Doctor of Philosophy in Human Kinetics and Recreation is a doctorate in Sport and Exercise Science programme offered by Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, Canada. The programme runs for 4 years. Tuition for international students is CAD 17,988 per total (CAD 10,656 per total for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Doctorate
Field:Sport and Exercise Science
Duration: 4 years
Local tuition: CAD 10,656 / total
International tuition: CAD 17,988 / total
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
This is a doctoral program in Human Kinetics and Recreation at Memorial University, run through the School of Graduate Studies in conjunction with the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation. It is intended for students whose research interests fall within, or cross between, areas such as kinesiology, physical activity, recreation and leisure, and sport. The degree requires a minimum of two graduate courses approved by the student's supervisory committee, a graduate seminar, a comprehensive examination, and a doctoral proposal leading to a dissertation, alongside professional development activities, making it a research- and dissertation-driven credential rather than a coursework-heavy one. Admission typically requires a master's degree with a specialization in an HKR-related area, though strong master's students already in the school's program may be considered for early transfer after about a year if they have maintained a high grade average and shown research productivity. The school describes admission as limited and competitive. The program suits graduate students with a clear research direction in human kinetics or a closely related field who are ready to undertake independent, supervised research toward a dissertation.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Memorial's PhD in Human Kinetics and Recreation normally requires a master's degree with a specialization in an HKR area or closely related field. Admission is highly competitive and based on the applicant's research interests, documented potential to produce meaningful research, and the availability of a supervisor; applicants are expected to contact a prospective faculty supervisor directly before applying. Students admitted directly from a master's program without completing it in full must have finished all of that program's coursework requirements with a minimum grade of 70%. Under the School of Graduate Studies' general English proficiency standard, applicants whose first language is not English and who have not completed a degree at an English-medium institution must present a TOEFL iBT score of 92-93 or higher, or an IELTS Academic score of 7 or higher.
Application Details
Start Date:Fall, Winter and Spring
Application Deadline:Memorial University's undergraduate application system opens one year ahead of each semester for the 2027 cycle: for Fall 2027 entry the portal opens 10 September 2026, the priority deadline (also the early-entrance-scholarship deadline) is 1 March 2027, the document deadline is 20 August 2027, and applications finally close 9 September 2027; Winter 2027 entry has a priority deadline of 1 October 2026 and closes 6 January 2027; Spring 2027 entry closes 11 May 2027 with a priority date of 1 February 2027. International applicants use the same direct application to Memorial and are only advised to apply at least 12 weeks before their intended semester starts; no fixed international closing date is published. Late domestic applications are still considered as time, resources and space permit, so admission is effectively rolling past the priority date up to the final close. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
