Sport Science PhD/MSc (Research)
An opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research across various sports science fields. With a strong focus on practical experience and career development, we excel in enhancing the employability of our students. We will prepare you for diverse roles in the sports industry, academia, and the wider job market. Our projects are very flexible, enabling you to specialise in physical activity and health, sports performance, exercise physiology, or sports medicine.
- PhD: 3-4 years full-time; 5 years part-time;
- MSc (Research): 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time;
- IPhD: 5 years full-time;
Overview
An opportunity to carry out a Masters by Research/PhD whilst gaining applied sports science experience in elite sporting organisations.
Our Sport Science programme has a focus on sports performance, exercise physiology and physical activity for health.
Sports performance
Opportunities typically arise within professional sporting organisations and allow applicants to carry out research in an applied environment. You will also gain experience and learn the skills required to be a practitioner, often at an elite level.
Typical studies:
- rugby
- hockey
- football
Exercise physiology
The study of the physiology of exercise, training and physical work. This includes the study of the acute responses and chronic adaptations to a wide range of exercise conditions [under the influence of various environmental factors such as temperature, pressure and altitude].
Typical studies:
- investigations of the effectiveness of different training protocols
- the potential advantages of ergogenic aids
- control of exercise intensity and the underlying physiologic responses to these interventions
These may be undertaken both in the laboratory and in the field.
Physical activity for health
The study of physical activity and/or sedentary behaviours in different sections of the population, eg. children, school leavers, clinical groups.
Typical studies:
- investigations of how much physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour is carried out by the cohort of interest
- include the effectiveness of different interventions designed to improve health-enhancing activity related behaviours.
There are opportunities to conduct research in this area in a lab, field or applied setting.
Study options
PhD
- Duration: 3/4 years full-time; 5 years part-time
Individual research projects are tailored around the expertise of principal investigators.
Integrated PhD programmes (5 years)
Our Integrated PhD allows you to combine masters level teaching with your chosen research direction in a 1+3+1 format.
International students with MSc and PhD scholarships/funding do not have to apply for 2 visas or exit and re-enter the country between programmes. International and UK/EU students may apply.
Year 1
Taught masters level modules are taken alongside students on our masters programmes. Our research-led teaching supports you to fine tune your research ideas and discuss these with potential PhD supervisors. You will gain a valuable introduction to academic topics, research methods, laboratory skills and the critical evaluation of research data. Your grades must meet our requirements in order to gain entry on to your pre-selected PhD research project. If not, you will have the options to pay outstanding MSc fees and complete with masters degree only.
Years 2, 3 and 4
PhD programme with research/lab work, completing an examinable piece of independent research in year 4.
Year 5
Thesis write up.
MSc (Research)
- Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Entry requirements
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.
English language requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
2024/25
- UK: £4,786
- International & EU: £30,240
Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.
Alumni discount
We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.
Possible additional fees
- Re-submission by a research student £540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790
Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.
Funding
The IPhD is not supported by University of Glasgow Scholarship/Funding
Support
Graduate School
The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences Graduate School provides a vibrant, supportive and stimulating environment for all our postgraduate students.
Our aim is to provide a research training environment that includes:
- provision of excellent facilities and cutting edge techniques
- training in essential research and generic skills
- excellence in supervision and mentoring
- interactive discussion groups and seminars
- an atmosphere that fosters critical cultural policy and research analysis
- synergy between research groups and areas
- extensive multidisciplinary and collaborative research
- extensive external collaborations both within and beyond the UK
- a robust generic skills programme including opportunities in social and commercial training
Our excellent facilities and dedicated staff will equip you with training complementary to a range of career options, and you can tailor your study pathway to the precise aspects that suit your objectives.
How to apply
Identify potential supervisors
All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.
You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.
IPhD applicants do not need to contact a supervisor, as you will choose from a list of IPhD projects. Each project has named supervisors.
Gather your documents
Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:
- Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
- Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document
- Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional [except iPhD applicants, where only one academic or professional reference is required]. References may be uploaded as part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference. We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
- Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area. iPhD applicants do not need to submit any of these as you will start your programme by choosing a masters.
- Completed College of MVLS Postgraduate Research Cover Letter
Notes for iPhD applicants
- add 'I wish to study the MSc in (select MSc from IPhD project choices) as the masters taught component of the IPhD' in the research proposal box
- For supervisor name, please ensure you write the named supervisors from your chosen IPhD project.
Contact us
Before you apply
PhD/MSc/MD: email mvls-gradschool@glasgow.ac.uk
iPhD: email mvls-iphd@glasgow.ac.uk
After you have submitted your application
PhD/MSc/MD/iPhD: contact our Admissions team
Any references may be submitted by email to: rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
Our research environment
Induction
- Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community