Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences PhDs

By undertaking a PhD at Loughborough, you will be joining the number 1 ranked university in the world for sport related subjects (QS World University Rankings 2017-2023).

The quality of research across the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences has seen Loughborough University ranked 1st in the UK for research power (GPA x volume) in Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Our internationally renowned academic staff have expertise in a wide variety of areas, ensuring our diverse research portfolio covers: biomechanics, cellular and molecular biology, coaching, economics, medicine, nutrition, pedagogy, physiology, psychology, sociology, sport management, and more.
 

Our current PhD opportunities

Our current PhD opportunities are listed below, these projects already have a specified topic and allocated supervisor. Discover more about the project, funding and how to apply by clicking on the opportunity that sparks your interest.

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Why study a research degree with us

Excellent facilities

Benefit from more than 50 dedicated research and teaching laboratories for the study of exercise physiology, DNA analysis, muscle function, disability sport, nutrition, sleep and recovery, and more.

Your personal development

Receive support from at least two academic supervisors with different, but related, research expertise, and work with a range of academic staff and students through research forums, seminars and involvement in research groups.

Access to the experts

Benefit from expertise at: the Leicester Biomedical Research Centre; the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine; the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; and The Centre for Lifestyle Medicine and Behaviour.

A vibrant community

Join our thriving PhD population of around 220 full-time and part-time UK and international research students, and be surrounded by elite athletes, sports organisations and national governing bodies on campus.

Meet our supervisors and researchers

Postgraduate research opportunities at the World No.1 University for Sport-related subjects

Stacy Clemes

Meet Professor Stacy Clemes

Stacy Clemes, Professor of Active Living & Public Health in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences talks about her research, which centres around encouraging people to sit less and move more.

Read more
Alice Thackery

Alice

Doctoral research graduate

I hope the research I am involved in helps to improve health and wellbeing for the benefit of all by increasing understanding of the role of physical activity in facilitating healthy weight control and the prevention of chronic disease.
Mohsen Sayyah

Mohsen

Doctoral research graduate

Loughborough University has helped me to become an independent researcher and enabled me to make my transition from sports biomechanics to public health research.

Further information

For further information about funding and writing your research proposal, please see our dedicated web pages below.

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Your journey into research

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Funding your research

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Create your own research proposal