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.

Sports Scholarship Programme - Squat Rack - Weight Lifting

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 in order to be accepted as a Level 1 Sport Scholar. In order to apply or 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:

Criteria varies per sport but should include at least one of the following: 

  • Competing at a senior international level
  • Olympics/Paralympics 
  • Commonwealth Games 
  • Professional athlete (have a professional contract with a sport organisation) 
Sports Scholarship Programme - Level 2 Scholarship - Performance Gym

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:

Criteria varies per sport but should include at least at least one of the following: 

  • Institute supported athlete 
  • Competing at junior international level
  • Athlete on a Performance Pathway Programme

Students of all nationalities and years of study are eligible to apply and be considered for a sport scholarship, on both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes 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.

Disclaimer: Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee you will receive a sport scholarship.


Sports Specific Scholarships

We are delighted to be offering sports specific football and squash scholarships that are designed to support athletes in a high-performance environment to help them achieve both athletic and academic success. This scholarship opportunity allows athletes the opportunity to balance their football career whilst studying. 

Football Scholarship

Football Scholarship

Our Football Sports Scholarship is designed to support athletes in a high-performance environment to help players achieve both athletic and academic success. This scholarship opportunity allows players competing at an academy graduate level and affords players the opportunity to balance their football career whilst studying. 

Football Scholars benefit from a 40% Tuition Fee Reduction

Criteria:

Criteria will vary between sports and will be at the discretion of each Head Coach in place to oversee the sport programme and includes: 

Men’s Football

Scotland/RUK applicant:

  • Academy graduate

USA applicant:

  • NCAA graduate

Women’s Football

Any applicant:

  • Signed to play for SWPL 1/2 Club
Greg Lobban - Squash Sports Scholar

Squash Scholarship

Our Squash Scholarship is designed to support athletes in a high-performance environment to help players achieve both athletic and academic success. This scholarship opportunity is available to squash players competing at a high level and affords athletes the opportunity to balance their squash career whilst studying. 

Level 1 Scholars benefit from a 40% Tuition Fee Reduction

Criteria:

Criteria will vary between sports and will be at the discretion of each Head Coach in place to oversee the sport programme and includes: 

Postgraduate applicant:

  • Women’s – WR < 250
  • Men’s – WR < 400

Undergraduate applicant:

  • Member of performance squad
  • Open application with references & video evidence of current level

Scholar Support

Sports Scholarship Support

Central to all our sport scholarships is Academic Flexibility, complimentary Oriam membership and Sport Scholar kit provided to all athletes.

Further support is provided on a top-up basis and embedded into the weekly training schedule based on individual needs for a holistic student athlete experience, including:

  • Educational Workshops
  • Sport Science support
    • Fitness Testing
    • Strength & Conditioning – including Physiotherapy support embedded within 1 x S&C session
    • Recovery sessions including use of Hydrotherapy Pool
  • Physiotherapy – appointments on an individual needs basis via Oriam Clinic
Sports Scholarship Benefits and Offering

Apply Now For Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarship

For any enquiries regarding Heriot-Watt’s Sports Scholarship Programme, please contact our Athlete Lifestyle & Advocacy Coordinator, Emma Cartmill (sportscholarships@hw.ac.uk).

If you are contacting us as a current or prospective student please provide the following information within your email:

Full Name

Course applied for (or interested in)

Which sport you are involved in 

Details of any national representation (if applicable)