Skip to main content

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.
Alternative text

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 2025 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
University of the Year 2026 The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2026
4th for Sports Science Complete University Guide 2025
Ranked World Top 100 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
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:

  • Reflections on a Wheely Workshop

    Read the reflections on a one-day workshop, hosted by the Moving Bodies Lab, led by Prof. Cassie Phoenix, explored research and creative practice that engaged with an array of wheeled technologies; bicycles, wheelchairs, skateboards and prams.
    Research news
    A group of cyclists posing for a picture

  • PGR Picturing Research Event

    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.
    Student news
    Victor Merino Exposito's entry to the Picturing Research Event about male sexual minorities in sport

  • Professor Brett Smith new Lab Co-Lead of the Wellcome Funded Narrative Practices Lab 

    We are delighted to announce that Prof. Brett Smith is joining the Platform to co-lead the Narrative Practices Lab with Veronica Heney.
    Research news
    Prof Brett Smith

  • Dr. Jachyra delivered a talk to colleagues in the Matariki Network.

    On Sep 17, Dr. Jachyra delivered a talk to colleagues who are a part of the Matariki Network which includes colleagues from the University of Otago, Queens University, Tubingen University, Uppsala University, University of Western Australia and University of Western Cape.
    Research news
    Patrick Jachyra

  • Collaboration with the University of Tübingen

    Earlier this month, Rob Hunter and Katie Di Sebastiano visited colleagues at the University of Tübingen in Germany as part of a collaborative research project. The project centres around force control and uses high-density electromyography decomposition to evaluate the behaviour of individual motor units of the tibialis anterior muscle. We look forward to hosting Benedict, Burak, and Justus during their upcoming visit to Durham!
    Research news
    Rob Hunter and Katie Di Sebastiano in a group photo with University of Tubingen Colleagues outside

  • Twenty Durham researchers appointed to REF 2029 sub-panels

    Twenty of our researchers will take important roles in assessing UK universities’ research quality.
    Research news
    Woman in lab coat holding microscope-like device

  • Welcome Talia Ritondo

    The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences would like to extend a warm welcome to visiting PhD student, Talia Ritondo.
    Student news
    Visiting PhD student Talia Ritondo posing for a photo

Reflections on a Wheely Workshop

Read the reflections on a one-day workshop, hosted by the Moving Bodies Lab, led by Prof. Cassie Phoenix, explored research and creative practice that engaged with an array of wheeled technologies; bicycles, wheelchairs, skateboards and prams.

Research news
A group of cyclists posing for a picture

PGR Picturing Research Event

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.
Student news
Victor Merino Exposito's entry to the Picturing Research Event about male sexual minorities in sport

Professor Brett Smith new Lab Co-Lead of the Wellcome Funded Narrative Practices Lab 

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Brett Smith is joining the Platform to co-lead the Narrative Practices Lab with Veronica Heney.
Research news
Prof Brett Smith

Dr. Jachyra delivered a talk to colleagues in the Matariki Network.

On Sep 17, Dr. Jachyra delivered a talk to colleagues who are a part of the Matariki Network which includes colleagues from the University of Otago, Queens University, Tubingen University, Uppsala University, University of Western Australia and University of Western Cape.
Research news
Patrick Jachyra

Collaboration with the University of Tübingen

Earlier this month, Rob Hunter and Katie Di Sebastiano visited colleagues at the University of Tübingen in Germany as part of a collaborative research project. The project centres around force control and uses high-density electromyography decomposition to evaluate the behaviour of individual motor units of the tibialis anterior muscle. We look forward to hosting Benedict, Burak, and Justus during their upcoming visit to Durham!
Research news
Rob Hunter and Katie Di Sebastiano in a group photo with University of Tubingen Colleagues outside

Twenty Durham researchers appointed to REF 2029 sub-panels

Twenty of our researchers will take important roles in assessing UK universities’ research quality.
Research news
Woman in lab coat holding microscope-like device

Welcome Talia Ritondo

The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences would like to extend a warm welcome to visiting PhD student, Talia Ritondo.
Student news
Visiting PhD student Talia Ritondo posing for a photo
More news

Reflections on a Wheely Workshop

Read the reflections on a one-day workshop, hosted by the Moving Bodies Lab, led by Prof. Cassie Phoenix, explored research and creative practice that engaged with an array of wheeled technologies; bicycles, wheelchairs, skateboards and prams.

A group of cyclists posing for a picture

Professor Brett Smith new Lab Co-Lead of the Wellcome Funded Narrative Practices Lab 

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Brett Smith is joining the Platform to co-lead the Narrative Practices Lab with Veronica Heney.
Prof Brett Smith

Dr. Jachyra delivered a talk to colleagues in the Matariki Network.

On Sep 17, Dr. Jachyra delivered a talk to colleagues who are a part of the Matariki Network which includes colleagues from the University of Otago, Queens University, Tubingen University, Uppsala University, University of Western Australia and University of Western Cape.
Patrick Jachyra

Student updates

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

Highlights

My experience at the Cricket World Cup

Rosie Speedy tells us all about her time at the T20 Women’s World Cup, which was held in Malaysia in January 2025
/media/durham-university/departments-/sport-and-exercise-sciences/Josie-Newman-Blog-Placement-photo-e1743435859425.jpg

How to make the most of your time as a Sport and Exercise Sciences student at Durham University

Josie passes on her advice on how to make the most out of your time as Sport and Exercise Sciences student at Durham
Jodie Newman posing with Paralympian in a gym

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.

University student
The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University is a global leader in research and education. Our research is grounded in social justice, inequalities, and sporting lives; our education is research-led, transformative and innovative. The academic team brings together psychologists, physiologists, nutritionists, sociologists and political scientists. We are passionate about what we do and committed to making change.
Caroline Dodd-Reynolds & Iain Lindsey
Heads 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.

Ask Us

Your Durham prospectus

Order your personalised prospectus and College guide here.

Order Now