Health & Human Performance - Research

To register for a Postgraduate Research programme, a candidate must normally have obtained a primary degree classification equivalent to Lower Second Class Honours or above, from an approved University or an approved equivalent degree-awarding body, or have an approved equivalent professional qualification in an area cognate to the proposed research topic.

PhD: Candidates holding an appropriate Master's degree obtained by research may apply for direct entry to the PhD register to conduct research in a cognate area.

PhD-track: Candidates with a taught Master's degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, and candidates with a primary degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, grade one, may apply and be considered for entry to the PhD-track register with a view to proceeding towards a PhD. Such candidates will undergo a confirmation procedure, as outlined in the Academic Regulations, before being admitted to the PhD register.

Master's by Research: Candidates holding a primary degree equivalent to a second-class honours, grade two, may apply for entry on the research Master's register. Students on the Master's register may apply for transfer to the PhD Register under the same conditions, and using the same procedure, as PhD-track candidates requesting confirmation on the PhD register.

English Language Requirements can be reviewed at:
https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english-language-requirements-non-native-speakers-english-registry

Applicants are assessed and ranked based on their performance at university, and the details provided on their application. Candidates may be called for interview and/or assessed on the basis of written work/proposed area of research.

How to Make an Application

To make an application, please use the application portal. Before making an application, please ensure you have all appropriate entry requirements and provide all supporting documentation.

DCU Student Application Portal

DCU Student Application Portal Access
DCU Student Application Portal Guide

Important Note:

Before making a research application, the applicant must consult and seek approval from the School regarding the proposed programme of study. Additional information for research applicants is also available on the DCU Graduate Studies page.

Closing Dates

There are no closing dates for the majority of Postgraduate Research applicants (although this may be subject to change). Deadlines can apply for professional doctorate programmes, e.g. Doctor of Psychotherapy, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Elite Performance (Sport).

See the relevant Research section on School pages for more information.

Outcome of an Application

Candidates who submit a valid application for DCU will be notified of the outcome of their application by email. As such, it is important to ensure that your address for correspondence is accurate and current. Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for your application to be processed.

DCD26 PhD - Health & Human Performance (Part-Time)
DCD27 PhD - Health & Human Performance (Full-Time)
DCD28 MSc - Health & Human Performance (Full-Time)
DCD29 MSc - Health & Human Performance (Part-Time)
DCD30 PhD-track - Health and Human Performance (Full-Time)
DCD31 PhD-track - Health and Human Performance (Part-Time)

Research at the School of Health and Human Performance provides an environment devoted to learning, developing, understanding and advancing in the areas of sport and health science. Our focus is on using the knowledge gained from our learnings to challenge the series of health issues which impact modern society in conjunction with evolving our knowledge associated with the factors critical to sporting performance.

With the academic proficiency and expertise existing within our school, underpinned by our strong multicultural partnerships, international research, and societal engagement, our research:

•Influences public policy

•Contributes to successful sporting performance and maintenance

•Promotes the importance of healthy lifestyle management and adaptation

•Increases awareness over communicable disease prevention and control

•Creates leaders for future generations

Our school boasts specialists in a wide range of areas such as exercise physiology, sport psychology, cardiology, cellular biology, biomechanics, physical activity and public health, motor control, coaching, physiotherapy and athletic rehabilitation. With such a strong academic set-up in an innovative source of ground-breaking thinking which is DCU we are strongly supported by partners such as:

•Enterprise Ireland

•European Union (e.g. FP7)

•Science Foundation of Ireland (e.g. Clarity)

•Insight

•Irish Research Council

Each of our research clusters and centers is the spearhead in its own domain. As visionaries in progression, governance, policy development and application, from a sporting and physical activity field, our school cultivates the leaders of the future and the present.

Research Interests & Expertise

Our School has a vast range of categories all of which fall under the umbrella of health and sport science. In addition with this our strategy is to align our research interests into a number of centers and clusters all of which contain specialists in their specific areas.

•Physical Education with Biology & Mathematics

•Athletic Therapy and Training

•Sport Science and Health