Program Overview

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Sport and exercise science postgraduate research degrees

Postgraduate research in sport and exercise science

Ready to start your research career? Explore our postgraduate research degrees in sport and exercise science.

Sports science at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 3rd of all post-1992 universities for research quality.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Our Sport and Exercise Science research is enhancing human performance and health. We're helping elite athletes win Olympic medals, developing safety guidelines for sporting bodies, improving the quality of life of individuals with chronic disease, helping global brands develop more supportive sports bras, and protecting employees required to work in extreme conditions. Our research directly benefits athletes, patients and workers across various sporting groups, clinical conditions, industries and organisations.

Our research is making international impact, with 100% of our research impact in the area of sport and exercise sciences, leisure and tourism was rated outstanding or very considerable in terms of reach and significance in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 – and when you do a postgraduate research degree with us, you'll be playing your part in turning knowledge into action.

Research degrees

Sport & Exercise Science PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Sport and Exercise Science, or submit your own research idea.

PhD and MPhil projects

• Funded projects
  • There are currently no funded PhD projects available in this area – for more information on funding your own research project, visit our pages on funding your research degree.
• Self-funded projects
  • An examination of the individual and environmental factors influencing the visual control of braking during cycling: implications for city planning
• Submit your own idea
  • If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

Duration, fees and funding

What do my tuition fees cover?

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

• The cost of your postgraduate research programme at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
• Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through The Doctoral College
• Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
• A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
• Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
• Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 77% of our research is world leading and internationally excellent in REF 2021
• Your graduation ceremony
• Viva examination and administration costs
• The facilities and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the Library, and laboratories
• Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
• University support services including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
• Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
• Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

How long will my research degree take?

• MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
• PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
• PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

How much will my degree cost?

February 2025 and April 2025 fees

• PhD and MPhil
  • UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
    • Full-time: £4,786 per year
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year
  • EU students (including Transition Scholarship)
    • Full-time: £4,786 per year
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year
  • International students
    • Full-time: £17,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,600 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• PhD by Publication
  • External candidates: £4,786
  • Members of staff: £1,950

October 2025, February 2026 and April 2026

• PhD and MPhil
  • UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
    • Full-time and full-time distance learning: £5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students (including Transition Scholarship)
    • Full-time and full-time distance learning: £5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students
    • Full-time and full-time distance learning: £19,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £9,600 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• PhD by Publication
  • External candidates: £5,006
  • Members of staff: £2,000

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Funding support

MPhil full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Postgraduate Loan (UK/EU students only).

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan (UK/EU students only).

For information on other sources of funding, visit our funding your postgraduate research degree page.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, or MPhil include a good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our Doctoral College, alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Doctoral College will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers training, workshops and events.

We have excellent facilities for sport and exercise science research, including Biomechanics, Physiology and Psychology laboratories.

The Biomechanics Lab is fully fitted with equipment for researching biomechanics including a 16 camera Oqus automated tracking system, a portable pressure plate, force transducers and visual 3D software.

The Extreme Environments Lab includes 3 environmental chambers with an adjustable temperature range from -20°C to 50°C with humidity control, an immersion pool and swimming flume, and testing and monitoring equipment to assess human performance and survival in a safe, controlled environment.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

Current research

Explore the work we're doing across the 2 areas of expertise within our Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences research.

Culture, Behaviour, Inclusivity and Governance

We investigate innovative social science methodologies, laboratory techniques, and longitudinal interventions that provide insights towards performance enhancement and psychosocial development through sport.

Physical Activity, Health and Rehabilitation Group

We’re conducting research focused on promoting physical activity, rehabilitating individuals facing barriers to activity, and understanding and measuring determinants of health and wellbeing in various contexts.