Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
doctor of professional practice in sport (dprof sport)
Aligned with Leeds Beckett University's mission to use our knowledge and resources to make a positive and decisive difference to people, communities and organisations, we are proud to announce the launch of the Carnegie School of Sport's Doctor of Professional Practice in Sport (DProf Sport).
The DProf Sport is only available part-time with the fees of £3,500 per annum for 4 years followed by a fifth year writing up fee of £500 if required.
The DProf Sport integrates part-time doctoral level study with continuing professional practice. It is therefore ideal for those who wish to study at doctoral level whilst maintaining their professional commitments. The programme aims to support experienced professionals working within sport to develop evidence-led solutions to their ‘real world’ workplace problems and gain a formal qualification at the same time.
On the DProf Sport professionals will work with leading academics to undertake in-depth study of some of the complex issues facing sport today. The acquired knowledge and understanding gained through the research journey can then be integrated directly into the organisations and systems in which you work.
The DProf Sport entails the successful completion of a structured and tailored learning programme - incorporating a taught and research component. This period of learning will culminate in an original contribution to your field of study. This contribution will be assessed by the submission of a research thesis, portfolio, artefact or other form of accessible output produced by professional doctorate candidates.
Delivered part-time, the DProf Sport programme allows you the opportunity to combine your current job role with your drive to advance theory and practice and gain doctoral-level recognition within your specific area of study.
- Find out more about being part of the Carnegie School of Sport Research Community
- What is a professional Doctorate?
The DProf Sport aims to enhance your knowledge, skills and expertise to help develop innovative, evidence-led solutions to the problems you face within practice. The core aims of the programme are:
- Evaluate theoretical aspects of expertise that allows you to benchmark your current practices and future aspirations within your industry
- Explore your current professional practices to identify potential problems within your role
- Understand the research process, to apply creative thinking, to solve your practical based problems
- Develop communication skills that allows the submission of work for publication
- Make an original contribution to the enhancement of professional practice within your field
The DProf Sport learning journey has two specific stages:
Stage 1 is the taught component whereby candidates will undertake three learning units via a blended learning approach over a 12 month period. This will entail a number of three-day block of delivery in Leeds alongside an range of online sessions. These learning units include:
- Understanding Expertise in Professional Practice
- Sense-making in Professional Practice
- The Research Process
These learning units will support your project direction and provide wider benefit to your DProf learning journey. This will be enhanced by a collegial environment for candidates. It is envisaged that candidates from numerous specialist areas will undertake the programme simultaneously which would allow for integration of disciplines within the taught learning units.
Stage 2 is your independent work where you will be supported and supervised by two leading academics in the undertaking of your independent project. This is expected to be approximately a 3 year period. This will culminate with the submission of your thesis and practical output (possibilities include website, professional blog, handbook or manual, videos or development courses) and will be assessed in a final viva. This allows candidates to demonstrate their evidence-based, novel solution to their practical ‘real-world’ problem.
The title of DProf Sport is reserved for programmes of focus on professional practice in sport related subjects including:
- Sport and Exercise Science
- Sport Coaching
- Sport and Exercise Physiology
- Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
- Sport and Exercise Nutrition
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Sport Development
- Sport Business Management
- Sport Marketing
- Physical Education
- Physical Activity & Health
Students are required to submit a 1,000 word research proposal on the problem they will be investigating as complimentary evidence to the university application form. This should include a title, purpose of the project, literature review, research methodology and proposed outcomes.
Please contact us to discuss your applications prior to your submission. You can find out more about our research expertise on our community webpages.
You will be allocated a supervisory team relevant to the area of expertise and potential applied problem. Further, students will be supported through the delivery of three learning units within year 1. Attendance is compulsory and dates will be provided in advance to allow candidates opportunity to organise work schedules. The DProf Sport will be further enhanced by a collegial environment for candidates. It is envisaged that candidates from numerous specialist areas will undertake the programme simultaneously which would allow integration of disciplines within the taught learning units.
We also hold an annual DProf Sport conference that allows students across each cohorts to come together to share their projects, experiences and reflections of their development.
For successful entry to the DProf Sport, candidates will normally be required to provide evidence of the following:
- Qualifications – Undergraduate degree plus postgraduate qualification
- Work Experience – A minimum of 3 years applied experience working within sport
- Non-English speaking countries - An overall IELTS score of 7 with no individual sub-score below 6.5
Who to contact
For further information or to discuss an application contact Prof. Kevin Till on K.Till@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
Carnegie School of Sport: If you have a general enquiry, please contact Samantha Sherman in the Carnegie School of Sport Office at s.sherman@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
The Graduate School: For all enquiries regarding the application process, please contact researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk or telephone: +44 (0)113 812 5385.
