University of Bath - Sports Scholarships

What you get

The University of Bath supports student athletes in two ways through its ‘Team Bath’ sports programme. A Named Scholarship is approximately 1,450 to 5,750 EUR per year (£1,250 to £5,000) and is paid out in instalments; there are no restrictions on what the money may be spent on. The exact amount and number of grants vary from year to year, as the funding comes from former students and corporate donors. A Breakthrough Scholarship does not involve a cash payment. Instead, you receive free training support: a free membership of the Team Bath Gym and Fitness Centre, as well as rehabilitation, hydrotherapy and strength and conditioning training sessions. Back in 1976, Bath became the first UK university to offer sports scholarships, and former scholarship holders include Olympic champions and Paralympic medallists.

Who can apply

• Sport level: You actively compete in a sport featured at the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games or the Commonwealth Games, in a recognised professional sport, or in an equivalent discipline under the auspices of a national governing body recognised by Sport England.
• Study at Bath: You are taking at least 30 credits at the University of Bath.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Clean record in sport: You are not currently serving an anti-doping ban.
• Clean disciplinary record: You have not been found guilty of any offence under the University’s disciplinary regulations (Student Regulations 7).
• Performance track record: You meet the performance standards for your sport, or have taken part in major youth, junior, international or professional competitions over the last two years, or are part of a development programme run by a sports federation or a professional team. The committee will also take your commitment into account.

How to apply

Applications are made via a single online form. To be considered for a named cash scholarship, please answer the question 13 with ‘Yes’. The main application deadline (phase 1) is on 25 September. A selection panel from Team Bath will then review the applications and notify you of the result by email.

How realistic are your chances?

This programme is aimed exclusively at serious competitive athletes: you must compete at a high level in a recognised sport and be studying in Bath, which means that most students are excluded from the outset. If you are part of a national sports federation’s high-performance programme or have already competed at international junior or professional level, you fit the profile the selection panel is looking for. The cash prizes are the more competitive part, as their amount and number depend on donations. The ‘Breakthrough’ training grants are easier for a suitable athlete to secure.