Sport and Exercise Science and Sports Therapy

Entry requirements

An MSc, or a first or upper-second class honours degree in a relevant subject.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences provides an excellent environment for undertaking your PhD. We have an active group of both full-time and part-time postgraduate research students in the School.

The breadth of staff research interests enables us to supervise research degrees in a number of areas, in the sport and exercise sciences and in sports therapy. These areas include: exercise physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, injury, rehabilitation, psychology. More specifically, we can offer research in the areas of: mental fatigue; perceived effort and exercise capacity; training and sports performance; cycling efficiency, mega sporting events and their legacy; rehabilitation; physical activity in various populations; threat and challenge in sports psychology; sports nutrition; exercise immunology, pre-habilitation and rehabilitation from injury or surgery; and manual therapy in sport and lower back pain.

Funded PhD studentships

The School’s latest PhD opportunities are announced throughout the year and can be found on the FindAPhD website or through the University of Kent scholarship finder.

Self-funded applicants

If you have private or other funding you are welcome to apply for a PhD at any time, provided that your research interests are in line with the interests and capabilities of one of our research groups. In order to apply, you need to complete the following steps:

• Identify an academic member of staff who you would like to act as a potential supervisor

• Contact the potential supervisor directly by email to discuss the possibility of undertaking a PhD under their supervision. Please outline your interest in the research, supply a CV including details of all relevant experience and details of how you will fund your study.

• Make an online application to study (click 'Apply now').

About Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences

Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences is one of the most exciting and innovative sports departments in the UK.

Based on our Canterbury campus, we have well-equipped, state-of the-art sports science laboratories, a sports therapy clinic, sports rehabilitation gymnasium and respiratory clinic. Our laboratories include the latest equipment, such as:

• anti-gravity treadmill, originally developed to help NASA astronauts to exercise in space

• cycling and rowing ergometers to measure anaerobic capacity

• isokinetic dynamometer to measure muscle and joint function

• brain and muscle stimulators

• 3D motion video analysis

• imaging and treatment ultrasound

• gait analysis and force pedals

• blood testing and gas analysis equipment

• rehabilitation gymnasium

• environmental chamber, which can recreate the atmosphere in the Brazilian jungle or at the top of Everest.

You'll also have access to some top-class leisure and study facilities. For example, the Sports Centre/Pavilion provides:

• an air-conditioned fitness suite across two floors

• dance and fitness studios with numerous classes

• indoor courts for badminton, basketball, netball, volleyball and squash

• training facilities for martial arts, boxing and combat sports

• outdoor pitches for rugby, football and American football.

Information for international students

Please see our International website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, international fee-paying students cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.

For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

Fees and funding

Learn more via the funding web pages for the most current information and application details.