Menu

Athlete Zone

Student Performance Sport Breakthrough Programme

The University of Bath aims to be the best environment to enable academic and athletic potential. The Student Performance Sport Breakthrough Programme is an aspirational, supportive and educational mechanism that advances the development of those with demonstrated long-term athletic potential.

The programme adds value by providing individualised support and educational strategies to optimise the breakthrough from pre-elite level to sustained elite success, while also rewarding an individual’s effort toward continual improvement and personal development.

Overview of support

Subject to availability and individual needs, if accepted onto the Breakthrough Programme (formerly known as Dual Career) students can benefit from:

  • An activity programme that includes a full induction process, Welcome Evening and social events throughout the academic year.
  • Tailored inter-disciplinary performance support.
  • Bespoke 1-to-1 coaching with a performance lifestyle advisor to support personal and professional development alongside your academic and athletic commitments.
  • A series of educational training features designed to provide practical knowledge on achieving success and navigating the demands of a dual career.
  • Special consideration for academic flexibility.
  • Free and professional mental health support 24/7/365 through the Sporting Wellness charity.
  • Access to purchasing a campus parking permit when living off site.
  • Free access to the Team Bath Gym & Fitness Centre, and facilities.

Team Bath recognises that students may be able to access performance services through their existing daily training environments. The objective of the Breakthrough Programme is not to replace existing support but add value where required to assist with development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for acceptance onto the Breakthrough Programme, individuals must:

  1. Be completing a minimum of 30 credits studying at the University of Bath.
  2. Not be serving a period of ineligibility as a result of an anti-doping rule violation.
  3. Nor have been found guilty of misconduct according to Student Regulation 7 – Disciplinary Regulations for Students.

Selection criteria

To be considered for the Breakthrough Programme individuals will need to meet one or more of the following criteria:

  1. Selection to compete at major youth and/or junior international or professional events within the past two years.
  2. Selection onto a National Governing Body’s or Professional Team’s Performance Pathway.
  3. Meeting the sport-specific performance criteria – click here to view.

The criteria is used as an indicative guide only. Meeting the criteria is not a guarantee that an application will be successful. Team Bath reserves the right to amend the criteria at any time. An individual’s engagement and commitment to the Programme is also taken into account.

Application process

To apply for the Breakthrough Programme, individuals must provide information detailing how they meet the sporting criteria by completing an online form (click here to access).

The first phase of applications for the 2024-25 academic year have now closed.

The second phase of applications will open on Friday 29th November 2024 and close on Friday 31st of January 2025.

Selection process

A selection panel will meet in August 2024, October 2024 and February 2025. Voting members include:

  1. Director of Sport
  2. Deputy Director of Sport
  3. Head of Student Performance Sport
  4. Head of Performance Services
  5. Performance Sport Officer

Non-voting independent advisors, observers and note takers may also be present.

Individuals will be emailed the outcome of their applications following the panel meetings. Support for successful applicants expires on the 31st of July annually. Returning student-athletes will need to re-apply for selection onto the programme each year to update their record of achievements.

Contact us

For more information, please email athlete-support@bath.ac.uk.

Team Bath Athlete Agreement

Please note the terms and conditions of our Team Bath Athlete Agreement [click here for the current terms].

Sponsors
Partners and Suppliers