Study at a leading reserach department with multidisplinary expertise. With research areas from exercise science to sport coaching, follow your interests and shape the future of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences research.
Join us and gain world-leading research skills, enhance your career prospects, and thrive in a stimulating, multidisciplinary environment. Our flexible study options and strong industry connections will help you achieve your professional aspirations. You’ll be part of a vibrant research community, playing an active role in seminars featuring renowned speakers.
I chose UoB for my PhD because of its excellent reputation for research in anti-doping and clean sport, and the abundance of world-leading research staff in my topic based in Birmingham. My course is great because I have a lot of flexibility in terms of how, when, and where I conduct my research, and I’m surrounded by fellow PhD students, postdocs and research staff with a wide range of interests, which often gives me a great perspective on my work and helps situate my research in an inter-disciplinary context.
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly postgraduate students to get their thoughts on our courses, stunning campus and life in a vibrant and cultural city.
Our PhD programmes are available as full-time or part-time study. The full-time route is 36 months and part-time 72 months, with study normally commencing in October. Both modes of study have an optional additional 12 months, commonly used to write up the final thesis. The first year of PhD studies is probationary. Your supervisor will identify your training needs and invite you to attend relevant training as appropriate. To successfully progress onto the next year of study students must pass an annual review.
The focus of the introductory year is to prepare you for the completion of your independent research projects. Other activities are focussed on you developing insights in the skills required to effectively understand and critique key information sources including the scientific literature and how this can be used to develop your own practice.
Become an expert researcher by studying at one of the UK's leading research departments, ranked 6th in the latest Research Excellence Framework. Based in the UK’s largest custom-built Sport and Exercise facility, you will acccess state-of-the-art research labs and a wide range of equipment for diverse research areas.
Our vibrant postgraduate community offers comprehensive support right from the start of your doctoral journey, with a structured training tailored to meet your needs. The course provides teaching opportunities and monthly review meetings with your supervisor. You will be encouraged to present your research plans and findings to peers, fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.
in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF)
in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2024)
in the World (QS World University Rankings 2024)
Within the School there is a regular research seminar programme, in which expert speakers from other universities and institutions give talks on their own research. You also have opportunities to present your own research ideas and findings, and our postgraduates currently organise a seminar series to provide a forum for such presentations. You will also be encouraged to present your data at national and international conferences. In addition, each of our research groups runs internal seminars.
Blended learning provides the basis for the delivery of this course. This structured learning is supported by the completion of independent research projects that are supported by expert supervision from the staff within the school.
We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff in the Department, and we recommend that you investigate staff research interests before applying.
Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.
If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.
When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.
We conduct world-leading research to increase physical activity and optimise health across the lifespan.
If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.
Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.
You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.
MPhil registration requires a relevant first degree and evidence of ability to undertake research.
Full-time
These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.
You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.
A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.
To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.
If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.
If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.
We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
This course offers a stimulating and enriching journey for you to foster independent research skills to aid your career development. The aim is for you to gain research achievements upon which to build a successful career. The School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, aims to enhance societal health and wellbeing through increased engagement in physical activity. With a diverse range of disciplines and a focus on five major research themes, the course provides a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary environment for students to explore and contribute to the future of sport, exercise, health, and rehabilitation sciences.
Explore Career Options Beyond Academia for PGRs
PGR Careers
Academic Careers
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.
We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll have a variety of choices of accommodation. Stay with us in our dedicated postgraduate halls or explore a wide range of private accommodation close to campus.
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state of the art facilities.
