University of Birmingham - The Physics Sports Bursary (PSB)

What the Physics Sports Bursary gives you

You will receive about 940 EUR per year (£800), which will be paid directly into your bank account, for the entire duration of your physics degree at the University of Birmingham. This amounts to 3 years for a BSc or 4 years for an MSci, provided you continue to meet the conditions for extension. You can spend the money on anything to do with sport, such as a gym membership, training, equipment or travel to competitions. The School of Physics and Astronomy funds the scholarship each year for between 1 and 4 students, so it remains highly competitive. A former scholarship holder, Pamela Relph, went on to win two Paralympic gold medals in rowing.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the University of Birmingham (Edgbaston Campus). These include the degree programmes in Physics, Physics and Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics, as well as the variants combining these with Data Science, Medical Physics or Particle Physics, at both BSc and MSci levels.
• Your sport: You practise a sport that is featured at the Olympic Games or the Commonwealth Games.
• Your sporting level: You must take part in at least regional or national junior competitions. The University of Birmingham’s Sports Department assesses this and gives preference to athletes who can strengthen the university teams.
• Nationality: Anyone can apply, regardless of their nationality or country of residence.
• Your UCAS choice: You applied to Birmingham on 30 June at 6 o’clock – as one of your original five UCAS choices – and subsequently accepted a place on a physics degree programme as your first choice.
• To keep it each year: You’ll reach an annual average of 60% straight away and maintain your fitness level.
• No double funding: This scholarship cannot be claimed at the same time as the university sports scholarship, as the latter takes precedence.

How to apply

You do not apply for the scholarship directly at this stage. Submit your UCAS application for Birmingham by 6 on 30 June, and list an eligible physics degree programme as your first choice. Provided you meet the requirements, the university will contact you following your offer – around August – with an application form and the relevant deadlines.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is very narrowly defined. Only places 1 to 4 are awarded to physics students at a university who also compete at regional or national level in an Olympic or Commonwealth sport. This combination of a specific degree programme and serious sporting commitment ensures that the pool of eligible applicants is small. If you clearly meet both criteria and can provide evidence of your sporting achievements, your chances are good, particularly if your sport benefits the university’s teams.