The following 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.

• 1. 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.

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

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

• 4. 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.

  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 2023/24 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.

The Elite Athlete Support package will also include provision of the following:

• Academic Flexibility in line with the University’s policies.

• Individual Academic and Sports Mentoring.

• Personalised Strength and Conditioning support.

• Contribution towards University fees (tier 1 only) paid on their behalf.

• Contribution towards Accommodation and/or Travel costs (up to £3,000 p/a)

• Complimentary membership to Queen’s sports indoor and outdoor facilities (£250 p/a).

• Contribution towards recognised national and international competitions (up to £500 p/a).

• Sports Medicine / Physiotherapy support.

• Branded High Performance Sports Clothing.

• Food / Nutritional Supplements on a needs analysis.

• Technical coaching/workshops with highly qualified personnel.

• Opportunity to avail of Queen’s Sport Activity Courses and Class Programme, including yoga, pilates, etc.- Degree Plus Accreditation (Route A) upon full completion of Academy Programme.