Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway (EDCAP) Sport Scholarships / Performance Sport Scholarships

What you get

The University of Birmingham runs two sport scholarships for student-athletes, and both combine cash with training support. The Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway (EDCAP) is the bigger one: a total package worth about EUR 9,200 to EUR 13,800 (GBP 8,000 to GBP 12,000). This includes a cash award of up to about EUR 3,500 (GBP 3,000) plus extra money for competing abroad. On top of the money you get strength and conditioning coaching, plus nutrition, physiology and psychology support. You also get unlimited physiotherapy, a personal Performance Lifestyle Coach who helps you balance sport and study, academic flexibility, and a 12-month full gym membership (200-station gym, 50m pool, sauna, classes). Incoming undergraduates also get their entry offer lowered by one A-Level grade. The smaller BUCS Performance Scholarship gives about EUR 575 (GBP 500), the same 12-month gym membership, kit, and a one-grade reduced offer if awarded before the end of April 2026. Seven sports (Athletics, Hockey, Squash, Netball, Men's Rugby Union, Swimming, Badminton) instead have their own scholarships run directly by each Head Coach.

Who can apply

• Your level (EDCAP): You already compete at junior international standard or higher in an Olympic or Commonwealth sport.
• Your level (BUCS scholarship): You can win points or medals at BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) championships or strengthen a university first team. Ideally you compete at international standard.
• Study stage: EDCAP is open to any year of study, including postgraduates. The BUCS scholarship is only for incoming first-year undergraduates and postgraduates.
• Sport (BUCS scholarship): You compete in any BUCS-scoring sport, except the seven core sports above that run their own schemes.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.
• Field of study: All subjects qualify, since these awards are based on your sport, not your course.

How to apply

For EDCAP and the BUCS scholarship, apply through the online form on the university's sport scholarship pages. EDCAP then involves a selection interview. The BUCS scholarship deadline is 20 March 2026. EDCAP runs in two waves, with the last deadline on 31 May 2026. For the seven core sports, you apply directly to that sport's Head Coach. If you apply for Medicine (A100) or Dentistry (A200) and are a high-performance athlete, you can have your UCAT interview threshold lowered by up to 10%, but you must contact the Sport Recruitment Manager before 30 September.

How realistic are your chances?

These awards depend on your sporting level, not your grades, so the deciding factor is whether you genuinely compete at the standard asked. EDCAP is the country's most extensive sport scholarship and targets top junior-international athletes, so the field is strong and meeting the criteria does not guarantee a place. The BUCS scholarship is more attainable if you have a real competition record and apply as an incoming student. Applying early and showing clear results improves your prospects for both.