Clinical Exercise Physiology
Full-time
One year
September 2025
In a nutshell
This programme focuses on using 'exercise as medicine' to treat and manage conditions, as well as to rehabilitate patients recovering from illness.
This programme is accredited by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS), making it the second programme in the UK to receive this accreditation. Students who pass all modules, including the clinical assessment of competencies, as well as 140 placement hours, will be eligible to register with AHCS as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
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You will:
- Develop an advanced understanding of the pathophysiology and aetiology of the disease states within the CEP Scope of Practice (cancer, cardiovascular, frailty, renal, mental health, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory).
- Learn how to support your patients/service users in living healthier lifestyles, enabling them to self-manage their long-term health conditions.
- Develop practical skills in the assessment of disease markers. Gain knowledge and practice in exercise prescription for the disease states within the CEP scope of practice (cancer, cardiovascular, frailty, renal, mental health, metabolic, musculoskeletal,
- Gain experience using state-of-the-art physiological and health assessment equipment in our Exercise Physiology Laboratory.
options available
students accepted
Course accreditations
01
05
This is for you if...
You wish to become a registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist and work in the UK healthcare or private health sectors.
You want to support people living with long-term health conditions to live well using evidence-based exercise interventions.
You are a compassionate and empathetic individual who enjoys working with others in an exciting and rapidly developing field.
You are hardworking and dedicated to developing your knowledge and skills.
All about the course
The benefits of exercise for helping with disease management in clinical settings are well established. With ever-increasing numbers of patients being referred for exercise screening and prescription—especially those diagnosed with chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer—correct assessment of functional capacity and optimal exercise prescription are essential components of their wellbeing and return to normal lifestyles.
There is currently a significant shortfall in qualified clinical exercise physiologists, with patients in some areas on long waiting lists, meaning these skills are in high demand.
This MSc programme is offered as a full-time programme. The course runs over three academic trimesters (September to September), with the first two trimesters being two days a week. The programme gives you the chance to finish with a postgraduate certificate (PgCert), postgraduate diploma (PgDip), or a master's (MSc) degree.
Clinical Assessment and Exercise Testing
This module will provide students with an understanding of clinical assessment and its importance. Students will develop a range of practical skills including medical history taking. They will become proficient in baseline and exercise assessment and be able to use these techniques to help establish disease presence and severity.
Pathophysiology and Aetiology of Disease
This module will present a number of clinical conditions to students from a pathophysiology perspective, to enable the development of underpinning knowledge for exercise modulation of the physiology of disease states.
Disease, Acute and Chronic Exercise Interactions
This module will present/discuss the effects of exercise on a number of clinical conditions to students, to enable the development of underpinning knowledge for exercise modulation of the physiology of disease states.
Exercise Prescription and the Management of Chronic Disease
This module will enable students to understand the role and practical application of exercise in the treatment and management of long-term conditions. Across a broad range of disease states, students will learn the art and science underpinning the exercise prescription process, to enable the development of programmes which maximise adherence, enable compliance, promote long-term lifestyle change, and maximise physiological outcomes.
Encouraging Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours
This module has been designed to educate students on the importance of advocating and encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviours in patients with long-term conditions.
They will be taught how to use nutrition and exercise as prevention and treatment for conditions whilst considering appropriate behaviour change techniques to enable lifestyle change and adherence.
Clinical Placement and Professional Practice
This module will enable students to develop their clinical skills and competencies through practical experience in a clinical setting. The placement hours involved in this module are an essential requirement for registering as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in the UK with the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) upon graduating from the programme. This module will allow students to improve their teamwork skills, and develop interprofessional, interpersonal, clinical and procedural skills, and enhance their employability.
Clinical Assessment of Competencies
This module will comprise the assessments of ‘clinical proficiency skills ‘learned as part of the above programme modules.
Research Project or Dissertation (CEP)
An optional module for students not following the placement module.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
The School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.
Our courses are informed by the latest research, and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice. The University has received approval for a new health building on the Frederick Road campus which will create brand new teaching spaces, including new Podiatry spaces. Construction will begin in late 2024, with completion expected by Autumn 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub, supporting popular healthcare courses and community services. It will feature sustainable design elements and provide modern clinical facilities to enhance student learning and community engagement. Find out more about our new Health Building.
In time community healthcare clinics will also take place there as partnerships are developed to explore research opportunities and to provide a range of therapeutic sessions.
Facilities
You will have access to some of the best facilities in the UK, including our Exercise Physiology Laboratory, which contains a range of physiological testing equipment including:
- Cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) equipment, including:
- Cortex MetaLyser 3B-R3 CPET carts with integrated CustoCardio 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), MetaMax portable CPET system, Woodway ProXL treadmills, and Lode Corival cycle ergometers.
- 12-lead ECG
- Spirometry
- Vascular physiology equipment including Esaote AU5 ultrasound used to study skeletal muscle blood flow.
- COSMED BodPod
- A range of blood analysers for assays such as cholesterol, insulin, HbA1c, blood glucose, and blood lactate.
We also have an on-site exercise referral programme run in collaboration with the University’s Sports Centre providing services such as cardiac rehab and exercise for mental health.
Teaching staff
Dr Steve Pearson
Programme Leader
Steve is a senior lecturer in clinical exercise physiology. He completed a BSc (Hons) in sports science at the University of Sunderland. Steve then secured a competitive MRC equivalent grant to study for a PhD in human physiology at University College London (UCL). The area of study was the examination of human skeletal muscle function and the effects of ageing and training.
Steve has published across a number of areas related to human physiology, for example, muscle and tendon function and responses to exercise loading, examination of exercise modalities and CVD, and signalling pathways related to muscle hypertrophy. He has supervised a number of successful PhDs to completion in areas related to the above.
Dr Eddie Caldow
Placement Module Leader
Eddie is a lecturer in clinical exercise physiology. He completed a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science and Physiology at the University of Leeds before going on to work for the NHS at two large cardiovascular rehabilitation programmes. He completed a Professional Doctorate at the University of Salford, with a research focus on cardiovascular exercise provision.
Currently Chair of the British Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation’s (BACPR’s) Exercise Professionals Group, Eddie will soon be taking over the Scientific Officer role for BACPR in October 2024. Eddie is a registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the AHCS and a certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
What about after uni?
This course will give you the opportunity to become eligible to register as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the Academy of Healthcare Sciences (AHCS) upon graduation.
For more information on the role of a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, please visit the NHS Health Careers website.
Previous graduates of this course are now practicing in a range a clinical role including:
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist Wirral Cardiac Rehab Programme
- Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Barts Health NHS Trust
- Trainee Echocardiographer at Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester Foundation Trust
- Assistant Respiratory Physiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
- Community Cardiac and Respiratory Rehabilitation Assistant
- Cardiorespiratory Physiology Technician (diagnostics) at Tameside NHS Trust
- Clinical Respiratory Physiologist at Wythenshawe Hospital
Career Links
Professional body recognition
The University of Salford’s MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology is the second university to gain Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) accreditation.
What you need to know
This programme is ideal if you want to work, or are already working, with applied science in a clinical setting, to improve your patients' or clients' health through physiological assessment and exercise. You will be self-motivated with good time management and have the ability to work as part of a team or individually. You will be able to assimilate effectively information and generate appropriate conclusions from the gathered information.
As part of the application process, you may be invited to attend an interview. If this is the case, we will contact you with further details.
Student onboarding
This course requires Occupational Health and DBS clearance. For more information regarding occupational health checks, DBS clearance, mandatory training, immunisations, and uniform ordering, please visit our Student Onboarding DBS and Occupational Health page.
Undergraduate degree
You should have an undergraduate degree BSc (Hons) with a 2:1 or above in Exercise or Health Sciences; Sport Science; or Biological Sciences equivalent with an emphasis on human physiology.
English Language Requirements
International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. Overseas students must provide evidence of proficiency in English - IELTS 6.5 band score (minimum of 6.5 for reading and writing and no less than 6.0 for the speaking and listening components) or above is proof of this.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).
How much?
There are other sources of funding available to you for this programme. For more information please see our funding section.
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100 per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,000 per year |
Additional costs
You should consider additional costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All set? Let's apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact our enquiries team:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545