Athlete scholarships
The University of Edinburgh’s Sporting Scholarships are some of the most respected in the UK, helping the best student athletes reach their full potential. Our scholarships are open to students in any year of study at the University.
To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must fulfil the following:
- Hold, or be in the process of applying for, a place on an undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme at the University
- Currently competing at junior international standard or better in their chosen sport
- Ready to be fully involved in university sport, and in particular British University and College Sport (BUCS) Competition
Athlete scholarship summary
| Scholarship | Availability | Eligibility | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Elite Athlete Scholarship |
Multiple |
Require the individual to be competing at Junior International standard as a minimum. At discretion of the Performance Sport team. |
Up to £10,000 per year |
|
Winning Students |
Multiple |
Criteria determined by individual sport governing body and nomination at Governing Body discretion. |
Up to £3000 per year |
|
Eric Liddell |
Up to 10 athletes |
Require the individual to be competing at Junior International standard as a minimum. At discretion of the Performance Sport team. |
Up to £1,000 per year |
| Ben Helm | 1 athlete |
Available to members of the Edinburgh University Boat Club who show ability and potential for national representation. |
£500 per year |
| Gary Painter | 1 athlete |
Available to members of the Edinburgh University Boat Club who show ability and potential for national representation. |
£500 per year |
| Tim Lees | 1 athlete |
Available to members of the Edinburgh University Boat Club who show ability and potential for national representation. |
£500 per year |
| Stockman | 1 athlete or shared by several |
Open to undergraduate students who compete in track and field events. |
£1,500 per year |
| Keri Holdsworth | 2 athletes |
Open to members of the University’s Ladies’ Rugby Club and considered at the discretion of the Performance Sport team. |
£500 per year |
| Beddel Sivright | 2 athletes |
Open to members of the University’s Men's Rugby Club and considered at the discretion of the Performance Sport team. |
Up to £2,000 per year |
| Reynard | 1 athlete |
Open to members of the University’s’ Performance Swimming Programme. |
£1250 per year |
Further details
The University of Edinburgh Elite Athlete Scholarship fund is awarded to the University's most talented student athletes.
The scholarship exists to support student athletes and enhance their dual career (academic and sporting) ambitions and position the University as the UK's most foremost higher education institution for performance sport. The fund will provide current matriculated students with monetary support to ease training, competition, equipment and living costs whilst also helping to recruit top student athletes to the University.
Awards are influenced by the athlete's competitive standard in their sport and usually require the individual to be competing at Junior International standard as a minimum.
Award: Up to £10,000
The University of Edinburgh is a member of the Winning Students network
Winning Students 100 is a world-leading dual-career programme that supports 100 of the most talented student athletes studying at Higher and Further Education institutions in Scotland.
Since the original Winning Students scholarships launched in 2008, the programme has supported over 1500 student athletes, including world and Olympic champions.
The scholarships are funded by the Scottish Funding Council and managed by the University of Stirling as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. An advisory board, comprising representatives from the various sectors, provide guidance on the development of the programme.
The scholarships can be used on a range of support services, and through partnership with the sportscotland institute of sport, the support received compliments existing support for each athlete.
A key element of the scholarships is the creation of a network of member colleges and universities. For a student to gain support, their institution must be a member of the network.
Award: Up to £3,000
Further information
For more information, eligibility criteria and applications deadlines please see: