Sports Scholarships 2023/24

In 2023/24 the university will award at least 20 new Sports Scholarships to athletes, coaches and officials. The number of awards and amount given to each student is dependent on how many applications are received and the level of performance of the applicants and engagement with the programme.

To be considered, athletes/officials/coaches must perform in a sport that:

• Is an Olympic/Paralympic/Commonwealth programme
• Is part of the BUCS competition programme
• Is available to practice within our Students’ Union Clubs
• Has a National Governing Body and is a Sports England recognized sport.

Eligibility

Students applying for the bursaries should meet the relevant criteria for each award:

Athlete Scholars

Bronze – Junior national or academy level in a University ‘focus sport’

Silver – Represented your chosen sport at national level (in a squad, pathway or competition)

Gold – Represented your chosen sport at international level (in a squad, pathway or competition) or professional contract within a University ‘investment sport’

Officiating Scholars

Bronze – Qualified official working at a higher standard than entry level, with supporting reports

Silver – Qualified official working at national competition level or above, with supporting reports

Gold – Qualified official working at international competition level, with supporting reports

Coach Scholars

Sports Coaching scholar – Qualified coach, with evidence of experience and supporting references

Strength & Conditioning Scholar – Following interview process from S&C lead. Internal applicants only

All Scholars will be assessed on a case by case basis.

First year students will initially be assessed on their sporting participation in their school, college or university in the year prior to commencing their studies at the University of Gloucestershire. Returning students will also be assessed on their sporting and academic participation in their previous year. After assessment, continued eligibility, for all students, will be based on participation and performance in both their studies and chosen sport throughout the 2023/24 academic year.

Students offered a Sports Scholarship will:

• Be enrolled at the University of Gloucestershire on an eligible course
• Have an outstanding ability in a particular sport
• Complete all review tasks set by the Sports Scholarship Team
• Demonstrate that they have met targets set for their academic work, sporting performance and any contribution agreed at the beginning of the year or added to their regular review meetings held throughout the academic year.
• Sign a Scholarship Agreement accepting terms and conditions. This includes agreeing to compete and represent the University in the BUCS competitions and championships, subject to negotiation.
• Act as an ambassador at events such as University Open and Applicant Days. It is anticipate scholars will attend at least 2 open or applicant days.
• Commit fully to the ethos and culture of the Sports Scholarship programme

Further information

Scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis and reassessed annually. Regular reviews must be passed to maintain a scholarship throughout the academic year. If a student does not engage fully with the Sports Scholarship Programme, we reserve the right to withdraw funding and/or remove them from the programme. The Personal Tutor must provide confirmation the student is attending and committed to the programme of study for the funding payments to be made at the four points during the year.

Students studying on a part time basis who are awarded this scholarship will be paid pro-rata dependent on the amount of credits undertaken.

Scholarship funds are paid directly into the student’s bank account. Providing regular reviews with the Sports Scholarship Team to confirm continuing eligibility are completed satisfactorily, payments will be made in four instalments in October, November, February and May.

60% of the Sports Excellence Fund is reserved for eligible students who also meet the below widening participation criteria:

• Undergraduate Home/EU student, plus at least one of the following criteria
• Local Authority Care Leaver
• Student with a disability (including mental health problems, Specific Learning Difficulties or Autism)
• Mature Student (over 21 on entry)
• First generation of family to enter H.E
• Have a Household Income of £42,875 or below
• From a low-income area with low participation in higher education (Polar 4, Quintile 1)
• Student of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnicity

If an award is terminated for any reason, a student must repay the University any monies overpaid, based on a pro-rata calculation from the date of the termination of the scholarship.

The University will terminate the award for any student who ceases to be an enrolled student of the University of Gloucestershire, for whatever reason.

How to Apply

To apply for a scholarship please contact the Sports Scholarship Team at sportscholarships@glos.ac.uk

We welcome applications from prospective students even if they have not yet received an offer, or had a place confirmed by the University.

All applications will be assessed by a Scholarship Panel and all decisions made by the University of Gloucestershire will be final.

Scholarships will be awarded each year to the best sportspersons from all applications submitted within the deadline.