Doctorate in Professional Practice (Sport and Exercise)
Course overview
• Undertake research that will enhance your professional practice, benefiting you, your clients and others in the profession • Our expert teaching team are either personally engaged in professional practice or actively researching how it may be enhanced and our ongoing research in professional practice means we bring cutting-edge knowledge to the delivery of the programme • Members of the teaching team have undertaken a professional doctorate themselves. They have first-hand experience of the journey you will go on and can provide relevant and effective support for you throughout the programme • Exploring and critiquing the culture in a specific sport or exercise environment to better understand how it might be enhanced (ethnography) • Exploring how different forms of personal development (e.g., reflective practice) can enhance practitioner philosophies, knowledge and skills • Going through cycles of intervention, reflection and planning to improve practice with a specific group of athletes or patients (action research)
Key highlights
- Practice-based research designed to enhance your own professional practice
- Taught by practitioners and active researchers in professional practice
- Tutors have completed professional doctorates and offer first-hand support
- Research approaches include ethnography of sport and exercise cultures
- Action research cycles to improve practice with athletes or patients
- Explores reflective practice to develop practitioner philosophy, knowledge and skills
Entry requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 — 6.5 IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (min 5.5 in each skills area)
Scholarships
10% Alumni Discount
All other alumni will receive a 10% discount.
Up to 10% of fees25% Alumni Discount
The 25% alumni discount is available if you graduated in the academic years 2023/24 or 2024/25 and are fully enrolled on a postgraduate programme by July 2026.
Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship
Two awards of £1,000 are available, and will be awarded as a tuition fee reduction in the second semester. Each recipient will also be allocated up to £500 to use to attend a conference.
Up to £1,000
Careers this course leads to
- Sport and exercise scientist
- Sport and exercise psychologist
- Strength and conditioning coach
- Clinical exercise physiologist
- Senior lecturer in sport and exercise science
- Performance director
Cost of study
UK/Home: £3,300 per year | International: £3,300 per year
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Derby, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to your place.