Football

Our comprehensive football programme is designed to nurture talent and fuel your passion for the sport whilst offering academic support for athletes.  Players within our programme have the opportunity to play in local clubs and teams with current players representing Billericay Town FC, AFC Sudbury, Cambridge Utd and Stanway Pegasus. 

A typical week will entail:

• Full football programme (2 pitch based training sessions per week)
• One BUCS competition fixture
• Individual Strength & Conditioning programming and team session
• Performance analysis film sessions 

Players will also have access to:

• Daily 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 to sports science testing
• Individual / small group workouts 

Applications for our sports scholarships and bursaries for the 2026-27 academic year have now closed, and will reopen for the 2027-28 academic year in October 2026. 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 ahead of applying.

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

Applicable to athletes playing at academy, county, national or international level in the UK or equivalent in your home country.

A scholarship is more than financial support, it’s a full performance package designed to help you thrive in sport and study. Check out what you'll receive as an Essex sports scholar and our scholarship types and awards.

*Available for top-performing athletes; requires commitment to the programme. Some exceptional athletes in receipt of a Tier 1 scholarship may also receive additional financial support. 

Details and Deadlines

The deadline for football scholarship applications for 2026-27 closed at the end of May 2026, but will reopen October 2026 for the 2027-28 academic year. 

Awards are offered based on successful course applications at the University of Essex, Colchester campus. It's crucial to meet the academic entry conditions for your chosen course to be eligible for a sports scholarship.

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. 

With over 20 years of experience in elite football, Pawel Guziejko leads our men’s and women’s football programmes with a strong focus on performance, player development and long-term progression. Beginning his coaching journey at the age of 19, Pawel studied Sport Science and Physical Education at the J. Piłsudski Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw, completing his Master’s degree in 2003. His approach blends technical excellence, tactical understanding and mental resilience to help student-athletes thrive in high-performance environments.

Pawel is a UEFA A Licence coach, FA Advanced Youth Award holder and UEFA Coach Educator with The FA, with extensive experience across Premier League and English Football League youth academies. A published author and specialist in cognitive sport psychology and motor skill development, he brings evidence-based, modern training methods into every session, supporting players to reach their full potential while competing at the highest level of university football.

 

Oliver Gulliver is a UEFA C licensed coach and head coach for the University of Essex women’s first-team, where he supports the technical and tactical development of the programme. With over five years’ coaching experience across grassroots, academy and university football, Oli also works within the Stevenage FC Women’s Academy (U14–U16), bringing current academy-level practice and player development principles into the Essex performance environment. His coaching approach is centred on creating a supportive, high-performance culture that allows players to develop their competitive game with confidence whilst growing as people off the pitch.

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 pitch, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling career. Our football programme is designed to help you prepare for either a career in football or carry on football in some way after your time here at the university finishes.

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