Sport Scholarships

Sports and Coaching Scholarships Scholars evening Current Sport Scholarship Athletes

Our prestigious Scholarship Programmes support elite athletes and coaches as they combine academic and sporting excellence during their time at the University of Leeds.

Sport Scholarships ensure our athletes are able to compete at the highest level, whilst studying for a world-class degree, and our Coaching Scholarships give aspiring students the opportunity to work alongside our head coaches to raise club performances.

Applications for the Sports Scholarship programme for September 2026 entry are now open:

If you are a high performance athlete in Cricket or Netball, please complete this application form- Sport Scholarship application for Cricket or Netball athletes (26-27) – Fill in form

If you are high performance athlete in other sports, please complete this application form- Sport Scholarship application for NEW athletes (26-27) – Fill in form

Sports and coaching scholarships

Sports Scholarships

Each year we award a number of High Performance Sport Scholarships to selected high performing individual athletes who demonstrate aspirations to compete at the highest levels within their chosen sport as well offering High Performance Team Scholarship programmes in Cricket, Netball, and Triathlon. In order to be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must be competing in a BUCS, Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sports. We welcome applications from students from all backgrounds including international students.

Our Sport Scholarship programmes are highly competitive. Please only apply if you meet the following criteria;

Be a member of the National Governing Body’s (NGB) performance squads, or part of the NGB pathway (U21 / equivalent).
Have achieved senior or age group representative honours at national and/or international level in the last 12 months, and/or current year.
Be part of a recognised professional club and/or academy.
Competing at a national level where applicable.

Our scholarship programmes recognise the individuality of each athlete, and that needs differ from sport to sport so we provide a unique approach that tailors our scholarships to the needs of each individual athlete or sport.

Athletes who are part of our Netball, Cricket or Triathlon Performance squads can expect a High-Performance Team Scholarship programme that replicates a professional environment.

Entry into these squads is based on a trial and a successful application to the high-performance team scholarship programme.

We also offer a High Performance Sport Scholarship programme to individual athletes outside of these sports, where support is bespoke to the athlete.

Applications are welcome from all BUCS, Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sports however priority is given to the following; Swimming, Diving, Artistic Swimming, Rowing, Gymnastics, Trampolining, Athletics, Women’s Football, Ice Hockey, Rugby Union, Hockey, and Martial arts (Taekwondo, Karate, Judo).

The services and benefits available to those given a place on these programmes include:

Strength and conditioning (S&C) programming
Weekly Sports Massage Clinic
Physiotherapy
Edge Premium membership
Leisurewear
Dual Career Support & Personal Development support
Sports Nutrition workshops (with 1-1 consult where necessary)
Sports Psychology workshops (with 1-1 consult where necessary)
Financial bursary (only available to student athletes on the High Performance Sport Scholarship)

Please note that the Sports Scholarship does not cover the cost of accommodation or tuition fees.

Coaching Scholarships

The University of Leeds awards a number of scholarships to aspiring coaches to help improve the quality and quantity of coaching available to students in clubs. Working in conjunction with the Leeds Gryphons team and club committees it is an excellent opportunity for students to develop their skills and grow as a coach whilst at University.

The Coaching Scholarship is an exciting opportunity for current undergraduate or postgraduate students to rise to the challenge of coaching their fellow students alongside working with senior coaches and mentors to become a more effective coach as well as articulate the transferable skills coaching gives you in real-world situations. Ideally, candidates will have an NGB Level 1 or 2 or equivalent experience in their chosen sport and be looking to build on this whilst at University.

Applications for coaching scholarships for the forthcoming academic year are accepted from February to April.

Scholars evening

Each year we host an evening dedicated to our sports scholars to celebrate our scholars and their achievements. Each athlete is presented with a certificate, cementing their place on the programme.

We also invite a successful sporting alumni to speak at the event, shedding light on their time at Leeds.