Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Sport and Exercise for your Master of Health Science at Massey
The Master of Health Science offers you an opportunity to pursue advanced studies or research in a specialised health sciences subject.
The Master of Health Science (Sport and Exercise) is for graduates who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in sport and exercise or health (with a major) or an exercise-related qualification and wish to take advanced studies in this area.
If you have completed the Bachelor of Health Science without a major and wish to undertake postgraduate study will have to obtain permission from the Director of Health Science.
A Master of Health Science in Sport and Exercise is a good fit if you:
- wish to pursue a career related to sport or exercise
- are working in the areas of sport or exercise
- have skills in helping other people.
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Master of Health Science is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second etc.
The Master of Health Science (Sport and Exercise) offers a research and professional pathway.
For the professional pathway progression from Part One to Part Two, you must achieve a minimum B- grade in the Part One Core course 168713 Evidence-Based Practice.
For the research pathway progression from Part One to Part Two, you must achieve a minimum B grade in the Part One Core course, one of 168711 Health Research Design and Method or 179702 Advanced Research Methods.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Core courses for the Master of Health Science
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Master of Health Science core courses
Sport and Exercise courses
Compulsory course
Course code: 234724 Research Seminar in Sport and Exercise 15 credits
Through student and staff presentation and discussion, this course will acquaint students with selected research topics, conducting and disseminating research in this field, and preparation for research endeavours at the postgraduate level.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 175747 The Psychology of Sport and Exercise 15 credits
The course will examine current psychological theories and related research in the sport and exercise domain. Specifically, the focus of the course is on how psychological factors influence involvement and performance in sport and exercise.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231732 Physical Activity Promotion 15 credits
This course draws on the disciplines of epidemiology, health promotion, policy analysis and exercise science to develop public health competencies specific to physical activity promotion at a population level, including knowledge of the relationship between physical activity and health, and skills in population-based physical activity assessment, determinants analysis and intervention design and evaluation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250703 Health Communication 15 credits
This course examines the primary factors that influence the effective communication and adoption of positive health behaviours by individuals and communities. Students will review: micro and macro-level theories of health communication; audience engagement and persuasion; the impact of evolving public attitudes to health knowledge; innovative methods for health communication.
View full course detailsProfessional Pathway (60 credits) or Research Pathway (no more than 60 credits)
Course code: 234725 Athletic Conditioning 30 credits
An advanced focus on physical conditioning as it pertains to athlete performance, with an emphasis on research-led and evidence-based practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234726 Exercise and Sport Science 30 credits
An advanced, research-led focus on human physiology, motor control, and biomechanics as it relates to the integrative science underpinning sport and exercise.
View full course detailsCourse code: 234727 Physical Activity for Compromised Health 30 credits
An advanced, integrative focus on physical activity and its impact on compromised health, with particular reference to examining disease aetiology, and the assessment, monitoring and prescription of exercise for a range of non-communicable diseases (e.g. cardiorespiratory, metabolic, musculoskeletal, cancer).
View full course detailsPart Two
Research Pathway
Course code: 250810 Thesis 90 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250811 Thesis 90 Credits Part I 45 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250812 Thesis 90 Credits Part II 45 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250813 Thesis 120 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250814 Thesis 120 Credits Part I 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250815 Thesis 120 Credits Part II 60 credits
A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250817 Research Report 60 credits
Candidates are required to conduct a piece of independent research under supervision and to produce a report of the research for examination.
View full course detailsProfessional Pathway
Course code: 250816 Professional Project 60 credits
Professional practice within the subject area that will be conducted individually and assessment of the outcome of the investigation may be in a variety of ways.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Master of Health Science (Sport and Exercise) you will have been awarded or qualified for:
- a relevant health-related bachelor’s degree with a minimum B- grade average over the 200/300 level courses, or
- a relevant health-related bachelor’s degree and extensive professional experience, or
- a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant health-related discipline, or
- a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) degree.
If you have a postgraduate diploma in a relevant health-related discipline or a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) from Massey University as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.
You must provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Accreditations
ShanghaiRanking - Sport Science Schools
Massey's School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition is ranked in the top 200 Global Shanghai Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.
Related study options
Sport and Exercise – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Sport and Exercise) will advance your theoretical knowledge of exercise science. You will learn how exercise can be used to enhance athletic performance and improve compromised health and quality of life.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz