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Our sports scholarships include a wide range of support services that enable athletes to successfully train, compete, and study in a performance environment. 

With financial support and a comprehensive support service package, including strength and conditioning and rehabilitation services, the scholarship programme can be tailored to your needs.

The scholarships range in value up to £2,000 and are open to all St Mary’s students, regardless of year or programme of study.

Check out our past and present Sport Scholars.


Gold scholarship

Value: up to £2,000

This scholarship package includes:

  • up to £1,000 financial support
  • free gym membership to the St Mary’s Fitness and Conditioning Suite
  • access to St Mary's services including:
    • strength and conditioning services
    • student massage clinic
    • nutrition and psychology support from MSc students
    • performance lifestyle support services
  • Sport Scholar jumper.

We are looking for student athletes who have the ability to compete at the Olympic or Paralympic Games, typically those that have already represented their country at senior international level in an appropriate sport.

We will also consider applications from student athletes in a non-Olympic sport, providing they compete at a comparable level and in a British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) sport.

As with all St Mary’s sport scholarships, meeting the above minimum criteria does not guarantee the award of a scholarship.


Silver scholarship

Value: up to £1,500

This scholarship package includes:

  • up to £500 financial support
  • free gym membership to the St Mary’s Fitness and Conditioning Suite
  • access to St Mary's services including:
    • strength and conditioning services
    • student massage clinic
    • nutrition and psychology support from MSc students
    • performance lifestyle support services
  • Sport Scholar jumper.

We are looking for student athletes who are typically competing at a minimum of junior national/international level or equivalent who are able to demonstrate how they can significantly contribute to success for St Mary’s in BUCS competitions.

Please note: athletes must be committed to, and eligible to represent St Mary’s in BUCS competitions and events. Please see below for a list of eligible sports.

As with all St Mary’s sport scholarships, meeting the above minimum criteria does not guarantee the award of a scholarship.


  • Archery*
  • Athletics  (including Duathlon & Triathlon)
  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Canoeing*
  • Clay Pigeon Shooting
  • Climbing
  • Cricket
  • Cycling*
  • Diving
  • Equestrian*
  • Fencing
  • Football
  • Futsal
  • Gaelic Football (Men's)
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics*
  • Hockey
  • Jiu-jitsu
  • Judo
  • Karate
  • Lacrosse
  • Martial Arts*
  • Modern Biathlon/Pentathlon
  • Netball
  • Orienteering
  • Para Powerlifting
  • Pool
  • Rifle shooting*
  • Rowing*
  • Rugby League
  • Rugby Union
  • Sailing*
  • Squash
  • Snooker
  • Snow sports*
  • Softball
  • Surfing*
  • Swimming*
  • Table Tennis
  • Taekwondo
  • Tennis
  • Trampolining*
  • Ultimate
  • Volleyball 
  • Weightlifting
  • Wheelchair Basketball
  • Windsurfing*

*Please note that BUCS do not offer certain disciplines/events within this sport.

Applicants within these sports should be aware that their favoured event may not be featured within BUCS competitions and as such they may not be eligible for this scholarship. Visit the BUCS website for more information about the competitions and events offered.


Bronze scholarship

Value: up to £1,000

This scholarship package includes:

  • free gym membership to the St Mary’s Fitness and Conditioning Suite
  • access to St Mary's services including:
    • strength and conditioning services
    • student massage clinic
    • nutrition and psychology support from MSc students
    • performance lifestyle support services
  • sport Scholar jumper.

We are looking for student athletes who:

  • are currently competing at a minimum of county or regional level and can commit to competing in BUCS competitions OR
  • are currently competing at a minimum of national or junior national level in a non-BUCS or non-Olympic sport OR
  • do not meet the above but can evidence that they can significantly contribute to the student sport programme.

As with all St Mary’s sport scholarships, meeting the above minimum criteria does not guarantee the award of a scholarship.


Timeline and applications

Applications for the 2023/24 sports scholarships are now closed.

The timeline for scholarship applications is outlined below (subject to change):

  • 7th May 2023: deadline for 1st round of scholarship applications.
  • 25th August 2023: deadline for final round of scholarship applications.*
  • 20th September 2023: scholarship induction date – all successful applicants are required to attend.

*Any applications submitted after the 1st round of applications are subject to funding and scholarship availability.

We will endeavour to update all applicants within four weeks of the relevant round of applications closing as to the status of their application and would encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible. We may be able to award scholarships to applicants ahead of the deadline in exceptional circumstances.

For more information, please contact Jen Fairfield, Club Development Officer, at jen.fairfield@stmarys.ac.uk