About your course
LJMU's Professional Doctorate in Applied Sport and Exercise Science enables you to create and interpret new knowledge associated with your own professional practice.
- The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked 6th for Sports Science (QS World University Rankings 2024)
- Designed to support the creation and interpretation of new professional practice in your own area
- Enjoy high quality supervision on this programme which is underpinned by high-grade research
- Go on to work with elite athletes or take up a position in physical activity promotion, education, teaching or research
- Work closely with academic staff who are leaders in their research field and experts in training
Applied Sport and Exercise Science is an established discipline with growing possibilities for qualified professionals.
Opportunities for professional training at doctoral level are increasingly important for vocational careers within sport and exercise. This doctorate facilitates the creation and interpretation of new professional knowledge.
To obtain the award you will need to complete a related Masters programme or MPhil and spend two or more years acquiring a range of supervised skills connected with applied research.
The programme is underpinned by a strong focus on equipping future Applied Sport and Exercise Scientists for a range of professional scenarios associated with problem solving.
You will develop your skills as a research practitioner, more specifically the ability to complete research projects in the real world. You will also demonstrate that you have the generic professional skills required to be an Applied Sport and Exercise Scientist through your own work-based learning experiences, taught sessions on the programme and extensive supervision.
Matthew's story
Matthew was drawn to the Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Sciences thanks to the balance it strikes between the applied nature of the subject and its research elements.
I have really enjoyed the taught elements of the course and the opportunity to bounce ideas off other students. Postgraduate study has been what I expected. It has been taxing and has made us all ask ourselves some deep and meaningful questions. It is also very developmental and has seen us grow as researchers and practitioners.
I would recommend postgraduate study at LJMU to anyone. I have had only good experiences. There is so much help available from the supervision team, the support team and, of course, fellow students.
As a city, Liverpool is great for students. The people are so warm and have a great sense of humour. There's a real sporting and musical heritage here.
Go on a tour of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Course modules
What you will study on this degree
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Academic English Skills (AES)
20 credits
20 credits
In this module you will develop your English language communication skills to a level that will allow you to succeed in your degree programme.
Engineering Mathematics 1a
10 credits
10 credits
To provide a foundation in engineering mathematics for its application to the solution of engineering problems This module provides a foundation in pre-calculus for level four students in mechanical and electrical engineering, to enable them to apply this to the solution of engineering problems. For each topic area of the syllabus, relevant commands will be given for application of a symbolic algebra package, e.g. Mathcad to harder problems. Coursework assessment will be through online questions delivered using MapleTA online assessment software
Engineering Mathematics 1b
10 credits
10 credits
To provide a foundation in engineering mathematics for its application to the solution of engineering problems This module provides a foundation in engineering mathematics for level four students in mechanical and electrical engineering, to enable them to apply this to the solution of engineering problems. For each topic area of the syllabus, relevant commands will be given for application of a symbolic algebra package, e.g. Mathcad to harder problems. Coursework assessment will be through online questions delivered using MapleTA online assessment software.
Optional modules
Software Development for Embedded Systems
20 credits
20 credits
This module is intended to provide students with a good appreciation of - the physical properties and behaviours that influence electrical systems, - how parameters are measured - communications systems This module will introduce students to fundamental mechanical parameters, their measurement, and their impact on electrical circuits, and the principles behind the communication of data.
Analogue Electronics
10 credits
10 credits
Provide an overview of the operation of modern microprocessors/microcontrollers and the mechanisms used to represent and process information. Design and implement applications written in both low level and high level languages. This module introduces the fundamentals of Computer architecture and the development of High level software.
Professional Practice and the Environment
20 credits
20 credits
To enhance knowledge and understanding of electrical and electronic circuits by completing a set of practical experiments. To gain experience in practical design of electronic circuits including prototyping and PCB design and manufacture. To develop professional practical skills to undertake experimental laboratory work, to test design ideas in laboratories or through simulation, to analyse and critically evaluate technical issues, and to present and document ideas and results. To develop the ability in data manipulation and sorting. To develop a personal development plan and understand the impact engineering has on the environment. The personal development portion of the module is assessed on a pass/fail basis. Students must complete the assessment exercises to a satisfactory standard in order to achieve a pass grade in this module.
Applied Mechanics 1
20 credits
20 credits
To introduce the essential principles of applied mechanics The module will provide students with an introduction to essential applied mechanics (static force systems, strength of materials, kinematics, dynamics, impulse and momentum).
Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 1
20 credits
20 credits
To introduce the essential principles of Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics This module introduces some of the most important fundamental ideas behind the development of core engineering disciplines of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. The content sets the framework for further study during levels 5, 6 & 7. The module is supported by tutorial work which will help develop the necessary understanding and skill required of an engineering student.
Materials
10 credits
10 credits
To introduce the essential principles of material science, applications and processing methods of different material groups.-
Engineering Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to introduce students to a range of general engineering practices and standards. Students must attempt all assessment components and obtain an overall module average of 40 % or above in order to achieve a pass grade in this module.
Mechatronics 1
10 credits
10 credits
Digital Electronics
10 credits
10 credits
Engineering Circuit Analysis
20 credits
20 credits
Your Learning Experience
Excellent facilities and learning resources
Study hours
You will be required to attend the University for five days of staff-supported learning in the first five months of the course (January to May). A development day following this initial period will be held approximately every eight weeks. The remaining delivery will largely be focused upon individually negotiated contact sessions with your supervisor.
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
Assessment on this course includes: a professional training audit, a systematic review, scientific and professional reports, reflections and a viva voce exam at the end of the programme.
Where you will study
The programme is delivered in the City Campus, in the £28 million Tom Reilly Building, which provides world-class sport and exercise science facilities. These include: 12-lead ECG and cardiopulmonary stress exercise testing equipment, ultrasound machines, echocardiography and vascular physiology. The School also houses 800m2 of exercise physiology laboratory space and 100 m2 of molecular/biochemistry laboratory space.
Course tutors
Dr Roberts joined LJMU in 2004. In 2014 he was conferred as a Reader in Sport and Exercise Pedagogy. He has held a number of research positions within the university, such as being a member of the Faculty Research Degrees Committee and the University Degrees Committee. Dr Roberts' research interests are pragmatic and applied in professional contexts. His research crosses traditional sub-discipline boundaries. He is more interested in solving the question than adhering to a specific scientific discipline. In 2020 Simon was appointed as a Justice of the Peace and currently sits on the criminal bench of the Merseyside Magistrates court.
The most enjoyable aspect of my role is watching how emergent postgraduate student research ideas translate into credible, applied solutions that make a real difference in practice.
Career paths
Employment opportunities in Applied Sport and Exercise Science have become increasingly professionalised in recent years. As a consequence there is a need for individuals to demonstrate high level professional and personal skills. A growing number of Applied Sport and Exercise Science graduates work in applied settings as practitioners and promoters, as well as taking employment in Applied Sport and Exercise Science education, teaching and research positions.
Staff on the course have existing experience of supervised trainees working in the Applied Sport and Exercise Science service domain.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
Tuition fees and funding
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.
Financial Support
The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications:
Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
Qualification requirements
Alternative qualifications considered
International requirements
Other international requirements
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Your university life
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The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.