLearn more abotu PAHRC members' research Careers and further study Career opportunities Our MSc is designed to ensure that graduates are equipped to:lead physical activity promotion initiatives in healthcare systemsconduct research that shapes global health policydesign community interventions that create lasting behaviour changeadvise governments and organisations on evidence-based physical activity strategiesbridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world applicationRecent graduates have taken up roles in:physical activity and sports developmenthealth promotion (for example, within workplaces and local authorities)health and fitness industry (for example, within gyms and sporting facilities)physical activity and health consultancyresearch positions (for example, within academic and non-governmental organisations)teaching positionsMany 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. Professional links Every year, the University’s Careers Service hold two sessions for our programme: one for students considering further postgraduate studyone focussed on non-academic career opportunitiesFor students who continue on to a PhD or research assistant role, we have also created an academic alumni network for early career researchers to cultivate interaction and collaboration. Further study After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.Applying for research degreesMoving 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 strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Applying 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: a personal statementdetails of relevant knowledge/training skillsYou will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.ReferencesYou 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. Select programme - Select a programme -MSc Physical Activity for Health (1 year) 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 applicationWe 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 decisionWhat to do if you receive an offer:Receiving an offerAccepting an offerSubmitting supporting documents Life at Edinburgh 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 programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf 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.SocietiesSport 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 Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) 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 adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply. College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office Academic contact Dr Chloë Williamson Programme Director School of Education and Sport (Moray House) Contact details Email: chloe.williamson@ed.ac.uk