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Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences

A distinctive sport and exercise department that is established 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 2026 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
1st for Sport Science Guardian University Guide 2027
3rd for Sports Science Complete University Guide 2027
Ranked World Top 100 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Consistently ranked Top 10 for sport degrees in the UK, across 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?

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New research reimagines inclusive physical education for all young people

New SPHR research from colleagues in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, explores how physical education (PE) and school sport could be reimagined to create safer and more inclusive environments for all young people.

Research news
The words moving spaces on a white background with colourful wavy lines, the LGTBQIA+ flag sits below the text.

New toolkit supports conversations about mental health among neurodivergent young people

Research conducted with neurodivergent young people has inspired the launch of a new toolkit on how to speak with them about co-occurring mental health challenges when they seek support.
Global research
A young woman sits in a chair facing the camera, while talking to a therapist.

The Power of Enough: Eating Enough to Support an Active Life

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026, Dr Lindsay Macnaughton, Associate Professor of Sport Nutrition in Durham University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, is helping to raise awareness of the importance of fuelling an active lifestyle.
Research news
Man breaking up fruit into a blender to make a smoothie drink.

Professor Brett Smith Ranked 7th in the World for Sport Sciences

The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is delighted to celebrate the success of Professor Brett Smith, who has been ranked 7th in the world and 1st in the UK in Sport Sciences in the latest year citation rankings based on citation impact excluding self-citations.
Global research
Prof Brett Smith

Durham Research Recognised in New WHO Childhood Obesity Guidelines

Research led by Professor Carolyn Summerbell and colleagues in Durham University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences has been recognised in newly published World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the integrated management of obesity in children and adolescents.
Research news
A young child running underneath a colourful parachute as part of play time.

Sport and Exercise Sciences welcomes Professor Chunxiao Li as Honorary Professor

The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is delighted to welcome Professor Chunxiao Li (Lee/CX) as an Honorary Professor.
Research news
Professor Chunxiao Li poses against a blue background

Sports Science Ranked No. 1 in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2027

Sports Science has been ranked 1st in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2027 subject rankings, reinforcing its position as a national leader in sport, exercise and health education.
Durham news
Student's participating in a lab practical. One student is measuring another student's reflexes
More news

  • New research reimagines inclusive physical education for all young people

    New SPHR research from colleagues in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, explores how physical education (PE) and school sport could be reimagined to create safer and more inclusive environments for all young people.
    Research news
    The words moving spaces on a white background with colourful wavy lines, the LGTBQIA+ flag sits below the text.

  • The Power of Enough: Eating Enough to Support an Active Life

    As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026, Dr Lindsay Macnaughton, Associate Professor of Sport Nutrition in Durham University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, is helping to raise awareness of the importance of fuelling an active lifestyle.
    Research news
    Man breaking up fruit into a blender to make a smoothie drink.

  • Durham Research Recognised in New WHO Childhood Obesity Guidelines

    Research led by Professor Carolyn Summerbell and colleagues in Durham University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences has been recognised in newly published World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the integrated management of obesity in children and adolescents.
    Research news
    A young child running underneath a colourful parachute as part of play time.

New research reimagines inclusive physical education for all young people

New SPHR research from colleagues in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, explores how physical education (PE) and school sport could be reimagined to create safer and more inclusive environments for all young people.

The words moving spaces on a white background with colourful wavy lines, the LGTBQIA+ flag sits below the text.

The Power of Enough: Eating Enough to Support an Active Life

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026, Dr Lindsay Macnaughton, Associate Professor of Sport Nutrition in Durham University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, is helping to raise awareness of the importance of fuelling an active lifestyle.
Man breaking up fruit into a blender to make a smoothie drink.

Durham Research Recognised in New WHO Childhood Obesity Guidelines

Research led by Professor Carolyn Summerbell and colleagues in Durham University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences has been recognised in newly published World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the integrated management of obesity in children and adolescents.
A young child running underneath a colourful parachute as part of play time.

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
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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.

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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