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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Sports and Exercise Medicine

Course Fact File

Code	MMEDSE
Duration	1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time, Part-Time
Qualifications	MMedSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	15 September 2025

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.

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

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.

Why Choose This Course

This programme was developed circa 25 years ago and successfully run by Professor Michael Molloy, Dr Fionnuala Quigley and subsequently by Dr Eanna Falvey. This restructured and revised curriculum intends to follow on from its great success.

A Master's-level degree in Sports & Exercise Medicine, from UCC, will open many doors in the world of sports and exercise medicine, from sports injury clinics to developing exercise medicine programmes for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, and working with sports teams. Our programme is led by local, national & international experts with active involvement in the HSE and elite sports and exercise medicine settings. A distinct feature of the programme is the wide variety and large number of distinguished external guest speakers, all experts in their own field locally, nationally and internationally.

Lecturers on this programme include:

• Professor Michael Molloy
• Dr Eanna Falvey
• Professor Liam Plant
• Professor Paula O Leary
• Dr Sean Manning
• Professor James Harty
• Mr Pat Fleming
• Dr Brian Sweeney
• Dr Moya McMenamin
• Professor Mary Horgan
• Dr Paul Gallagher
• Professor Willie Molloy
• Professor Ted Dinan
• Professor Terry O Connor
• Dr Billy Murphy
• Dr Noirin Russell
• Dr Sara Mc Devitt
• Dr Mairead Kiely
• Dr Billy Murphy
• Orla Duggan
• Dr Ruth McCullagh
• Mr James Peckitt
• Eimear O Neill
• Mairead Kiely as well as many more clinical experts in the field of Medicine and Rehabilitation and Education.

Observational clinic sites include:

• Sports Surgery Clinic, Santry, Dublin
• Cork University Hospital, Primary Care clinics North & South Lee Regions
• Regional Sports Rehab facilities and the  Mardyke Arena, UCC, Cork

This MSc will provide you with the knowledge and skills to manage sports injuries and illness and to explore the relationship between physical activity and health.

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.

Requirements

 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.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

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.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

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