Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Entry requirements

Postgraduate research degrees delivered in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, require applicants to have a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) or a master’s degree in a relevant subject, in addition to any specific criteria related to the individual research project.

If you can't find an advertised project that fits your interests and experience, you can submit a research proposal to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences to find a supervisor who will work with you on your project. You can view our academic staff on our School website or email us for guidance.

Your research proposal should be a maximum of 1,000 words and include the aims of your study, a brief literature review, an outline of the proposed research methods, and your preferred member of staff to supervise the project. Further information on preparing your proposal can be found on the dedicated webpage.

You are strongly recommended to contact us before applying to discuss your topic, availability and funding.

Months of entry

January, April, July, October

Course content

By studying for a PhD with us, you will be joining a thriving research community of over 200 Doctoral Researchers from across the globe. You will add to world-leading research that is helping to shape the latest advancements across the sport, exercise and health sectors.

Ranked first in the world for sports-related subjects for six years in a row by the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2017-2024), our research activity encompasses a broad range of social and natural sciences within the themes of: sport performance; lifestyle for health and wellbeing; and sport, business and society.

A number of funded studentships across a diverse range of disciplines within sport, exercise and health sciences are on offer. We also welcome research proposals relevant to our wide-ranging expertise, encompassing: medicine, molecular biology, nutrition, biomechanics, economics, pedagogy, psychology, sociology, sport management and more.

We have extensive links and research contracts with industry and education partners, as well as with sport and health organisations. We also have extensive state-of-the-art facilities to give you the advanced skills and techniques needed to conduct leading research.

As well as benefiting from the expertise of our academic staff and ongoing investment in world-leading facilities, our Doctoral Researchers are able to take advantage of access to our internationally recognised research centres:

• The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (East Midlands)
• The Leicester Biomedical Research Centre
• The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport
• The Centre for Lifestyle Medicine and Behaviour
• The National Rehabilitation Centre

Information for international students

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Fees and funding

Please see our website for a list of research degree funding and scholarships.