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Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences

A new sport and exercise department that has already established itself as an outstanding place for excellence in research, teaching and employability of our students.
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Welcome to the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham

We're a welcoming, collegiate, and vibrant community of world-leading academics, delivering a cutting-edge curriculum in the sport and exercise sciences.

Our taught programmes are consistently ranked in the Top 10 best sport-related degrees in the country and our department has also been ranked in the Top 100 in the QS World Rankings for 2023 for sport-related subjects. Our students benefit from studying at a globally renowned University, including gaining key employment skills identified as important by potential employers. 

Find out more about us
Sports University of the Year Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
Ranked World Top 100
Ranked World Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2023
14th
14th for Sports Science in the Guardian University Guide 2024
Consistently ranked Top 10 for sport degrees in the UK, across all major rankings

Study with us

  • Undergraduate Study

    We offer high-quality teaching across two unique sport and exercise science programmes; our BA in Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity, and our BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences.

    Someone at a lectern giving a lecture to a group of students

  • Postgraduate Study

    Join our vibrant community of national and international postgraduate taught (MSc) and postgraduate research students.

    A sports team in a huddle

Undergraduate Study

We offer high-quality teaching across two unique sport and exercise science programmes; our BA in Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity, and our BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Someone at a lectern giving a lecture to a group of students

Postgraduate Study

Join our vibrant community of national and international postgraduate taught (MSc) and postgraduate research students.

A sports team in a huddle

What's new?

Filter:

Professor Cassandra Phoenix talks to BBC Radio 4’s Inside Health about physical activity in older age.

Tune in to BBC Radio 4s Inside Health programme this week, to hear Professor of Physical Activity and Health, Cassandra Phoenix contribute to a discussion on promoting healthier ageing through physical activity.

Research news
Inside Health

Prehabilitation in Practice

Prehabilitation in Practice: Evaluating the barriers and facilitators to participation in the Cancer Treatment Outcomes Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation Programme
Research news
Patient and Doctor

Welcoming Rebecca Olive

The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences would like to extend a warm welcome to our visiting scholar, Rebecca Olive.
Durham news
Rebecca Olive

Professor Brett Smith's Keynote Address at the HEPA Conference

Moving Social Work: A new evidence-based and co-produced programme to promote physical activity to disabled people.
Research news
person in wheelchair

Welcome to the department, Professor Chunxiao Li (Lee)

Professor Chunxiao Li, known as Lee, is a visiting scholar from the School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University (SCNU), China. Lee is currently mentored by Professor Brett Smith from the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, and will be with us in Durham until the end of January.
Research news
Dr Chunxiao Li

Prehabilitation in Practice

Prehabilitation in Practice: Establishing a new partnership between DSES and the Wellbeing for the Time Being Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation Programme
Research news
Patient and Doctor

Dr Patrick Jachyra delivering Keynote presentation at the Ward Research Day and Pursuit Award Competition

Dr. Patrick Jachyra will be delivering a Keynote presentation at the Ward Research Day and Pursuit Award Competition on July 18, 2023, at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, in Toronto, Canada.
Research news
Four students participating in wheelchair basketball with one student in pursuit of the ball.
More news

Professor Cassandra Phoenix talks to BBC Radio 4’s Inside Health about physical activity in older age.

Tune in to BBC Radio 4s Inside Health programme this week, to hear Professor of Physical Activity and Health, Cassandra Phoenix contribute to a discussion on promoting healthier ageing through physical activity.

Inside Health

Prehabilitation in Practice

Prehabilitation in Practice: Evaluating the barriers and facilitators to participation in the Cancer Treatment Outcomes Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation Programme
Patient and Doctor

Professor Brett Smith's Keynote Address at the HEPA Conference

Moving Social Work: A new evidence-based and co-produced programme to promote physical activity to disabled people.
person in wheelchair

Student updates

Find out what our graduates and current students are getting up to on our Durham blog.

Highlights

Sport in Action

Geography student Emma tells us about her experience in Zambia with Sport in Action.
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Why I chose to study Sport

Matt tells us what it's like to study Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity at Durham.
Matt holding a football

People

Our academic team brings together psychologists, physiologists, nutritionists, sociologists and political scientists, enabling the Department to be at the forefront of developing multi- and interdisciplinary approaches to study and research.

Martin Roderick

Professor Martin Roderick

Head of Department

The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University has an outstanding reputation for student-centred teaching, linked with innovative and applied research across the natural and social sciences.
Martin Roderick
Head of Department
Meet our people

Our research

We aim to make a positive impact on people’s lives through research.

Our research addresses inequalities, promotes social justice, and ensures better health and wellbeing.
Discover more about our research
Model head
Two boxers practising boxing

Equality and diversity

We are committed to supporting all of our students and promoting a departmental culture based on dignity, courtesy and respect. Our Equality and Diversity lead and student committee keep equality, diversity and inclusion issues at the forefront of the department's agenda.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Get in touch

If you have any questions about our department, please get in touch.

Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences

Durham University
Green Lane 
Durham
DH1 3LA
UK

Telephone: +44 (0)191 334 2000

Questions about studying here?

Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

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