Elite Athlete Program

The University of Melbourne has a long and proud tradition of supporting student-athletes in their sporting and academic pursuits.

For more than 150 years, students have combined study and sport as part of the Melbourne Experience.

Students competing at a national or international level in any Olympic, Commonwealth Games or FISU (Summer or Winter Games, Championship & World Cup) sport or who are professional category members of a professional players association can be supported by the University's Elite Athlete Program with academic flexibility and training environment provision.

  • Elite student-athletes from the above categories can be supported with flexible study assistance via an application for Elite Athlete Recognition
  • International Travel Grants are available throughout the year for students representing their country overseas at approved championship events


Elite Athlete Program support:

All Elite Athlete Entry Scheme applicants are automatically considered for High Performance and Friends of Sport Scholarships, which can provide:

  • Up to $4,000 to assist with competition and travel costs
  • Subsidised physiotherapy services with on-campus practice Elite Akademy
  • Professional Strength and Conditioning coaching and programming
  • Annual Aquatic and Fitness Centre membership

There is also a range of specific Sports Scholarships (listed below) that have independent application processes:

The University of Melbourne's Elite Athlete Program is designed to:

  • Assist elite and emerging student-athletes with a designated entry scheme
  • Support elite and emerging athletes in achieving academic success and vocational transition
  • Develop University of Melbourne Sporting clubs through the support of elite and emerging athletes
  • Instil student-athletes with a life-long affinity to the University community
  • Develop leaders and role models in sport, business and the community
  • Fulfil the University of Melbourne's role as a member of the Australian Institute of Sport's Elite Athlete Education Network
Elite Athlete and Artistic Performers Entry Scheme

The University encourages international, national and state representation in sports and artistic performance and recognises the positive alignment that elite training and participation has to the University’s academic mission.

This Entry Scheme provides a conditional entry offer to students assessed as elite athletes who intend to study at the University of Melbourne.

Full details, including the Entry Scheme application form, are here.

Contact Us

For more information regarding the Elite Athlete Program contact:

Brendan Parnell
Elite Athlete Program Coordinator
elite-athletes@unimelb.edu.au
+61 3 9035 3626