Breakthrough Scholarships

The University of Bath aims to be the best environment for enabling student athletes to realise their academic and athletic potential and progress from pre-elite to elite in their sport.

All athletes within the Student Performance Sport Programme have access to:

• Group-based performance support such as drop-in strength and conditioning sessions;
• Student Performance Sport resources;
• Special consideration for academic flexibility dictated by competition and performance level;
• Elite Athlete Fund support, dictated by competition and performance level.

The Breakthrough Scholarship, supported by Team Bath partners Rengen, adds value to your daily training and performance support by offering:

• Free access to our renowned Team Bath Gym & Fitness Centre and training facilities;
• Access to designated Breakthrough recovery clinics and hydrotherapy sessions;
• Access to designated Breakthrough strength and conditioning sessions.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Breakthrough Scholarship, individuals must:

1. Be actively competing within an Olympic, Paralympic or Commonwealth Games sport, or within a recognised professional sport or equivalent sporting discipline administered by a Sport England Recognised National Governing Body (NGB).
2. Be completing a minimum of 30 credits studying at the University of Bath.
3. Not be serving a period of ineligibility as a result of an anti-doping rule violation.
4. Nor have been found guilty of misconduct according to Student Regulation 7 – Disciplinary Regulations for Students.

Selection criteria

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

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

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 a Breakthrough Scholarship, individuals must provide information detailing how they meet the sporting criteria by completing an online form (click here).

The first phase of applications for the 2026-27 academic year will open on Sunday 28th June 2026 and close on Friday 25th September 2026.

The second phase of applications will open for current students only on Friday 27^th November 2026 and close on Friday 29th January 2027.

The first phase of applications also serves as the application form for Named Scholarships. To apply for a Named Scholarship, please ensure you apply by the Friday 25th September deadline. To do so, tick “Yes” to question number 13 of the form. More information on Sport Scholarships can be found here.

Selection process

A selection panel will meet in August 2026 (for returning students), October 2026 and February 2027. Voting members include:

1. Head of Student Performance Sport;
2. Performance Services Manager;
3. 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.

Don’t forget to reapply

Breakthrough Scholarship support for successful applicants expires annually on 31st July. Returning student-athletes will need to reapply 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.