Sport and Exercise MRes

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MRes Sport and Exercise will allow you to critically explore a specific research area within the overarching subject area of Sport and Exercise. You will be supported in pursuing a specialist area of research by subject experts and will draw upon a blend of theory, practical and qualitative and quantitative data analysis experiences to prepare you for related employment or further study.

The MRes will support student progression, develop researchers and professional practitioners in specialist areas and would suit those wishing to gain more experience of research prior to embarking on PhD study and/or looking to gain experience of working on projects prioritised by industry partners.

You will develop industry-relevant/vocational skills (critical analysis, reflective practice, working in multidisciplinary teams) and will have the opportunity to undertake an extended laboratory or field-based research project, developing your employability skills and industry capital. Industry partners may also offer internships to selected MRes graduates where research projects support organisations to improve competitiveness, skills, and innovation ability.

Entry Requirements

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• Within their Personal Statement, applicants are advised to demonstrate and reflect on the following topics:

  • Commitment and enthusiasm for the study of the dedicated pathways within Sport and Exercise.
  • Relevance of their degree and previous experiences relating to Sport and Exercise.
  • Reasons and motivation for studying this programme at the University of Northampton.
  • Reasons and motivation for specifically studying at Masters/ Level 7 study.

• Please include a short proposal for the MRes in your application (maximum 1-2 pages, 1000 words plus references). Within your Research proposal will be expected to provide evidence of your ability to plan and organise independent research. Your proposal must be a relevant topic area associated with projects listed within the specialism section on this page, but you can provide your own research topic that is of Level 7 standard.

  Please include the following information within your proposal:

  • Provide an overview of your research question, explaining why it is of academic and/or practical importance
  • Outline the main objectives of your research, providing details of two or three key aspects
  • Write a short literature review, indicating the importance of related research or literature and how your own research question might make a useful contribution to the area
  • State the main research techniques (physiological, questionnaires/interviews, mixed modelling etc.) you might use
  • Indicate your suggested data collection procedures, indicating sources and any possible difficulties
  • Explain any analytical techniques you intend to use
    State your proposed timetable of activities
  • Finally, list the references in your proposal or provide a short bibliography.

  In our experience, there are a number of common reasons why proposals from well qualified potential students are rejected. Some common problems are outlined below:

  • Your research topic is inadequately specified. You must write to a very tight format stating what you plan to research, why and how. The format is clearly outlined above.
  • A study that merely aims to discover new empirical information or simply solve a current issue will probably not be accepted. Your proposal must engage new ideas/thought and demonstrate strong critical insight into one or more academic disciplines to succeed in your research.

  Consider utilising our MRes Sport and Exercise Research Proposal form to craft your proposal. Upon submission, you’ll receive an emailed copy of the form, enabling you to conveniently attach it to your application.

  Please refer to our research proposal guidance for information on submitting a suitable research proposal.

  All suitable candidates will be asked to submit a research proposal as part of the application procedure and if short listed will be required to attend an interview as part of the admissions process.

  All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:

  • Commitment and enthusiasm for the study of the dedicated pathways within Sport and Exercise.
  • A sound and appropriate submitted research proposal.
  • A successful interview by the University.

• If English is not your first language, or you have not been educated mainly in English, you must provide evidence of your English language capability:

  • IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other band (or equivalent)