The programme

Overview

The National PhD Programme in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences has been created with the aim of making a significant and concrete contribution to the scientific growth of an area of research that, although relatively recent, is already widespread in many Italian universities. Studies connected to the multiple expressions of human movement, from its earliest development to high-level sport, have been achieving an ever-increasing educational and scientific importance in the national and international scientific scene. The Italian context, with the important turning point of the introduction of study courses in Kinesiology and the creation of dedicated academic positions, has progressively expanded to an increasingly larger number of locations (over 40 universities to date). The related research activities have developed as well, focusing on specific themes among the multiple areas of study related to movement and sport sciences. Thanks to the high level achieved, Italian universities are placed among those that give an important contribution to the growth of scientific knowledge worldwide.

The modern interpretation of Kinesiology draws a diversified framework of scientific competences that can be divided into 3 different macro-areas. The first one is the study of sports performance and training methodologies. The second one is adapted physical activity for primary and secondary prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases: the social and health objective is an integral part of this area. Finally, Kinesiology aims at studying and identifying the best strategies for PE teaching at schools, emphasizing its importance for future generations, creating new teaching tools that can offer sustainable scenarios both socially and economically.

These three-macro areas can be further divided into basic mechanisms and intervention models in further areas. The transversal nature of the training model is complemented by the organization into six paths  (curricula) having as their core: sports performance, adapted physical activity, sport as a tool for inclusion and movement education, within specific frameworks responding to the new challenges underpinned by the National Recovery and Resilience Programme.

Programme objectives

The National PhD Programme in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences aims at training experts with high-level knowledge and skills, capable of using advanced cultural, methodological and technical tools intended for the scientific development of Kinesiology in the academic field and to obtain skills to be applied to highly qualified professional activities in public and private structures/entities/centres. In particular, this three-year study pathway will offer scientific training tools, both theoretical and applied, that will enable to gain high skills in designing, conducting and managing   scientific trials on sport performance, injury prevention, and the maintenance of the best physical efficiency at different ages and although any pathologies that may affect humans during all phases of life. In addition, the National PhD Programme in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences aims at training professionals with an in-depth knowledge of methodologies and techniques of motor education for people with disabilities, in order to improve their sport performance and increase the social inclusiveness offered by movement activities and sports carried out in codified and/or natural environments. Finally, this Programme will offer specific competences for professional educators, who will be able to prove scientifically the best PE teaching strategies towards school populations of different ages and genders.



Faculty Board of National PhD Programme in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences

Chairperson
Schena Federico
Type of body
PhD committee
Records and documents present in the year:

November 20, 2023

June 29, 2023

QA Board of National PhD Programme in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences

Coordinator
Schena Federico
Type of body
Quality Assurance Board
Department
Neuroscienze, Biomedicina e Movimento
Tasks

Further information on MYUNIVR

Records and documents present in the year:

The Italian University system

schema_qualita

First-cycle degrees: Bachelor’s degree programme

First-cycle degrees are aimed at enabling students to achieve a command of general scientific methods and content, and to acquire specific professional knowledge.
Admission requirements: secondary school diploma after completing 13 years of study in total and passing the relevant State examination, or equivalent foreign qualification; admission may be subject to further assessment.
Duration: three years.
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 180 CFU; doing an internship and preparing a dissertation/thesis may also be required. Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree, graduates may continue their studies by enrolling in a Master’s degree or other second-cycle degree programmes and courses.
Academic title: upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree (Laurea), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore”.

Second-cycle degrees: Master’s degree

Second-cycle degrees aim to provide students with an advanced training and knowledge to take on highly-skilled roles.
Admission requirements: applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree, or a foreign equivalent qualification; curricular admission requirements for each course may vary depending on each University.
Duration: two years.
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 120 CFU, as well as preparing and presenting a dissertation/thesis.
Academic title: upon completion of a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore magistrale”. Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degrees
Some courses (Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy, Architecture and Building Engineering-Architecture, Law, Primary Education) are offered as Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degrees (Corsi di Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico).
Admission requirements: applicants must hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent foreign qualification; admission is subject to passing an admission test.
Duration: five years (six years and 360 CFU for Medicine and Surgery, and Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics).
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 300 CFU, as well as preparing and presenting a dissertation/thesis. Upon completion of a Single-cycle degree, graduates may continue their studies by applying for a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca) or other third-cycle courses.
Academic title: upon completion of a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore magistrale”.

Third-cycle degrees

PhD programmes: these courses enable students to gain reliable methodologies for advanced scientific research through innovative methodologies and new technologies, and generally include internships abroad and lab activities at research laboratories. Graduates wishing to apply for a PhD programme must have a Master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent qualification) and pass an open competition; PhD programmes have a minimum duration of three years. In order to complete the programme, students must produce a research thesis/dissertation and present it at a final examination.
Academic title: upon completion of a PhD programme, students are awarded the title of “Dottore di ricerca”, or “PhD”.
Postgraduate specialisation courses: these are third-cycle courses aimed at enabling students to develop advanced knowledge and highly-specialised skills, such as in the medical, clinical and surgical fields. To be admitted to these courses, applicants must have a Master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent qualification) and pass an open competition. Postgraduate specialisation courses may last from two (120 CFU) to 6 years (360 CFU) depending on the type. Academic title: upon completion of this programme, graduates are awarded a “Diploma di Specializzazione”.

Professional Master’s programme

1st-level Professional Master’s programmes: these courses enable students to further enhance their scientific knowledge and professional skills. In order to apply, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree, or foreign equivalent qualification. The minimum duration is one year (60 CFU). Please note that completing this course will not provide you with direct access to a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca), or other third-cycle courses, as these courses are run and managed by each University at the local level. Upon completion of this programme, students are awarded a “Master universitario di primo livello”.
2nd-level Professional Master’s programmes: these courses enable students to further enhance their scientific knowledge and professional skills. In order to apply, applicants must have a Master’s degree, or foreign equivalent qualification. The minimum duration is one year (60 CFU). Please note that completing this course will not provide you with direct access to a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca), or other third-cycle courses, as these courses are run and managed by each University at the local level. Upon completion of this programme, students are awarded a “Master universitario di secondo livello”.

Other useful things

Crediti Formativi Universitari (CFU/ECTS credits): Italian university courses are based on the CFU system. 1 CFU is equal to 25 hours of study. The average annual academic workload for a full-time student is generally assumed to be 60 CFU. CFU and ECTS credits serve the same purpose and generally have the same value.
Degree class: Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes that have the same learning objectives and activities are grouped into “degree classes". The educational content of each programme is set autonomously by each university; however, universities are required to include certain educational activities (and the corresponding number of CFU credits) set at the national level. These requirements are established in relation to each degree class. Degrees in the same class have the same legal value.
Double/Joint degrees: the Italian universities may establish degree programmes in partnership with other Italian or foreign universities. Upon completion of these courses, graduates are awarded a joint or double/multiple degree, one from each Partner University.