Sports in higher education are more than just an extracurricular activity.
They represent an essential part of student life, contributing not only to physical health but also to mental wellbeing, personal growth and career readiness.
And beyond that, sports are a global, viable career path. Yet, despite these benefits, sports in many modern universities across the UK remain underfunded, underprioritised and undervalued.
While larger, established universities often have the resources to support robust sports programs, smaller and modern universities – those that champion inclusivity and widening access – face unique challenges.
This disparity means students at smaller institutions often miss out on the full potential that sports can offer.
Sports matter
Sports provide immense value to students, far beyond physical activity.
Research from British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) underscores the profound impact of university sports on students’ lives. The British Active Students Survey tells us that active students report higher levels of life satisfaction, happiness and lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to inactive peers. The survey highlights how students participating in both sport and gym activities demonstrate the best outcomes in mental wellbeing metrics, compared to those who only engage in one or neither.
Students being involved in sports supports their sense of belonging, networking and friendships, supports retention rates and attainment and enhances student satisfaction. And for some, it’s an opportunity to springboard their career on the global stage.
In the US, college sports play a pivotal role in nurturing professional athletes. The National Collegiate Athletic Association system provides structured support, scholarships, and pathways for student athletes to progress into professional leagues like the National Basketball Association, National Football League, and Major League Baseball. By contrast, the UK lacks an equivalent system that consistently bridges the gap between university-level competition and professional sports.
Challenges for smaller institutions
In smaller universities across the UK, student athletes often excel despite limited resources. They compete in national leagues, build communities and represent their institutions with pride. Yet, they frequently feel undervalued and unsupported.
From working with other sports sabbatical officers across Scotland in the last year, I’ve learned that sports structures in universities vary widely depending on the university group (Russel Group/redbricks/modern) each with its own unique challenges. Some are managed directly by university administrations (usually having a more robust sports strategy or structure), others are overseen by student unions (characterised with less support and funding) and some operate under joint management systems.
Some of these universities do not see sport as a strategic priority, despite its potential impact because they face tight budgets, ambitious expansion goals and financial pressures.
As a result, they often focus on core strengths like academic excellence, employability, and immediate student needs leaving sports mainly to students and unions, with limited facilities and support. This reveals a deeper issue of the lack of understanding of the exponential benefits sport can bring not just to student wellbeing and community, but also to institutional reputation.
For example, this tunnel vision focuses on employability often shaped by student demand or marketing priorities can lead to the assumption that sports are merely optional extracurricular activities or hobbies. In practice, however, sport develops key transferable skills like confidence, communication, problem-solving and adaptability all of which are highly valued by employers. Additionally, they open doors to careers in coaching, sports management and professional competition.
Money, money, money
In a situation where sports clubs are entirely managed by the students’ association and run by students, sports funding is often bundled into the wider block grant given to the students’ association, which also covers things like societies, staff salaries and core services.
To supplement this, students usually pay membership fees sometimes up to £60 to participate. While this student-led model fosters leadership and community, it also adds to the financial burden on students, as these fees increase the overall cost of participating in sports especially in the context of the rising cost of living.
Beyond the joining fee, there are also hidden costs such as equipment, kit (which is often necessary to feel part of the team and compete). These additional costs can make sport far less accessible. This is particularly important in smaller, modern universities, where many students come from underrepresented backgrounds who often have less time and disposable income.
This is exactly why sport needs to be better developed and prioritised at these universities, it helps level the playing field for underrepresented student groups, creating greater equity.
An agenda for sport in smaller or modern universities
To address the disparities in sports provision at modern universities and to make sport more accessible, there are a few things universities could do.
- Develop a sports strategy within the university’s strategic plan – developing a comprehensive sports strategy as part of the university’s strategic plan will commit to and demonstrate the importance of sports as part of the student experience.
- Investment – universities must allocate more resources to make sports facilities, equipment, and coaching more accessible for all students.
- Recognition and scholarships – recognising the contributions of student athletes through scholarships or other incentives would motivate participation and reward dedication.
- Integration with employability – highlighting the skills developed through sports within employability initiatives would underscore their value.
- Foster inclusivity – sports should be seen as a tool for inclusion, connecting students from diverse backgrounds and creating a stronger sense of community on campus.
- Building pathways to professional sports – the UK needs clearer pathways for university athletes to transition into professional sports. Partnerships with professional clubs, better funding for high-performance programs and exposure to talent scouts could make this a reality.
- Flexibility – flexible timetabling to accommodate for student athletes or sports activities, Wednesday afternoons off are great but these need to be accessible for everyone. How can students get credit or recognition for their sports to prevent them from becoming more time poor?
A call to action
As a former sport sabbatical officer in Scotland, I have seen firsthand the remarkable contributions and achievements of student athletes.
Whether winning matches or building supportive communities, these athletes represent the very best of their institutions. Sports are not just about medals or championships, they are about building character, promoting wellbeing, and creating opportunities for students to thrive.
By investing in sports, universities can nurture the next generation of leaders, innovators and professional athletes. The time has come for modern universities to step up and prioritise sports. It’s not just about fostering athletic talent, it’s about enriching the student experience and shaping a brighter future for all.
