Performance Sports scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships

The University of Essex is committed to supporting and developing high performance athletes. The talented athlete is at the heart of our ambitious programme to deliver sporting excellence. We believe that through our commitment to continuous improvement, cutting-edge sports research, excellence in education and willingness to leave no stone unturned, we can assist athletes to fulfil their athletic potential.

Our performance sport scholarships are aimed at talented athletes playing at regional, national or international level.

Alongside performance coaching, recipients of the Performance Sport Scholarship programme may also receive additional support services package benefits such as free kit, use of facilities and access to a range of support services worth up to of £1,500 per year (details outlined below).

Successful awardees will be notified in their Award Letter of the specific scholarship package they are being offered. The Award Letter should be read in conjunction with these terms and conditions. Our Performance Sport Scholarship programme has four different tiers:

*Some exceptional athletes in receipt of a tier 1 scholarship may also receive additional financial support.

Under Tier 1 of the Performance Sport Scholarship programme, we award a number of tuition fee discounts to students on University of Essex undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research courses.

Fee discounts available for students commencing their studies at Essex in 2025-26 are:

Basketball

Explore our basketball programme

Volleyball

Explore our Volleyball programme

Football

Women's

Men's

Explore the football programme

Tennis

Explore the Tennis programme

All sports and individual athletes

*The University reserves the right to vary the number of scholarships awarded based on profile of applicants and the number of full-time versus part-time students applying for the scholarships.

**In case of UK undergraduate students, this would be a fee discount for all years of study (but the University reserves the right to remove them from the scholarship programme as per the terms and conditions in the athlete contract, i.e., not meeting standard expected, no longer participating).

Additional benefits include

• Strength and conditioning coaching
• Free peak-time access ‘Gold’ Essex Sport membership which covers full access to our gym and sports facilities
• Access to physiotherapy treatment
• Free injury assessment and treatment at on-site sports therapy clinic
• Guaranteed on-campus accommodation (costs apply)
• Allocated lifestyle practitioner
• Comprehensive performance lifestyle workshop programme
• Free Playing and training clothing bundle
• Permission to park on the university campus, even if living on campus (parking costs apply)
• Flexible academic provision (ability to pace studies and avoid clashes between academic assessments and important sporting events)

Terms and conditions

Please read the full terms and conditions before applying for or accepting a scholarship or bursary. They contain important information about eligibility, if you need to complete an application form and how you'll receive your funding.

Performance Sport Scholarship Programme Terms and Conditions 2024-25 (.pdf)

If you're a current student looking for information about an award you received, see our terms and conditions for previous years.

Applications for our sports scholarships and bursaries for the 2025-26 academic year close on 18 May 2025. Successful awards will only be offered subject to acceptance on a course at our Colchester Campus. Please be sure to read through the requirements and terms and conditions for the awards before applying.

If you're up for the challenge and meet the academic eligibility criteria, we have generous fee waiver scholarships up to 100%, cash bursaries plus additional support packages available to financially help support your time here with us.

If you have any queries please call 07498067425 or email performancesport@essex.ac.uk

If you're a current student looking for information about an award you received, see our terms and conditions for previous years.