MRes (Sport and Exercise)

Start date: September

Course length: Full time or part time, e-learning and by distance learning

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus and online

The sports industry is dynamic, multi-faceted and thanks to the buzz of the 2012 Olympics, there's never been a more exciting time to be part of it. There's a constant thirst for research in this field as factors such as performance, fitness, nutrition, and psychological wellbeing are under the spotlight to ensure optimum results.

We've developed this MRes Sport and Exercise course to help you make a difference to the lives of all those who take part in sport and exercise, whether that's at a professional or recreational level. To give you the best start, we've mapped our course against the quality standards of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). As well as reassuring you of the standard of teaching and support you'll receive, we hope it will boost your employability opportunities.

Our course is different from other postgraduate courses because we know that ultimately your study should support your career aspirations and future potential. That's why a core aspect of this course requires you to specialise in an area of study which you feel passionate about. We have an unrivalled portfolio of individuals and organisations that we work with across a broad spectrum of sporting practices. They include Derventio eXcel swimming club, Leicester Tigers Rugby Football Union, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, Aston Villa Football Club, Derbyshire Institute of Sport, Sportscoach UK, IMPSA and BASES. Working with these organisations will provide you with a unique insight and open up professional opportunities for you.

To support your research we have recently invested in facilities that provide an excellent research environment. Our laboratories include technologies such as gas and blood analysers, specialist strength and conditioning equipment and physiology analysis equipment. We also have a state of the art all weather sports pitch and new fitness facilities.

Throughout the course you'll be supported by our excellent team with strong research, learning and teaching credentials. Many of the teaching team are actively involved in their own research and will share their latest findings with you. Dr Sally Akehurst is an expert in sport and exercise psychology, Dr Peter Brown specialises in exercise and respiratory physiology and Tim Egerton has strong interests in hormonal responses to strength training for example. Other research interests include coaching science, sports management and physical activity. We pride ourselves in our student centred approach so you'll be fully supported by our expert team throughout your study with us.

You'll study the following modules:

Sport and Exercise Negotiated Module - this module enables you to work to a bespoke learning contract between you and your tutor where you'll further develop your specialist knowledge in an area of sport and exercise. You'll learn from a variety of sources including teaching sessions from different levels, work experience, practical laboratory work, critical analysis of literature, or a combination of all of these.

Research Methods - with this online module, you'll gain an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods applied to a sport and exercise scenario.

Research Skills - this online module will introduce you to the planning, managing and funding aspects of research, and the art of thesis writing. You will also gain skills in research leadership, research ethics, getting research published and exhibited, and information literacy.

Independent Research - you'll plan, design, organise and conduct your own research which will draw upon the research methods and skills that you will have developed from the Research Methods module. You'll then write a report consisting of 10,000 to 15,000 words.

You'll need:

• an honours degree (typically a 2:1 or higher) in sport and exercise or a related discipline
• if you have worked in the sport and exercise field, you can also be considered as eligible for this course
• all applicants will be interviewed

Are you an international student?

• you'll need an honours degree (typically a 2:1 or higher) in sport and exercise or a rlated discipline. If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide evidence of your proficiency.

Please contact us for details of the fees for this course.

How you'll learn

The learning and teaching activities offered are a mixture of taught face to face and online. The Research Skills and Research Methods modules are all offered online with weekly drop in sessions. Weekly video conferences will also be arranged to support distance learners. The teaching methods of the Sport and Exercise Negotiated Module will be dependent upon the learning activities designed by you, but have the potential to be taught on campus, through distance learning or work-based learning.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through a variety of methods allowing you to show your individual strengths and abilities. These include essays, portfolios, a dissertation, blogs, presentations and a viva voce.

Anything else?

The MRes in Sport and Exercise is the only programme on offer in the Sport and Exercise community which satisfies the Economic and Social Research Council formal requirements for postgraduate research training, an indication of quality assurance.

After completing this postgraduate course, you'll be in a great position to secure a variety of jobs within sport and exercise. You could gain work as an applied practitioner in sport and exercise sciences, a lecturer or you could even undertake further study into the area through a PGCE, a PhD or even go on to study physiotherapy.

There are a variety of opportunities in the private sector where you can undertake consultancy work or you could go into commercial sport and work in a range of professional clubs in a variety of roles.

Other opportunities lie in areas such as sports marketing, communications, public relations, human resources and public health departments. With the skills you will gain from this postgraduate course, you'll be prepared for work in many areas.

Tim Lawrenson, current student
"Postgraduate study in Sport and Exercise at Derby is great. Working with the regions elite athletes has helped me to develop my research and practical skills."

Tim is currently carrying out research with Derventio eXcel Swimming Club. Read more.