From Student to academic

Open Day Experience

Rebecca Owen-Toon, decided our BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree was for her after attending an Open Day. She said “after visiting an Open Day at Derby, I was drawn in by the community atmosphere on campus. The facilities, friendly staff and supportive environment stood out to me. I also liked the structure of the course and how it combined practical and theoretical learning.”

She also liked the fact that “the course gave me the chance to explore different areas from physiology and biomechanics to psychology and research, as the discipline is very broad.” This helped to build a clearer understanding of where her interests might take her professionally and allowed her to realise that her passion sat with exercise physiology. After graduation, Rebecca progressed onto our MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science course and then PhD study. 

“The supportive environment, excellent teaching staff, and my interest in continuing to build on the skills and knowledge I had gained were all key factors. I felt confident that Derby was the right place to continue my academic journey.”

Active in research

Rebecca enjoyed studying at the University of Derby and was grateful for the support of the academics who provided guidance on her assignments and feedback and offered careers advice. She also loved learning in the excellent facilities on campus.

“The academic staff were always approachable and encouraging. I had access to incredible facilities including the sport performance labs, physiology labs, strength and conditioning suite, and specialist equipment that made the practical side of the course really engaging.”

Following on from her undergraduate degree Rebecca transitioned to a focus on clinical exercise physiology and had the great opportunity to be involved in the Universities research on Long COVID. “This meaningful research opportunity opened my eyes and gave me a deeper appreciation for the role of exercise science in public health, and inspired me to continue to a PhD study, where I have been able to build on that foundation.”

Successful career

Rebecca’s journey has now led to her working as a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology at the University of Derby. With thanks to the course she studied and her hard work she says, “the skills and knowledge I gained during the course were instrumental in helping me securing this role. The course provided a solid foundation in Sport and Exercise Science and also gave me practical experience through the opportunity of spending time in the physiology labs.”

Her biggest successes on the course were building great relationships with the academic staff and achieving a First Class Honours in her undergraduate degree and Distinction for her masters. Beyond academic achievements, she also developed valuable skills in research and teamwork—which have built the foundations of her career.

When asked what she would say to anyone thinking of studying this course here at Derby, she said “I would definitely recommend studying this course at the University of Derby. From my experience as a student, and now as member of academic staff, I can say with confidence that this course is well-structured, the teaching is excellent and the facilities are fantastic. Even if you are not 100% sure of your career path, this course will allow you to gain a broad set of skills and experiences that open a lot of doors in the sport and exercise science field.”