Your time in Durham will fly by, so why not make the most of it? Whether you’re looking to gain experience, explore different career paths, or just meet new people, there are so many ways to get the most out of your experience as a Sport and Exercise Sciences student. Take it from me – a 3rd-year student about to graduate who started this degree with no clear career path, no relevant work experience, and no idea where it would take me. Now, I’m leaving with invaluable experience, a clear direction, and the confidence to step into the professional world.
Get involved in your department
Your degree is filled with opportunities beyond lectures and assignments. The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences (DSES) here at Durham offers many chances to get involved, gain hands-on experience, and explore new interests. From becoming a Course Representative to being a Peer Mentor to first-year students, taking on a role in your Department is a great way to develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills while also supporting your peers.
One of the most valuable experiences I’ve had in my degree is the Active Communities Placement Module in third year. This allows you to gain professional experience in a field of your choice from a variety of disciplines in sport, physical activity and health. It’s rare to get hands-on experience so easily within a degree, let alone just within one module, and any work experience is always a huge asset for your CV. This module really was a game-changer for me! During my placement, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of being involved in Team Durham Athlete Development and the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), working with an elite GB Para-archer. Through this, I’ve built relationships with performance and rehabilitation practitioners, gained insight into elite sports, and developed professional communication skills. Beyond that, the rapport I’ve built with my athlete has made the experience incredibly personally fulfilling. If there’s one thing to get involved with, this is it!
Your degree is more than just sport
One of the biggest misconceptions about Sport and Exercise Sciences is that it’s only about athletic performance, anatomy, and working with professional athletes. In reality, it’s an incredibly diverse, multidisciplinary field with endless possibilities.
Sports and Exercise Sciences offers the chance to take open modules outside your degree, allowing you to explore different subjects and discover new interests. I came to university thinking I wanted to work in performance analysis, but after taking Sociology of Sport modules and seeing sport from a different perspective – as well as an ‘open module’ in Sociology of Health and Medicine – I found my passion in public health. Keeping an open mind is important—there are so many career paths to explore, and you never know what might interest you until you try it!
The University’s Careers & Enterprise Centre has been a huge help in this journey, offering guidance on internships, refining my CV, and helping me navigate different career options. It’s a free resource that so many students overlook, but it can be the key to finding new opportunities.
You’re surrounded by world-leading researchers – chat to them!
Don’t be afraid to reach out. Your lecturers and department staff are experts in their fields, and they genuinely want to help students succeed. If you find a topic interesting, ask questions, send an email, or chat with them after a lecture. Many academics are involved in exciting research projects and professional networks, and expressing your interest could open doors to opportunities you never expected. Whether that’s a research assistant role, a dissertation idea, or even connections to a particular industry, you never know where it might lead!
Network, network, network!
This might include reaching out to researchers, local organisations, or professionals for work experience. Whatever you choose, making these connections is invaluable; I only started properly appreciating this in my third year, and I wish I had done it sooner. Developing professional communication skills and confidence in myself to approach organisations has been one of the most beneficial aspects of my degree. Remember, the worst thing anyone can say is no, but the best outcome could be a new opportunity!
Some final thoughts
Studying Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. The opportunities I’ve had, whether through placements, course modules, or networking with experts, have shaped both my academic and professional journey in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. This course has given me the chance to explore different disciplines, gain hands-on experience, and build connections that will benefit me long after I graduate.
I’ve developed so many skills, built confidence, and discovered new passions, thanks to the experiences both the degree and university have offered. So, make sure to get involved, explore different career paths, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. If you throw yourself into everything available, Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University will give you the perfect platform to succeed in whatever career path you choose!
Discover more
Feeling inspired? Take a look at our Sport and Exercise Sciences department pages.
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