We help student athletes maximise success in both their sport and their studies through our Dual Career Policy. We take dual careers seriously.
About our Dual Career Policy
Our Dual Career Policy was designed for athletes, coaches and officials and was developed to provide additional flexibility around an individual student’s pattern of study or assessment as is necessary from time to time, to enable them to prepare for, compete in or coach at major events.
Our Dual Career Policy is all about maximising success in their sporting career and academic career.
We support international athletes competing at the top of their game and developing athletes and coaches who are aspiring to reach the top of their game.
TASS accredited support and development
In recognition of our Dual Career support for talented athletes in full-time education, Edinburgh Napier University is the only university in Scotland to be accredited by the UK government's Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme (TASS).
The reason for this is the flexibility we build into our approach, which allows qualifying athletes to balance their studies with a hectic sporting schedule.
Applications are welcome from students across the University, regardless of mode, level or programme of study. We have more than 30 students currently enrolled, from a broad range of sports - including kayaking, karate and curling - who study on degree programmes from Sport and Exercise Science to Mechanical Engineering and MBAs to Software Engineering.
We take into consideration your training and competition schedule and ensure this does not impact on your application or your studies once enrolled with us.
Academic study support
Uniquely in the UK, the academic support we provide for eligible members includes a Dual Career Academic Tutor, making it easy to access support whenever required.
Your Dual Career academic 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 assessments where possible
- Support you when training or competition selection requires you to be way at short notice
You also gain 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
Centre for Developing Athletes
Our Centre for Developing Athletes brings together programmes and partnerships that:
- Support the development of young sporting talent
- Help athletes to study while competing through our Dual Careers programme
- Develop coaches - from volunteer entrants to postgraduate level study for professional coaches
- Provide flexible study routes to turn a sporting passion into a post-competition career
Our facilities include a Biomechanics Lab, Physiology Lab with a climate and altitude chamber, and a Human Performance Lab and our academic staff includes specialists in exercise physiology, biomechanics and sports psychology.
As a member of the Centre for Developing Athletes you gain 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 - a unique benefit explained in more detail below.
- 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
- Promotional opportunities through the University media
How to apply for the Centre of Developing Athletes
Membership 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 of the Centre for Developing Athletes 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.
You need to verify your continued status annually.