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Course Information

Level of Study

Research

Mode of Study

2 years Full Time

Department

Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Location

City Campus, Northumbria University

City

Newcastle

Start

October 2025

GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2025 MODERN UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR

Overview

Champion Innovation in Sport: Where Research Meets Real-World Impact 

The Doctor of Sport (DSport) at Northumbria is designed to train skilled researcher-practitioners who bridge the gap between academia and the complex realities of sports and exercise professions. This unique course is embedded in industry, such that your research is inseparable from, and informed by, your experiences in practice. Crucially, your experience will enable you to adopt a demand-driven approach to research and position you at the nexus between scholarship and industry in ways that drives knowledge generation and knowledge mobilisation.

Throughout the studies, you'll design research that addresses workplace opportunities, solves complex problems, generates novel understanding, and promotes ethical, professional practice. You'll refine your research skills and learn to critically evaluate and apply your findings to inform change and produce tangible impact. By the end, you'll not only develop advanced expertise but also contribute original, evidence-based scholarship that benefit your professional practice, your organisation, and the broader field.

The heart of the course is a doctoral thesis tailored to your career goals. This work reflects your growth as a researcher and practitioner, offering insights that drive meaningful change and enhance the systems where you work. It's a journey of growth, innovation, and practical impact!

This course is also available as part-time study.

Course Information

Level of Study

Research

Mode of Study

2 years Full Time

Department

Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Location

City Campus, Northumbria University

City

Newcastle

Start

October 2025

GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2025 MODERN UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £7,453

International Fee in Year 1: £26,970

Please note, the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme is not eligible for the Doctoral Loan.  Further information can be found on the Government website.


Click here for UK and International Scholarship, Fees and Funding information.




ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

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To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Doctor of Sport

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Features & Benefits

  • Top Rated: Sport Science at Northumbria is ranked top 20 in the UK (Times Good University Guide, 2025).
  • Research Powerhouse: Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria is ranked 5th for research power in the UK (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 21 places compared to 2014 – the largest rise in the sector.
  • Inspiring Alumni: Graduates from our Sport courses have included successful medal winning athletes such as Victoria Pendleton (Olympic cyclist), Steve Cram (track and field athlete), Jamie Noon (Rugby Union), Martin Corry (Rugby International), and Chris Cook (Olympic swimmer). 

 

Careers & Employability

The doctorate is designed to help you grow as a skilled researcher-practitioner, blending academic research with real-world application. It also opens pathways to potential academic careers if desired. 

You’ll develop practical skills like problem-solving, ethical decision-making, creative thinking, and advanced research techniques, all tailored to address real challenges in your field. The doctorate emphasises impactful, high-quality research, helping you design effective, ethical solutions for complex problems in your professional practice. 

Throughout your studies, you'll have access to the Graduate Futures Team, who offer personalised career advice, resources, and opportunities like volunteering, internships, and work experience to support your career growth. 

We have a fantastic service for students' to use to gain advice and tips on furthering careers and enhancing their employability.

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Careers and Employment Services

Staff

The tutors involved in this course are highly experienced, research-active staff. 

Supervisors are normally allocated, where possible, to reflect both your research interests and the expertise of the university’s staff. 

These research areas may include: 

  • Optimising Sport Performance
  • Sports Coach Education
  • Physical Activity & Exercise for Health Across the Lifespan
  • Pedagogy in Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation 
  • Sport, Health, Exercise & Nutrition
  • Sport Spaces, Places & People 

Facilities

As a DSport student at Northumbria, you may have access to facilities related to your chosen specialism and research type, be that qualitative, quantitative, or both

As well as this, postgraduate students may also have access to our The Research Commons on City Campus. This is a dedicated space designed to foster interdisciplinary networking, collaboration, and digital scholarship for postgraduate research students and academic staff.

Facilities include individual study areas with PCs, Macs, and dual-screen monitors, as well as collaborative spaces and consultation rooms, and a central hub with soft seating, a research reference collection. Drop-in sessions with library staff may provide expert support on topics like copyright, scholarly communication, and reference tools.

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints



If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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