Scholarships at UCFB

The Elite Athlete Scholarship celebrates athletes who have competed at the national or international level and are ready to combine their sporting excellence with academic and professional development.

We are looking for students who demonstrate discipline, resilience, and leadership, using their sporting experience to make a meaningful impact in the sports industry. Applicants should highlight how they will contribute to sport beyond their own performance and reflect the UCFB values:

• One team united around sport education – working together, celebrating strengths and achievements, and constructively challenging when needed

• Bringing your best game – showing passion, inspiring others, embracing innovation, and continuously striving to improve

Applicants are encouraged to highlight any experiences where they have overcome barriers in sport, or used their skills to support or mentor others.

The successful recipient will join a network of high-achieving athletes and emerging sport leaders, gaining mentoring, guidance, and tailored opportunities to develop professionally while making a lasting contribution to the global sports sector.

Benefits :

• £3,000 contribution toward tuition fees OR CPD training to enhance professional skills.

• Gain early access to relevant Premier Events and assist on them if the opportunity arises.

• Industry mentoring from a senior professional, offering insights, connections, and career guidance.

Eligibility Criteria:

This scholarship is open to applicants who meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Have received and accepted an unconditional or conditional offer to study at UCFB for September 2026 entry.

• Are currently competing, or have competed, at national or international level in any sport

The She Leads the Game Scholarship celebrates ambitious, talented and determined women who are ready to elevate the sports industry through leadership, representation, and innovation.

Women continue to shape the future of sport in coaching, governance, media, events, sports business, performance-related roles, and beyond, yet many still face systemic barriers. This scholarship is for aspiring female leaders who want to challenge assumptions, break new ground, and lead with confidence in a rapidly evolving global sports landscape.

We welcome applications from women who embody UCFB’s values:

• One team united around sport education – working together, celebrating strengths and achievements, and constructively challenging when needed
• Fair play for all – being inclusive, equitable, honest, and transparent

and who are committed to contributing to a more equitable, dynamic and inclusive sport industry.

The successful recipient will join a supportive network of women driving progress in sport gaining the knowledge, confidence, connections, and support needed to become influential leaders in the industry.

Benefits:

• £3,000 contribution toward tuition fees OR CPD training to enhance professional skills.
• Priority access to women-focused leadership and networking events, in collaboration with UCFB and industry partners

• Industry mentoring with a senior female professional from the sports industry, helping build networks, confidence, and sector insight

Eligibility criteria:

This scholarship is open to applicants who meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Have received and accepted an unconditional or conditional offer to study at UCFB for September 2026 entry.
• Are Female, or identifies as female.

• Must have  interest or involvement in sports leadership and/or female representation in the sports industry (academic projects, volunteering, community work, personal passion, or professional experience).

The UCFB First Generation Scholarship is new for 2026 entry and is awarded to 2 promising students who can demonstrate that their choice of a UCFB degree will benefit them in their career ambitions. The scholarship is aimed at helping to encourage the next generation of students and industry professionals through developing their skills and supporting them on their work placements and internships.

Each scholarship is an award to the total value of £2,500 and is offered in the following format:

• Financial support towards training & development

• During your first term at UCFB, the Employability and Careers Planning (ECP) team will arrange to meet with you to better understand your training and development needs.

• UCFB recognises the importance of work-based learning through placements and internships. In order to support students in gaining valuable experience and picking up additional skills. Your scholarship will put you in a great position to take advantage of any placement/intern opportunities, or access to one of our international summits.

• Gain early access to relevant Premier Events and assist on them if the opportunity arises.

• Up to £120 of the scholarship fund is allocated towards the purchase of UCFB branded Sports Kit.

Eligibility Criteria

• First generation student holding an offer to study at UCFB for September 2026.

The UCFB Scholarship is awarded to 2 promising students who can demonstrate that their choice of a UCFB degree will benefit them in their career ambitions. The scholarship is aimed at helping to encourage the next generation of students and industry professionals through developing their skills and supporting them on their work placements and internships.

Each scholarship is an award to the total value of £2,000 and is offered in the following format:

Financial support towards training & development

• During your first term at UCFB, the Employability and Careers Planning (ECP) team will arrange to meet with you to better understand your training and development needs.

• UCFB recognises the importance of work-based learning through placements and internships. In order to support students in gaining valuable experience and picking up additional skills. Your scholarship will put you in a great position to take advantage of any placement/intern opportunities, or access to one of our international summits.

• Gain early access to relevant Premier Events and assist on them if the opportunity arises.

• Up to £120 of the scholarship fund is allocated towards the purchase of UCFB branded Sports Kit

Eligibility Criteria

• Any prospective student holding an offer to study on a full-time course at UCFB for September 2026.  .

The UCFB Access to Coaching Scholarship (UCFB Manchester) is awarded to 2 outstanding applicants studying at the Wembley campus who are eager to develop a career in football coaching. Candidates should have an interest in football and the wider sports industry, the ability to set clear goals and have the drive and passion to achieve them.

Each scholarship is an award to the total value of £1,200, which includes UCFB sports kit and travel support for training, competitions and events as well as development opportunities.

• Financial support towards training & development

• During your first term at UCFB, the Employability and Careers Planning (ECP) team will arrange to meet with you to better understand your training and development needs.

• UCFB recognises the importance of work-based learning through placements and internships. In order to support students in gaining valuable experience and picking up additional skills. Your scholarship will put you in a great position to take advantage of any placement/intern opportunities, or access to one of our international summits.

• Gain early access to relevant Premier Events and assist on them if the opportunity arises.

• Up to £120 of the scholarship fund is allocated towards the purchase of UCFB branded Sports Kit.

Eligibility Criteria

• Female identifying prospective student OR Black and Asian ethnic majority prospective student holding an offer to study at the UCFB Manchester campus for September 2026 .

UCFB offers an excellent environment to continue to develop in sport whilst studying for a degree. The UCFB Elite Athlete Scholarship is awarded to 2 exceptional students to acknowledge the sporting achievements of applicants who have competed at regional, national or international level in any sport within their age group.

 Each scholarship is an award to the total value of £2,000 which includes UCFB sports kit and travel support for training, competitions and events as well as development opportunities.

• Financial support towards training & development

• During your first term at UCFB, the Employability and Careers Planning (ECP) team will arrange to meet with you to better understand your training and development needs.

• UCFB recognises the importance of work-based learning through placements and internships. In order to support students in gaining valuable experience and picking up additional skills. Your scholarship will put you in a great position to take advantage of any placement/intern opportunities, or access to one of our international summits.

• Gain early access to relevant Premier Events and assist on them if the opportunity arises.

• Up to £120 of the scholarship fund is allocated towards the purchase of UCFB branded Sports Kit

Eligibility Criteria

• Any prospective student holding an offer to study at the UCFB Wembley or Manchester Campus, who have competed at regional,  national or international level in any sport within their age group.

The UCFB Social Mobility and Inclusion Scholarship is awarded to 2 students to increase representation of people from a diverse range of backgrounds in the football and sports industry and encourage an environment where everyone can achieve a sense of belonging and pursue their goals. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate understanding of equality and contributions to inclusion initiatives.

Applicants should be students who identify as a member of a historically underrepresented community in higher education or sport including belonging to a Global Majority group* OR  with a declared long-term disability And from a low-income household.

 Each scholarship is an award to the total value of £2,000 PLUS a student bursary, which includes UCFB sports kit and travel support for training, competitions and events as well as development opportunities.

• Financial support towards training & development

• During your first term at UCFB, the Employability and Careers Planning (ECP) team will arrange to meet with you to better understand your training and development needs.

• UCFB recognises the importance of work-based learning through placements and internships. In order to support students in gaining valuable experience and picking up additional skills. Your scholarship will put you in a great position to take advantage of any placement/intern opportunities, or access to one of our international summits.

• Gain early access to relevant Premier Events and assist on them if the opportunity arises.

• Up to £120 of the scholarship fund is allocated towards the purchase of UCFB branded Sports Kit

Eligibility Criteria

• Any prospective student holding an offer to study at UCFB for September 2026 belonging to a global majority* group OR student with a declared long-term disability And with a household income of less than £25,000.

• *”Global majority” is a collective term for people who are “black, Asian, brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities'” and “represent approximately 80% of the world’s population”.

The UCFB South Asians in Football Leadership Scholarship aims to promote and support the growth of British South Asians in football. This scholarship aims to address the lack of participation in sports for British South Asians.

The scholarship will empower the successful candidate to push their development into the game whilst being a role model and trailblazer for other South Asians in football leadership. The scholarship award is total is £1,500

The scholarship is an award to the total value of £1,500, which includes UCFB sports kit and travel support for training, competitions and events as well as development opportunities.

• Financial support towards training & development

• During your first term at UCFB, the Employability and Careers Planning (ECP) team will arrange to meet with you to better understand your training and development needs.

• UCFB recognises the importance of work-based learning through placements and internships. In order to support students in gaining valuable experience and picking up additional skills. Your scholarship will put you in a great position to take advantage of any placement/intern opportunities, or access to one of our international summits.

• Gain early access to relevant Premier Events and assist on them if the opportunity arises.

• Up to £120 of the scholarship fund is allocated towards the purchase of UCFB branded Sports Kit

Eligibility Criteria

• Any prospective student holding an offer to study at UCFB for September 2026 of South Asian origin including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The UCFB Women in Sports Leadership Scholarship is awarded to 2 outstanding female applicants who are keen to develop a career in the sports industry. Candidates should have an interest in football and the wider sports industry, the ability to set clear goals and have the drive and passion to achieve them.

Each scholarship is an award to the total value of £1,500, which includes UCFB sports kit and travel support for training, competitions and events as well as development opportunities.

• Financial support towards training & development

• During your first term at UCFB, the Employability and Careers Planning (ECP) team will arrange to meet with you to better understand your training and development needs.

• UCFB recognises the importance of work-based learning through placements and internships. In order to support students in gaining valuable experience and picking up additional skills. Your scholarship will put you in a great position to take advantage of any placement/intern opportunities, or access to one of our international summits.

• Gain early access to relevant Premier Events and assist on them if the opportunity arises.

• Up to £120 of the scholarship fund is allocated towards the purchase of UCFB branded Sports Kit

Eligibility Criteria

• Female identifying prospective student holding an offer to study at the UCFB Manchester or Wembley campus for September 2026.