School of Sport

PhD Postgraduate research in Sports and Recreation

PhD Part-time Distance Learning 8 years, Part-time 8 years, Full-time 4 years

From sport psychology and performance analysis to coaching science and sport sociology, our internationally recognised supervisors work across traditional subject boundaries, creating unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

From sport psychology and performance analysis to coaching science and sport sociology, our internationally recognised supervisors work across traditional subject boundaries, creating unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

Award
PhD
Start date(s)
September 2024, January 2025,
UCAS Code
Course specifications
Course length
Part-time Distance Learning (8 years),Part-time (8 years),Full-time (4 years)
Campus location
University: Online Distance Learning,University: Walsall Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

We offer supervision for PhD research across a wide range of sport-related disciplines, including psychology, performance analysis, coaching science and sport sociology. 

The Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (FEHW) supports the research ambitions of over 240 doctoral students across Education, Health, Social Work and Social Care, Sport and Psychology. Our research community is diverse and dynamic, collaborating with local, regional and international students on innovative research projects.

Our research supervisors possess internationally recognised expertise in a range of research methodologies and frequently work across subject areas, for example, research supervision can take place around the intersections of Education and Health and Sport and Psychology. We support students with a vibrant seminar and workshop calendar of events and sits within a broader university research community where a very wide range of activity and support takes place.

What's unique about this course?

1. Interdisciplinary Focus

The course combines diverse fields such as psychology, physiology, biomechanics, sociology, coaching, leadership, and education, offering a holistic approach to research and practice.

2. Applied Performance and Coaching Expertise

Develop advanced skills in performance optimisation and coaching, with a focus on real-world applications in sports, health, and professional development.

3. Strong Research and Methodology Foundation

Emphasis on research methodology and analytical skills, enabling students to conduct impactful research that informs both academic theory and practical applications.

4. Leadership and Innovation

The program fosters leadership abilities and encourages innovative thinking, equipping students to drive change and improvement in their field.

5. Collaboration Across Disciplines

Opportunities to work in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams, promoting the exchange of ideas and expertise across areas such as health, performance, and education.

6. Comprehensive Understanding of Human Performance

Gain a deep understanding of human performance through the study of physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and sociology, preparing you to address complex performance challenges.

7. Professional Development Opportunities

The course encourages personal and professional growth, preparing students for leadership roles and offering expertise in coaching, management, and development.

8. Practical Application of Knowledge

Students learn to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, with a focus on performance improvement, coaching strategies, and evidence-based practice.

9. Global and Diverse Learning Environment

The course attracts students from various backgrounds, fostering a dynamic, global community that enhances learning through diverse perspectives and experiences.

10. Flexibility Across Career Paths

The interdisciplinary nature of the course opens doors to a wide range of careers in coaching, education, leadership, sports science, health, and research.

What happens on the course?

PhD studies can be pursued either full-time (typically three years) or part-time (typically six years). These theoretical research projects advance knowledge and understanding within their field, informing future research, education, and policy development. We encourage you to explore our research videos to learn more about our current projects and areas of expertise.

The School of Sport has been awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze Department Award in recognition of our work to support gender equality.

The Society of Sports Therapists logo   Athena Swan logo

Lead - Sports and Recreation

Ross Cloak looking at camera and smiling

Ross Cloak is an Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Science and the Head of the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC). His research focuses on how sports science can be applied to improve athlete health and performance. With experience as a practitioner in combat sports, soccer, and endurance sports, Dr. Cloak’s current work includes altitude training in combat sports, the use of virtual reality technology in elite soccer, and return-to-play analysis in sport.

PhD Supervisors

Profile photograph of Matthew Wyon

Matthew Wyon is a Professor in Exercise Physiology and leader of the Performance Enhancement Research Cluster. His main focus is on the performance demands of dance and how it affects the health and well-being of dancers. He is part of an international research group that includes PhD students from across the globe looking at different dance genres from a physiological and biomechanics perspective.

Profile photograph of Amy Bywater

Amy is currently a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education and School Sport, and Inclusivity Lead for the School of Sport. She is currently the principal investigator for an Early Career Research Fellowship which is exploring the nature of belonging, engagement and self-confidence from the student perspective, driven by a strong passion for equality, diversity, inclusion and equitable teaching practices. She has published the findings of a mindfulness intervention programme with global majority students and based on her previous roles as Head of PE and Head of House in the primary/secondary school sectors, she is currently writing two projects up on the back of completing her Doctorate in Education: a conceptualisation of quality in physical education teaching, and a mixed methods approach to understanding physical education teachers constructs of quality across a career.

Amy Bywater, Lecturer in Physical Education

Profile photograph of Nicholas OLeary

Dr Nick O'Leary has been a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education and School Sport at the University of Wolverhampton for 23 years. Nick has three research areas of interest. Firstly, how teachers’ past and current socialisation experiences influence their teaching of Physical Education. Secondly, the issues teachers and coaches face in learning to use game-based approaches in Physical Education and sports coaching. Finally, the influence neoliberal performativity has on the working lives of Physical Education teachers.

Profile photograph of Alison Forbes

“My research is underpinned by a focus on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. My main research interests are exploring the experiences of women working in male-dominated spaces. I have recently published a co-authored chapter on the transition from women's amateur to semi-professional football. Previous work includes research on female football officials and sex segregation in football.”

Alison Forbes,  Senior Lecturer in Sport Sociology

Gavin smiling at camera

Gavin Ward is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education at the University of Wolverhampton and a leading member of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion research theme within the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC). The theme is focused on research that positively impacts social justice in relation to (dis)ability, gender, age, class, race and ethnicity. Gavin has recently completed a £40k research project for British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) to explore Race and Equality within university sport and physical activity provision.   Recommendations from this UK-wide research are now in the process of being implemented by BUCS.  Gavin Supervises a range of research students across a range of subject areas including health, psychology and sport. These include full-time, part-time and professional doctorate students. 

 

Potential Career Paths

Teaching and researching in sports science, recreation management, or related fields.

Writing the code behind apps, analytics tools, and performance platforms.

Creating detailed career plans for athletes to track their growth and long-term success.

Help elected representatives implement public policies in the field of sport.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

1. Flexible Study Options

PhD studies available full-time (typically 3 years) or part-time (typically 6 years), offering flexibility for different schedules and commitments.

2. Theoretical Research Focus

Emphasis on theoretical research aimed at advancing knowledge and understanding within your chosen field.

3. Contribution to Future Development

Research projects are designed to inform future research, education, and policy development, ensuring real-world impact.

4. Exploration of Current Projects

Students are encouraged to explore research videos to gain insights into current projects and areas of expertise within the program.

1. Psychological Understanding

Develop an in-depth understanding of psychological principles and how they apply to behaviour, cognition, and mental health, particularly in sports and performance contexts.

2. Knowledge of Physiology

Gain expertise in human physiology, particularly as it relates to physical performance, exercise, and health optimisation.

3. Biomechanics Skills

Acquire skills in biomechanical analysis to understand human movement, injury prevention, and performance enhancement.

4. Performance Optimisation

Learn how to evaluate, enhance, and sustain physical and mental performance across different fields, such as sports, education, and professional development.

5. Coaching Expertise

Build advanced coaching skills, focusing on motivation, athlete development, performance improvement, and team dynamics.

6. Sociological Insights

Understand the social and cultural factors that influence human behavior, team dynamics, and performance in sports and education.

7. Leadership Development

Cultivate leadership skills, including decision-making, communication, and team management, to lead effectively in various professional settings.

8. Fostering Innovation

Learn how to promote and implement innovation, particularly in coaching, performance strategies, and education, by applying creative and forward-thinking approaches.

9. Analytical Skills

Develop advanced analytical skills to assess data, trends, and performance metrics, driving improvements in practice and outcomes.

10. Development and Growth

Gain the ability to facilitate personal and professional development, whether in sports, education, or leadership, by applying growth strategies and fostering skill advancement.

11. Educational Expertise

Build the skills needed to teach and educate others, focusing on educational psychology, performance improvement, and coaching techniques.

12. Research Proficiency

Master research methodologies and techniques, preparing you to contribute original research that informs theory and practice within your area of expertise.

13. Methodological Rigor

Develop proficiency in research methodology, allowing for the design and implementation of robust research projects that produce reliable results.

14. Collaboration Skills

Learn to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, combining expertise from psychology, physiology, coaching, and other fields to solve complex challenges.

15. Management Abilities

Build managerial skills essential for overseeing teams, projects, and organisations in sports, education, and performance-related fields.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £4596 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £4712 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £4786 per year 2024-25
Home Full-time £5006 per year 2025-26
Home Part-time Distance Learning £4596 per year 2022-23
Home Part-time Distance Learning £4712 per year 2023-24
Home Part-time Distance Learning £4786 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time Distance Learning £5006 per year 2025-26
Home Part-time £2298 per year 2022-23
Home Part-time £2356 per year 2023-24
Home Part-time £2393 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £2503 per year 2025-26
International Full-time £14450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £15450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £15950 per year 2024-25
International Full-time £16950 per year 2025-26
International Part-time Distance Learning £14450 per year 2022-23
International Part-time Distance Learning £9600 per year 2023-24
International Part-time Distance Learning £9600 per year 2024-25
International Part-time Distance Learning £ per year 2025-26

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

 Applicants for a research degree shall normally hold either:

 • a first or upper second class honours degree, or

 • a master’s degree, or

 • evidence of prior practice or learning that is accepted by the Dean of Research.

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English at least to the level of an IELTS score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no individual element less than 6.0. The only exemption to this is for students who are not required to do so as per UKVI regulations: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english. 

 

Our students

Financial support for research study:

Before applying, you should consider carefully how you will finance your studies for the duration of your programme, including tuition fees, research support fees and living costs.


Government loans (Home Fee Status):

Government loans are available for postgraduate research students of up to £28,673, to cover fees and living expenses. More information can be found at Doctoral-loans website.


Studying in the UK:Guidance for EU students

For 2021/22 new entrants, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fee status and financial support from Student Finance England.


Self-funded:

We are able to take payments in instalments, to spread out the cost of your studies, and it is possible to switch between full-time and part-time modes of study. For more information go to How to pay.


Postgraduate Research Loyalty Discount:

To students progressing from an undergraduate programme and/or a taught postgraduate programme to a postgraduate research programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree and/or Masters level qualification, as long as the new award is at a higher level.

For full terms and conditions please see: Loyalty Discount for Postgraduate Research Students


Research councils:

The UK Research and Innovation funds postgraduate study in all subject areas on a discretionary basis.


University Research Studentships:

The University offers a very limited number of research stipends, formerly known as bursaries, to research students. Stipends are designed to support specific projects as determined by the Research Institute rather than individual student-led projects. Funds are accessible from the relevant Research Institute or Centre - please contact them directly.


Other sources:

Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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