Career opportunities

This degree is ideal for those interested in careers such as health promotion (local authorities), primary and community health care, physical activity development, physical activity and health consultancy, or the health and fitness industry.

Completing the MSc degree also allows you to pursue advanced research and a possible academic career. Many of our graduates have been successful in securing funded PhD positions. 

The MSc is also useful for intercalated medical students who wish to gain new knowledge and skills to widen their career options. We expect these students to return to their medical studies once they complete the programme.

You’ll graduate with a thorough understanding of:

• Current research into the relationship between physical activity and health
• What determines physical activity
• How we measure physical activity
• Considerations for specific and diverse populations
• Physical activity policies around the world.

You’ll gain the skills to investigate the biggest issues in the field of physical activity and health. You will also understand how research evidence informs current recommendations, policy and practice worldwide, and the impact these policies have. You’ll also be able to identify and suggest solutions to problems that arise from being inactive. 

Graduates will also develop a range of skills related to knowledge, understanding and research. These include:

• An understanding of and the ability to critique methods for assessing physical activity and health
• Physical activity’s role in maintaining health
• The causes, prevention and treatment of disease. 

Careers Service

The University of Edinburgh's Careers Service supports all current students (and graduates for up to 2 years) to develop their potential and achieve satisfying and rewarding futures.

Join in and make use of:

• individual appointments
• group sessions
• wider campus-based activity
• online services and resources

We also deliver a diverse programme of face-to-face and online events throughout the academic year.

Suzanne Agnew

Careers Consultant, Moray House

Contact details

• Web: Careers Service

Physical Activity for Health Careers Sessions

Every year, the University’s Careers Service hold two sessions for our programme: one for students considering further postgraduate study and another focussed on non-academic career opportunities.

For students who continue on to a PhD or research assistant role, we are also creating an academic alumni network for early career researchers to cultivate interaction and collaboration.

Our alumni also return for an annual event to talk with our current cohort about career paths and their experience on the programme.