Shaping the Future of Health
with the University of Thessaly’s pioneering Master of Science in Lifestyle Medicine — a comprehensive, evidence-based program developed by the Departments of Medicine, Physical Education & Sport Science, and Nutrition & Dietetics, in partnership with the European Lifestyle Medicine Organization
Programme Structure
The Master’s programme is organised over three semesters.
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Semesters 1 and 2 comprise eight taught modules in total.
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Semester 3 is fully devoted to master’s thesis preparation.
In addition, students attend three supporting seminars focusing on statistics and academic/scientific writing skills.
Mode of Delivery
Teaching is implemented in an intensive block-teaching format. Each module is delivered once per month, Friday to Sunday, 08:00–17:00 (CET).
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Each module consists of 12 live online lectures (90–120 minutes each), distributed as 4 lectures per day over 3 days.
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Live attendance is compulsory and is registered only when cameras are on.
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All sessions are recorded and made available for subsequent study.
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Learning materials are uploaded one week prior to the delivery dates to allow for adequate preparation.
Teaching Calendar
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Semester A modules are offered February–May.
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Semester B modules are offered October–January.
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Approximately 10 days after the completion of each module, a live Q&A session is held to address outstanding issues prior to assessment.
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Module quiz examinations take place about 20 days after the end of the module’s teaching.
Assessment
Each semester is successfully completed when the student has:
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Passed the four module quiz examinations, and
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Successfully completed the final semester examination (“case study”).
The case study assesses the student’s ability to integrate and apply knowledge from all modules of the semester to a realistic, practice-oriented scenario.
The seminars do not include written examinations; assessment is based on participation, in-class tasks, and practical exercises.
Attendance Requirements
Attendance is a core academic requirement.
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Students must attend at least 70% of the live online sessions per module.
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Up to 30% justified absence may be approved following advance application to the Academic Board or, in cases of force majeure, as soon as circumstances allow.
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Students who do not meet the minimum attendance threshold are not permitted to sit the quiz examinations or the semester case study and are required to re-attend the module in the next available cycle.
Progression and Certification
Students who successfully complete both taught semesters are:
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Eligible to receive the European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (ELMO) Certificate, and
Eligible to proceed to Semester C, which includes in-person participation in the Summer School in Greece.
Thesis and Graduation
The Master’s degree is awarded upon:
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Successful completion of all three semesters, and
Successful oral defense (viva) of the master’s thesis before a three-member academic committee.
Awarded Qualifications
Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates receive:
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The “Health and Fitness Lifestyle Advisor” certification by ELMO, and
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A Level 7 Master of Science (MSc) in Lifestyle Medicine, recognized as a European master’s degree internationally.
Opportunities for Internships within the European Union
Internship placements, either during or following completion of the MSc programme, are available through the Erasmus+ Internship scheme (https://erasmusintern.org/).
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Applications are submitted annually in February, and successful candidates may undertake a training placement of up to one year in a collaborating institution or company within the European Union.
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The internship is partially funded by the Erasmus+ programme, with financial support of approximately 650 euros per month.
All institutional arrangements between the MSc Programme Leaders and the host organisation must be formalised through agreements signed by the International Office of the University of Thessaly.
