Individual athletes and other sports

Example programme 

Our comprehensive sports programmes are designed to nurture talent and fuel your passion for sport whilst offering academic support for athletes. 

Scholars can also have access to:

• Strength and conditioning coaching
• 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 

Backing home advantage

Making sure our student-athletes experience a fully supportive environment.

• You'll make use of our outstanding facilities including state-of-the-art gym, Human Performance Unit and personalised Strength & Conditioning sessions with coach Jemma Pemberton.
• Our Performance Analysis and Coaching Room is equipped with a 100-inch touchscreen TV and sound system allowing playback of videos to break down and highlight tactical improvements.
• Our Athlete Village has dedicated accommodation for sports scholars and student-athletes located near our sports facilities, and just a short walk from the lecture theatre building.  

Scholarships and bursaries 

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're on the lookout for student-athletes who are eager to grow, develop, and strive for personal excellence. If you're up for the challenge and meet the academic eligibility criteria, we have fee waiver scholarships up to 25%, cash bursaries plus additional support packages available to financially help support your time here with us. 

Scholarships are highly competitive, therefore applicable to athletes who have played at academy, county, national or international level in the UK or equivalent in your home country.  

Details and Deadlines

The deadline for scholarship applications will be 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.   

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)

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.

Your future

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 playing field, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling career. Our performance programme is designed to help you prepare for a future career in or around your chosen field some way after your time here at the university comes to an end.

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