Key Information
- Duration: Part-time, 48 months (4 - 6 years)
- Start dates & application deadlines: Starting September 2026; Apply before Sep 2026
Overview
Completion of the Sport and Exercise doctorate at University of Derby will set you apart from other professionals in your area. On the programme, you will develop critical expertise that can enhance your career and sharpen your professional practice. It will enhance your ability to influence thought and practice in your field and prepare you for more senior professional roles in sport or exercise.
Highlights
- Undertake research that will enhance your professional practice, benefiting you, your clients and others in the profession
- Our expert teaching team are either personally engaged in professional practice or actively researching how it may be enhanced and our ongoing research in professional practice means we bring cutting-edge knowledge to the delivery of the programme
- Benefit from our extensive industry links in both professional and publicly funded areas of practice. Our knowledge and expertise ranges from the boardroom to the changing room or clinic and our industry awareness shows through in the material delivered in the programme and our individual support for each student
- Members of the teaching team have undertaken a professional doctorate themselves. They have first-hand experience of the journey you will go on and can provide relevant and effective support for you throughout the programme
Careers
- The programme will be a core driver of your personal and professional development. You will gain outstanding skills in research, analysis, critical and strategic thinking which will set you aside from your peers. This will serve to enhance your professional standing and open opportunities for you to progress in your professional career. This might be through using your strategic skills and research in senior leadership and management roles. Equally, you may look to become a recognised as an expert practitioner specialising in particular interventions, therapies or forms of client support.
- Alternatively, following the Doctorate, you may wish to explore opportunities outside professional practice such as academic or research roles within Higher Education or research roles in other organisations and agencies.
Visit the programme website for more information
Programme Structure
Research
- Undertaking research on how to optimise professional practice
- Using creative and innovative research methods such as case study research or (auto)ethnography
- Developing reflective practice in professional practitioners
- Coaching and mentoring professionally
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- PTE Academic: 76
- IELTS: 7.5
Other requirements
General requirements
- a Master's degree in a sport and exercise related discipline
- appropriate experience of work within your professional practice (minimum two to three years)
- be able to articulate how the programme will be positioned within your practice and personal context
- For this course, you will need to have IELTS level 7.5 or equivalent.
Make sure you meet all requirements
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
International: 6,234 AUD / year (≈ 3,300 GBP / year)
Domestic: 6,234 AUD / year (≈ 3,300 GBP / year)
Scholarships
Available scholarships include:
- Talented Athlete Award – Various benefits – Deadline 31 Jul 2027 – University of Derby
- Sports Scholarships – Individual and Team Sport Scholar – 3,000 GBP – Deadline 31 Jul 2027 – University of Derby
- Sports Scholarships – Performance Team Sports Scholar – 3,000 GBP – Deadline 31 Jul 2027 – University of Derby
- 10% alumni discount – Various benefits – Deadline Not specified – University of Derby
- Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship – 2,000 GBP – Deadline Anytime – University of Derby
- Full Payment Discount – 1,000 GBP – Deadline Not specified – University of Derby
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program – Various benefits – Deadline 07 Oct 2026 – U.S. government
- ServiceScape Scholarship – 1,000 USD – Deadline 30 Nov 2026
- ACES Scholarships – 3,500 USD – Deadline 15 Nov 2026 – ACES Education Fund
- Erasmus+ – Grants for study mobility – Various benefits – Deadline Not specified – OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
- Scholarships for PhD Students – 19,000 GBP – Deadline Not specified – Junhua Li
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship – Various benefits – Deadline 28 Feb 2027 – Boustany Foundation
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship – 1,000 USD – Deadline 31 Oct 2026 – IvyPanda
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship – 1,000 USD – Deadline 01 Mar 2027 – Voice Talent Online
- The PhD Prep Fellowship – 10,000 USD – Deadline 01 Sep 2026 – Admit Lab
- Dream Chaser Scholarship – 1,000 USD – Deadline 13 Jan 2027 – Salvado Law
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids – 22,500 GBP – Deadline Not specified – UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
- Scholarship for students with disabilities – 3,000 USD – Deadline 31 Dec 2026 – Anonymous Hope Fund
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship – 1,500 USD – Deadline Not specified – IELTS from 6 to 9
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – 12,000 USD – Deadline 11 Jan 2027 – The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme