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Sports scholarships

We offer a range of generous sports scholarships to support you while you study.

Explore our sports scholarships

These scholarships require an application that will assess your eligibility.

Team Sunderland also offer the Elite Athlete Scheme which exists for student athletes performing at an advanced level, providing financial support and opportunities for personal development.

What is it?

We are committed to supporting student athletes who are performing at an advanced level. We have created these scholarships to support eligible undergraduate students to fulfil their potential whilst studying at the University.

Who can apply?

  • You must be a 'home' or 'overseas island' student applying for an eligible course
  • You must be a first-year, full-time student applying to start your studies in autumn 2025
  • You must have been selected within the last 18 months to compete at Regional, National or International level
  • You must participate in a sport recognised by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport)

How much will I get?

There are six scholarships available. Each scholarship awards the following support for each year of continuous study based on academic progression:

  • £2,000 cash payment
  • Specialist support, including mentoring, sport massage and physiotherapy, gym access, strength and conditioning, nutritional advice and lifestyle management

How do I apply?

You can apply via your myApplication account.

Your username is your student number, which can be found on all correspondence you have received from the University. If you are unsure of your student number, please contact Student Administration at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.

When can I apply?

You can apply from March 2025. The deadline for applications is Sunday 31 August 2025.

Once the deadline has passed, we are not permitted to accept any further applications.

How will I be paid?

All cash payments will be made into your UK bank account. It is your responsibility to enter your bank details onto your myApplication account to enable these payments to be made.

When will I receive my award?

Eligible students will receive payment on the fifth working day of February 2026, February 2027, and February 2028.

View our University of Sunderland Elite Sports Scholarship (Basketball) 2025/26 guidance notes for full terms and conditions.

What is it?

We are committed to supporting student athletes who are performing at an advanced level. Building on the success of women’s football in the region, we have created these scholarships to support eligible undergraduate students to fulfil their potential whilst studying at the University.

Who can apply?

  • You must be a ‘home’, or ‘overseas island’ student applying for an eligible course
  • You must be a first-year, full-time student applying to start your studies in autumn 2025
  • You must have been selected within the last 18 months to compete at Regional, National or International level
  • You must identify as a woman or non-binary playing for a women's football team
  • You must participate in a sport recognised by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport)

How much will I get?

There are five scholarships available. Each scholarship awards the following support for each year of continuous study based on academic progression:

  • £2,000 cash payment
  • Specialist support, including mentoring, sport massage and physiotherapy, gym access, strength and conditioning, nutritional advice and lifestyle management

How do I apply?

You can apply via your myApplication account.

Your username is your student number, which can be found on all correspondence you have received from the University. If you are unsure of your student number, please contact Student Administration at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.

When can I apply?

You can apply from March 2025. The deadline for applications is Sunday 31 August 2025.

Once the deadline has passed, we are not permitted to accept any further applications.

How will I be paid?

All cash payments will be made into your UK bank account. It is your responsibility to enter your bank details onto your myApplication account to enable these payments to be made.

When will I receive my award?

Eligible students will receive payment on the fifth working day of February 2026, February 2027, and February 2028.

View our University of Sunderland Elite Sports Scholarship (Women's Football) 2025/26 guidance notes for full terms and conditions.

What is it?

Funded from a philanthropic donation via the University of Sunderland’s Development and Alumni Office, the Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship aims to support an eligible undergraduate student to fulfil their athletic potential whilst studying at the University.

Who can apply?

  • You must be a ‘home’, or ‘overseas island’ student applying for an eligible course
  • You must be a first-year, full-time student applying to start your studies in autumn 2025
  • You must have been selected within the last 18 months to compete at Regional, National or International level
  • You must participate in a sport recognised by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport)

How much will I get?

There is one scholarship available.

This scholarship offers following generous support package for each year of continuous study (up to a maximum of three years):

  • £2,000 cash payment for each year of undergraduate study
  • A tuition fee discount of 20%
  • A 20% discount on university-managed accommodation.
  • Specialist support, including mentoring, sport massage and physiotherapy, gym access, strength and conditioning, nutritional advice and lifestyle management

How do I apply?

You can apply via your myApplication account.

Your username is your student number, which can be found on all correspondence you have received from the University. If you are unsure of your student number, please contact Student Administration at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.

When can I apply?

You can apply from March 2025. The deadline for applications is Sunday 31 August 2025.

Once the deadline has passed, we are not permitted to accept any further applications.

How will I be paid?

Funding is paid via the University’s Development Trust and payment will be agreed at point of award. The University of Sunderland Accommodation Team will allocate places in university-managed accommodation and apply the discount for eligible students.

When will I receive my award?

Eligible students will receive a £1,000 payment on the fifth working day of November and February 2026, November and February 2027, and November and February 2028.

View our Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship 2025/26 guidance notes for full terms and conditions.

Further information

If you have any questions about your eligibility for any of our scholarships or bursaries, or need support with your application, please get in touch with the team on 0191 515 2865 or scholarships@sunderland.ac.uk and they'll be happy to help!

Student Financial Guidance

Our Student Financial Guidance team provide expert financial guidance to students and prospective students on a wide range of issues, so you can get expert help before you even apply for university. The service is free, confidential, impartial and non-judgemental.

For support, contact the team at studentfinancialguidance@sunderland.ac.uk or on 0191 515 2284.