The title of Doctor of Professional Practice in Sport (DProf. Sport) is reserved for programmes of research focused on professional practice in sport-related subjects including Sport Coaching, Sport and Exercise Science, Sport and Exercise Physiology, Sport and Exercise Biomechanics, Sport and Exercise Nutrition, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sport Development, Sport Business, Sport Marketing, Physical Education, and Physical Activity and Health.

A Professional Doctorate is an alternative route to gaining a doctoral qualification. As a Professional Doctorate student, you will attend sessions with peers as well as engaging one-to-one with your individual supervisors to produce an academic research-informed thesis normally relating directly to your employment.

The aim of these programmes is to find novel approaches to integrating professional and academic knowledge. Sessions are delivered throughout the first year of study. These are face-to-face and can be evenings or intensive days on campus. Alongside this you will have regular meetings with your supervisors and have the opportunity to attend other optional sessions as part of the university’s student training programme.

The course structure will vary across subjects. Common to all professional doctorates is the completion of an original piece of research. This should then be presented as a thesis and, like a traditional PhD, is examined by an expert in the chosen field.

Usually the research project will relate to real life issues concerned with professional practice. In many cases research is carried out within your own organisation and therefore the research has a positive impact on your employer.