Sports Engineering and Human Factors

Loughborough has a proud history of pioneering the engineering of sports products, demonstrating how sport enhances physical and mental wellbeing and contributes to wider societal and cultural development. Building on this tradition, we design engineering solutions that place human performance, sport, wellbeing and social impact at the centre of technological progress. Wolfson School hosts world-class expertise in sport engineering, human factors, biomechanics, sports-equipment design, ergonomics, and applied AI. Our PhD research tackles real-world challenges such as improving athletic performance, preventing injury, enhancing user–technology interaction, and developing evidence-based product and system designs that benefit society. A doctoral researcher will have access to state-of-the-art equipment, bespoke sport test rigs and dedicated biomechanics and prototyping facilities, enabling the design, development, testing, and optimisation of sports-related and human-centred systems. Our human-centred engineering labs, sports-engineering facilities, biomechanics testing suites, and interdisciplinary research groups create a unique environment for high-impact, real-world doctoral research. The group also contributes to the development of Industry 5.0 paradigms, emphasising human-centric, resilient, performance-oriented and sustainable socio-technical systems. Example research areas: 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

The standard University IELTS English language requirement is 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each individual element (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

International students: £29,500

UK students: £5,238

UK/Home: £5,238

International: £29,500

October 2026

31 July 2026

• Loughborough, United Kingdom