A research degree in Sport and Coaching Sciences allows you to:

 develop your research skills
 contribute to internationally recognised research
 be supported by skilled staff and a vibrant research student community
 enhance your employability within the domain of sport and coaching sciences
 develop your ability to apply disciplinary theory in your applied practice.

We offer a number of flexible part-time and full-time research degree opportunities including MA by Research, MSc by Research, MPhil, PhD, and PhD by Published Work.

Research expertise

Our interdisciplinary and international research agenda seeks to understand, intervene and improve the lives of those involved in sport and physical activity from grassroots to performance. Our work is multi-faceted and focuses on relationships of individuals and communities with sport, physical education, physical activity and health. Through our approach to research, we seek to offer real world solutions that can:

 contribute to the development and improvement of human performance in competitive sport
 influence health promotion and rehabilitation through sport, exercise and physical activity
 promote non-linear approaches to pedagogy in sport, exercise and physical activity, and their application in coach development
 further enhance our understanding of participation, identity and social justice in sport, exercise and physical activity.

Institutes and Centres

 Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research
 Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS)

Groups

 Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group (SEPARG)

Degree routes

All students enrol as probationer research students. During the first year you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.

Masters by Research

These research degrees run for one year full time or two years part time and allow students to critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic and combine the equivalent of up to one semester’s taught programme (focusing on research training) with a major research project. As with other research degrees, they are examined by thesis and viva.

Length of study: Full-time: 1 year. Part-time: 2 years.

Entry requirement: Applicants should normally hold a first or upper second class honours degree of a Higher Education Institution in the UK or a qualification which is regarded by the Research Degrees Committee as equivalent to such an honours degree.

MPhil

If you undertake an MPhil you will:

 critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
 demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
 Present and defend a substantial thesis by viva.

Length of study: Full-time: 2 years. Part-time: 3 years.

Entry requirement: The minimum entry requirement for an MPhil degree, or an MPhil with the intention of transferring to a PhD, is a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.

Applications are also welcomed from those holding qualifications other than the above and will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed. You will be required to provide the names of two academic referees.

MPhil with the possibility of transfer to a PhD

A candidate registered initially for an MPhil may be able to transfer to a PhD, and has to complete a transfer process within the Faculty, once sufficient progress has been made on the work to provide on the evidence of the development to PhD.

This is normally after 18 months of full-time study or 24-26 months of part-time study). Transfer comprises three main elements:

 a 1000 word transfer report which should be sent to the relevant Postgraduate Research Tutor and the supervisory team
 an oral presentation and/or interview
 an additional piece of work as indicated by the Faculty, Department/School or supervisory team.

Length of study: Full-time: 3 years. Part-time: 4 years.

PhD (direct entry)

If you undertake a PhD you will:

 critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic, resulting in an independent and original contribution to the field
 demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
 present and defend a substantial thesis by viva.

Length of study: Full-time: 2 years. Part-time: 3 years.

Entry requirement: The normal entry requirement for the degree of PhD is a master’s degree in a discipline which is appropriate to the proposed research and which has included research training and a research project.

In exceptional cases, applicants who have a good honours degree (or equivalent) may apply for direct registration to PhD if they have appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment.