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Introduction

The University of Glasgow recognises that talented student athletes often balance the demands of academic study alongside training and competition. While academic study remains the primary focus, the University aims to support students in managing both successfully wherever possible.

Most structured support is provided through the Sport Bursary Programme, led by UofG Sport, although in some cases additional support may also be available following discussion with your School.

This guide explains the support available to dual career athletes, including how to apply for the Sport Bursary Programme, responsibilities of both the University and athlete’s and the types of academic support you may be able to access.

The most important things to remember are: 

• Support is mainly offered through the Sport Bursary Programme, which is aimed at students competing, coaching, or officiating at a high level.
• Let the University know about your training and competition commitments as soon as possible so support can be planned.
• You must meet the same academic standards as all students and keep up with any agreed support plans to continue receiving support.

Applying to the Sports Bursary Programme

Who can apply:

• Applications to the Sport Bursary Programme are welcome from all students, regardless of academic level, mode of study or fee status.
• Membership of the Sport Bursary Programme will normally be considered for athletes, technical officials or coaches who can evidence current alignment to one of more of the following:
• National Institute of Sport Performance Pathway or Programme
• National Governing Body Performance Pathway or Programme.
• National Age-grade Player Development Pathway or Programme.
• National Sport Academy.
• National or Governing Body Talent Identification Pathway or Programme.
• Competing, officiating or coaching at National or International level as a Junior or Senior.
• Winning Students (Scotland), TASS (RUK) supported or equivalent.
• Any other relevant measure of high-level status, esteem or achievement, as appropriate to the student’s sporting discipline.

When to apply:

• Existing students who progress within their sport during their studies to the level defined above are encouraged to apply for membership as soon as evidence becomes available.
• Applications will normally be considered at the start of each academic year and confirmed no later than four weeks from the start of Semester One.
• Students may make a case for late admission where their performance level changes.

How to apply:

• Applicants should submit the online application form (UofG Sport Scholarships and Bursaries page), together with any supporting documentation (including official letterheads and signatures) from the appropriate organisation(s) verifying their status and commitment to sporting excellence. Once accepted, students are required to verify their continued status annually.

Please Note: For the purposes of this guide, the term “athlete” includes athletes, technical officials, and coaches who are members of the Sport Bursary Programme.

Responsibilities of the University and the Athletes

What the University promises to do: 

• The University will only offer support to talented athletes who also meet the academic requirements of their course. Academic standards will remain the same for all students. ^[1]

• The University will be clear and realistic with athletes from the outset, about what support and flexibility they can expect, based on their course and sporting commitments.
• The University will be responsible for determining the most appropriate support mechanisms for athlete’s, using sector best practice where helpful.
• The University must ensure that staff maintain an appropriate level of awareness of the University’s support for athletes and the various mechanisms for delivering this support.

What the althlete must do: 

• Athletes should understand that any extra support or flexibility on offer has limitations. They are still expected to meet the normal academic standards for their course. ^[1]

• To receive support, prospective and current students should tell the University about their sports commitments as early as possible. This includes both current and likely future training and competitions. They should also be clear about which commitments are essential and which are optional.

• Althlete’s should be aware that certain requirements of their programme of study may be incompatible with their required regime of training and competition. Where this is the case, the University will highlight such issues as early as possible.

• Athletes are responsible for keeping up with both their studies and any agreed support plans. Failure to do so could affect the additional support they receive.

[1] While meeting the appropriate academic criteria for progress through their programme of study should be considered the minimum expectation, athletes’ academic performance will be kept under regular review to ensure that they are fulfilling their academic (as well as sporting) potential to the best of their ability. 

Available support for athletes

Eligible members of the Sport Bursary Programme will be able to request the following support:

• Support from a designated UofG Sport contact for guidance on processes, funding, regulations, networks, and support, including:

• An annual planning meeting to discuss training, competition schedules, and anticipated flexibility needs (with relevant external coordinators invited where appropriate).

• Liaison with Schools to minimise timetable clashes where possible.

• Help arranging lecture/tutorial recordings for missed sessions and permissions required to do so (e.g. via a ‘Dual Career Buddy).
• Support with semester planning to enable advance arrangements for study and assessment.
• Assistance where short-notice absences are required for training or competition, while recognising the responsibilities of the athlete to identify as early as possible situations where this might occur.

• Academic flexibility, where appropriate and agreed with Schools:

• Coursework Extensions – extensions beyond the normal 5 day period is normally deemed appropriate for athlete’s competing in global, continental or Commonwealth events (confirmation of participation may be required as evidence).

• Assessment flexibility – where possible, alternative arrangements for exams or fixed assessments missed due to national or international level competitions or significant training camps, to be taken before departure or as soon as possible after return.
• Progression flexibility – where an athlete is referred to a Progress Committee as a result of assessment being deferred into a subsequent session, the Committee should take account of all the circumstances and treat the athlete in the same way as a student who had deferred assessment through Extenuating Circumstances.

Athletes should contact their Advisor of Studies to initiate academic flexibility requests. Appropriate arrangements are to be agreed with the relevant Head(s) of School in consultation with the appropriate Course or Programme Lead and athlete’s Advisor of Study.

The academic support described above applies across all academic programmes within the University. However, in some instances, external accreditation requirements may limit the ability of the University to be flexible. In these cases, athletes should speak to their Head of School for guidance.

Examples of support: 

Example scenarios where flexibility will be offered to Sport Bursary holders

SCENARIO	DESCRIPTION	FLEXIBILITY
An athlete cannot attend a lecture, practical class or tutorial.	In order to fulfil their sporting obligations, an athlete needs to miss a scheduled class.	The athlete seeks permission at the earliest opportunity from the lecturer or tutor to audio record the class for their sole use.
An athlete is likely to miss classes on a regular basis.	Due to their regular training commitments, an athlete finds a clash in their timetable which cannot be resolved by changes to training.	The athlete will discuss with the Course Leader and their Adviser of Studies whether this course remains an appropriate choice for their programme of study. If so, and if there are e.g. multiple groups or sections, the Course Leader will endeavour to place the athlete into another group/section where attendance is possible. Where this cannot occur regularly, the Course Leader will make all relevant learning material available via Moodle.
An athlete is granted an extension for submission of coursework.	An athlete is unable to submit a piece of coursework by the deadline, due to a commitment to participate in a significant competition or training event, and cannot readily submit the work early.	The Course Leader will provide an appropriate extension, following negotiation with the athlete’s Adviser of Studies and/or the Programme Leader. Note that the length of the extension may be limited to avoid undue delay in returning feedback on the coursework to other students.
An athlete cannot sit a centrally timetabled exam or test.	Due to competition or a significant training camp, the athlete cannot sit a centrally timetabled exam or online test, either in the main or resit diet.	The Course Leader or Programme Leader will seek to identify a suitable alternative arrangement for the exam or test. Wherever possible, the athlete will use the resit exam as a first attempt.
An athlete will be away from the University for a large part of a semester.	An athlete has been selected to compete or coach for their country in a major sporting event and will not be able to attend classes or complete assessments for a large part of the semester.	The Advisor of Studies and Programme Leader will meet with the athlete to discuss options. In some cases the most appropriate course of action might be suspension of studies or (where available) moving to part-time study. Where some work can be completed, that should be prioritized and other work either delayed until return or through utilising re-assessment opportunities as appropriate. Where alternative courses can be used, such as work-based learning, online or independent study courses, these should be considered. The Programme Leader will ensure that the Programme Learning Outcomes can still be met in this way.
An athlete wishes to interrupt their studies.	Due to a major sporting commitment, an athlete feels that they would be best to interrupt their studies rather than attempt to complete courses without being able to commit fully to their studies.	The normal University procedures for interruption of studies will be followed, with advice from academic staff. Normally, the maximum duration of study, as stated in the relevant degree regulations, must be observed. Approval of any further extension beyond the stated maximum duration of study must be sought from the Clerk of Senate, in line with existing procedures.

Who to contact

For queries, please contact the UofG sport representative detailed on the UofG Sport Scholarships and Bursaries page.