In a world where healthcare increasingly intersects with environmental extremes, humanitarian crises, and expeditionary challenges, the demand for clinicians trained to operate in remote and austere settings is growing fast.
The MSc in Extreme Medicine, delivered in partnership between The University of Exeter and World Extreme Medicine, is at the forefront of this movement. Offering a uniquely flexible, globally focused postgraduate programme for healthcare professionals ready to expand their horizons.
Whether you’re aiming to work in mountain rescue, join humanitarian missions, support expedition teams, or research the physiological impact of extreme environments, this MSc equips you with the practical and academic skills to do so with confidence.
What is the MSc in Extreme Medicine?
At its core, this is a practically-driven, academically rigorous Masters of Science, tailored to clinicians and allied healthcare professionals who want to apply their medical training in extreme, expeditionary, and resource-limited environments.
This programme combines:
- World-class field-based learning on up to six residential courses across environments like the Arctic, Jungle, Desert, Ocean, Mountain and even Space Medicine*.
- Fully online learning modules, designed for global access and self-paced study.
- Hands-on research training, culminating in a Master’s level research project with opportunities for publication and conference presentation.
- A collaborative international community, supported by expert teaching faculty and fellow students from across the globe.
What Makes This MSc Different?
Unlike other postgraduate degrees in expedition or remote healthcare, the MSc in Extreme Medicine:
- Offers unrivalled residential course choices across real-world settings: from diving in Oman, altitude training in the Himalayas, or space medicine alongside space physicians who have lived amongst the stars on the ISS.
- Allows you to learn at your own pace through online modules with minimal synchronous learning. Ideal for shift workers, those with families, and international students.
- Provides real-world applicability: graduates have gone on to work in search and rescue, humanitarian response, aerospace medicine, expedition support, and more.
- Prioritises experiential learning over exam-heavy assessment: no OSCEs, no MCQs. Instead, expect hands-on scenario-based assessments, reflective essays, and expedition planning tasks.
- Enables a modular approach: complete the full MSc, or start with a PG Certificate or Diploma. Medical students can also intercalate as part of their degree.
What You’ll Study
The course is divided into three phases:
Phase One: Core Concepts & Extreme Physiology
You’ll begin with two compulsory UK-based residentials (Core Concepts & Human Factors), paired with online modules exploring physiology in cold, hot, high-altitude, aquatic, and even extra-terrestrial environments.
Phase Two: Specialism & Sub-Discipline Focus
You’ll dive deeper into Evidence-Based Wilderness Medicine and choose additional residential modules (such as Jungle Medicine, Polar Medicine, Hostile Environment Medicine, or Conservation Medicine) based on your personal interest or career path.
Optional sub-specialist pathways include:
- Humanitarian Medicine
- Clinical Practice in Austere Environments
Phase Three: Research & Publication
The final component is a 5,000-word research project, supported by academic mentors at The University of Exeter. Past projects have explored topics from women’s health in expedition settings to analgesic use in wilderness medicine. Many students go on to publish in peer-reviewed journals or present at the annual World Extreme Medicine Conference.
Who Can Apply?
This MSc is open to a wide range of healthcare professionals, including:
- Doctors, nurses, and paramedics
- Allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, midwives, and dentists may also be considered
- Graduates with non-medical degrees who have completed courses such as FREC may also be considered
- Intercalating medical students
International applicants are welcome and do not need a student visa, only a standard visitor visa is required for the two UK-based residentials.
What Are Graduates Saying?
Past students have gone on to careers in:
- Search and rescue aviation
- Humanitarian field coordination and security training
- Expedition and mountain medicine research
- Mental health-focused wilderness therapy
- Commercial spaceflight and aerospace research
“This is an MSc with adventure at its core. Whether you’re trekking through the jungle, learning from astronauts, or treating patients in the desert, you’ll gain skills that translate to real, meaningful impact.”
How Much Does It Cost?
Tuition is charged equally to domestic and international students. While the MSc may appear more expensive than classroom-based programmes, it includes unparalleled field-based training and can be completed while working. UK students are eligible for government postgraduate loans, and some NHS Trusts (e.g., LAS) may offer bursary support.
Residential courses do incur travel costs, but students can select modules based on their budget and career goals. You only need to attend two residentials in the UK – the rest can be done abroad if you choose.
Want to Learn More?
Download the full MSc presentation slides & Watch the full recorded webinar, including the Q&A with faculty and alumni, free of charge.
Find out more about the MSc and apply today.
*Space Medicine is not guaranteed every year.