Doctorate in Philosophy Human Kinetics at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to the study of sport, physical activity, and health. This program allows students to engage deeply with research interests and professional expertise, contributing significantly to the field of human kinetics. The program is designed for those who wish to explore the psychosocial and biophysical sciences related to sport and health, providing a robust foundation for advanced research and academic inquiry.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Human Kinetics is structured to be completed in a maximum of 48 consecutive months, typically requiring 12 full-time terms. The program is offered in both French and English, catering to a diverse student body. Key features of the program structure include:

Registration status option: Full-time
Program option: with thesis
Collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the PhD level

Students are encouraged to engage in research that spans various areas, including psychosocial and biophysical sciences. The program emphasizes the importance of collaboration and mentorship, requiring students to identify a thesis supervisor early in their studies. This structure not only fosters academic growth but also prepares students for impactful careers in the field.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy Human Kinetics program offers several unique experiences that enhance the learning journey:

Opportunity to participate in a collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the PhD level.
Access to cutting-edge research facilities located in the heart of Canada’s capital.
Engagement with various research centers and institutes, including the LIFE Research Institute and the Music and Health Research Institute.
Practical internships that provide hands-on experience in the field of sport and physical activity.
Comprehensive examination and thesis proposal stages to ensure thorough preparation for doctoral research.

These experiences are designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their academic and professional pursuits.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Human Kinetics program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

University Professor: Teaching and conducting research in higher education institutions, contributing to academic knowledge in human kinetics.
Research Scientist: Engaging in advanced research projects related to sport, physical activity, and health, often within academic or governmental research institutions.
Sports Psychologist: Providing psychological support and strategies to athletes to enhance performance and well-being.
Health and Wellness Consultant: Advising organizations on health promotion and physical activity initiatives to improve community health outcomes.
Policy Analyst: Analyzing and developing policies related to sport and physical activity at local, provincial, or national levels.

These roles highlight the diverse opportunities available to graduates, allowing them to make significant contributions to the fields of health, sport, and physical activity.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Human Kinetics, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a master's degree in Human Kinetics or a relevant field

Average time to completion

12 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Biophysical Sciences of Sport, Physical Activity and Health/Pyschosocial Sciences of Sport, Physical Activity and Health

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	3 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must come from qualified academic scholars who can attest to and demonstrate your potential for graduate-level study or research.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Letter of Intent Approval of supervisor Resume We strongly recommend that you contact potential supervisors early. To be admitted, you must be accepted by a thesis supervisor. Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to understand, write and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Note: Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!