We won’t deny the fact that sports scholarships in the US provide more financial value to student-athletes where you have a chance of winning a full scholarship than those in the UK. However, the United Kingdom still tries its best to provide comfortable Rugby scholarships to winners.
Amazingly, just like Rugby scholarships in Scotland and Canada these Rugby scholarships in UK don’t only provide financial assistance but they go on to provide Performance Coaching; Strength and conditioning; Physiotherapy; Sports Psychology; Sports Nutrition, etc. You’ll also have the opportunity to compete with other world-class players which even sets you on the path to a professional Rugby career.
You should note that these scholarships are very competitive, and you need to set yourself apart to stand out from other competitors. Here are the ways you can do that.
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How to Win Rugby Scholarships in UK
Here are some of the tips to win any of these scholarships.
Start Early
The importance of early application and early competence cannot be overemphasized. First of all, most recruiters focus on athletes who have been nurtured from a young age, and this early preparedness will help you to perform at your peak level at the right time.
Secondly, the early application helps to reduce competition, because most of these schools and organizations consider these applications first and it also helps you to prepare a strong application without rushing.
Participate in Local Rugby Club
This is also very important as it will help you to nurture your skill and experience, and it also opens doors for coaches and scouts to notice your performance.
Have Good Grades
Please don’t assume because it is a sports scholarship that your academic performance will be swept under the rug. See it this way, your athletic performance advertises you, then your academic prowess gets you closer to winning the scholarship.
Most of these schools have a minimum requirement for grades, try to have a little bit above the required grade just to stand out from the competition.
Video Yourself
Sometimes, coaches and scouts don’t get to see student-athletes physically perform, with a highlighted video of your performance will tell a brilliant story of how good you are. And don’t hesitate to contact the coaches or admission staff directly through email.
With all these said, let’s now list these scholarships.
Rugby Scholarships in UK
These scholarships won’t only provide financial assistance to recipients but also provide them with professional coaching, accommodation, and other expenses.
1. University of Stirling (UK)
The University of Stirling is partnering with the Stirling County Fosroc Super6 rugby franchise to provide scholarships to their student-athletes. This is one of the Rugby scholarships in UK that also gives their students the opportunity to enroll in other additional Scholarships.
2. Brunel University London (UK)
Brunel University London is another college that offers Rugby scholarships in the United Kingdom and is partnering with Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club to provide financial assistance to outstanding players from around the world. Scholars will not only receive financial support but also professional rugby training, backroom team assistance, medical, nutritional, and personal support, and degree study.
3. University of Bristol – International Rugby Scholarships
The University of Bristol is recognized among the top 10 universities for sporting achievement in the UK, so you’re guaranteed to have a successful student-athlete life here. They also provide scholarships to ease your educational expenses.
4. Loughborough Sports Scholarship (UK)
Loughborough University provides up to £5,000 worth of scholarships to their student-athletes competing in sporting activities including Rugby. The scholarship is open to both UK and International Students pursuing their Master’s and Research degrees.
Besides the monetary value, scholars will also receive free membership in Powerbase – one of the country’s largest strength and conditioning gyms –
free Athletic Union club membership, and campus parking permit.
5. University of St. Andrews Sports Scholarships (UK)
Just like every other Rugby scholarship for international students on our list, the University of St. Andrew created its Athletic scholarships for the purpose of attracting and then financially supporting exceptional students who wish to continue their sport at a high level whilst furthering their education at St Andrews.
The school provides both Saints Rugby Performance Scholarships, and St Leonard’s Masters Scholarship for men’s Rugby.
6. Newcastle University Sports Scholarships
Newcastle University provides sports scholarships to both their Undergraduate and postgraduate student-athletes regardless of their nationality. Except the need to be one of their students to be eligible, applicants also need to have achieved senior or age group representative honors at the national and/or regional level in the last 12 months, and/or
be a member of the National Governing Body’s (NGB) performance squads or equivalent.
7. UEA+Sport Individual Scholarship (UK)
The University of East Anglia provides sports scholarships to both aspiring and current student-athletes studying at the school. The scholarship is worth up to £1,500, scholars will also have free access to Gym and Swim Membership, free use of training facilities at the Sportspark, Free uea+sport membership, Strength and Conditioning support, physiotherapy, Discounted sports massage, Branded sports kit, etc.
8. University of Nottingham (UK)
The University of Nottingham provides Sports Scholarships that not only provide financial support worth up to £5,000, it also cover sports and fitness membership, specialist facilities, and support, including physiotherapy support. Their scholarships come in several packages which they categorize as bronze, silver, and gold packages which also include financial support of £1,000 to £8,000.
Applicants, whether UK or International Students need to be studying at least 60 credits a year.
9. The Henley College – Elite Sports Scholarships
This is among the universities that provide Rugby scholarships that work in close partnership with Ealing Trailfinders as a satellite Elite Player Programme (EPP). They also partner with their local partner, Henley Hawks Rugby Club.
Just like other colleges, this school believes that the rugby program requires a high level of commitment, but the academic program comes first.
10. Durham University (UK)
Durham University provides 4 different undergraduate scholarships to their student-athletes which are;
- Vice-Chancellor’s scholarships
- Weldon-le Huray scholarships
- Palatinate scholarships
- Racecourse scholarships (rugby preference)
Preference will be given to applicants from Ethnic Minority groups and candidates who come from neighborhoods with low overall progression to higher education or high levels of socio-economic deprivation. It’s worth noting that this school has held the Number 1 British Team Sport University since 2013.
11. University of Edinburgh – The Bedell-Sivright Scholarship Fund
This is among the Rugby scholarships in UK that is named after one of EURFC’s most illustrious alumni, David Bedell-Sivright. The scholarship was created to attract 4 to 5 best young talents to study and play rugby for The University of Edinburgh.
12. RUK Undergraduate Performance Sport Scholarship
This scholarship is provided by the University of Strathclyde’s Business School and provides academic flexibility (where feasible), World-Class sports science and medical support, and financial assistance towards training and competition costs. The scholarship plus other advantages adds up to a cash equivalent of up to £6,250 per year.
Applicants need to be competing in a UK-recognised sport, and priority will be given to students competing in a BUCS sport.
13. Rugby School Scholarships
Rugby School offers several scholarships in which scholars can receive fee assistance of up to a value of 100%.
Note that candidates do not need to play all of the listed sports including Rugby to be considered for a sports scholarship.
14. University of Exeter – Sports Scholarship Scheme
The University of Exeter provides a sports scholarship worth up to £3,000 annually to exceptional students participating in different sports including Rugby. They also provide other packages and professional coaching which is equivalent to a cash prize of more than £3,500.
15. Leeds Beckett University Sports Scholarships
Leeds Beckett University provides both high performance scholarship which is awarded to student-athletes competing at a very high level in individual or team sports. They also have a focus sports scholarship where each sport has its own scholarship, and for Rugby, both men and women have their own specific scholarship.
Conclusion
Receiving Rugby scholarships in UK is a big win for student-athletes who are working hard both on their studies and on sport. And these scholarships help students to combine their academic studies with Rugby performance, and can even set them on a path to a successful career in professional Rugby.
As we said earlier, most of these scholarships can go further to cover part or full tuition of recipients, accommodation, living expenses, and other school-related expenses.
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