Pursue original research in physiology, psychology, biomechanics or coaching/pedagogy, in highly-equipped surroundings with an innovative, expert team.
Full description
The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences brings together expertise in physiology, psychology, biomechanics and coaching/pedagogy within the School of Psychology, Sport and Sensory Science.
Specialists from these disciplines collaborate on projects within four broad categories: athlete performance; recreational-based sport and exercise; health-based exercise; judo-based research.
Within this innovative and highly productive research environment we can provide you with supervision in a wide range of research topics, in well-equipped surroundings.
We host research seminars, conferences and workshops to aid knowledge-sharing and you’ll be part of a supportive postgraduate community encompassing many specialisms.
As an indication of activity within the department, here’s a brief overview of our current research projects:
- Nitrate and VO2
- Bicarbonate and VO2
- Stroke volume and menstrual function
- Visual search and anxiety in sport
- Visual impairment and adaptive gait
- Mobile multivariable physiological monitors and sporting performance
- Temporal analysis of lightweight women's Judo
- Understanding the coach-athlete relationship
Specialist facilities
You’ll be able to use specialist laboratories and equipment including:
- Dedicated human performance suite
- Exercise physiology laboratory
- Biomechanics Laboratory
- Learning Zone computer suite
In addition to our Sport and Exercise Sciences PhD, we've also identified a range of innovativeresearch project opportunities for you as a postgraduate researcher.
Completion times
MPhil: full-time 1-3 years, part-time 2-4 years.
PhD via progression from MPhil, including that period: full-time 2.5-5 years, part-time 3.5-6 years.
PhD: full-time 2-4 years, part-time 3-6 years.
For further guidance on the duration of research degrees please refer to the Research Degrees Regulations.
Our supervisory staff are recognised experts in their field. Their research expertise includes:
- Prof Dan Gordon - Exercise physiology.
- Dr James Johnstone - Strength and conditioning, talent identification and development of excellence, use of mobile monitoring technology in sport and performance.
- Adrian Scruton - Chronic changes in muscle activation (EMG) and walking gait with the use of unstable shoe design.
- Dr Matthew Timmis - Investigating visual search strategies in sports performance and how these patterns change as a function of task demand.
- Dr Katrina McDonald - Coaching and athlete education.
- Prof Lee Smith - Physical activity promotion and sedentary behaviour reduction.
- Prof Justin Roberts - Performance and functional nutrition in relation to sport, health and exercise physiology.
- Dr Francesca Cavallerio - Health and Wellbeing of athletes, psychology of sports injuries, athlete retirement.
- Dr Kjell van Paridon - The influence of psychological stress on visual attention, motor skill execution and performance.
- Dr Matt Jewiss - performance under pressure in a variety of performance domains, e.g., sport, education, aviation and the emergency services.
- Dr Ash Willmott - Sport and exercise physiology, extreme environments (heat stress and hypoxia), football performance and injury risk prediction.
- Dr Andrew Morrison - Biomechanics, specifically in golf and the coordination and control of human movement.
- Dr Sanjoy Deb - Nutrition and exercise, with diverse expertise that covers nutraceuticals, functional foods, nutritional physiology and behaviour change.
Your faculty
The Faculty of Science & Engineering is one of the largest of the four faculties at ARU. Whether you choose to study with us full-time or part-time, on campus or at a distance, there’s an option whatever your level – from a foundation degree, BSc, MSc, PhD or professional doctorate.
Whichever course you pick, you’ll gain the theory and practical skills needed to progress with confidence. Join us and you could find yourself learning in the very latest laboratories or on field trips or work placements with well-known and respected companies. You may even have the opportunity to study abroad.
Everything we do in the faculty has a singular purpose: to provide a world-class environment to create, share and advance knowledge in science, technology and engineering fields. This is key to all of our futures.
Where can I study?
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Course fees
UK students, 2024/25 (per year)
£4,786
UK students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year)
£2,392
International students, 2024/25 (per year)
£15,900
International students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year)
£7,950
Bench fees
In some cases extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.
Some examples of these costs are (the list is not exhaustive): equipment hire, access costs to specialist equipment/workshops, volunteer expenses, specialist tissue/cell culture, specialist reagents or materials, specialist software, access to specialist databases, data collection costs, specialist media, recording or digital storage needs.
We charge bench fees in bands. They may apply for every year of your course. These bands are the same for full- and part-time students.
If you have to pay bench fees this will be made clear at your interview, and stated in your offer letter.
For 2024/25 the bench fee bands are:
- £500
- £1,200
- £2,200
- £4,500
- £8,900
PhD by Published Work
Initial registration: £1,500
Full registration: £4,500
Writing up fees 2024/25
£1,200
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.
Funding
For advice on the Doctoral Loan and other sources of funding, including ARU scholarships, visit our finance guide for postgraduate researchers.
You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.
ARU's academic excellence was recognised in 2021, as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise which assesses the quality of academic research. Sixteen areas of our work were classed as generating world-leading research. The results showed that we're making a significant impact on the societies we live in.
We’ll provide comprehensive research training in areas such as academic writing and publishing, research methods, subject developments, data analysis, conference skills and presentation.
If you're interested in finding out more about research study opportunities, please email SE-research@aru.ac.uk
MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelor degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.
PhD: You’ll need a Master degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the programme as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Contact our postgraduate research degree team for more information about studying a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate at ARU.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your research programme.
