High Performance Programme

The University of Exeter’s High Performance Programme (HPP) organises and manages specific focus sports where Exeter athletes have enjoyed the most success and where the infrastructure is in place to produce outstanding results in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions.

There are currently around 300 athletes across ten sports on the HPP. Sports scholarships are, in the main, awarded to athletes who participate in these sports.

The HPP offers a considerable amount of support to performance athletes including excellent facilities, coaching and competition. Our ten focus sports are:

Every focus sport benefits from the very best coaching, sports science and physiotherapy services, strength and conditioning and athlete lifestyle support. Each sport holds BUCS Premier League status as well as national or regional league competition.

Partnership links with key national governing bodies and professional sports clubs offer high level sporting opportunities for the very best sportsmen and women.

All the focus sports have nationally recognised reputations for competition and excellence at Exeter, along with first class sports specific training facilities including:

£1.5million Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) accredited Exeter Tennis Centre.
Olympic standard water based astro pitch.
Floodlit 3G rubber crumb training facility.
£2million indoor cricket centre.
Purpose built boathouse on the river Exe canal.
Exclusive performance training facility for strength and conditioning.
Excellent links and exclusive student use of Dawlish Warren Golf Course and Exminster Golf Centre.
Sailing is based at the RYA Angling and Watersports Centre at Roadford Reservoir - at over 730 acres, Roadford is the largest inland body of water in the South West.

Entry onto the HPP is dependent on you achieving the necessary sporting standard and ability when you start competing in your chosen sport at Exeter.

To be eligible, athletes will be required to attend pre-season training and be selected for the High Performance Squad in their chosen sport.

Minty Gilders

I have been lucky enough to be involved with the High Performance Badminton Programme at Exeter. This helps me to continue training and competing whilst also balancing my studies.

High quality coaching and continuous support from the Director of Badminton combined with the help from strength and conditioning coaches has proved invaluable to my level of performance.

Having a Director of Badminton at the University has significantly improved the training and competitive opportunities available for players, especially to integrate it with studying. It’s also made it possible for me to undertake my Level Two coaching qualification. I was able to gain experience taking coaching sessions, encouraging young children to enjoy participating in sport and exercise, as well as having the opportunity to watch top quality coaches.

I wanted to study Management with Leadership because it would give me the diverse skills necessary to stand out as a graduate. The lecturers are very approachable and very supportive. Such a supportive network of people, the training opportunities and the excellent facilities are all contributing to an invaluable University experience.

Minty Gilders, first class degree Management with Leadership