Dual careers

We take dual careers seriously. You’re an established or developing world class athlete or coach. We know the challenges you are facing to balance the two and we want to help you succeed in both. We want you to maximise your potential in your studies and your sporting career. We want to develop champions.

We develop athletes and coaches

We welcome applications from elite and developing athletes and coaches and recognise the dedication and effort required to compete at the top level of your sport. Applications are welcome from across the university regardless of mode, level or programme of study.

As part of our commitment to supporting talented students, we have developed a Dual Career Policy for Athletes and Coaches. The Centre for Developing Athletes provides an environment to support you on and off the field.

We take into consideration your training and competition schedule and ensure this does not impact on your application or studies with us.

Centre for Developing Athletes

At the Centre for Developing Athletes we go beyond the game.
We support young sporting talent, coaches and elite athletes, but we also develop people, and the same rules apply no matter who we are working with. We want to see your potential grow.

Join us

Membership of the Centre for Developing Athletes is open to athletes or coaches who are affiliated to one of the following:
  • National Institute of Sport Performance Pathway or Programme
  • National Governing Body Performance Pathway or Programme
  • National Age-grade Player Development Pathway or Programme
  • National Sport Academy
  • National or Governing Body Talent Identification Pathway or Programme
  • Professional sporting status
  • Competing or coaching at National or International level as a Junior or Senior
  • Winning Students (Scotland),Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) supported or equivalent 
To apply for membership, complete the application form with supporting documentation in the form of a letter (including official letterheads and signatures) from one of the organisations above verifying status and commitment to sporting excellence. Once accepted, you will need to verify your continued status annually.
Apply now

Olympic Silver Medallist Mark Robertson on his experience at Edinburgh Napier

Train and gain

As a member of the Centre for Developing Athletes you will have access to a range of benefits including

  • Flexibility in your studies to meet your training and competition commitments
  • Access to a Dual Career Academic Tutor
  • ENGAGE membership including use of our high performance gym and exercise classes
  • Tailored strength and conditioning programme and support
  • Free regular health checks and bespoke fitness consultations 
  • Access to sport science support, including our labs for exercise physiology, biomechanics and injury prevention.
  • Discounted on catering outlets on campus
  • Access to athlete bursaries including the ENSA Elite Athlete Programme fund
  • Promotional opportunities through the University media

Read our interview with Greg Drummond and Will Helu

Find out more about what it's like to study for your degree while you compete at the top level of your sport.

Academic study support

We provide academic support for eligible members of the Centre for Developing Athletes including:

Dual Career academic tutor 

Your Dual Career tutor will
  • Liaise with the school to help prevent clashes with your training/competition schedules
  • Work with you and the school to find a way to record lectures/tutorials you may have to miss
  • Help you plan your studies and arrange alternative arrangement for assessments where possible
  • Support you when training or competition selection requires you to be way at short notice
You will also be have access to:
  • Induction activities and planning workshops at the beginning of each trimester to help pre-plan support
  • Support for requests for academic flexibility for assessments scheduled which clash with competition in line with our Dual Career Policy
  • A dedicated Centre for Developing Athletes Online Portal to support signposting, forms, funding opportunities, regulations, contacts, networks, and other useful information

Take a guided tour of our sports and exercise science labs!

Team Napier

Be part of our team

As an elite or developing athlete or coach you have high expectations. We also have high expectations of you.

As a member of the Centre for Developing Athletes you are ambassadors for the University. You will be expected to:

  • Attend personal development events and workshops highlighted via the athlete/coach portal
  • Demonstrate excellent attendance (except for periods of authorised absence) 
  • Support the University’s marketing and recruitment teams by communicating success and participating in marketing activity including interviews and photoshoots 
  • Meet with your Dual Career Academic Tutor at least once every trimester
  • Regularly promote Edinburgh Napier University in social media posts in a professional and appropriate way
  • Be a positive and active member of the alumni community when you graduate
  • Compete on behalf of Team Napier in BUCS competitions where possible

Are you ready to join our team?

We want you to get involved, follow your passion and reach your potential. We don't want you to sit on the sidelines, we want you to apply the skills and knowledge we teach alongside your training so you can make a real impact on your sport and on you career. So. Have you got what it takes?

Check out our '5 minutes with' series featuring: