Sports scholarships

Attracting talent

The University of Derby is a sporting hub for talented athletes and coaches. We have a track record of improving the performance of our University sports clubs and we have created an infrastructure to provide support for talented athletes.

With a significant investment in high-class facilities, such as the Sports Centre and Human Performance Unit, sport science expertise and performance level coaches, we are attracting more and more talented performers. We are committed to supporting Clean Sport in the UK and we have published our Clean Sport commitment.

The Sports Scholarship programme aims to help our talented athletes realise their sporting potential and support them through their academic studies. Our athletes can access an impressive package of support tailored towards their needs, delivered by our experienced and qualified team. Two of the Universities most recent successful sports scholars are swimmer Georgie Pryor, volleyball player Abi Littler, and badminton player Abbygael Harris.

Team Derby has seven performance teams, men’s and women’s badminton, men’s basketball, men's football, track cycling and men’s and women’s volleyball, however, athletes competing in all BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) events are eligible to apply. Applications are now open.

The Sports Scholarships cater for student athletes competing at a high county level up to senior internationals and studying an undergraduate, postgraduate or online degree. For further information, please contact sportsscholars@derby.ac.uk.

The University has recently gained Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme Dual Career Accreditation and joins a community of institutions committed to providing student-athletes with dual career opportunities.

Performance sport at Derby

Gain an insight into Performance Sport life at the University of Derby and hear about the support that is available to student athletes on our performance sport and sport scholarship programmes.

Benefits include:

• Strength and Conditioning and Physiotherapy support
• Sports Centre gym membership, fitness suite membership and use of the performance suite
• Discounted University accommodation
• Lifestyle support services and sports science services
• Sports scholarship kit
• Dedicated athlete liaison officer
• Psychology 1:1 and group sessions
• Educational workshops to support lifestyle skills and sport performance
• BUCS Individual sport entry fees

Additional scholarships:

UoD Football Journalism 

The University of Derby has teamed up with Derby County Football Club Women to offer this amazing scholarship. Three full scholarships are available for women starting the BA (Hons) Football Journalism course in 2021. The scholars will also play for Derby County Women and the University of Derby Women's Football team. The scholarships will cover the full cost of the students’ tuition fees, currently £9,250 a year.

Find out more about the football journalism scholarship

What our scholars say

"My first year as a scholar for Team Derby has been amazing in terms of transforming myself into a new level of student-athlete. The scholarship has given the opportunity to study away from home and put me in contact with top quality facilities and equipment as well as unbeatable support and guidance from coaches, physiotherapist and mentors. I cannot wait for what is in-store for this season as I know it will be a successful one!” George Calvey, Basketball Scholar

"My time here at Derby has been special. My scholarship allowed me to affordably attend school abroad, along with maximizing my craft with the sports scholar workout facility, providing me with every type of equipment to get better and providing physiotherapy which allowed me to take care of my body like never before.” Kyren Watts, American Football Scholar and International Student 

In the video below, Jack Burnell, GB Swimmer and Olympian, talks about balancing his studies alongside his sports career and provides advice on how to succeed.

Contact

Jordan Butler, Performance Sports Manager:

• email: sportsscholars@derby.ac.uk