Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship

Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship

You get about EUR 2,300 (£2,000) per year for up to three years of your undergraduate degree, so up to roughly EUR 7,000 (£6,000) in total. You also get a 20% discount on your tuition fees and a 20% discount on university-managed accommodation. On top of the money, you join Team Sunderland's athlete support: mentoring (regular one-to-one guidance), sports massage, physiotherapy, gym access, strength and conditioning training, nutrition advice and lifestyle management. The University of Sunderland funds it from a donation by Sunderland-born Mike Clasper CBE, in memory of his father Douglas.

Who can apply

• University: You study a full-time undergraduate (bachelor's) degree at the University of Sunderland on an eligible course.
• Study phase: You are a first-year student who started your course in autumn 2025.
• Sport level: In the last 18 months you were selected to compete at regional, national or international level.
• Team Sunderland: You are a member of Team Sunderland as an Elite Athlete.
• Your sport: You compete in a sport recognised by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport), the body that runs university sport in the UK.
• Field of study: Any eligible undergraduate course counts, not just sports subjects.

How to apply

You apply through your University E-Vision account by 31 January 2026. You can ask the university's Philanthropy Team for advice before you apply.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is cut narrowly. You must already study at Sunderland, be a first-year, and prove elite-level sport in the last 18 months as a Team Sunderland athlete. That keeps the eligible group small, so a student who clearly meets these conditions has good prospects. Having your competition record and Team Sunderland status in order is what decides it.