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Sports Scholarships
Heriot-Watt University Sports Scholarship Programme is designed and delivered to support athletes with their studies whilst competing at the highest level.
Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarship Programme
Heriot-Watt University Sports Scholarship Programme is delivered in partnership with Heriot-Watt University, Oriam and Heriot-Watt University Sports Union. It is designed to enable athletes to study whilst competing at the highest level. The programme embeds a high-performance training environment into a student athlete's weekly schedule whilst fully supporting academic study. Our scholarships operate on a top-up support basis, acting as a fully inclusive method to ensure each athlete can reach their full potential in their chosen sport while simultaneously reaching their full academic potential studying at Heriot-Watt University.
What Sport Scholarships Are Available?
We have a range of different sports scholarships available at Heriot-Watt University which vary based on the sport and level that athletes compete. All our scholarship programmes are designed to support you with your studies whilst you compete and offer a range of benefits in both a sports and academic context. Find out more about each of the sports scholarship packages we offer and get in touch today to find out more or apply.
Sports Scholars at Heriot-Watt University can choose to study any Undergraduate or Postgraduate course available at our Edinburgh Campus. Heriot-Watt University is consistently ranked at a high level across a number of key university league tables and is highly rated for student satisfaction, graduate employability and teaching quality.
Sport Scholarships
We offer sports scholarships for athletes in a wide variety of disciplines. From athletics to team sports and martial arts, our sports scholarships are here to support top athletes.
Football Scholarships
Our Football Sports Scholarship is designed to support footballers in a high-performance environment to help players achieve both athletic and academic success.
Squash Scholarships
Our Squash Scholarship is designed to support squash players in a high-performance environment to help players achieve both athletic and academic success.
Sports Scholarships
Sports Scholarship Support
- Academic Flexibility
- Oriam Membership
- Twice weekly Strength & Conditioning sessions with one of our Sport Scientists (individualised programming on a 1:12 coach-to-athlete ratio)
- Educational Workshops (Nutrition, Anti-doping, Sport Psychology, Performance Lifestyle)
- Sport Psychology (individual drop-ins and group workshops)
- Physiotherapy embedded within one weekly S&C session, or through an individual appointment provided on-site by Oriam Clinic
- Performance Lifestyle (1:1 consultations, Academic Flexibility)
- Fitness Testing
- Weekly Hydrotherapy pool recovery (massage jets, underwater treadmill, hot & cold Cryospas, sauna)
- Sport Scholar Kit (1/4 zip sweater, t-shirt & shorts)
Eligibility Criteria
Students of all nationalities and years of study are eligible to apply and be considered for a sport scholarship, on both undergraduate and postgraduate and degree programmes, as well as Graduate Apprenticeships at Heriot-Watt University.
Priority is given to Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sports*, followed by priority sports within the BUCS programme. Other sports considered on a case-by-case basis.
*sports must be included within the 2024 Summer Olympics/Paralympics, 2026 Winter Olympics/Paralympics, to be eligible.
Disclaimer: Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee you will receive a sport scholarship.
Sports Scholarship - Level 1
Our Level 1 Sports Scholarship is aimed at student-athletes who are competing at the top level of their sport. As such, athletes are required to apply for this support on an annual basis and demonstrate their level of performance to be accepted as a Level 1 Sport Scholar. When applying for this scholarship, references are required from their Sport's National Governing Body (Performance Director or equivalent) alongside their Sports Coach. 
Level 1 Scholars benefit from a 25% Tuition Fee Reduction.
Criteria varies per sport but should include at least one of the following:
- Olympics/Paralympics representation
- Commonwealth Games representation
- Professional athlete (have an active professional contract with a sport organisation)
- GB/Scotland Senior International selections
- Martial Arts (Judo/Karate/Taekwondo)
- Level 1 = Olympics/Commonwealth Games
- Level 2 = senior international representation
- Hockey/Volleyball/Netball/Basketball
- Level 2 = senior international representation
- Handball
- Level 1 = senior or junior international representation
Sports Scholarship - Level 2
Our Level 2 Sports Scholarship is structured as recognition of athletes who are studying at Heriot-Watt University in the earlier stages of their sports career, with the potential to progress to a senior international level in the future. Athletes are required to apply for this support on an annual basis and demonstrate their level of performance to be accepted as a Level 2 Sport Scholar, with the expectation of progressing to Level 1 within an appropriate timeframe during their university career. References are required from their Sport’s National Governing Body (Performance Director or equivalent), and their Sports Coach.
Criteria varies per sport but should include at least one of the following:
- GB/Scotland Junior International representation
- World University Games representation
- UK/Scotland Sports Institute supported athlete
- Other international representation, within the previous year, will be considered by the Performance Sport Panel based on merit/strength of competition.
- Martial Arts (Judo/Karate/Taekwondo)
- Level 1 = Olympics/Commonwealth Games
- Level 2 = senior international representation
- Hockey/Volleyball/Netball/Basketball
- Level 2 = senior international representation
- Handball
- Level 1 = senior or junior international representation
Sport Scholarship Application Process
- Submit UCAS application to apply for your desired Heriot-Watt University degree programme.
- Apply to Sport Scholarship Programme within 7 days of university course application (if contextualised admissions are required), otherwise it may not be possible to amend offer status.
- Sport Governing Bodies/Performance Coaches contacted to confirm applicant’s current and projected performance level.
- Oriam’s Performance Sport Panel review applications.
- Outcomes communicated to applicants following the below timeline
The daily operations and coordination of the programme is managed by Oriam’s Athlete Lifestyle & Advocacy Coordinator.
Application Timeline
Application Window: 21st October 2024 to 31st August 2025
Review of Applications: Applications will be reviewed at three stages throughout the year
Outcomes announced:
- Applications submitted by 5th Feb will receive an outcome between 24th Feb and 14th March.
- Applications submitted by 1st May will receive an outcome between 26th May and 5th June.
- Applications submitted by 16th June will receive an outcome between 16th July and 23rd July.
Any applications submitted after 16th June, will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we will endeavour to provide an outcome within 4-6 weeks.
*Application outcome is determined by receipt of national sport governing body reference and/or confirmation of professional status. Please ensure your sport scholarship application is submitted with up-to-date reference contact details.
*Please email Sports Scholarships if you are applying for a Jan start course.
Apply Now For Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarship
For any enquiries regarding Heriot-Watt’s Sports Scholarship Programme, please use our enquiry form. https://forms.office.com/e/iAADuT3RPC
Should you have any further queries, contact our Athlete Lifestyle & Advocacy Coordinator, Emma Cartmill (sportscholarships@hw.ac.uk).
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