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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
Teaching Excellence Framework Gold in Teaching Excellence (TEF) (2018)
World Top 100 Ranked in the World Top 100 (QS World University Rankings, 2023)
The Sunday Times Good University Guide Sports University of the Year 2023.
Consistently in Top 10 sport degrees in the UK, across all major rankings (2023).

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.

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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.

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What's new?

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DSES Student Success!

Huge congratulations to Ella Merefield and Sophie Ewin on being awarded a 12-week funded internship in Canada, during the summer of 2023. The internship is funded by the Mitacs Internship Program. Ella will be supporting research at the University of Winnipeg and Sophie will be at the University of Regina. Read about their plans in Canada during the internship along with the nature of research they will be conducting.

Durham news
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DSES Research Newsletter Issue 6

View the latest departmental research newsletter, issued September 2021.
Durham news

New Assistant Professor appointed, Dr Katie Di-Sebastiano

The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is delighted to welcome Dr Katie Di-Sebastiano as Assistant Professor.
Durham news
Welcome note Dr Katie Di-Sebastiano

New Assistant Professor appointed, Dr Patrick Jachyra

The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is delighted to welcome Dr Patrick Jachyra as Assistant Professor.
Durham news
Welcome note Patrick Jachyra

New Professor in Practice Appointed to enhance local links

The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences (DSES) is pleased to welcome Dr Maxine Rhodes, Managing Director of County Durham Sport (CDS), as our newest Professor in Practice.
Durham news
M Rhodes

DSES Research Newsletter Issue 5

View the fifth departmental research newsletter, issued July 2021.
Durham news

DSES Research Newsletter Issue 4

View the fourth departmental research newsletter, issued March 2021.
Durham news
More news

Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week with Dr Patrick Jachyra

Dr Patrick Jachyra from our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences explains the importance of physical activity for supporting mental health, particularly in neurodivergent and disabled people. He also shares some tools below that can contribute to mental well-being.

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QS World University Subject Rankings 2023

We are ranked 51-100 in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
QS World University Subject Rankings 2023

Grace McCatty, speaks

DSES PGR student, Grace McCatty has recently been interviewed by The Observer, and discusses how Zambia impacted on her life and the joy that football brought.
Football

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
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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.

  • General enquiries
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    • 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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