As an official partner with the RFU, players at Essex benefit from our first-class facilities on offer here at our Colchester Campus, where we can ensure you maximise your potential both on and off the pitch. 

Developing and progressing our Rugby athletes and students is key to our aims, and we have achieved great success as our programme grows. Some of our opportunities and accolades include our international trip to the Dubai 7s, competing in the BUCS Trophy and finishing as Quarter-Finalists, Middlesex 7s Winners, Barking 7s Winners.

Many of our rugby students play for a range of different professional teams and some have even been selected for England 7s.

The rugby programme

Our individual sport scholarship packages can include the following services

  • Performance Coaching
  • Strength and Conditioning Coaching
  • Performance Analysis
  • Use of the onsite Sports Therapy Clinic
  • Access to on-site accommodation
  • Allocated lifestyle advisor
  • Comprehensive workshop programme
  • Complimentary Gym
  • Membership Timetabled individual/small group workouts

Scholarship fee discounts

Alongside performance coaching, recipients of the Performance Sport Scholarship programme 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 three different tiers:

Scholarship type; Award
Tier 1* Tuition fee discount up to 100%, performance coaching and support services package.
Tier 2 Cash bursary (of varying amounts), performance coaching and support services package (available for undergraduate students only).
Tier 3 Performance coaching and support services package.

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

Rugby 7s fee discounts available for students commencing their studies at Essex in 2024-25 are:

Number of awards Scholarship Award
22 x PG awards for international students (full-time only) 25% fee discount


Apply for a Rugby 7 scholarship

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) is a Sport England funded partnership between talented athletes, the University of Essex and national governing bodies of sport. We work together to bring the best out of our country’s most exciting young talent.

TASS helps athletes – aged 16-plus – to balance sport within the rest of their lives, be they in education, training or another form of personal development.

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. The Dual Career Accreditation Scheme acknowledges an enhanced level of academic flexibility and understanding within an institution, allowing talented athletes to balance their studies with a hectic sporting schedule.

Daniel Ademola – Rugby team Captain
‘"Being a student athlete is great as I feel a part of a big family on and off the pitch. I spend a lot of time with my teammates, and I could not imagine a uni experience where I’m not with this team. Our S&C coach introduced the team to many unorthodox exercises that have enhanced my athletic ability and is on hand to aid with any issues that we may encounter. In balancing sport with my academic ambitions, rugby is a great respite from assignments and I can leave all my emotions out on the pitch. I would love to graduate with a first class after final year and maybe even progress to a masters, so it’s great that I can still play rugby competitively and perform well in my studies."
Daniel Ademola Sport & Exercise Science, Men's Rugby Captain
University of Essex Women's Rugby Team against University of East Anglia on Derby Day
University of Essex Women's Rugby Team against University of East Anglia on Derby Day
University of Essex Mens Rugby Team in a scrum with the University of East Anglia on Derby Day
University of Essex Mens Rugby Team in a scrum with the University of East Anglia on Derby Day
Rugby player in black about to be tackled by two other players in green and gold tops
Athlete Village

Both returning students who have previously represented the University in BUCS competitions, and new students who can evidence their level of performance in school, county or national level competition are welcome to apply to live in the Athlete Village.

Find out more about the Athlete Village