Sport and Exercise Sciences PhD/MSc by Research
Program Overview
The University of Birmingham's PhD/MSc by Research in Sport and Exercise Sciences offers a multidisciplinary research environment in a top-ranked department. Students develop research skills, present their work, and gain practical experience through teaching opportunities. The program prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths through its focus on employability skills and state-of-the-art research facilities.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Sport and Exercise Sciences PhD/MSc by Research is a postgraduate research degree offered by the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham. This program allows students to conduct research in one of the leading research departments in the UK. The School is ranked in the top three for research in the sector, with 90% of its research classified as world leading or internationally excellent. The program aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of sport and exercise sciences. It offers a multidisciplinary environment where students can gain valuable academic and employability skills.
Teaching:
The School provides a supportive environment for postgraduate students, with opportunities to meet fellow researchers, discuss and present their work, and participate in skills training. Students can select from a wide range of skills training offered both within the School and by the University Graduate School.
- Supervision: Students have monthly review meetings with their supervisor and opportunities to present their research plans and findings to other members of the school for feedback and advice.
- Teaching Opportunities: Most postgraduate students are invited to assist with undergraduate modules, such as taking laboratory demonstrations, engaging in small group teaching, and helping with assessment. Senior postgraduates may be invited to give lectures.
Careers:
The program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a wide range of career outcomes. The School focuses on supporting students' personal employability aspirations.
Other:
- Research: Research is an essential component of the School's activity. The School offers research degrees across a wide range of areas, from exercise science to sport coaching.
- Facilities and Equipment: The School is based in the largest custom-built Sport and Exercise facility in the UK, with state-of-the-art research labs dedicated to exercise testing and sample analysis across the spectrum of sport and exercise sciences.
- Research Seminar Programme: The School has a regular research seminar programme, where expert speakers from other universities and institutions give talks on their own research. Students have opportunities to present their own research ideas and findings.
- Postgraduate Community: The School has a vibrant postgraduate community, with over 50 doctoral researchers currently registered.
- Support During Your PhD: The School aims to ensure that students are well-prepared from the start of their doctoral life. When students join, they attend an informal introduction to the School, meet the Director of Postgraduate Research, elect student representatives, and participate in welcome drinks.
University of Birmingham Summary
Overview:
The University of Birmingham is a leading global university with a strong focus on research and innovation. It is committed to developing solutions for a thriving planet and improving the health of people around the world.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
The University of Birmingham offers a welcoming environment for students, with opportunities to settle in, make new friends, discover the city of Birmingham, and prepare for their studies. The university also has a vision for its campus development in the next 20 years, aiming to enhance and refine the global campuses.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Global Impact:
The university's research is focused on addressing major global issues, such as climate change and global health.Multidisciplinary Collaboration:
The university encourages collaboration across disciplines to drive innovation and find solutions to complex problems.Pioneering Breakthroughs:
The university is known for its pioneering research and breakthroughs in various fields.Academic Programs:
Other:
The university has five research challenge themes that guide its focus and draw on its vast expertise and resources. These themes showcase the university's pioneering breakthroughs, multidisciplinary collaboration, and significant global impact.
Entry Requirements:
- PhD: Applicants must hold at least an upper-second class degree (equivalent to a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% for international students).
- MPhil: Applicants must hold a relevant first degree and evidence of ability to undertake research.
International Requirements:
- General: Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.
- Specific Country Requirements: The document provides detailed entry requirements for students from various countries. These requirements vary based on the country of origin and the specific degree program.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- **Standard English language requirements apply (IELTS: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band).
- Other accepted tests:
- TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
