Northumbria University

Overview

The Doctor of Sport at Northumbria University is a practice-informed doctoral program tailored for researcher-practitioners in the fields of sport and exercise. This innovative course allows you to develop a doctoral thesis in conjunction with your professional experience, enabling the generation of knowledge that can be applied in real-world settings. The program typically spans 24 months and is designed for those looking to advance their expertise while contributing to the field through practical research.

What you'll study

The Doctor of Sport program encompasses a unique structure that combines a taught component with a research phase:

• Taught Component: Focuses on planning professional practice and research. Key areas of study include:
  • Critiquing professional development practices
  • Contextualizing research within professional practice
  • Developing and planning applied research
  • Structured reflection for self-assessment
  • Planning training and development activities linked to your research aims
• Research Phase: Involves supervised doctoral research culminating in a thesis submission. This phase includes:
  • Ongoing development of research design, ethics, data collection/analysis, and writing
  • Knowledge mobilization activities aligned with your professional context and intended impact

Entry requirements

To apply for the Doctor of Sport program, applicants typically need to meet the following criteria:

• An honours degree at Upper Second Class (2:1) or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution.
• Consideration may be given to applicants with a lower second class honours degree or equivalent, provided they possess a relevant Master’s degree.
• Applicants lacking the standard academic qualifications may still be considered if they demonstrate equivalent intellectual competence through relevant experience, subject to approval by the university committee.
• A research proposal/outline along with evidence of how your professional practice informs the proposed study will typically be required.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Doctor of Sport program can look forward to a range of career opportunities in various sectors, including academia, sports management, coaching, and consultancy. The combination of research expertise and practical application prepares you for leadership roles in the evolving landscape of sport and exercise, enabling you to make a meaningful impact in your field.