University of Hertfordshire - Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)

What TASS gives you

TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) is a nationwide support programme for athletes who are at the top of their discipline. It is supported by Sport England and forms part of the SportsAid family. The University of Hertfordshire is one of the programme’s official host institutions. So, if you’re studying there, you’ll receive all the sports science support you need from a single source. You’ll receive practical help with training and maintaining your health: strength and conditioning training from certified coaches, physiotherapy for both treating and preventing injuries, nutritional advice, sports psychology, and coaching for personal development to support you during and after your sporting career. In addition, the TASS Medical Scheme is available to you for the rapid treatment of sports injuries. There is also support for mental health, with a 24/7 helpline and up to 12 therapy sessions per issue per year. In Hertfordshire, you can use the performance gym and the physiotherapy practice on campus, and your studies will be flexibly adapted to accommodate training camps and competitions. Please note that TASS itself does not provide any financial support.

In addition to the TASS scholarship, the University of Hertfordshire also awards its own sports scholarship. This may include financial support towards training, competition and living costs, and in some cases accommodation as well. The amount varies from athlete to athlete and is not fixed. It also includes a gym membership, training at ‘Performance Herts’, workshops for athletes, physiotherapy, costs for BUCS competitions, team kit and support with day-to-day life.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are studying at the University of Hertfordshire or are planning to study there. This applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
• Subject: Any subject. This is a sporting award that is not linked to your degree subject.
• Sporting level: You are among the very best in your sport. For the university scholarship, this means: competing at national level in your age group or above, or demonstrating the equivalent standard in your sport.
• Priority sports: The university gives priority to its BUCS competitive sports teams: women’s football, men’s and women’s futsal, men’s basketball, netball and American football. Other sports are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Nationality: Both students from the UK and from abroad can apply.
• Getting onto TASS: You cannot apply to TASS yourself. You must be nominated by the national governing body for your sport (the official body that represents your sport in the UK).

How to apply

To apply for the University of Hertfordshire’s sports scholarship, please complete the online form and state your competitive level and your intended degree programme. You can apply at any time of the year, but you should do so as early as possible, ideally before the start of your studies. The Performance Sport Team assesses each application on a case-by-case basis and may contact you with further questions before making a decision. The process is different with TASS: your national governing body nominates you, and you then confirm this by email.

How realistic are your chances?

This programme is aimed exclusively at genuine elite athletes, so the pool of eligible applicants is small. If you compete in one of the priority BUCS sports at national level or are already receiving support from your national governing body, your chances are good. Applicants outside the priority sports or competing below national level must expect a more rigorous, case-by-case assessment. Clear evidence of your competitive level is crucial to the success or failure of your application.