Course Details
This MSc will provide you with an in-depth and relevant focus on applied and academic clinical exercise prescription for working in allied healthcare. The blended learning option enables students to work full-time and study this MSc degree in Clinical Exercise Prescription.
Level
PostgraduateQualification
Masters DegreeCourse | Delivery Mode | Start Date | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
MSc Clinical Exercise Prescription |
Blended Learning
|
1st October 2024 | 3 academic semesters |
Overview
What will I study during this MSc Clinical Exercise Prescription course?
As a Clinical Exercise Prescription student, you will study the foundational physiology of exercise for health promotion and disease management. You will study a broad range of pathophysiology and develop in-depth knowledge of the biomedical implications of exercise. You will develop the knowledge and skills required to design and deliver safe, evidence-based exercise interventions for specific patient populations. You will learn about the public health challenges that we face globally and the role that exercise can play in preventative management.
You will complete the modules listed below:
- Applied clinical exercise physiology
- Clinical exercise prescription for cardiorespiratory populations
- Clinical exercise prescription across the life-span (paediatrics, geriatrics and pregnancy)
- Clinical exercise prescription for musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Clinical exercise prescription for special populations (oncology, endocrinology, neurology)
- Psychosocial factors in Clinical Exercise Prescription
- Research Methods in Clinical Exercise
- Dissertation in Clinical Exercise Prescription
You can decide to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate (3 modules), Post-Graduate Diploma (6 modules) or complete the full programme to achieve a Masters award at level 9.
All Higher Education courses undergo a rigorous process of approval. This course is currently going through the approval/ validation process. Course approval/ validation involves external subject experts and academic staff who look at the learning outcomes of the course to ensure it is designed to meet the needs of graduates, employers and industry bodies where relevant.
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Clinical Assessment in Sport and Exercise
In this unit you will develop an understanding of the practice of sport and exercise rehabilitation. As well as developing an understanding of the sport rehabilitation profession you will develop an understanding of important legal, ethical professional and health and safety issues and the impact these have upon the profession. In addition, you will consider the contemporary nature of sport and exercise rehabilitation practice and the development of clinical and practical skills relating to rehabilitation. You will also explore fundamental underpinning health science theory including functional anatomy, flexibility, physiology and biomechanics.
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Critically analyse and reflect on information gathered as part of a clinical assessment.
- Demonstrate the practical skills required to assess and treat specific service users.
- Adopt an evidence-based approach to assessment, treatment and monitoring/evaluation.
- Critically describe clinical decision-making processes and case evaluation.
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Cardiac Rehabilitation
In this unit you will critically examine contemporary knowledge and best practice relating to the rehabilitation of a range of cardiac conditions. In the unit you will explore the factors that contribute to the development of coronary heart disease, the medication used in its treatment, and the implications for exercise prescription within cardiac patient groups. Finally, you will also evaluate the effectiveness of a range of cardiac rehabilitation programmes.
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the underlying patho-physiological processes involved in the development of coronary heart disease.
- Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the interrelationships between professionals involved in the cardiac rehabilitation process.
- Evaluate cardiac units in secondary care to prescribe an effective cardiac rehabilitation programme for patients from a diverse range of cardiac problems.
- Critically evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation interventions.
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Clinical Exercise Prescription for Chronic Disease Management
This module analyses the needs of specific clinical populations and explores exercise as a treatment modality in management of chronic disease and its application in multi-professional contexts. You will consider perspectives of various stakeholders involved in management of chronic conditions, examine the challenges facing different population groups and develop clinical reasoning skills related to design, implementation and evaluation of long-term exercise plan for management of common chronic conditions for a diverse range of clients in a variety of settings. Additionally, you will get an opportunity to work with your peers on a group project which will foster your communication, team-working and critical reflection skills.
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
- Critique and evaluate exercise as a treatment modality for individuals living with an established chronic disease diagnosis from the perspectives of relevant stakeholders.
- Critically discuss the role of the exercise specialist in managing chronic disease within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Apply clinical reasoning skills to design evidence-based exercise plans for management of common chronic conditions.
- Identify risk factors for development of adverse experiences from exercise-based treatments of chronic disease.
- Apply consultation, communication and self-reflection skills to decision-making processes.
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Clinical Exercise Prescription for Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
This module analyses the interactions between musculoskeletal rehabilitation, health, and a variety of diseases. You will explore contemporary knowledge and best practice relating to a range of conditions associated with the musculoskeletal dysfunction for general, sporting and special populations. You will examine the factors that contribute to development of musculoskeletal conditions and consider how physical exercise can aid recovery. You will explore implications for exercise prescription and evaluate effectiveness of various exercise-based rehabilitation programmes.
On successful complete of this module students will be able to:
- Explain the impact of common musculoskeletal conditions on human functioning.
- Critically evaluate approaches to prevention and management of musculoskeletal injuries in specific populations.
- Critically apply current literature on musculoskeletal rehabilitation and exercise prescription strategies for specific conditions.
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Exercise-based Chronic Disease Prevention
This module focuses on the role of physical activity and exercise in chronic disease prevention across the lifespan.
This module analyses the interactions between exercise, health, and illness across different stages of the lifespan. You will develop critical awareness of the challenges facing public health and the role that exercise and physical activity can play in promoting health and addressing public health challenges associated with sedentary lifestyles. You will learn to evaluate epidemiological data and use the data to communicate important concepts in health promotion and exercise-based prevention of disease.
Further, you will develop clinical reasoning skills required for designing and implementing exercise interventions that address public health challenges across the lifespan.
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
- Critically relate epidemiological data on global incidence and prevalence of chronic disease to the role of physical activity and exercise as a factor contributing to optimal health.
- Critically apply best practice guidelines for the design and implementation of public health interventions.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the etiology and pathophysiological processes involved in a range of chronic conditions.
- Critically apply knowledge about safety considerations for exercise prescription across the lifespan.
- Apply verbal, written and digital communication skills to share information effectively with specialized and non-specialized audiences.
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Principles of Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation
In this unit you will develop an understanding of the practice of sport and exercise rehabilitation. As well as developing an understanding of the sport rehabilitation profession you will develop an understanding of important legal, ethical professional and health and safety issues and the impact these have upon the profession. In addition, you will consider the contemporary nature of sport and exercise rehabilitation practice and the development of clinical and practical skills relating to rehabilitation. You will also explore fundamental underpinning health science theory including functional anatomy, flexibility, physiology and biomechanics.
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
- Critically explain contemporary sport and exercise rehabilitation and how you will be able to meet the standards of conduct, performance and ethics required of a registered sport rehabilitator.
- Apply the ethical, moral and legal frameworks and legislation relating to rehabilitation practice.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive deep and systematic understanding of in-depth functional anatomy and joint mechanics.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive deep and systematic understanding of in-depth functional anatomy and joint mechanics.
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Research Methods in Health Science
This unit will develop your understanding of the principles and techniques of research methods typically used in the analysis of research. After exploring the philosophical underpinnings of research approaches, you will explore research design and data collection strategies through the contextualization of the ‘research process’. The detailed tools of both qualitative and quantitative design and data analysis will be explored and applied to the types of data typically collected in health science-focused research. You will also explore more advanced methodologies and analyses. In addition you will develop an understanding of and ethical considerations in conducting research and be able to identify and describe ethical challenges facing the postgraduate researcher.
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
- Systematically explore the underlying philosophical underpinnings of different research approaches and methodologies.
- Critically articulate the research process – including research design and the application of ethical principles.
- Have a systematic understanding of key qualitative and quantitative research designs, methods and analyses.
- Demonstrate advanced skills relating to data collection, analyse and interpretation for both qualitative and quantitative research designs.
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Dissertation in Clinical Exercise Prescription
The module will provide you with an opportunity to apply previously gained knowledge and research skills. It will foster your ability to plan, deliver and collate an individual research project relating to an area of your interest in clinical exercise prescription and make a contribution to the research base of the sector. You will identify a research topic based on the threads picked up from previous modules and engage in wide reading to formulate the research questions and propose and justify methodological approaches and research tools and complete an independent empirical research study which demonstrate your ability to deal with complex issues creatively and systematically while drawing on primary and secondary sources of information. Adhering to ethical guidelines in research will be an important aspect of the research process, and an application for an ethical approval to the institute Research Ethics Committee must be made before data gathering can take place.
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of an aspect of clinical exercise prescription and critically appraise concepts at the forefront of the filed.
- Synthesize literature evidence from a wide range of sources to critically locate the study in a theoretical context.
- Plan original piece of research by identifying research topics, formulating research questions and setting realistic research aims.
- Demonstrate competence in research skills by using appropriate tools for data gathering and analysis, consistent with the chosen methodology.
- Apply ethical frameworks throughout the research process.
Who will I learn from?
Personal Academic Tutor
The Clinical Exercise Prescription programme will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team reflective of the current primary care system in Ireland (i.e. clinical nurse specialists, primary physicians, cardiac and respiratory physiotherapists, dieticians). The academic team will also include Clinical Exercise Physiologists qualified to PhD level.
Each clinical exercise prescription student is assigned a personal academic tutor to support them throughout their learning journey. They are available to offer telephone and email support to students at any time. You can arrange to meet them for further one to one guidance at a time convenient to you.
Many of our past graduates have found it is the opportunity to ask a simple question, seek direction and submit a draft of their assessment that supported them most to successful completion. Emailing your tutor at any stage during your programme to ask a query or submit a draft of your assessment supports you to achieve your personal best throughout your studies with Portobello.
This level of one-to-one support is a particular benefit to choosing Portobello as your Institute of choice to complete your studies.
How will I learn?
Delivery Mode
Students will learn through an active and engaging online clinical exercise prescription course. Material will be delivered through a combination of live-webinar classes, tutorials and small group discussion sessions. Appropriate supporting materials will be provided for each session, together with a wider range of web-based learning resources and other student-centred learning opportunities. Practical sessions (remote) will be used to develop expertise with intervention design and delivery through case-based scenario learning and will form the basis of the coursework component. Each module will have a dedicated leader who will engage and support student learning.
Webinars & Tutor Support
The tutorial webinars held at the start and throughout each module introduce you to your tutor who will guide and support you throughout the module. These webinars lay out the module for you and support you to learn and acquire the skills you will need. The assessment and expectations for successful completion are covered in detail as is where and how to access the information on the Moodle platform.
You can email your tutor at any stage during the module to ask a simple query or submit a draft of your assessment. Our programme management team are always available to offer you telephone and email support and if you need to, you can arrange to meet them for further one to one guidance though our online portal.
Many of our past graduates have found it is the opportunity to ask a simple question, seek direction and submit a draft of their assessment that supported them most to successful completion. This level of one to one support is a particular benefit to choosing this mode of study. Portobello Institute has invested in a team of programme managers and tutors who are experienced in the field of Clinical Exercise Prescription as well as qualified and knowledgeable educators. They are available to assist you at every stage of this programme.
What is Blended Learning?
Blended learning takes the schedule of a traditional face to face learning programme and re-structures it to reduce the contact tuition time by introducing online learning together with one to one tutor support. This mode of delivery includes contact tuition through web-based e-learning sessions. The e-learning platform is interactive including recorded sessions, webinars with weekly content and assigned tasks to themes and topics. There is a webinar held at the commencement of each module. Attendance is not mandatory however is encouraged for optimal learning. The webinars are designed to support students understand the requirements of the learning outcomes, the expectations of the assessment and meet their tutor for the module.
What is a Webinar?
A webinar, in the context of online learning, is a lecturer delivering a presentation or class online to a group of students. We use specifically designed e-learning software so you can participate in the class just as if you were present in the same room. You can ask a question of the lecturer at any stage during the class. The software is designed with “break-out rooms” where you can discuss a topic or complete a group exercise with a smaller group from your class. You will need a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone that has internet connection, an audio facility so you can hear and speak during the class and a camera so your lecturer and fellow class participants can see you. The webinar is a secure online environment and only those permitted entry by the lecturer can gain access to the “classroom”. Webinars are recorded during each session and should you miss a session, you can catch up with the recorded session at a later date. You will only be able to access Webinars of the group you are assigned to.
Course Structure
This is a blended learning course delivered over three academic semesters with supported webinars held during scheduled weekends.
This Masters Programme consists of seven modules. You will complete three modules in semester one, three in semester two and during your final semester you will complete your dissertation.
Each semester has three one-day webinars designed to support you to complete the modules scheduled for that semester. Webinars are generally held on a Saturday from 10am to 4pm. You can see an example schedule (not exact for this course) here.
Attendance at webinars is not mandatory but is encouraged for optimal learning outcomes. Support webinars are delivered with the purpose of introducing the module tutor, setting out the learning outcomes, content, the assessment strategy and expectations for skills/knowledge development for that module.
All of the course material is held on an e-learning portal which is an easy to use online platform specifically designed for online learning programmes. During the induction, students will be introduced to the platform with practical demonstration of how to use the portal and access lessons quickly and easily. To complete this course, students must have a basic knowledge of using a computer and searching the internet for research purposes.
How will I be assessed?
The assessments for this masters degree are broadly assignment based. Assessments vary from practice based assignments to reflective essays, all seeking to combine up to date and relevant theory with scenario-based learning and practical implementation.
Career prospects
Currently there are limited comprehensive continuous professional development course options for allied health professionals that focus on the specific clinical considerations for exercise and physical activity prescription in special populations.
The aim of this clinical exercise prescription course is to provide additional upskilling to healthcare professionals who have an interest in career progression in public health and preventative health domains (e.g. diabetic nurse, cardiac physiotherapist etc.). Notably, to apply for more senior positions in the Health Service Executive in Ireland MSc level qualification is a requirement for most allied health professions. Additionally, despite the purported benefits of exercise prescription there is a lack of evidence-based guidelines to support practitioners in the application of exercise as a therapeutic modality. It is hoped that this course will promote practitioner engagement in clinical exercise research.
Furthermore, we hope that this pathway will provide a comprehensive transfer option for exercise scientists and physiologists who wish to work in health care settings with clinical populations.
By the end of the course, students will have developed their self-awareness and practical/transferable skills that will enhance their employability. Engagement with the alumni network and events that enable them to meet with employers and applied practitioners will support their ability to progress their careers. There will also be the opportunity for some of these graduates wanting to do a PhD to do so in several specialist universities, both in Ireland and overseas.
Careers and advice sessions are offered by Portobello Institute academic staff with extremely good industry links, supported by careers workshops and planning sessions from established industry working partners.
Who else has studied this degree?
Related Courses
Speak to an expert
Choosing a course that will lead you to your career of choice is a significant decision. Understanding the delivery modes, supports available, career opportunities and further study options are all key considerations when making your choice. Our course adviser team are experts in the courses Portobello offers, the employment prospects and possible progression routes to Masters programmes – they will guide you through the detail and support you with any queries you may have.
It is important you make the right choice for you and choose the Institute and course that will best suit your needs.
Your Consultant

Jay Lester
About
As the Sports Admissions Advisor, I work with students from our sports departments. I get to play a vital part in the advancement of peoples lives and career ambitions from supporting students at the start of their journey through education, taking that forward with them as a lifelong passion and desire. Knowledge is key and I carry this message to all who have an interest in joining any of our sports courses.
What do you enjoy about working in Portobello?
Being in admissions for the sports department you are lucky because not only do you play a vital part in the student’s life by way of providing clear advice on courses you also get to know the students and understand their visions from the very first interaction.
What inspires you about working in education?
Education has always been a passion of mine as I do firmly believe that with the knowledge and skills for our desired careers, we can really go on to accomplish anything in life. I don’t believe that barriers shouldn’t exist when it comes to education, and I like to ensure nobody else feels they should either.
Have you a story that you recall that touched you/made you laugh/made you cry?
Many of us can recall that one person be it an old schoolteacher or a college tutor who took that extra bit of interest in us, I believe these occurrences are pivotal. I’ve been fortunate enough in life to see the impact education and a second chance can do for people this attracted me into the career I have today.
Why do you want to help students to decide on their course choice?
I love being a source of support and guidance for students as they navigate through the learning world. Portobello Institute is a special place to do this. I feel very fortunate to work alongside such a dedicated and warm-hearted team and love the dynamic and accommodating environment provided to meet everyone’s needs at every step of their journey.
How do I apply?
Applications for this course will open in early 2024. Please contact us if you would like to register your interest ahead of applications opening.
REQUIREMENTS
Students will be required to have a minimum of a 2:1 (or equivalent) in a related subject discipline. Candidates with a lower degree award (e.g. 2:2) will be considered on a case by case application with an interview. A detailed statement to support your application to the course. You should also submit an up-to-date CV and copies of awards/professional qualifications. All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English Language.
Please note places on this course are only confirmed once tuition fees have been received.
Students will be registered as a post-graduate degree student with London Metropolitan University.
Fees & Payment Options
Fees
Course Price
Year 1 base fee
Exam Body Reg. Fee
Overall Course Price
Total amount due
Easy Payment Plan
Payment Option 1
30% deposit payment (€2,947.50), followed by 10 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €395.
- €687.75 due in month 1
- €687.75 due in month 2
- €687.75 due in month 3
- €687.75 due in month 4
- €687.75 due in month 5
- €687.75 due in month 6
- €687.75 due in month 7
- €687.75 due in month 8
- €687.75 due in month 9
- €687.75 due in month 10
Available Courses
Course | Delivery Mode | Start Date | Duration | Fees Per Year |
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MSc Clinical Exercise Prescription |
Blended Learning
|
1st October 2024 | 3 academic semesters | €9,430.00 |