Basketball

Our comprehensive basketball programme is designed to nurture talent and fuel your passion for the sport whilst offering academic support for athletes.

A typical week will entail:

• Five 2-hour basketball training sessions
• One BUCS competition fixture
• One individual Strength & Conditioning session
• One – two performance analysis film sessions
• A game at the weekend

Players will also have access to:

• Daily on-court performance coaching
• Strength and conditioning coaching
• Performance analysis
• Use of our onsite Sports Therapy Clinic
• Access to campus accommodation
• Workshop programmes with guidance in psychology and nutrition
• Complimentary gym membership
• Access sports science testing
• Timetables individual / small group workouts 

Applications are now open for our sports scholarships and bursaries for the 2026-27 academic year. 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.

We offer fee waiver scholarships up to 100%, cash bursaries plus additional support packages to financially help support our sports athletes.

Applicable for high performance undergraduate or postgraduate student athletes playing at elite National Governing Bodies or Federation pathway programmes (Basketball England EABL, WEABL or international equivalent).

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). 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.

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

*subject to change 

Details and Deadlines

The deadline for basketball scholarship applications for 2026-27 will close in May 2026. 

Sports bursaries are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are linked to successful course applications at the University of Essex. It's crucial to meet the academic entry conditions for your chosen course to be eligible for a sport scholarship.

It's essential to adhere to these deadlines to ensure your eligibility for a sport scholarship at the University of Essex. Applications after this deadline will not be considered.

If you have any further questions or need assistance with the application process, please don't hesitate to email performancesport@essex.ac.uk

We are proud to be a Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) delivery site. As a Sport England funded partnership between talented athletes, the University of Essex and national governing bodies of sport, we work together to develop the best young talent within the UK.

The TASS Dual Career Accreditation Scheme recognises an education institution’s commitment to dual career support for talented athletes who are in full time education. We are pleased to offer an enhanced level of academic flexibility and understanding to allow our athletes the ability to balance their studies with a demanding but rewarding sporting schedule.

Alongside a playing career, we also have a range of opportunities to support your professional growth, to navigate a path through placements including but not limited to Sports Therapy, Performance Analysis, Sport Science and game day support. 

Coach Ashley Cookson is an internationally experienced basketball coach with 16+ years across Europe, Australia and North America. Head of Basketball Performance at the University of Essex since 2023, he has led the women's programme to BUCS National Champions 2024 and three straight BUCS Premier League South titles. As Assistant Coach to the Austrian Women's Senior National team, Coach Ash brings elite international standards and championship-level insight straight into our performance pathway.

Joe Hart is Head Coach of the University of Essex Men's Basketball programme, appointed in 2025. A former professional player with experience in the BBL and Europe, he has worked with Great Britain Men's U16 National Team and is part of the UK Sport's Athlete To Coach Programme. Coach Joe brings elite playing experience and a modern coaching approach to our BUCS teams and Essex Rebels, which is player-first, offering deep on-court insight and a strong high performance mindset focused on development, team culture and competitive success. 

Sport scholars through our programmes have gone on to personal and academic success, venturing into professional playing contracts, coaching roles and rewarding employment opportunities.

During your time at Essex, seize the chance to elevate your transferable skills. We provide platforms that spotlight your talents for potential employers in the UK. Your journey extends beyond the courts, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling career.

Read about some of the successful athletes, past and present on our Performance Sport Blog.