Sport

Welcome to Sport at Derby

Our aim is to enable our students, staff, and communities to enjoy sport and be active, whatever their level of fitness or ability, and provide opportunities for everyone.

£20m+invested in sports facilities
30+sports clubs to choose from
50 Top 50 Sports University

If you have ambitions to represent Team Derby while studying here, there are over 30 student sports teams entered in the national BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) competition programme. There are also opportunities to enter as individuals into BUCS championships throughout the year.

If you want to enjoy more relaxed sport and fitness activities, we offer a range of gym, fitness and social sport opportunities through our Sports Centre membership and 'UoD Active' programme.

Latest news

Rhianna's Journey to the GB Cycling Team

From sprints to the saddle, how a passion for sport, a bold move to Derby, and the right support helped Rhianna shift gears into elite track cycling.

Student Refereeing

Hear how our students are gaining real-world experience and building their leadership skills and confidence through football officiating opportunities.

Sports psychology internship transforms student experience

During his time studying our MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science course, Joseph Dick carried out an Internship in a field of interest in sports psychology.

Gaining future-focused skills through a Team Derby internship

Pursuing his interest in Strength and Conditioning, and Nutrition, Rohan Sood, MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science student is carrying out an internship in t...

Building future-focused skills through a Performance Analysis internship

Tiana Chapman, MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science student, has undertaken a Performance Analysis internship to help develop essential skills to build a stro...

Courting success in badminton and the law

A student-athlete, Kiara Henry, talks about her success at Derby University in both her law degree and exceptional performance as a badminton scholar.

Managing time as a champion athlete and as a student engineer

As a student-athlete, Lyddia Chea Yi had to learn how to balance time so that she could achieve both academically and in her sport.

Inspiring the next generation of basketball players

Ronald studied BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering with Built Infrastructure and made a significant contribution to basketball in Derby and beyond. 

Cycling to success: starting a degree in the pandemic

Cycling scholar Dan Cooper explores how he balanced elite sport and study with support from the University’s sports scholarship.

Sport and activity

We have a range of opportunities that can support you to be active, starting with 'Just Play', a programme of weekly social sports led by Sports Activator and all equipment provided. In your first year of study, students will also be part of a 'Halls Sport' programme of competition that includes semi-competitive leagues, cups, or trophies in a range of sports such as football, basketball, mixed netball, climbing, table tennis, flag football, pool and badminton. If you want to play social but competitive football, our Team Derby Football League offers weekly, officiated matches during term. You can also get involved in a variety of Get Active Events which run throughout the year.

We are committed to enhancing the performance and success of our student teams, and run a sector-leading Performance Sport programme for Badminton, Men's Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming and Cycling.

Our Sports Scholarship programme aims to help talented student-athletes realise their sporting potential while achieving academic success. We provide tailored athlete-support packages delivered by an experienced multi-disciplinary Performance team that includes a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Physiotherapist, Psychology Coach, Performance Sport Manager, elite Coaches and bespoke access to the Human Performance Unit.

The Human Performance Unit is a dedicated space focused on providing sport science and coach development services to coaches, individuals and teams wanting to enhance their performance.

We are an accredited Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme university and join a community of institutions providing student-athletes with dual career opportunities. We remain committed to Clean Sport in the UK and publish our Clean Sport commitment.

Our official Team Derby kit supplier is industry specialist Kukri Sports. You can buy your University of Derby training kit and leisurewear direct from our Kukri online store.