Viewing course details for 2024 year of entry

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Code: PGC614 (Distance learning)
Attendance: Full-time
Start: October 2024
Fees: £10,500 (UK) £16,800 (INT)
Duration: 1 year full-time
Course Leader: Anne Elliott
Study mode: On campus
Location: Hendon campus
Placement year: Yes
School / Department: London Sport Institute

Currently Reading: Course overview

Why study MSc Exercise and Physical Activity for Special Populations and Healthy Ageing at Middlesex University?

Originally developed at Middlesex University, our online distance education version means you can access the support of our experts, while interacting with others on the course, at a time to suit you.

The health and fitness industry has witnessed an explosion in recent years as more and more people realise the importance of exercise. With this comes new challenges for professionals who must consider the wide range of long-term medical conditions which could impact their clients or patients, and how physical activity can positively aid healthy ageing.

Our postgraduate degree promotes cutting edge professional practice, giving students the opportunity to undertake leading research and acquire the latest knowledge of effective practice prescription for special populations, under the supervision of highly experienced experts.

The course has been designed specifically for qualified graduates and health and fitness professionals, so understands that you will bring experience and working knowledge with you. We help you put this into context and develop it. During the course you will learn how to justify your professional decisions with evidence-based practice and develop your professional understanding and accountability.

You might already have a Level 3 GP referral qualification, a Level 4 individual condition qualification or a BSc degree, but this Level 7 degree takes that knowledge to the highest level. At the end of the degree you will have a comprehensive understanding of 18 of the most commonly presented conditions and how to manage them singly or as comorbidities through exercise prescription, and how to prescribe exercise to promote healthy ageing.

Course highlights

You have the option to learn in your own time or join in live online seminars that are recorded and uploaded
One of the few masters degrees in the UK to focus purely on the prescription of safe and effective physical activity across the most common chronic diseases and promote healthy ageing
You will consider the most effective way to work in a range of working environments, from fully equipped gyms to clients' own homes
Learn to understand the underlying pathologies of the most common chronic diseases
Learn the relevance of good nutrition and advice on appropriate diets
Learn motivational factors of exercise adherence and utilise models to help keep your clients on track
Look in great depth at a specific condition that interests you through an individual research project
Once you complete the course you will be one of the highest qualified specialist trainers in the health and fitness industry
You will have an optional residential week where practical sessions will take place, allowing you to learn using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, at a university recognised as one of the best in the country for sport and exercise science and rehabilitation
The course allows you to build a sound foundation of individual research interests which can then be taken to PhD level.
As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

About your course

What will you study on the MSc Exercise and Physical Activity for Special Populations and Healthy Ageing?

This programme has been designed to give sports scientists and health and fitness practitioners the expertise and qualifications to prescribe exercise regimes to the 18 most common special populations in the UK and diet and healthy ageing.

The course examines the baseline prescription for a healthy population, and specific approaches to: eating disorders, obesity and dieting, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, thrombosis, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, elderly, depression, alzheimer’s disease, asthma, pregnancy, cancer, menopause, working with multi-morbidities, epidemiology of lifestyle factors, Baseline prescription and adaption, principles of nutrition, motivation and adherence psychology.

Students will also consider epidemiology and lifestyle factors of special population conditions. You will also explore how to prescribe a healthy diet and look at applied psychological models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI).

The first three modules see you study the pathology of chronic diseases, nutrition, the best practice in exercise prescription, developing an understanding of your professional practice and applying your newly acquired knowledge in a work-based project. In the following two modules you will study research methods and then undertake a research project on a topic that particularly interests you.

Modules

Here is an overview of the modules you will study.

During this module you will explore the normal anatomy, physiology and pathological changes for each condition and how this relates to exercise prescription for special populations. The module aims to equip you with knowledge and understanding of the abnormalities seen in function and provides the opportunity to study the general pathological mechanisms seen in diseases. This includes aspects of systemic disease with respect to aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and pharmacology.

This module focuses on the design, management and implementation of exercise programmes across all conditions, as well as common comorbidities including: contraindications and useful exercises. It aims to provide the opportunity to develop knowledge, inquiry and work-based activities that improve and inform therapeutic areas of your own practice. You will explore both academic and practical applications of specialist knowledge and demonstrate the learning gained.

This module is designed to provide a critical overview of the main methods and approaches used for research at masters level, and to equip you to apply this knowledge in planning a research proposal. The module affords students opportunities to appraise the strengths and weaknesses of published work in their specialist area, or in health care in general. You will learn in groups and will explore philosophical, ethical and methodological differences which underpin various approaches to knowledge generation that can inform health care work. Workshops allow you to develop a research proposal for your dissertation, consider its adequacy and limitations, and justify the approach taken.

Throughout the dissertation module you will be supported while undertaking research with a focus appropriate to your area of interest, potentially building upon the research proposal formulated in the Research Methods module. The module creates a peer learning community for students, enabling you to provide guidance and critically support one another on matters of ethical application, research methods, data collection, analysis and writing-up in the research process in addition to that provided by your supervisor.

This module provides students with the opportunity to reflect on existing practice and put new knowledge gained from other modules into application in a real work scenario. You will be required to adopt a reflective and critical approach to your working practice and to promote a problem-solving approach in a work environment.

For more information, please download the Exercise and Physical Activity for Special Populations and Healthy Ageing MSc (Distance Education) course specification (PDF).

Register your interest

Teaching

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

We model a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches on the course which you can adapt to your own setting.

The programme has developed bespoke materials to encourage independent learners and thinkers to develop practitioner praxis and problem solving. Content is contained in units; each unit covering a different chronic condition or skill. It will be delivered using ebooks on our learning platform which match up to the syllabus. Each unit is one week of learning. It will include a wide range of resources and media including Journals, books, video, podcasts, quizzes, industry periodicals and government policy documents. Students are instructed how to navigate these sections and complete the relevant tasks. There will be an online drop-in session each week where students can talk to a lecturer about any aspect of that week’s learning that they are unclear about. If the student is unable to attend they can email staff members who aim to get a reply back within 24 hours. Sessions will be asynchronous and others synchronous to give students a varied learning experience. A timetable of live streamed synchronous sessions offers students flexibility to attend and will focus on group tasks and discussion. These sessions will be recorded and uploaded to Unihub, for those that cannot attend.

You will be based at our north London campus.

You will be assessed by a variety of means, including:

Presentations
Diet programme design
24hr study
Journal
A dissertation

You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts.

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Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

Students will require an undergraduate degree in a sport or exercise related field (2.2 or above). Students with undergraduate degrees in non-related areas will be considered subject to relevant industry experience and professional qualifications. Alternatively, prospective students who have substantial experience in the area and/or completed vocational qualifications, will be considered via interview.
Alternatively prospective students who have completed a lower equivalent qualification in a relevant subject and have extensive experience in the area will be considered via interview. Students may be invited to an interview if they have 5+ years of experience.
Prospective students who fail to meet some of the above criteria may be directed to some preliminary study.

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study.

Further requirements

DBS (disclosure and baring service) is required for student placements*. (only if the placement is in the UK. If it is outside the UK, a police check will be required).

These checks will be explained and conducted during the first semester. Obtaining a successful DBS will enable you as a student to undertake a placement or work experience hours as agreed by the programme or module leader. An unsuccessful DBS or lack of a DBS, could hinder a student’s ability to achieve any placement hours and prohibit you from graduating with a full degree.

*May be required for MSC SPA and MSC S&C (DE).

Interviews

Prospective students may require an interview, either in person or via Skype/telephone.

Qualifications

We accept the equivalent of the below qualifications from a recognised overseas qualification.

Students will require an undergraduate degree in a sport or exercise related field (2.2 or above). Students with undergraduate degrees in non-related areas will be considered subject to relevant industry experience and professional qualifications. Alternatively, prospective students who have substantial experience in the area and/or completed vocational qualifications, will be considered via interview.
Ideally applicants will have 1-2 years relevant experience in the sport and fitness industry
Alternatively prospective students who have completed a lower equivalent qualification in a relevant subject and have extensive experience in the area will be considered via interview
Prospective students who fail to meet some of the above criteria may be directed to some preliminary study e.g. Summer school.

To find out more about the qualifications we accept visit your country support page.

If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

DBS checks

DBS (disclosure and baring service) is required for student placements*.

*May be required for MSC SPA and MSC S&C (DE).

Visas

You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of the Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK.

International students who require a Student route (formerly tier 4) visa to progress on a course at Middlesex University must apply for study on a full-time basis. However, this course is offered part-time so you are eligible to apply on a part-time basis.

English language

You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all components). We also normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification.

If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university.

Careers

How can the MSc Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity for Special Populations support your career?

The course has been designed specifically for sport scientists and qualified health and fitness practitioners, providing a Level 7 degree which is the highest level of qualification in the industry.

Whether you are a personal trainer, physiotherapist, clinic rehabilitator, nurse, home visitor or other health professional; this Masters equips you to be one of the highest qualified specialists in the field and enables you to help people achieve their fitness, health and lifestyle goals safely and effectively.

Students with an undergraduate degree in a relevant area who wish to continue their education before pursuing one of the above careers would find this masters valuable.

The degree is also suitable for individuals working in specialist clinical units such as stroke or heart units, or those with an interest in research at doctoral level, who need a thorough baseline knowledge and require research experience with special populations.

The programme has 100% employment to date with graduates now working for the MOD, in middle management of national gym chains, setting up Special populations clinics nationally, working and developing community projects in the UK, working with cancer patients in Norway. Each year we have had a student continue their area of interest into a PhD with us.

Fees

The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year.

UK students¹

Full-time students: £10,500

Part-time students: £70 per credit

Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit

International students²

Full-time students: £16,800

Part-time students: £112 per credit

Part-time students: £56 per dissertation credit

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

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Next steps

We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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