UK University Sports Scholarship and Bursary Information

Date originally compiled by Water Polo England 12 Sept 2016, later updated where indicated.

Aberyswtwyth University

Aberyswtwyth University offers a sports scholarship worth £500 per annum. This scholarship includes free University Sports Centre membership and guaranteed accommodation in a University-managed residence for the duration of the course.

For more information, see: http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/undergrad/fees-finance/scholarships/uk-eu

 

Bath University

Bath University offers several high-performance scholarships. These scholarships include the Matrix Scholarship, which comprises an award of £3,500 per annum; the Bill Whiteley Sports Scholarship which involves a grant of £5,000 for one new scholar per annum for up to 5 years; the King Scholarship amounting to an award of £4,000 per annum for applicants undertaking a course in the School of Management or a sport-related course in the Department for Health; and Thomas Education Trust Scholarships which comprise grants of £1,250 per annum for two years for student-athletes undertaking a course in the Faculty of Science or Department for Health.

For more information, see: http://www.teambath.com/athlete-zone/scholarships

 

Bedford University

Bedford University offers a range of high-performance scholarships, including the Gold Performance Award for Junior GB or International equivalent representative honours. The Gold Performance Award gives successful applicants £500, sports centre membership, physiological/biomechanical assessment, and sports science support.

For more information, see: http://www.beds.ac.uk/sportbeds/sportscholarships

 

Bolton University

Bolton University offers the Bolton Sport Bursary. This grant is not household income assessed and is paid as a £1,000 cash payment in each academic year studies up to a maximum of three academic years.

For more information, see: http://www.bolton.ac.uk/Undergraduate/FeesFunding/Scholarships/Bolton-Sports-Bursary.aspx

 

University of Bristol

(Updated 08.03.18)

Bristol University offers the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship which provides successful applicants with a £1,500 payment for each year of their academic studies. See http://www.bristol.ac.uk/fees-funding/awards/vc-scholarship

Additionally, Bristol University offers the Performance Squad award. This award may be awarded in addition to the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship and includes individual athlete profiling, full body screening, access to the Olympic conditioning and weight room, and an Active Plus sports pass among other benefits.

For more information, see: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sport/performance/squad/

In 2017 the University of Bristol established a link with Bristol Central water polo club which offers extended opportunities for high level training and eperience.

 

Cardiff University

Cardiff University offers the High Performance Programme award which includes free branded kit, free facility membership, access to Cardiff’s internal sports physiotherapy clinic, fitness testing/assessments, and sport specific conditioning programmes among other benefits.

For more information, see: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/sport/performance/bursary

 

Chichester University

Chichester University offers a Gifted Athlete Scholarship Programme. This award provides a £500 financial award, a bespoke sports performance and rehabilitation unit support programme, gym membership, Sports Federation membership, and a free university branded tracksuit.

For more information, see: http://www.chi.ac.uk/study-us-0/fees-finance/gifted-athlete-scholarship-programme

 

Coventry University

Coventry University offers a scholarship to elite athletes. There are two levels of award available. The first award is worth £3,000 and is a combination of cash and support such as strength and conditioning and physiotherapy. The other award is for students who compete at a high County or National level and is worth £1,500; this grant exists as a combination of cash and support.

For more information, see: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/life-on-campus/student-life/sport-coventry/sports-scholarships/application-details

 

Durham University

Durham University offers the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship for Sport. The award is worth £2,000 per academic year.

For further information, see: https://www.dur.ac.uk/undergraduate/finance/ugscholarships/vcsportmusicarts

 

East London University

East London University offers high-performance scholarships. Recipients of the Elite Scholarship award receive up to £6,000 bursary per annum (bursaries may be higher for exceptional applicants), as well as £1,000 worth of support services including gold membership at SportsDock, and unlimited physiotherapy and sports massage.

For more information, see: https://www.uel.ac.uk/Sport/Scholarships/Competitive-scholarships

 

Edge Hill University

Edge Hill University offers high-performance scholarships. The Gold Sports Scholarship provides up to £1,000 towards training and competition expenses each academic year, free annual Edge Hill Sport and Team Edge Hill membership, free access to gym and other sports facilities, and free personal training among other benefits.

For more information, see: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships/sports-prospective

 

Edinburgh University

Edinburgh University offers Eric Liddell High Performance Scholarships. This scholarship provides an award worth up to £1000.

For more information, see: http://www.ed.ac.uk/sport-exercise/performance/scholarships/liddell-scholarships

 

Edinburgh Napier University

Team Napier provides funding and support for elite athletes in partnership with the University. The Edinburgh Napier University Elite Athlete Undergraduate Bursary scholarship offers successful candidates a payment of £1000 a year for four years.

For more information, see: http://www.napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/bursaries/elite-athlete-undergraduate-bursary

Sports Grants are also available to students studying Sports Science Degrees and awarded by the International, Development and External Affairs department. They operate on a similar basis to the Student Grant Initiative, with a maximum of £1000 awardable per applicant. For more information, see: http://www.napier.ac.uk/alumni/fundraising/student-grant-initiative/Pages/Elite-Athletes.aspx

 

Exeter University

Exeter University offers a sports scholarships involving a cash sum payment for sporting expenses of up to £2,000 a year, in addition to support services and coaching equivalent of £3,500.

For more information, see: https://sport.exeter.ac.uk/studentsport/performancesport/scholarships/

 

Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow Caledonian University’s Talented Athlete Support Programme offers free access to University and Council sports facilities, the opportunity to meet other athletes competing at a high level in sport, as well as exercise, health and nutrition support among other benefits. For more information, see: http://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/scholarships/talented_athlete

 

Glyndŵr University

Glyndŵr University offers a sports scholarship. This award provides £500 to assist with sport costs, free use of Fitness Centre at Glyndŵr University Sports Centre, two free personal trainer sessions a month, a Glyndŵr University sports ambassador polo shirt, and free sports science support.

For more information, see: http://www.sport.glyndwr.ac.uk/Students/SportsScholarshipsBursaries

 

Kent University

Kent University offers a Sports Scholarship Scheme. This award provides up to £5,000 to cover sports expenses, free sports membership, fitness programmes, monitored fitness testing, sports advice and guidance, and weekly supervised workouts.

For more information, see: http://www.kent.ac.uk/sports/scholarships/index.html

 

Leeds University

Leeds University offers Elite Sports Scholarships. This scholarships includes:  a ‘bespoke financial offer’;  premium membership at the Leeds University sports facility; strength, conditioning and physiotherapy support, sports massage, access to an academic liaison officer; and complementary sports leisure wear among other benefits.

For more information, see: http://sport.leeds.ac.uk/sport/performance-sport-scholarships

 

Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Beckett University offers the Carnegie Sports Scholarship for potential water polo student-athletes. This award provides £500 financial support, athletic union sport club membership, two strength and conditioning sessions per week, and branded sports clothing.

For more information, see: http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/sport/sports/sports-scholarships

 

Lincoln University

Lincoln University offers a Sports Scholarship scheme. This scheme awards successful applicants with a payment of up to £1,000 per academic year.

For more information, see: http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studyatlincoln/scholarships/sportsscholarship

 

Liverpool University

Liverpool University offers an Elite Athlete Scheme. This scheme provides physiotherapy, sports psychology, strength and conditioning, sports and fitness centre membership, as well as a cash contribution to help facilitate competition and equipment requirements.

For more information, see: http://www.liv.ac.uk/sports/elite-athlete-scheme

 

Liverpool Hope University

Liverpool Hope University offers a Performance Scholarship amounting to a payment of £1000 to students who perform at a National or International level.

For more information, see: https://www.hope.ac.uk/undergraduate/feesandfunding/scholarships

 

The University of Manchester

(Updated 12.04.18)

The University of Manchester SPORT Scholarship provides successful applicants with benefits worth up to £2,500 per annum. Among other advantages, these benefits include up to £750 payment towards sport expenses, an annual gym pass, and an Athletic Union sports membership.

For more information, see: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/experience/student-life/university/sport-and-well-being/scholarships/

 

 

Manchester Metropolitan University

(Updated 04.02.18)

Manchester Metropolitan University provides a sports scholarship package worth up to £7,000 per annum. This award includes a reduction in fees of up to 20%, and a financial contribution of up to £1000 among other benefits.

• Up to 20% off tuition fees
• Accommodation in a performance house with other elite athletes at Birley Fields (also available to students who live inside the radius to qualify for accommodation)
• Financial expense contribution towards athlete development
• Bespoke strength and conditioning programmes
• Personalised sport science support
• Bespoke nutritional support
• Physiotherapy services tailored to the student athlete – take a tour of the suites
• Sports massage
• Gym membership
• Free access to our strength and conditioning suite at the Platt Lane Sports Complex
• Free sports club membership for team athletes
• Manchester Met University Sport Scholar leisurewear
• Access to our performance sport science suite – take a tour
• Access to development workshops
• Lifestyle support and advice
• Access to top class sporting facilities

 

For full up-to-date information, see this detailed information provided in Jan 2018 for prospective MMU polo players by Chloe Wilcox, Performance Sport Assistant and Waterpolo Coach at MMU

More information is also available at http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/sport/sport-scholarships

 

Newcastle University

The Newcastle University sports scholarship offers successful undergraduate and postgraduate applicants with funding of up to £10,000 per annum. Additionally, the Newcastle University sports scholarship provides strength and conditioning sessions, medical services including physiotherapy and sports massage, access to gym and training facilities, mentoring and lifestyle advice, as well as branded sports kit, and performance video analysis among other benefits.

For more information, see: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/sport/performance/scholarships/

 

Northumbria University

Northumbria University offers scholarship packages worth around £2,000 for student-athletes.

For more information, see: http://www.nusportcentral.com/team-northumbria/performance-sport-scholarships

 

University of Nottingham

(Updated 08.03.18)

The University of Nottingham’s Top Level Gold Tier Scholarship Package is worth up to £12,000 per annum. This award includes up to £8000 in financial support and a range of other specialist benefits including:

Full University of Nottingham Sports and Fitness membership giving full access to the State of the Art £45 million David Ross Sports village (For more info see https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sport/davidrosssportsvillage/david-ross-sports-village.aspx).

Specialist Individual Strength and Conditioning facilities and programme support.
Physiotherapy Support through the Universities very own Sports Injury Clinic.
Sports Massage and Bucs Match day Triage.
Performance Video Support and Analysis.
Performance Lifestyle and Academic mentoring.
Personalised Nutritional advice.
Sports Psychology Team and Individual Support.
Anti-Doping advice and Cardiac Screening.
Access to over 11 Hours of Coached pool and land training every Week.

More info can be found at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sport/performancesport/sportsscholarships/index.aspx.

More Info on Performance Water Polo at Nottingham can be found at:
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sport/performancesport/focus-sports/performance-water-polo.aspx

The University of Nottingham Club Webpage can also be found at: https://www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/sports/sport/waterpolo/

 

Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University offers a Tier 1 Sports Scholarship financial bursary of £8,000 per annum. Additionally, successful candidates will receive a comprehensive support services package including Gym and HPC membership BUCS entry subs and affiliation paid expenses, BUCS kit, cardiac screening, and private medical insurance among other benefits.

For more information, see: https://www4.ntu.ac.uk/sport/scholarships/scholarship_awards/scholarship-packages/index.html or contact Chris Campbell, NTU Performance Sport Manager, at chris.campbell@ntu.ac.uk

 

Portsmouth University

Portsmouth University offers an athlete scholarship scheme. This scheme is worth around £1,000 per annum, and may include up to £400 to pay sporting expenses, physio screening, and access to a personal sports mentors among other benefits,

For more information, see: https://kb.myport.ac.uk/Article/Index/12/4?id=2371&fromwidget=false&searchid=0&isSearch=true

 

Plymouth University

Plymouth University’s offers a sport scholarship worth up to £2,000 per annum.

For more information, see: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees/scholarships-bursaries-and-funding/funding/sports

 

University of St Andrews

(Updated 04.02.18)

Scholarships are available to University of St Andrews talented athletes participating in any sport. Saints Water Polo offer up to 50% Scholarships for Postgraduates and Undergraduates who have exceptional sporting achievements.

For more information about polo at St Andrews, see: saintswaterpolo.com/home

The application form for St Andrews polo scholarships can be found here.

 

University of Sheffield

(Updated 04.02.18)

The University of Sheffield offers benefits for elite polo players which include:

• up to maximum of £1000pa towards living costs
• Free peak gym membership
• Free club membership
• 50% off fees to train with City of Sheffield WPC
• 10 Free Physiotherapy sessions
• Sports Psychology support
• Lifestyle/Nutrition mentoring.

UoS has put into place a Long Term Development Plan for the water polo club, aiming to have both the university’s men’s and women’s first teams competing for BUCS medals, as well as having athletes compete in U19 and Student Games National squads.

 

Sheffield Hallam University

(Updated 29.01.18)

Sheffield Hallam offers the Performance Athlete Support Programme.

This programme provides financial support worth up to £6000 as well as a comprehensive support package worth up to £2500.

The support package includes BUCS support, unlimited access to sport and fitness facilities, bespoke strength and conditioning support, physiotherapy, performance nutrition, performance lifestyle, sport psychology and athlete monitoring. Waterpolo student athlete members receive a subsidy from the university to support with club costs.  Sheffield Hallam University is one of the first institutions in the country to be awarded the TASS Dual Career Accreditation, ensuring student athletes receive academic flexibility to achieve in both sport and academics.

https://www.shu.ac.uk/Current-students/Sport/Scholarships/Performance-Athlete-Support-Programme

Waterpolo Programme

Sheffield Hallam Universities waterpolo programme is partnered and integrated with City of Sheffield waterpolo club, where both the men’s and women’s team are in the national league division 1.

http://sheffieldwaterpolo.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/coswp/

 

Southampton University

Southampton University offers a sports bursary scheme. The Gold Bursary award includes financial support to help towards sporting costs, sport and wellbeing membership, physiotherapy sessions, and guarantee of the successful applicant’s first choice of accommodation within University Halls among other benefits.

For more information, see: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/sportandwellbeing/performance_sports/sports-bursary.page#gold_bursary

 

Southampton Solent University

Southampton Solent University offers sports scholarships worth up to £2,500, as well as significantly reducing tuition fees.

For more information, see: http://www.solent.ac.uk/sport/scholarships/high-performance-academy.aspx

 

St. Mark and St. John University

St. Mark and St. John University offers a high-performance scholarship. This scholarship includes a £1,000 award per annum payment, free membership to the University sports centre, as well as sports therapy and coaching clinic services.

For more information, see: http://www.marjon.ac.uk/elite-sport/elite-sport-team-bursaries/

 

St. Mary’s University, Twickenham

St. Mary’s University, Twickenham provides a sports scholarship award in the form of £1,000 cash. It is noted that full-time elite student-athletes may only be awarded a sports scholarship award in their first year of study.

For more information, see: http://www.stmarys.ac.uk/scholarships/elite-sport.htm

 

University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

(updated 07.02.2024)

In order to support The University of Strathclyde’s water polo teams to compete at the highest level in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions, the University supports these FOCUSports teams as part of the Performance programme.

Our water polo teams are led by a dedicated international experienced Director of Sport and athletes have access to Physiotherapy support. In addition, all athletes on FOCUSport programmes benefit from access to specialist Strength and Conditioning, Sport Psychology and Performance Lifestyle services, enhanced access to world class training facilities, and flexible academic study options. There is additional financial assistance to support training, travel, and competition costs. Performance Sport Scholars are provided with a comprehensive support package equating to a cash equivalent of up to £8,500 per year.

For more information, see: www.strath.ac.uk/strathclydesport/performancesport/focusportsclubs/waterpolo/

 

Surrey University

Surrey University offers the High Performance Athlete Support Scheme. This award provides access to all facilities at Surrey Sports Park, tailored strength and conditioning programs, physiotherapy and sports massage, and physiological assessments and advice through Surrey Human Performance Institute among other benefits.

For more information, see: http://www.surreysportspark.co.uk/students/performancesport/scholarships/

 

Swansea University

Swansea University offers several undergraduate scholarships for outstanding student-athletes. Each scholarship is worth £1,000 per annum and is renewable for three years.

For more information, see: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/scholarships/sports-scholarships

 

Sussex University

Sussex University offers a Performance Athlete Scheme. This scheme provides up to £1000 per annum in financial support, as well as free use of facilities, classes and court hire, branded clothing, and campus car parking privileges among other benefits.

For more information, see: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sport/students/scholarships

 

Ulster University

Ulster University offers a Talented Athlete Entry Scheme which reduces the UCAS points which successful candidates require to be admitted to full-time undergraduate study at Ulster University.

For more information, see: http://uususport.org/performance-sport/talented-athlete-entry-scheme

 

Warwick University

Warwick University offer a sports scholarship programme. The Silver Sport Scholarship programme applies to junior internationals and includes free gym membership, personal training programme, fitness testing, sports psychology, and Sports scholarship kit among other benefits.

For more information, see: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/sport/performance/scholarships

 

University of the West of England (UWE)

The University of the West of England awards a sports bursary worth up to £3,000. This award includes free access to physiotherapy and sports massage, as well tailored nutritional advice among other benefits.

For more information, see: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/about/departmentsandservices/professionalservices/centreforsport/performancesport.aspx

 

Worcester University

Worcester University offers sports scholarship programme. The sports scholarship award provides financial bursaries up to £2000, as well as a support package including strength and conditioning programmes, sports therapy support, gym membership, athlete lifestyle advisor and a University of Worcester sports clothing bundle.

For more information, see: http://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/sport-sports-scholarships.html