SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS

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. Three of the University's most recent successful sports scholars are cyclist Rhianna Parris-Smith, volleyball player Abi Littler, and badminton player Abbygael Harris.

Latest news

cycling

Rhianna's Journey to the GB Cycling Team

From sprints to the saddle, how a passion for sport, a bold move to Derby, and the right support helped Rhianna shift gears into elite track cycling.

A University of Derby student refereeing a football match

Student Refereeing

Hear how our students are gaining real-world experience and building their leadership skills and confidence through football officiating opportunities.

Three women in Team Derby sports jerseys playing volleyball over a net

Sports psychology internship transforms student experience

During his time studying our MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science course, Joseph Dick carried out an Internship in a field of interest in sports psychology.

A student in a Team Derby jersey lifting weights

Gaining future-focused skills through a Team Derby internship

Pursuing his interest in Strength and Conditioning, and Nutrition, Rohan Sood, MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science student is carrying out an internship in t...

Three students grouped around a whiteboard with one person writing on it

Building future-focused skills through a Performance Analysis internship

Tiana Chapman, MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science student, has undertaken a Performance Analysis internship to help develop essential skills to build a stro...

Kiara Henry stands smiling in a blue and orange University of Derby jersey holding a badminton racket

Courting success in badminton and the law

A student-athlete, Kiara Henry, talks about her success at Derby University in both her law degree and exceptional performance as a badminton scholar.

Action shot of Lyddia Cheah Yi Yu hitting a shuttlecock with a badminton racket on a badminton court

Managing time as a champion athlete and as a student engineer

As a student-athlete, Lyddia Chea Yi had to learn how to balance time so that she could achieve both academically and in her sport.

Ronald Oberia and fellow basketball players playing on a basketball court

Inspiring the next generation of basketball players

Ronald studied BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering with Built Infrastructure and made a significant contribution to basketball in Derby and beyond. 

A silhouette of a person riding a bicycle against a colourful background

Cycling to success: starting a degree in the pandemic

Cycling scholar Dan Cooper explores how he balanced elite sport and study with support from the University’s sports scholarship.

 

Support Services include:

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.

Award level Sports profile Academic course support Expected athlete profile
Performance Team Sports Scholar Badminton, Cycling, Volleyball, Men’s Basketball Up to £3,000 fee subsidy and support services High-performing athlete: requires evidence of a high national/regional ranking, national league exposure or equivalent overseas
Individual and Team Sport Scholar All BUCS sports outside the performance team programme Up to £3,000 fee subsidy and support services

Level 1: Senior International, representing GB at world championship level in the last 12 months
Level 2: Senior National or Junior International level
Level 3: Junior National level
Talented Athlete Award All BUCS sports outside the performance team programme Support Services Athlete selected onto a regional NGB programme or evidence of competing within a county first team or high senior county ranking or equivalent overseas

Applications

  • 31 January 2025 - application process opens for September 2025 starters. Please apply as soon as possible including your sporting reference. An email will be sent to confirm your application has been received
  • 31 July 2025 - undergraduate and postgraduate deadline for all scholarship applications
  • 1 August to 31 August 2025 - Clearing scholarship applications

Please apply by completing this form.

Clarence Clark from the USA

USA to UK: studying differences

Clarence Clark is not in Kansas anymore - he completed his bachelors degree in America, but has come to Derby to complete his masters as a sport scholar.

Read Clarence's story about moving to the UK from the USARead Clarence's story about moving to the UK from the USA

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.

Sport programmes at University of Derby

View Sport at Derby video transcript

Contact

Jordan Butler, Performance Sports Manager:

Scholarship enquiries

If you're a potential student and would like to know more about our sports scholarship programme, please fill out our form and we'll be in touch with further information.

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