Student Life

Our diverse and vibrant national and international Postgraduate Research (PGR) community are fully embedded into the academic and social life of the Department. Students are engaged in thematic research groups, providing intellectual stimulation and a developmental support network. We offer regular research training sessions and masterclasses, complemented by a cross-discipline journal club and informal pizza-based ‘Research Slices’ events for students to share their emerging ideas.   

Being a part of Sports and Exercise Science

We encourage you to be proactive members of our research community and to develop your own leadership experience. Students host visiting academics, organise reading groups, provide peer support, organise mini-conferences, and can participate in department committees or initiatives.  Our new academic year began with a Postgraduate Picturing Research event. Our PhD and Masters by Research (MRes) students were tasked with creating an image to depict their research, and providing a 50 word accompanying description. The contributions reflected the varied, impactful, international and discipline spanning nature of PGR research within the department. A selection of which is shown here. Applications for PGR study (2026 start) in the Department of Sport & Exercise Sciences at Durham University are now open, including competitive scholarship opportunities. Visit our Department website for more information.

We strive to provide a supportive environment, with supervisory teams working with students to personalise a training and career development plan on arrival. Students can apply to the Department for funding to support conference attendance or specialised training, as well as accessing the wide range of career and skill-development courses through the University. All students have dedicated office space designed to foster engagement with other PGRs, are welcomed into weekly department coffee meetings, and can access pastoral support through their colleges. 

It is important to us that our PGRs contribute to developing the values and ethos of the Department. We encourage students to engage with wider activities and campaigns within the University and the local community, to form new and impactful research partnerships, to volunteer, and to develop their wider interests alongside their studies. We have a strong track record of supporting students to grow and succeed across the breadth of their academic and personal interests. 

Our new academic year began with a Postgraduate Picturing Research event. Our PhD and Masters by Research (MRes) students were tasked with creating an image to depict their research, and providing a 50 word accompanying description. The contributions reflected the varied, impactful, international and discipline spanning nature of PGR research within the department. A selection of which is shown here. Applications for PGR study (2026 start) in the Department of Sport & Exercise Sciences at Durham University are now open, including competitive scholarship opportunities. Visit our Department website for more information.