Sport, Health and Exercise Science research degrees - PhD

About our programmes

Research in Sport, Health and Exercise Science aims to enhance understanding of practices and processes that support the active lifestyles, health, well-being, sporting performance and coaching practices of individuals and groups. We have world-class staff and facilities, and we collaborate with world leading clinical and scientific researchers.

There are two research groups;

• Exercise, Health and Human Performance (EHHP)
• Sport, Pedagogy and Practice (SPP)

The EHHP group have medicine as an underlying theme and seek to understand the role and implementation of exercise testing for disease risk; the effectiveness of life-style interventions involving physical activity; and responses and adaptations to exercise and sport. The SPP group research seeks to develop innovative research that explores the complex and multi-layered nature of applied coaching practice, as well as the challenging nature of personal experiences within sport and exercise.

There are postgraduate research options in Sport, Health and Exercise Science, at PhD and MSc by Thesis levels. During a four-year PhD (seven years part-time), you will research and write a dissertation of 70,000 to 100,000 words on a topic chosen in conjunction with your supervisor. During a one-year MSc by Thesis degree (two years part-time), the main emphasis is on the research dissertation of 20,000 words. The topic is chosen by you with the advice of your supervisor. The MSc is an ideal step for those wishing to progress to a PhD.

Apply for research programmes in Sport, Health and Exercise Science

• MSc (Research) Sport, Health and Exercise Science
• PhD Sport, Health and Exercise Science

Entry requirements

You should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related discipline appropriate to your intended research.

Please contact your prospective supervisor in the first instance. Once a member of staff has agreed to supervise your research project in principle, please make a formal application.