Exeter is proud of its high quality reputation that matches its whole hearted commitment to delivering sporting excellence. Sports Scholars play a key role in maintaining these high standards of achievement; they compete successfully in several of the sports teams that form part of the University High Performance Programme. On average, over 50 Scholarships are awarded each year.

Eligibility
Sports Scholarships are available to undergraduate and postgraduate applicants as well as current students. Candidates must be of outstanding sporting ability who show evidence of achievement or potential at national level. They are only offered to students who have gained an offer of a place or normal admission to a course on their academic qualifications. However, it is not necessary to wait for an offer of a place before submitting your registration of interest. No special reduction in entry criteria is offered as part of the scholarship, nor does the offer of a scholarship carry with it an offer of a place.

Scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis and can be renewable for up to a further two years, subject to satisfactory sporting performance, academic progress and general conduct. The scholar will be assessed at the end of each year and they will have to apply for re-nomination for an award. There is no support offered through the Sports Scholarship Scheme to help finance course, tuition or international fees.

The University will make every effort to accommodate your training and performance needs however, no dispensation is offered from the normal course requirements in terms of assessment, progression or final degree classification.

In return for an award, every scholar must be a student at the University of Exeter and compete for the University in BUCS events.

To receive an award you can study at either the Exeter or Cornwall campuses. However, if the main training sessions for your sport take place at Exeter please note that you may have to travel up to train and compete accordingly. If you are applying to study in Cornwall and would like to apply for a Sports Scholarship please contact Hanna Royle, Sports Co-ordinator, directly for more information rather than completing the online application form visit www.fxu.org.uk or email Hanna.Royle[at]falmouth.ac.uk

Awards
Sports Scholarships will be tailored to the needs of the individual but will include a cash sum for sporting expenses/discounted accommodation costs from £500 up to a maximum of £1,000 and for exceptional athletes, this can rise to £2,000. A full package of support services equating to a cash equivalent of £500 is also provided.

In the main, the Sports Scholarship Scheme is funded centrally by the University High Performance Programme. However, several partners and local and national sponsors also show great generosity by financing several individual scholarships and bursaries.

There are also sports-specific bursaries available:

Golf
Exeter is one of only 12 institutions in the UK to be awarded an educational development grant from the Royal & Ancient to help Exeter administer a performance programme for elite student golfers. Men wishing to apply should have a handicap of scratch or better and women 4 or better. Please see the Golf Bursary pages for full details.

Men’s Rugby
Opportunities exist for undergraduates and postgraduates to apply to the University’s Rugby Bursary Programme run in partnership with Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club and kindly supported by the South West Communications Group. Please see the Rugby Bursary pages for full details.

TASS
The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme or TASS as it is better known is a Government funded programme that represents a unique partnership between sport and higher and further education. Please see the TASS page for full details.

Who can apply for sports scholarships?
Performers from any sport recognized by the AU will be considered, but emphasis is placed on the following High Performance Focus Sports:

• Badminton
• Cricket
• Golf
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Netball
• Rowing
• Rugby
• Sailing
• Tennis

However, outstanding performers from any sport will be considered. All of the sports mentioned above have nationally recognized reputations for competition and excellence at Exeter, along with first-class sports-specific training facilities.

How do you apply?
The submission of application forms needs to be undertaken by the 31st March. Apply online using our Online Application Form.
Late applications may be considered after consultation with the Assistant Director of Sport, in order to avoid disappointing any potential sports stars. Late applicants are advised to contact the Assistant Director as soon as possible.

The Sports Scholarship Panel will then assess all applications and invite short listed athletes to formally apply for the second stage of the scheme’s application process at the end of May 2011. This will require a more detailed submission accompanied by 2 sports specific references. The panel will then meet again to decide upon recommendations for awards.

In most circumstances short-listed applicants will receive an invitation in mid July to attend a sports specific screening at the University during pre-season training in September 2011. Following this, a final decision on awards will be made at the beginning of October.

In certain circumstances the offer of an award can be made to applicants by mid-July but this is at the sole discretion of the panel members. If successful with your application, you will be assigned a level of award and notified on what you will need to do next.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 31 March 2011