Sports Scholarships

Overview

Type of Award: Scholarship
Year of Entry: 2025/26
Value: Up to £500 bronze | up to £2000 silver | up to £5000 gold | International students please refer to eligibility section below for value
Study Level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate taught

Overview

If you are an athlete we can offer opportunities for you to be supported with your aspiration of maintaining your playing career whilst also studying for a high-quality degree.
Our panel will consider applicants as part of the admissions cycle and will offer support to those they feel will make a valuable contribution to our sporting objectives. To be eligible, you must be studying on a full or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate course in the academic year 2025/26; part-time students will be awarded on a pro rata basis. We invite applications from talented individuals who are competing at a high level within their sport, as long as it is a British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) sport BUCS Sports or para sport BUCS Para Sport (i.e. a sport at which universities compete), however, we prioritise scholarships in line with our 6 focal sports – Basketball, Netball, Golf, Rugby League, Table Tennis and Women’s Football.

Awards

Gold level award

Up to £5,000 cash support.
Plus, a support package worth approx. £2,000:

• Free sports facility membership

• Free club membership

• Gold kit package

• Physiotherapy/sports therapy

• Group based Strength and Conditioning sessions

• Group based session in Lifestyle, Nutrition and Psychology support sessions

• Dual career flexibility (academic flexibility around performance needs)

Silver level award

Up to £2,000 cash support.
Plus, a support package worth over £1,000:

• Free sports facility membership

• Free club membership

• Silver kit package

• Physiotherapy/sports therapy

• Group based Strength and Conditioning sessions

• Group Lifestyle, Nutrition and Psychology support sessions

• Dual career flexibility (academic flexibility around performance needs)

Bronze level award

Up to £500 cash support.
Plus, a support package worth approx. £750:

• Free sports facility membership

• Free club membership

• Bronze kit package

• Physiotherapy/sports therapy

• Group Strength and Conditioning sessions

• Group Lifestyle, Nutrition and Psychology support sessions

• Dual career flexibility (academic flexibility around performance needs)

Focal sports

The University has six focal sports, although we do invite scholarship applications in any BUCS sport or para sport, we prioritise our scholarships for our focal sports:

• Basketball

• Golf

• Netball

• Rugby League

• Table Tennis

• Women’s Football

Basketball (men's) criteria

Gold

• Currently representing men’s basketball on an international or national basis (For example, GB or England), at either senior or junior level. Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard, or above, in terms of world sport rankings.

• Proven elite playing experience as an undergraduate at an International College or University Level (NCAA/CCAA/USport or equivalent).

• Regular and current experience playing men’s BBL, National League D1 or D2, or equivalent overseas experience, making a significant impact to the team.

• Regular and current experience of EABL (men’s Elite Academy Basketball League), making a significant impact to the team.

• Regular and current experience of junior U18 Premier National League competition, making a significant impact to the team.

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on a ‘GB/World Class’ talent pathway.

Silver

• Regular and current experience playing at men’s National League D2 or D3, or equivalent overseas experience, making a demonstrable impact to the team.

• Current experience of EABL (men’s Elite Academy Basketball League).

• Proven high level playing experience as an undergraduate at an International College or University Level (NCAA/CCAA/USport or equivalent).

• Regular and current experience of ABL (men’s Academy Basketball League), making a significant impact to the team.

• Regular and current experience of junior U18 Premier National League competition, making a significant impact to the team.

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on a ‘England/national’ talent pathway.

Bronze

• Current experience playing at men’s National League D4, or equivalent overseas experience, making a demonstrable impact to the team.

• Current experience of junior U18 National League competition.

• A current athlete on an NGB Development Programme (i.e., DiSE).

Basketball (women's) criteria

Gold

• Currently representing women’s basketball on an international or national basis (For example, GB or England), at either senior or junior level. Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard, or above, in terms of world sport rankings.

• Proven elite playing experience as an undergraduate at an International College or University Level (NCAA/CCAA/USport or equivalent).

• Regular and current experience playing women’s WBBL, National League D1, or equivalent overseas experience, making a significant impact to the team.

• Regular and current experience of WEABL (Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League), making a significant impact to the team.

• Regular and current experience of junior U18 Premier National League competition, making a significant impact to the team.

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on a ‘GB/World Class’ talent pathway.

Silver

• Regular and current experience playing at Women’s National League D1 or D2, or equivalent overseas experience, making a demonstrable impact to the team.

• Regular and current experience of WEABL (Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League).

• Proven high level playing experience as an undergraduate at an International College or University Level (NCAA/CCAA/USport or equivalent).

• Regular and current experience of junior U18 Premier National League competition.

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on a ‘England/national’ talent pathway.

Bronze

• Current experience playing Women’s National League, or equivalent overseas experience.

• Current experience of junior U18 National League competition.

• A current athlete on an NGB Development Programme (i.e., DiSE).

Golf (men’s and women’s) criteria

Gold

• Experience of representing Country at international level (U18/Seniors). Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard, or above, in terms of world sport rankings.

• World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) – Male 999 or lower.

• World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) – Female 499 or lower.

Silver

• Experience of representing Country at international level (U18/Seniors). Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard, or above, in terms of world sport rankings.

• World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) – Male 2,999 or lower.

• World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) – Female 1,499 or lower.

Bronze

• Experience of competing in national level competitions: County Championships and National Youth Championships.

• A World Handicap System (WHS) playing handicap of +1.0 (+0.5) or better.

Netball criteria

Gold

• Experience of representing Country at the international level (U19/U21/Seniors). Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard, or above, in terms of world sport rankings.

• Regular and current experience in playing in the Netball Super League Squad, and not barred by contract to play for the University.

• Identified as part of the Senior Rose, Future Rose or Rose Academy’s.

• National Premier League 1 regular starter with substantial experience, making a significant impact to the team.

• Experience of being part of a Franchise Netball Performance League (NPL) pathway U17/U19/U23.

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on a ‘GB/World Class’ talent pathway.

Silver

• National Premier League 1, 2 or 3 regular starter and making a demonstrable impact to the team.

• Selected on to a Franchise Netball Super League Player Development programme (PDP)

• To be selected for the AOC national squads, with playing experience.

• Substantial experience playing in the Regional Premier league, making a significant impact to the team.

• Experience of competing in the National Schools competition as a regular starter making an impact on the team.

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on a ‘England/national’ talent pathway.

Bronze

• Regular Regional Premier league player.

• Be a regular starter for the Regional Championship League 1 and 2a (or equivalent regional competition)

• Experience of competing in the National Schools competitions.

• A current athlete on an NGB Development Programme (i.e., DiSE).

Rugby League (men’s) criteria

Gold

• Experience of representing Country at international level (U16/U18/Academy or above). Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard or above, in terms of world sport rankings.

• Regular and current experience of playing in Betfred Division 1 (Tier 3) or above or equivalent overseas experience; and not barred by contract to play for the University.

• Regular and current experience of playing within a recognised Club Academy.

Silver

• Experience of representing England/GB at an international amateur level (e.g. Lionhearts or Community Lions) or equivalent overseas representation.

• Currently or recently part of the National Academy programme or overseas equivalent.

• Experience of representing England Colleges or equivalent.

• Regular, current experience of playing in National Conference Premier Division player (Tier 4).

• Experience of playing within a recognised Club Academy.

Bronze

• Regional representation in Tri-Series.

• Experience of playing within a recognised Club’s Development Academy with experience of being part of the colleges representative programme (i.e. Regionals and Origin Squads).

• The ability to make a significant contribution to performance sport at UCLan (i.e. contributing to team or individual success in BUCS competition).

• A current athlete on an NGB Development Programme (i.e., DiSE).

Rugby League (women’s) criteria

Gold

• Currently representing women’s Rugby League on an international or national basis (For example England), at senior level. Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard, or above, in terms of world sport rankings.

• Regular and current experience playing Women’s Super League, or equivalent overseas experience, making a significant impact to the team (not barred to play for the University by professional contract).

• Regular and current experience of Super League U19’s academy, making a significant impact to the team.

• Currently part of the RFL National Performance Squad.

• A current TASS athlete.

Silver

• Regular and current experience playing Women’s Championship, or equivalent overseas experience, making a significant impact to the team (not barred to play for the University by professional contract).

• Experience of Super League U19’s academy, contributing to the team.

• Current and regular representation on women’s Knights Rugby League, or equivalent overseas experience, making a demonstrable impact to the team.

• A current TASS athlete.

Bronze

• Current experience of being part of the women’s Knights performance squad or equivalent overseas experience.

• Regular and current experience of playing in Leagues 1 and 2, making significant impact to the team.

• Current representation on women’s England Students, making a significant impact to the team.

• A current athlete on an NGB Development Programme (i.e., DiSE).

Table tennis (men’s and women’s) criteria

Gold

• Top 30 Junior ranking/Top 20 Senior ranking.

• Experience of representing Country at international level (U19/U21/Seniors). Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard or above, in terms of world sport rankings.

• Substantial experience in playing in the Senior British League Premier/Championship Division (or comparative leagues overseas).

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on a ‘GB/World Class’ talent pathway.

Silver

• Top 75 Junior ranking.

• Regular and current experience of playing in Junior British League Division 2 or above, making a demonstratable impact to the team (or comparative Leagues overseas).

• Senior British League Premier, Championship or National A player (or comparative Leagues overseas).

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on a ‘England/national’ talent pathway.

Bronze

• Top 200 Junior ranking.

• Experience of competing in national level competitions: British League, County Championships, 4-star events (or equivalent events in other nations).

• A current athlete on an NGB Development Programme (i.e., DiSE).

Women’s football criteria

Gold

• Experience of representing Country at international level (U17 or above). Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard.

• Regular and current experience of playing in FA Women’s Tier 3 (National League Premier Divisions) or above or equivalent overseas experience; making a significant impact to the team and not barred by contract to play for the University.

• Regular and current experience of playing within a FA Women’s Super League Academy, making a significant impact to the team.

• Proven playing experience as an undergraduate at an international college or university level (NCAA/CCAA/USport or equivalent).

• A current TASS athlete

Silver

• Regular, current experience of playing in FA Women’s Tier 4 (National League Division 1) or above or equivalent overseas experience, making a significant impact to the team.

• Current experience of playing with a FA Women’s Super League Academy team.

• A current TASS athlete.

Bronze

• Experience of playing in FA Women’s Tier 4 (National League Division 1) or above or equivalent overseas experience.

• Involvement in a Tier 1-3 ‘shadow squad’.

• Previous experience of playing U16 RTC football

• A current athlete on an NGB Development Programme (i.e., DiSE)

Generic criteria

Although there are focal sports, we invite applications for individuals playing in any BUCS/BUCS Para Sports that meet the criteria below.

It should be recognised that it is challenging to provide generic criteria that covers the full range of BUCS sports/parasports. Therefore, the following criteria is meant to be indicative of the levels required.

Gold Level

• Currently representing your chosen sport on an international or national basis (for example, with Great Britain or England), at either senior or junior level. Representation would need to be for England or a nation of an equivalent standard, or above, in terms of sport world rankings.

• Regular and current first-team player at an elite club (not barred to play for the University by professional contract).

• Highly ranked individual on a national bases by your National Governing Body of sport.

• An athlete on a recognised NGB Elite performance pathway on the ‘World Class Programme’.

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on an elite national performance programme.

• Personal best (within the last year, not including university BUCS competition) would have the potential to medal in the championship final for BUCS.

Silver Level

• Current national/regional representation at senior or junior level (for example, North England).

• An athlete playing senior level for a first team in a national/regional high-performing team/club (not barred by contract from playing for the University).

• Representation from a country in the lower echelons of the sports world rankings. 

• An athlete on an England performance pathway as part of the UK talent system.

• A current TASS athlete or athlete on an elite national talent pathway.

• Personal best (within the last year, not including university BUCS competition) would have the potential to qualify for the championship finals for BUCS.

Bronze Level

• Current County/regional representation at senior or junior level (for example, Northwest).

• An athlete playing senior level for a first team in a regional/county high-performing team/club.

• The ability to make a significant contribution to performance sport at UCLan (i.e. contributing to team or individual success in BUCS competition).

• A current athlete on an NGB Development Programme (i.e., DiSE).

Eligibility

• The scholarships are available to UK, EU and International students.

• The student must be studying on a full-time or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate course at the University, in the academic year 25/26, at either the Preston, Burnley, Westlakes or Myerscough Campuses to be eligible for a sport scholarship.  Students studying on a part-time basis will need to be able to meet BUCS eligibility criteria and will be awarded on a pro rata basis. 

• International students - it should be noted that the university has a limit of £5,500 that can be awarded to International students within an academic year. As such, any international student who is in receipt of any admissions bursaries and/or scholarships, and is subsequently awarded a Sports Scholarship, will have the cash amount of the Sports Scholarship reduced accordingly so as to not exceed £5,500 in total bursaries and scholarships.

• You must be competing in a recognised British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) sport or para sport (you can check the list of sports using these links – BUCS Sports or BUCS Para Sport) and be willing and able to compete on behalf of the University (i.e. not barred by professional contract to play for the University).

• Normally scholarships are awarded to students studying at the University’s main campus in Preston as this is where the performance sports infrastructure is based. However individual sport students may be able to represent the University in Championship competitions without the need to be based at the Preston campus; such instances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Our Golf team also primarily operates from our Myerscough campus.

• If any of the information provided in the application for a scholarship is inaccurate, the University reserves the right to withdraw the scholarship offered.