PhD Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

Programme overview

By studying for a PhD with us, you will be joining a thriving research community of over 300 Doctoral Researchers from across the globe. You will add to world-leading research that is helping to shape the latest advancements across the sport, exercise and health sectors. Ranked first in the world for sports-related subjects for nine years in a row by the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2017-2025), our research activity encompasses a broad range of social and natural sciences within the themes of: sport performance; lifestyle for health and wellbeing; and sport, business and society.

Faculty: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences | Department: Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences | Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time | Study mode: full-time; part-time | Intake: October, February or July | Location: Loughborough, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Our sports performance research aims to understand and support the enhancement of sport and exercise performance across all abilities. Research themes: Sports Performance, Lifestyle for Health and Wellbeing, Sport, Business and Society, ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).

Career pathways

Graduates who have undertaken postgraduate research degrees in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences are ideally prepared for research careers in academia or with research institutions. Our recent graduates have also gone onto careers with the NHS, Archery GB, the English Institute of Sport, the Chamber of Advocates - Malta, Kuwait Television, and the British Wheelchair Rugby Association.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Postgraduate research degrees delivered in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, require applicants to have a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) or a master’s degree in a relevant subject, in addition to any specific criteria related to the individual research project. Ghana equivalents: first-class 65% / 3.4 GPA, 2:1 57% / 3.0 GPA, 2:2 50% / 2.5 GPA

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). self-funded, full-time, per annum Source

International applicants: GBP 29,500 a year (2026/27). self-funded, full-time, per annum Source

Intake: October, February or July

Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/doctoral-research/

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