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PHD SPORT SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
Develop advanced research skills, academic knowledge, and professional competencies within our Structured PhD in Sport Science and Nutrition
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- Qualification
- Philosophiae Doctor Degree
- CAO/MU Apply code
- MH02R;MH03R
- Award Type and NFQ level
- RESEARCH PH.D. (10)
- Study Mode
- Full time
Overview
The Structured PhD in Sport Science and Nutrition aims to provide a comprehensive framework that supports you, the doctoral candidate, in developing advanced research skills, academic knowledge, and professional competencies within a structured environment.
The primary aim of this PhD programme is to help you develop independent research skills, through the completion of original, high-quality research that contributes new knowledge to your chosen field, while fostering critical thinking, problem-solving and methodological rigour. This research may involve collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches through engagement with other researchers, institutions and external partners (e.g. industry/hospital/healthcare).
The PhD programme will offer taught modules that enhance both your specialist domain knowledge and your transferable skills. These modules will add significantly to your PhD experience by broadening your skill base, as well as enhancing your subsequent employability. For those candidates looking for a career in academia, we will also endeavour to provide teaching and associated mentoring opportunities wherever possible. By providing structured timelines and milestones, the PhD programme will help you stay on track to complete your PhD within the expected timeframe (4 years full-time; 6 years part-time).
The three options for funding to support your PhD programme are:
- Direct self-funding by the PhD candidate (to pay fees)
- The PhD candidate applies for funding from an external source (e.g. Research Ireland post-graduate finding scheme). Support varies depending on the source, but funding can include payment of fees, a stipend, consumables and some equipment. All funding programmes are highly competitive, and most are contingent on the applicant securing high marks in their primary degree.
- The supervisor gains funding and looks to attract an appropriate PhD candidate. Support varies depending on the source, but generally includes payment of fees, a stipend and some equipment.
Course structure
Duration: 4 years full-time; 6 years part-time
A student's research programme will be decided upon after consultation with their supervisor. During the duration of the programme, and in addition to their research project, students take a minimum of 15 credits of taught modules in generic and transferable skills and a minimum of 15 credits in taught modules covering advanced/specialist and subject-specific skills.
Course Duration: 4 years Full-time, 6 years Part-time
Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.
Careers
1. Academic and Research Roles
- Lecturer in universities or colleges of further education.
- Postdoctoral Researcher in areas related to your PhD (e.g. Food Science, Nutrition, Sport Science, Public Health and Health Sciences).
- Research Fellow in interdisciplinary research projects.
2. Applied Sport Science
- Researcher or practitioner: Professional Teams, National Sports Organisation. National Governing Bodies of Sport, Private practice, Consultant.
3. Health and Public Sector
- Researcher or practitioner: Public Hospitals, Private Hospitals, Health Boards, Corporate Health, Private Health Services.
- Health Promotion Specialist focusing on physical activity and chronic disease prevention.
- Policy Advisor in health departments.
4. Industry and Consultancy
- Researcher and/or Scientific Advisor: Food and Nutrition, Biotechnology firms, Commercialised Sport, Wearables and Sensor based technologies, Sport and Health equipment Companies.
- Human Performance Consultant for Technology and Sports equipment companies.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8) (or equivalent). A first class honours (1:1) or upper second-class honours (2:2) degree in a relevant subject is required in general. However, where a candidate has not reached this standard, additional qualifications such as a postgraduate masters degree or relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration.
Research Interests
The Department of Sports Science and Nutrition offers a wide range of research interests. You can view our department people and their research areas here.
How to apply
Your first step in applying to register for a PhD is to identify a general research area you are interested in and a potential supervisor from our Department. Current research and research interests of potential supervisors within the Department can be viewed here. You should only apply for the programme once you have received written confirmation from a relevant member of staff who has agreed to supervise your research.
Applications must be made via the MU Apply portal. Please click here to start your application.
When making your application, please ensure you upload the below documentation to your application prior to submission to avoid delays in application assessment:
- Full academic transcripts for all semesters/ years completed to date
- Graduation Certificate if you have graduated/conferred
- A copy of your passport
- Up to date CV
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please click here. Please be advised criteria may differ for EU and Non-EU applicants.