Who is this course for?  

The MSc in Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation is for individuals who already have a professional qualification in physiotherapy, physical therapy or occupational therapy, and wish to expand their expertise in a more specialised area. It is suitable for recent graduates in the early stages of career development, as well as for mature learners looking to achieve more advanced or specialised career progression goals. 

With its strong academic grounding in topics such as kinesiology, cardiorespiratory function, nutrition and neurophysiology, as well as practical training in fitness assessment, dietary analysis and exercise prescription, it offers diverse opportunities for individuals looking to develop expertise in the field of exercise physiology for rehabilitation. It specifically targets professionals who wish to learn how to apply exercise physiology for the management of chronic disease conditions. Course content is aligned with guidelines and recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

What will I study?  

The programme runs over 12 months. In the first 2 semesters (September – May), you will have lectures, laboratory sessions and practical workshops in the core modules. From May to August you will have a choice of completing a research project relevant to your interests and goals, under the supervision of a Physiology researcher, or of completing placement-based learning in a workplace environment (unpaid). This placement-based learning opportunity allows you to apply your course learnings to a case of rehabilitation. While both options provide opportunities for skill development relevant to your interests and goals, the workplace learning module is specifically designed to give professionals an opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world situation.

As well as the core modules, students currently choose one elective module. Please note that these modules are always subject to change.

Curriculum Information

• Professional career pathways: Acquire advanced knowledge and skills in the specialised and niche area of exercise physiology.
• Master core concepts: Develop a solid foundation in scientific principles of exercise physiology and its application in disease conditions. 
• Practical training: Get hands-on experience of performing fitness tests, assessment of physiological function, and development of exercise programmes. 
• Research skills: Develop skills to evaluate published literature and draw evidence-based conclusions for application in practice.   
• Workplace learning: Placement-based learning opportunity in a clinical or sport setting.
• Improve communication skills: Learn to effectively present and articulate findings and perspectives using a range of media. 

This course is designed to enable qualified physiotherapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists to upskill and gain expertise in the field of exercise physiology, which they can then apply in their practice of designing exercise programmes for rehabilitation.

This course is approved by REPS Ireland (Register of Exercise Professionals in Ireland), and upon completion, graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a Graduate Exercise Professional. Please note that additional criteria may be required for registration, and students are advised to visit the REPS Ireland website for further information https://repsireland.ie/.
In addition to supporting their clinical practice, graduates will have skills and knowledge that will equip them to pursue occupations in industry, education and research. Students on this course will also learn skills in research and critical thinking that will prepare them to pursue further research degrees in the field of exercise physiology.

The University of Galway is an institutional member of the Irish Sport and Exercise Sciences Association (ISESA), and students of this course are encouraged to sign up for student membership. The association provides resources and opportunities for networking, collaboration, and research dissemination in the field of sports and exercise physiology. 

Work Placement

Students of the MSc Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation have the option to take a module of placement-based learning. This involves spending time in a relevant clinical or sporting facility and working under the supervision of a clinical or athletic supervisor. Note this is unpaid. Current placement providers include private physiotherapy practices, Croí Heart & Stroke Charity, Ability West, Cancer Care West, ExWell Medical, SielBleu and various local sports organisations. The timing of this placement can be flexible to accommodate constraints of the placement provider or the availability of clients, but generally, it is expected to take place over a 10 - 12 week period between May and August.

Note that the number of hours that students can expect to spend working in this placement can vary depending on the specific setting. To achieve the learning outcomes required, students will keep a reflective journal detailing their practice, and develop a case study report and literature review. Students will learn practical skills of exercise prescription in a real-world environment, while developing their skills of critical evaluation, literature retrieval and data management and analysis.  

• Dr. Nicole Burns
• Dr. Louise Horrigan
• Dr. Ananya Gupta
• Prof. Karen Doyle
• Dr. Michelle Roche
• Dr. Karl McCullagh
• Dr. Brian McDonagh
• Dr. Daniel O’Toole
• Prof. Antony Wheatley
• Dr. Brendan Higgins

How will I learn?    

The MSc in Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation uses a range of teaching, learning and assessment approaches, informed by modern pedagogical research evidence.  

You will learn through lectures, practical laboratory sessions and case study workshops, led by staff with diverse physiological expertise. While lectures will provide you with a sound grounding in scientific principles and concepts of exercise physiology, practical sessions will give you hands-on opportunities to put that theory into practice.  

You will have access to modern technologies and equipment for the performance of fitness tests, assessment of cardiorespiratory function and musculoskeletal function, dietary analysis and development of exercise programmes.  

As well as being expected to work independently, there will be opportunities for group work, which will facilitate peer-to-peer learning, as well as the development of communication and problem-solving skills.  

When you have learned the core concepts and methodologies, you will have an opportunity to take your learning to a higher level with the completion of either a research project or a practical work-based placement. This will develop your critical evaluation skills, as well as a range of specific practical skills in the application of exercise physiology for rehabilitation. You will be required to synthesise a dissertation (either a research dissertation or a case study dissertation) and to present your findings in an academic setting.  

How Will I Be Assessed? 

Throughout the programme, your progress will be assessed through various coursework and exams, including reports, presentations using various media, in-class tests, essay style exams, and a final dissertation. 

1. Continuous Assessment - Regular coursework, including laboratory reports, presentations, in-class tests. Students receive timely feedback on their submissions. 
2. Examinations - Written exams take place before Christmas and in May. Written exams evaluate understanding of concepts of exercise physiology, as well as ability to integrate between different sources of information. 
3. Dissertation - Students will be assessed at different stages of the research project or work-based placement, where aspects of professional and research activity will be evaluated. You will be required to submit a dissertation, and to communicate and present your research findings. 

Course queries:

E: physiology@universityofgalway.ie   
T: +353 91 492761 

Programme Directors:  

Dr. Nicole Burns
E: nicole.burns@universityofgalway.ie 

Dr. Louise Horrigan
E: louise.horrigan@universityofgalway.ie 

Lecturers in Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.  

Graduates of the MSc in Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation will be able to:  

• Perform a range of fitness tests and physiological assessments.
• Perform nutritional analysis, and understand the role of diet in exercise and performance, in health and disease.
• Plan and implement exercise programmes for specific disease conditions. 
• Critically evaluate information sources for evidence-based approaches for professional practice.
• Retrieve, evaluate and integrate information from peer-reviewed scientific publications. 
• Collect and manage sensitive data according to GDPR and data privacy guidelines.
• Engage with clients/patients/research participants in a professional manner, in line with ethical guidelines.
• Perform data analysis and hypothesis testing using advanced statistical software. 
• Plan, manage, and execute a substantial independent study project (either through a research project or work placement). 
• Work independently and in a group to achieve performance indicators. 
• Manage feedback and take appropriate actions for ongoing development and learning. 

Minimum Entry Requirements  

Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8) in Physiotherapy, Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, with a minimum result of an upper second-class honours (2.1). Adult learners seeking additional qualifications are also welcome. Work experience in a relevant area will be an advantage. 

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.  

English Language Entry Requirements  

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.  

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents  

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course. In addition, you will be required to submit a C.V., to include contact details of 2 referees (at least one academic).  

Interview 

As part of the selection process, you may be required to attend for interview (online).  

Garda Vetting 

As this course may involve interactions with research participants and community groups, you will be required to undergo Garda vetting. Global students will also be required to provide a police clearance certificate (or equivalent).  

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Dates 

For this programme, there is no specific closing date for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle.  

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

Clothing Attire
As the practical elements of this course involve movement and exercise, note that you will be expected to wear appropriate attire for some of the practical classes eg. running shoes and a tracksuit or jog pants.

Cost of AED training
Students of this course are required to take Irish Heart Saver AED training (cardiovascular resuscitation). Students can expect to have to bear the cost of this themselves (approx €70 - €80).

Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships  

This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if: 

• You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway,
• You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.  

An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme). The application portal for 2026 is now open and available here. Applications will close on the 30th September 2026. Full details available here.  

Global Scholarships  

University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available.  

Sports Scholarships 

Eligible students may apply for an Elite Sports Scholarship. 

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.