The United Kingdom (UK) has emerged as a popular destination for athletes looking to continue their athletic pursuits while obtaining a quality education. It also offers fantastic academic, social and travel opportunities for athletes who would prefer not to pursue athletic opportunities at university. In this blog, we will delve into the world of scholarship opportunities and shed light on how they can pave the way for great academic and athletic experiences.
Athletic Scholarships
The UK offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities specifically tailored to attract talented athletes from around the world. These scholarships are offered by universities to attract talented athletes and support their development while studying in the UK. Unlike the US, it’s rare to receive full-ride scholarships and you cannot typically stack scholarships. Scholarships vary in scope and coverage, but they typically provide financial assistance, access to training facilities, coaching, and other forms of support.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for a sports scholarship in the UK, athletes generally need to meet specific eligibility criteria. These criteria typically include demonstrating a high level of performance in their sport, having relevant athletic achievements and accolades, and meeting the academic requirements set by the institution. It is essential for athletes to research and understand the specific criteria set by each university they are interested in.
Academic Scholarships
Universities across the UK offer a variety of academic scholarships to help international students fund their studies. Students typically need to meet minimum entry requirements to qualify for an academic scholarship. Some fee reductions are automatically applied when accepted by an institution, whilst others must be applied for via a dedicated process. Academic scholarships are a great option for athletes who are ready to leave the playing days behind or those who are pursuing non-elite sport opportunities.
Exploring scholarship opportunities
We’ve made it easy for student-athletes to explore postgraduate scholarships on Athlete Futures Abroad. Each of our university partners has detailed information about their athletic and academic funding opportunities on their profile page. Once you are ready to find out more, simply create your profile and connect directly with staff via your dashboard.