Sports Engineering and Human Factors
Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, United Kingdom
Course overview
Loughborough has a proud history of pioneering the engineering of sports products, demonstrating how sport enhances physical and mental wellbeing and contributes to wider societal and cultural development. Building on this tradition, we design engineering solutions that place human performance, sport, wellbeing and social impact at the centre of technological progress. Wolfson School hosts world-class expertise in sport engineering, human factors, biomechanics, sports-equipment design, ergonomics, and applied AI.
Our PhD research tackles real-world challenges such as improving athletic performance, preventing injury, enhancing user–technology interaction, and developing evidence-based product and system designs that benefit society. A doctoral researcher will have access to state-of-the-art equipment, bespoke sport test rigs and dedicated biomechanics and prototyping facilities, enabling the design, development, testing, and optimisation of sports-related and human-centred systems. Our human-centred engineering labs, sports-engineering facilities, biomechanics testing suites, and interdisciplinary research groups create a unique environment for high-impact, real-world doctoral research.
The group also contributes to the development of Industry 5.0 paradigms, emphasising human-centric, resilient, performance-oriented and sustainable socio-technical systems. Example research areas: 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021
Key highlights
- Expertise spans sport engineering, human factors, biomechanics, ergonomics and applied AI
- Access to bespoke sport test rigs and prototyping facilities
- Dedicated biomechanics testing suites and human-centred engineering labs
- Research tackles athletic performance, injury prevention and user–technology interaction
- Contributes to human-centric, sustainable Industry 5.0 socio-technical systems
- 94% of research impact rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
Entry requirements
- Degree: 2:1 — or above
Scholarships
Alumni Bursary
10% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 10% of feesAlumni Discount
UK students: £1,500 tuition fee discount for one academic year. International students: £3,000 tuition fee discount for one academic year.
Care Leaver's Scholarship
Excellence Scholarships
UK students: £3,000 off tuition fees; International students: £6,000 off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary
Our International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary offers a £12,000 tuition fee discount (set against the tuition fees of your chosen postgraduate taught programme ONLY).
Up to £12,000London 10th Anniversary Award
£5,000 off tuition fees.
Up to £5,000Loughborough Business School Scholarship
£1,500 (UK students) and £3,000 (international students) off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
MBA Progress with Purpose Scholarship
50% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 50% of feesQatari Ghanim Al-Muftah Excellence Scholarship
Careers this course leads to
- Sports engineer
- Human factors specialist
- Biomechanics researcher
- Sports equipment design engineer
- Ergonomist
- University lecturer or postdoctoral researcher
Cost of study
UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £29,500
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 Loughborough University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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