Sport and Exercise Science

Program Overview

This Professional Doctorate in Sports Therapy equips individuals for senior professional roles in practice, education, or management. Through workplace portfolios and taught modules, students develop expert practice in their field and gain expertise in research methods. The program culminates in a 40,000-word dissertation on a relevant topic, fostering critical reflection, decision-making, and networks in the sports therapy industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This is a Professional Doctorate, a specialist qualification suitable for those in or aspiring to senior professional appointments in practice, education, or management in sports therapy. It demonstrates expertise in the field of specialism. The program aims to provide a unified approach to theory and practice within a professional context. Learning is structured to develop skills both in the workplace and within the university environment. The program can be completed over 5-6 years, depending on individual circumstances. During this time, students prepare two portfolios chronicling their development of expert practice in their workplace. They also study taught modules at the University of Essex, gaining expertise in qualitative, statistical, and other research methods required for researching sport and exercise science. Students' interests, experiences, and needs determine the course structure and areas of focus. A key part of demonstrating expertise is the development of a 40,000-word dissertation on a relevant topic.

Outline:

Year 1:

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS
• SE738-7-FY or SE747-7-FY (30 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
• Professional Practice Portfolio 1 (30 CREDITS)

Year 2:

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS
• Research module equivalent to 30 credits (30 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
• Professional Practice Portfolio 2 (30 CREDITS)

Final Year:

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Teaching:

• The School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences provides a supervisor to guide students through the different stages of their research degree.
In some cases, students may have joint supervision by two members of staff.
• Regular one-to-one meetings with the supervisor are held to discuss progress on research.
The supervisor helps students develop their research topic and plan.
• Twice a year, supervisory board meetings provide a formal opportunity to discuss progress and agree on plans for the next six months.

Careers:

• The program offers doctoral preparation that integrates professional expertise and academic rigor.
• Students gain the skills necessary to make significant contributions to local and national health and social care provision through critical appraisal of current practice.
• The networks developed during the program facilitate self-development.
Students engage in critical reflection upon practice, work, and lead within complex, multi-professional environments where they can demonstrate expert decision-making.

Other:

• The School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences is housed within the Essex Sport Arena, a state-of-the-art, £12 million development that brings together education, rehabilitation, exercise, and research.
Facilities include a sports hall, two dedicated labs for sports therapy training, a sports therapy clinic, and dedicated physiotherapy labs.
• The School is well-equipped and centrally resourced by technical staff who provide a service to all staff and students.
• The Human Performance Unit (HPU) provides educational and coaching services, health-related exercise programs, and athlete testing, as well as unique opportunities for students to further their studies and research in these areas.
• A study room designed in collaboration with postgraduate students provides office space for PhD students, facilitating communication and a strong sense of community.

Home/UK fee £2,393 per year International fee £10,750 per year Fees will increase for each academic year of study.