Sports & Exercise Medicine

Course Outline
The MMEdSc in Sports & Exercise Medicine at UCC is designed to give clinicians a deeper understanding of sports medicine, sports injuries and exercise medicine. This programme covers the evidence base of the management of sports medicine and musculoskeletal injuries. It emphasises the vital role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of chronic illness/disease. This master's degree will therefore educate a new, highly skilled cadre of clinicians and practitioners to manage sports injuries and the epidemic of lifestyle-related diseases and conditions.

Course Practicalities
This programme is run part-time over 2 years or full-time over 1 year. Each year is run over 3 semesters. Modules are delivered in 2, 3, 4 or 5-weekday blocks, depending on credit weighting. There will be occasional Saturday morning sessions. Teaching is delivered through a combination of formal lectures, hands-on practical sessions, small group seminars, clinics and field trips, and will be delivered by lecturers who are highly experienced in their field. Up-to-date, evidence-based practice will be emphasised throughout, and the student's contribution through discussion is key. This is a web-enhanced programme, where some course material is delivered online. Assessment is through written examinations, presentations, coursework such as essays and case studies, OSCE`s and the dissertation.

Full-Time Option:
The full-time MMedSc Sports & Exercise Medicine runs over one calendar year (12 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time provided face-to-face, via webinars or online (3-8 in-class days per month during term). Most classes are held in two-day, five-day blocks (weekdays). Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted at the end of the calendar year.

Part-Time Option:
The part-time MMedSc Sports & Exercise Medicine runs over one academic year (9 months/Year 1) and one calendar year (12 months/Year 2), 2 years in all from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take 60 credits of taught modules over two years. Students must take a minimum of taught modules to the value of 30 credits, to include modules SX6010, SX6011 and SX6012 in Year 1. Most classes are held in two-day five-day blocks (weekdays), depending on credit weighting. Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted at the end of the calendar year, in Year 2.

This programme can be taken part-time over two years or full-time over one year.

Students take core modules to the value of 80 credits as follows:

SX6011 Sports Injuries I (10 credits)
SX6012 Sports Injuries II (10 credits)
SX6010 Exercise, Physiology & Prescription (10 credits)
SX6013 Exercise as Medicine (Chronic disease management) (10 credits)
SX6014 Health promotion strategies (5 credits)
SX6019* Research Methods in Sports and Exercise Medicine (5 credits)
SX6015 Dissertation in Sports & Exercise Medicine (30 credits)

*In Accordance with UCC`s policy for Recognition of Prior Learning students who have completed a relevant University research methods module, at a similar NFQ level, do not have to complete SX6019 upon documented evidence that the module has been taken within the last 5 years.

Students take elective modules to the value of 10 credits (15 credits if not taking SX6019 as core) over two years, from the following:

SX6016 Advanced Rehabilitation for Injuries (5 credits)
SX6017 Team Medicine (5 credits)
SX6018 Independent Study (5 credits)
SX6020 Standard Approach to Field Emergencies Level 2 (5 credits)
Note: A minimum of 5 students is required to run elective modules

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Applicants for the MMedSc (Sports and Exercise Medicine) will be required to hold either:

An Honours Medical qualification of the NUI or an equivalent institution, and to be in good standing with their national regulatory body, e.g. the Irish Medical Council or its equivalent OR

A Second Class Honours Grade I or higher in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in Physiotherapy, and membership of /or eligible to be a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists;

Applicants who do not meet the normal academic or experience requirements may also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course committee. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the College of Medicine and Health Executive Committee;

Selection will be based on academic achievement and relevant work experience. Some applicants who do not fulfil the usual entry requirements may be invited for an interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme;

Acceptance of a candidate into the programme is subject to Garda Vetting.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning, and professional training relevant to this programme.

Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Please upload certification of current registration with the appropriate professional body.
Please upload your CV.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date: 21 September 2020

Skills and Careers Information
Graduates of this programme will be able to pursue careers in the allied healthcare professions, become involved in a wide range of sport and exercise-related activities from General Practice and consultants in Sports Medicine to the provision of medical care for athletes and teams as well as exercise specialists for the provision of exercise medicine services within the HSE. Medical graduates will be eligible to apply for the higher specialist training programme of the Faculty of Sports & Exercise Medicine. Graduates may also pursue a career in higher education and research.