The Sport and Exercise Sciences Pathway is built on an inclusive, multidisciplinary conception in which the social sciences sit at the interface between the range of sport and exercise-related academic disciplines. The pathway also reflects a shared concern with understanding the role of sport, exercise, and physical activity within society to enhance individuals’ lives and stimulate societal change.

The three institutions comprising this pathway have well established track records of research excellence. At Cardiff Metropolitan, there are world leading researchers in sport and exercise sociology, and, in common with Swansea University, in sport and exercise philosophy. Along with Bangor University, all three offer outstanding research in the areas of sport and exercise psychology and pedagogy. The pathway capitalises upon the distinctive combined expertise of the partner institutions and the quality, scope and reach of their research to provide the rich and stimulating research environments in which doctoral students can flourish.

A particular strength of this pathway is the proven capacity for collaboration and placements with external partners as evidenced by partnerships with a range of national, international and private sector organisations. These include: the England and Wales Cricket Board; the English Institute of Sport; Mencap Cymru; the Ministry of Defence; the Rugby Football Union; Sport Wales; the Welsh Government; the European Union.

Students following the ‘1+3’ route will receive core and subject-specific research training via complementary Masters programmes. During +3 training, students will attend an advanced research training conference annually. All DTP students will have access to online research workshops and seminars that will be delivered by institutional experts in different areas of sport and exercise social science, as well as plentiful opportunities to present their own developing work in a supportive yet challenging setting.