Sport

We offer a wealth of sport and fitness opportunities for everyone, keeping the University of Derby fit, healthy and active. 

Sport and Physical Activity

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

If you are keen to play competitive sport while studying at Derby, we enter teams across 16 sports in the national  BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) competition programme. There are also opportunities to enter individual BUCS championships throughout the year. In 2018, we achieved our highest ever position in the BUCS leagues since launching Team Derby in 2009 and we now sit in the top 50.

We are committed to enhancing the performance and success of our sports teams, and run a sector-leading performance programme for Badminton, Men’s Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming and Cycling. We support Clean Sport in the UK and we have published our Clean Sport commitment.

Person running, wearing exercise clothing.

Moves Transition

Do you use the Derby Moves app? In January 2023, the way we support our students and staff to be active is changing as we transition our key sport and activity programmes onto one, more versatile technology platform. We have put together some information on this transition for our users.

Find out more about the Derby Moves transitionFind out more about the Derby Moves transition

Student life this September

Wondering what student life will be like in September? We've got just the thing. Hear from our Sports Centre team on what you've got to look forward to as a University of Derby student.

Student Life this September - Sports Centre

View Student Life this September - Sports Centre video transcript and audio description

  • Social sport squash
  • Climbing wall at Careers in Sport event at the Sports Centre
  • Men's Rugby team playing on the bottom 4G pitch by the Sports Centre
  • Women's Netball 2nd Team, playing in the Sports Centre at the University of Derby.
No1for Men's Cycling**British Universities and Colleges Sport
40+sports clubs to choose from
£20m+invested in sports facilities

Our Sports Scholarship programme aims to help talented student-athletes realise their sporting potential while supporting them through their academic studies. We offer scholarships of up to £6,000 and provide tailored athlete-support packages delivered by an experienced multi-disciplinary Performance Sport team led by 2016 Olympic gold-medal-winning coach Craig Keegan.

Our sector-leading Performance Sport programme for Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Football and Cycling is dedicated to supporting and improving the performance of these high-performing clubs  

The University has recently gained Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme Delivery Site status (TDS) and joins a community of institutions committed to providing student-athletes with dual career opportunities.

If you want to enjoy more relaxed sport and fitness activity, we offer a range of gym, fitness and social sport opportunities through our Sports Centre membership, activities programme and social leagues. And Derby Moves is our mobile app which allows you to track your activity and earn rewards for getting active.

Our official kit supplier is sports specialist Kukri Sports. Our online store will be available soon, where you can get the University of Derby training kit and leisurewear.

Team Derby sports student cycling on Indoor velodrome track
Performance sport

We run a sector-leading performance programme for Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball and Cycling to attract and retain student athletes.

Male University of Derby student athlete swimming butterfly
Sports scholarships

Our Sports scholarships programme supports talented student athletes to combine academic and sporting excellence during their time here at the University of Derby

Group of volleyball players talking and laughing in front of a volleyball net.
Sports clubs

From American Football and Archery to Volleyball and Weightlifting. Pick the sport that's right for you.

Person's arm holding onto a Badminton racket at social badminton session
Get Active

From social sport sessions to campus sports leagues, our activity programmes are available to UoD students and staff throughout the year.

close up of a person in trainers standing on athletics track
Derby Moves

Derby Moves is a mobile app for University of Derby students and staff that earns you rewards for being active.

Sports Centre at Kedleston Road campus on a sunny day.
Sports Centre

Our Sports Centre offers a superb gym facility, weekly fitness class programme and top-quality facilities for you to enjoy.

Two student Strength and Conditioning interns coaching an athlete in the performance suite
Sport and Activity workforce opportunities

If you're passionate about sport, you can work with our team alongside your studies.