Katie Di Sebastiano is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Programme Director for the MSc in Physical Activity, Health and Society.
Tell us about your role within the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences
As programme director, I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of the programme from curriculum development and provision, through recruitment and admissions, to student experience.
What can students expect from their first few weeks in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences?
In the first few weeks as a student on the MSc in Physical Activity, Health and Society, you will undergo some induction activities including meeting the other member of your programme as well as the academic and administrative staff that will work with you throughout the year. You will be able to socialise with other students on your course when you start to attend your lectures, seminars, labs and workshops and have the opportunity to interact with your instructors in the academic context.
What do you think makes the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences unique?
They key things that make our department and programme stand out from others is our commitment to social justice. Social justice is embedded within all aspects of our programmes including the new MSc in Physical Activity, Health and Society which reflects this commitment.
What advice would you give someone thinking of studying in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences?
The biggest piece of advice I would give to someone thinking about studying in the department is to get in contact with us. We are a very open and welcoming department and we want you join our community and become fully embedded within it. It is important to us that our postgraduate students contribute to developing the values and ethos of the department and that starts before you even begin your degree with us.
What have your students gone on to do after graduating from Durham?
The new MSc prepares students of careers in a variety of fields including physical activity promotion and policy based settings, but the skills you will acquire in this programme are highly transferable to a variety of settings. Graduates from the department have gone on to careers in various sections including education and academia, in various government agencies and NGOs like the Office of National Statistics and County Durham Sport. In addition, students also go onto working with various types of sporting organisation in a variety of positions such as a Manager for Scottish Racing Academy and Director of Education for Professional Golfers Association.
Find out more
- Katie Di Sebastiano is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Programme Director for the MSc in Physical Activity, Health and Society. If you would like to find out more about Katie, visit her profile.
- Learn more about the new MSc in Physical Activity, Health and Society programme.
- We are ranked in the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022. We are an outstanding place for excellence in teaching and research, and our students are highly employable. Visit our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences webpages to discover more.
- If you’d like to share your story or insights into your work, visit our Submit a blog or vlog page to learn more.