Scholarships

Our Sport Scholarship offer

Our Gold and Vice-Chancellor's (VC) Scholars for Sport are an inspirational group who train and compete as part of our student clubs, while also driving towards professional or elite athletic careers on the world stage, during their time at Bristol.

Scholarships for Sport are valued at £4,000 per annum for a Gold, and £1,552 per annum for a VC Scholar, for each year of your course (all scholarships are reviewed annually). The support package that all Scholars receive as part of the programme equates to approximately £6,000 in services each year.

Scholars are coached by a multi-disciplinary team of performance sport experts whilst on the programme and receive an excellent Performance benefits package which supports our athletes mentally, physically and financially throughout their tenure on the programme, including extra skills sessions, 1 to 1 nutrition, sport psychology, physio and strength and conditioning (S&C) support.

Applications are welcomed by all sports and athletes who feel that they fulfil the criteria of Performance, with a particular interest in applicants competing in the following sports. This is where we have Head Coach and Co-Ordinator members of staff.

• Boat
• Cricket
• Football
• Hockey
• Netball
• Rugby
• Tennis

More Gold Scholarships Available for 2026

We are delighted to be offering an increased number of Gold Scholarships for our 2026 intake. 

These prestigious scholarships will be available across both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, creating even more opportunities for outstanding students to join our community. 

In addition, we are proud to introduce a new ring-fenced Gold Scholarship specifically for a student athlete with exceptional potential, from a widening participation background. This award reflects our continued commitment to supporting talent, ambition, and access in equal measure. 

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of Gold Scholars to Bristol in August 2026, as we continue to strengthen the depth of quality student athletes, and raise the profile for the institution.

Why apply for a Scholarship at Bristol?

The University of Bristol Performance Sport offer has grown and developed dramatically over the past five years.

• Bristol has consistently performed as a Top-10 University in the BUCS League table since 2016/17. We also compete on a National Level in many sports as well.

• Bristol is a Dual Career Accredited Centre in partnership with TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme)

• Bristol has a prestigious Alumni Sporting Hall of Fame, featuring Olympians, Commonwealth Gold Medalists, and GB representation across a range of sports.

• We provide a competitive but holistic scholarship programme for student-athletes, comprising both sport and lifestyle coaching, mentoring and support. Bristol is the true model of a Dual-Career environment. 

• Talented athletes at Bristol continue to excel in their sport, whilst also performing and achieving academically, throughout their time as a student

• Through partnerships with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Professional Sports Clubs locally and nationally, Bristol offers development opportunities for our Student Athletes to achieve outside of the university environment

• We have a dedicated team of Performance and Pathway staff who want to speak to you and see how your life as a Bristol Sporting Scholar could work.

Eligibility and applications

• Applicants must be entering their first year of study at Bristol.

• University of Bristol must be your first-choice university with UCAS in order to be eligible for a Scholarship.
  
  
• Applicants should be able to demonstrate a clear Commonwealth, Olympic and/or professional representational pathway.

• Junior or Senior level representation and interest to progress.

• You must choose only one sport in your application.

For more information about the Vice-Chancellor's scholarship and other scholarships offered by the University of Bristol, eligibility criteria and terms, application dates and additional guidance, visit the University's Student Finance Scholarships page. This form is separate to your UCAS application. 

Here are some other useful links to help and guide you:

• VC Scholarship Terms and Conditions

• VC Scholarship Guide for Referees