Degrees help twins chase Commonwealth Games dream

International twin gymnasts are studying at the University of Essex to chase their Commonwealth Games dreams.

Emily and Abigail Roper, 20, will combine their studies and intense training schedule, which sees them hit the gym five days a week.

The Ipswich-based athletes will study for a Sports and Exercise Science degree whilst competing on the biggest stages.

Emily and Abigail join as the course is ranked 10th in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2026.

The artistic gymnasts, who represent Wales and Britain, say the University’s top 30 sport ranking, academic excellence, and access to their trusted coaches attracted them to the University.

The Performance Sport Scholars will also benefit from strength and conditioning in Essex’s start-of-the-art gym.

Emily said: “Studying here is brilliant as we can get the full potential of our university experience whilst also benefitting from our training.

“We came here on the Open Day and we were blown away, we didn’t go to any other universities as we knew this was the only one we could go to and it is a sporting university.”

Abigail added: “Next year we have the Commonwealth Games, and this is our big aim and our dream.

“Studying here will help us compete and hopefully get the scores we need to get selected.

“We felt by coming here we know it’s a great university, we can stay in our home gym and train to our fullest as it only happens every four years – it is now or never!”

The pair have set their sights on the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after a winning and medalling in a string of competitions.

Both compete across the artistic disciplines of vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floors.

Emily and Abigail chose the course in School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (SRES) as they are passionate about biology, PE, and want to learn more about mechanics of athletics.

Despite training, studying, living and competing together the twins, who went to Copleston High School, Ipswich, say they always get on.

Emily said: “Sometimes we bicker because we are competitive, so we are constantly fighting to see who is better.”

Abigail added: “We have always trained together and been in the same classes at school, so we are used to being with each other!”