Scholarship Programmes

  • Elite Athlete Programme

    The Elite Athlete Programme is the flagship scholarship programme for international-level athletes at Queen’s University Belfast and represents the highest sporting award available to student-athletes.

    The programme provides tailored support to those competing at the top of their sport — including international, national, and professional levels. Athletes are selected into two tiers, receiving up to £5,000 per year (Tier 1) or £3,000 per year (Tier 2) in support.

    This package may include access to strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, sports science services, performance lifestyle support, and academic flexibility. The Elite Athlete Programme enables athletes to pursue sporting excellence while achieving their academic goals within a high-performance university environment.

    Applications for 2025/26 entry are now closed.

  • Sports Academies

    Queen’s Sports Academies provide high-performance student-athletes with a structured and supportive environment to excel both academically and athletically. Each of our five academies — in Rugby, GAA, Soccer, Rowing, and Hockey — is led by a dedicated Development Officer, ensuring sport-specific expertise and tailored athlete development.

    Academy members benefit from access to professional coaching, integrated performance services, and academic flexibility. Eligible students may also receive financial support of up to £1,500 per year, helping to offset the demands of high-level competition alongside their studies.

    Performance criteria for each Academy can be found on their page.

    Applications for 2025/26 entry are still open.

  • Bursary Programme

    The Sports Bursary Programme at Queen’s supports high-performance student-athletes competing in sports outside of our priority academies. This programme provides a structured and supportive environment to help athletes balance their academic and sporting commitments.

    Each bursary recipient works closely with a dedicated Development Officer, Ruairi Taylor, who offers tailored guidance to meet their individual needs. Students on the programme benefit from access to performance support services, academic flexibility, and a financial award of up to £1,500 per year to assist with the demands of elite competition.

    Applications for 2025/26 entry are still open.

Apply now

SUPPORT SERVICES

Our scholarship athletes benefit from a comprehensive range of support services designed to enhance both their athletic performance and academic success. This includes physiotherapy and medical care provided by Kingsbridge, ensuring expert treatment and rehabilitation. Athletes also enjoy free access to Queen’s PEC facilities, including the gym, swimming pool, and group fitness classes. Additional support encompasses performance skills workshops, tailored performance nutrition guidance, and specialised athletic development and coaching. We also offer clothing provisions and academic flexibility to help students manage their dual commitments effectively—learn more about academic flexibility here.

Am I eligible for a sport scholarship at Queen’s University?

  • Elite Athlete Programme (EAP) membership is available to Queen’s University Belfast full-time or part-time students. Students who are on a Leave of Absence (LOA) will not be eligible for the programme. Placement or Erasmus students are eligible for an agreed support package subject to maintaining performance standards and Queen’s representation.

  • Elite Athlete membership is for a one-year period subject to ongoing reviews.

  • An Elite Athlete member who has a personal coach must share these conditions with the coach and have them countersign them.

  • All EAP students are subject to an athletic and medical assessment from Queen’s Sport at the start of each year. The date generated will be shared with the athlete’s head coach

Criteria must be met by an applicant to qualify for interview. Places will be awarded on Tiers one and two of the programme based on interview scoring and references.

Returning Elite Athlete Programme Students

Students maintaining a place on the scheme will be subject to the terms and conditions set out in the programme agreement. This will include periodic and end of academic year reviews. Students hoping to remain on the scheme will be asked to set out their suitability based against existing criteria and to have maintained the following standards:

  • Have achieved an academic standing of 2.1 or above before the start of the next academic year.

  • Have demonstrated measurable improvement in personal performance through results and representative honours where that applies to the sport.

  • Demonstrates full engagement with EAP support services.

  • Contribute to EAP initiatives including promotional and educational work.

  • Meet all of the standards applicable to students applying to enter the scheme.

Note that for 2025/26 intake and continuation, criteria may be considered by the panel as “achieved” based on a case for reasonably expected performance presented by the athlete, coaches and NGBs.

All students offered a place on the Queen’s University Elite Athlete Programme will be required to pass a medical under the supervision of the Lead physio.