Masaryk University

What you'll study

The doctoral programme in Sports Studies combines independent research with targeted coursework and methodological training. You will design and complete an original doctoral dissertation under the guidance of a supervisory team, while participating in research seminars, specialist modules and laboratory-based methods classes. Typical taught elements include advanced research methods in sport sciences (quantitative and qualitative), sport sociology and policy, sport management and governance, high-performance coaching and pedagogy, exercise physiology and kinesiology, sports biomechanics, and measurement and evaluation in physical activity.

Students commonly take modules on research design, statistics and data analysis, qualitative methods, scientific communication and ethics. Practical components often make use of the Faculty of Sports Studies’ laboratories and facilities — for example physiological testing, motion analysis, and wellness assessment — and students are encouraged to integrate applied projects with local clubs, national sport bodies or public-health partners. Regular departmental seminars, journal clubs and international conference participation are integral to the programme.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a relevant master’s degree (or recognised equivalent) in sport science, kinesiology, physical education, sports management, human movement sciences or a closely related discipline. A clear research proposal that aligns with the expertise of the faculty and a named potential supervisor strengthen applications. Required application documents typically include an academic CV, transcripts, a statement of purpose/research proposal, and two or more academic references.

Proficiency in English is expected for supervisors and assessment in the English-language route; applicants whose first language is not English may be asked to provide evidence of proficiency via an internationally recognised test or equivalent institutional assessment. Candidates may also be invited to an interview or viva with prospective supervisors. Funding arrangements vary; applicants should discuss scholarship and teaching/research assistantship opportunities with the faculty.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Sports Studies move into a range of academic, research and professional roles. Common career paths include university teaching and postdoctoral research, roles in national and international research institutes, and leadership positions in sport federations, national governing bodies and professional clubs. Other opportunities include high-performance support roles (performance analyst, physiologist, strength and conditioning lead), policy and programme development in public health and community sport, consultancy in sport management, and research positions in private sector organisations focused on exercise, rehabilitation and wearable technologies.

The programme’s emphasis on both methodological rigour and applied partnerships helps prepare graduates for interdisciplinary work, grant-funded research projects and roles that bridge academia, policy and practice.

Why study at Masaryk University

Masaryk University’s Faculty of Sports Studies is an established centre for interdisciplinary research in Central Europe, combining social-science, biomedical and management perspectives on sport and physical activity. PhD candidates benefit from access to dedicated biomechanics and physiology laboratories, motion-capture suites and testing facilities, plus collaborative links with regional professional clubs, national sports bodies and public-health organisations.

The faculty places strong emphasis on international collaboration: supervisors publish in international journals, host visiting researchers and support doctoral candidates to present at conferences and participate in exchange programmes. The university’s research environment, combined with its location in Brno — a city with active sport communities and a vibrant academic network — creates opportunities for applied research and professional networking across Europe and beyond.