Program Overview

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Kinesiology (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Kinesiology is a research-intensive program that advances knowledge in human health. The program does not have mandatory coursework, but students may elect to take courses or be required to do so by their supervisor or supervisory committee.

Program Details

• Program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Kinesiology
• Faculty/School: Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences
• Program Length: 48 months
• Program Components: Research dissertation

Why Study a PhD in Kinesiology at UBC Okanagan?

The PhD in Kinesiology at UBC Okanagan offers access to state-of-the-art labs, close mentorship from leading scholars, and interdisciplinary collaboration across health sciences. The program is ideal for advancing knowledge in human health.

Formal Milestones

• Establishing a supervisory committee
• Preparing, presenting, and defending a dissertation research proposal
• Passing written and oral candidacy exams
• Writing the dissertation
• Defending the completed work

Research and Supervisors

Research Areas

Graduate students can pursue research in the following areas:

• Neuromuscular physiology and fatigue
• Health behaviour change
• Cardiorespiratory and cerebrovascular physiology
• Metabolism, nutrition and immunology

Supervisors

A list of graduate student supervisors is available, including:

• Philip Ainslie
• Brian Dalton
• Neil Eves
• Glen Foster
• Heather Gainforth
• Hashim Islam
• Jennifer Jakobi
• Mary Jung
• Jonathan Little
• Ali McManus
• Chris McNeil
• Sarah Purcell
• Robert Shave
• Paul van Donkelaar

Centres and Labs

The following centres and labs are associated with the program:

• Behaviour Change Lab
• Brain Injury Lab
• CardioPulmonary Laboratory for Experimental and Applied Physiology
• Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health
• Diabetes Prevention Research Group
• Exercise Metabolism and Inflammation Lab
• Healthy Exercise and Aging Lab
• Integrative Neuromuscular Physiology Lab
• Pediatric Inactivity Physiology Lab
• SCI Action Canada
• Sensorimotor Physiology and Integrative Neuromechanics Lab

Tuition and Funding

Tuition

Tuition information is available on the academic calendar page for master’s programs.

Funding Opportunities

Graduate student stipends are funded through a combination of internal and external awards, teaching assistantships (TA), and research assistantships (RA). Students are expected to apply for relevant scholarships and fellowships.

Admission and Applying

Find a Supervisor

Applicants must contact a potential research supervisor before starting their application.

Admission Requirements

Applicants typically require a thesis-based master’s degree in health and exercise sciences, kinesiology, or a related field, along with appropriate undergraduate and graduate coursework.

Application Package

A complete application package includes:

• Statement of intent or purpose
• Online application and application fee
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
• English language test (if required)
• CV or resumé
• Two reference forms or letters

International Student Applications

International students must present evidence of competency in the English language prior to receiving an admission offer.

Application Deadlines

Intake and application deadlines are as follows:

• Domestic and International applicants:
  • September intake: January 31
  • May intake: October 13
  • January intake: June 1

Global and Close-Knit

The University of British Columbia Okanagan offers a globally ranked education in a close-knit learning community.

Discover the Okanagan

The Okanagan region offers a diverse natural landscape and a dynamic city with a growing population.

Related Programs

The School of Health and Exercise Sciences and the Faculty of Health and Social Development offer related programs.