Sport scholars
We offer essential sporting and academic support for student athletes who compete in an individual capacity and who are committed to succeeding on the international stage.
- Video: Introduction to the Individual Athlete Scholarship Programme
- Individual Performance Sport Scholarship programme intro 22/23
View a British Sign Language version of this video
Support is considered on an annual basis and open for application to any University student competing at minimum of junior or senior international standard in their sport. The University of Edinburgh has a commitment to the development of Performance Sport and close links with Scotland’s elite sport network, including the Scottish Institute of Sport and National Governing Bodies. Wherever possible, involvement in the University of Edinburgh Sport and BUCS competition is expected from IPP recipients.
We offer an essential support package for student athletes who are committed to succeeding on the international stage.
- Video: Individual Athlete Scholarship Programme
- IPP Students
- Supervised Strength and Conditioning support from our S&C coaches
- Complimentary membership to our gym facilities and access to our bespoke Performance Gym
- Academic support and flexibility
- Accommodation assistance and dedicated athlete flats
- Performance lifestyle, mental skills and nutritional advice
- Access to the world-renowned FASIC Sport & Exercise Medicine Clinic
- Performance Sport kit from our clothing partner PlayerLayer
- Various Athlete Education sessions including anti-doping and career support.
- Social media exposure and potential press coverage
- Video: Individual Performance Programme Former Student View
- Views from former IPP athletes
Our alumni have a distinguished track record in their fields. Here is just a selection of our recent graduates and what they have achieved with us:
Eilidh Gibson (Canoe) - Biomedical Sciences (2018)

- C1 Team winning gold at the European, World and U23 World Championships (2017)
- Had her best individual result finishing 4th at the World Championships in Pau
- Six World Cup medals including an individual C1 silver at Lee Valley in 2014 and five C1 Team medals.
- Inducted into the University of Edinburgh Sports Hall of Fame in 2018
Sam Ingram (Judo) - Sport Policy, Management and International Development (MSc)

- A pioneer of disability sport, Sam is currently the most decorated athlete on the British Judo Paralympic Programme and is an inspiration for the younger athletes on the team
- Bronze medal at 2008 Beijing Paralympics, Silver Medal at 2012 London Paralympics, two-time European Champion, 2010 World Championships silver medallist, and a gold medal at the 2017 IBSA Judo World Cup, earned while studying towards his Master’s degree at the University
- Prolific competitive success in all the major global competitions, including European and World Championships, and three Paralympic Games
- Inducted into the University of Edinburgh Sports Hall of Fame in 2018
We are always looking for ambitious, academic athletes to realise their potential with us. Applications for Individual support go live in March and are usually open for 4 weeks, but we are happy to hear from athletes interested in our programme at any time.
Applications for the 2022/23 cohort of our Individual Athlete Performance Scholarship Programme are now closed.
Further information
Get in touch
If you are performing to a national sporting level, then we’d love to hear from you.
Performance Sport Enquiries
Contact details
- Work: +44 (0)131 651 4372
- Email: performance.sport@ed.ac.uk
Address
- Street
46 Pleasance
- City
- Edinburgh
- Post Code
- EH8 9TJ