Tennis

Our comprehensive tennis programme is designed to nurture talent and fuel your passion for the sport whilst offering academic support for athletes.

A typical week will entail:

• Full tennis programme (1.5 – 2 hours tennis per day, 5 days a week)
• One BUCS competition fixture
• One individual Strength & Conditioning session
• One – two performance analysis film sessions 

Players will also have access to:

• Daily on-court performance coaching
• Strength and conditioning coaching
• Performance analysis
• Use of our onsite Sports Therapy Clinic
• Access to campus accommodation
• Allocated lifestyle practitioner
• Workshop programmes with guidance in psychology and nutrition
• Complimentary gym membership
• Access to sports science testing
• Individual / small group workouts 

Applications for our coveted sports scholarships and bursaries for the 2025-26 academic year are now open. Successful awards will only be offered subject to acceptance on a course at our Colchester Campus. Please be sure to read through the requirements and terms and conditions for the awards before applying. 

We're on the lookout for student-athletes who are eager to grow, develop, and strive for personal excellence. If you're up for the challenge and meet the academic eligibility criteria, we have generous fee waiver scholarships up to 100%, cash bursaries plus additional support packages available to financially help support your time here with us.

Scholarships are highly competitive, therefore applicable to athletes who have played at academy, county, national or international level in the UK or equivalent in your home country.

Alongside performance coaching, recipients of the Performance Sport Scholarship programme may also receive additional support services package benefits such as free kit, use of facilities and access to a range of support services worth up to of £1,500 per year (details outlined below). Our Performance Sport Scholarship programme has four different tiers:

*Some exceptional athletes in receipt of a tier 1 scholarship may also receive additional financial support.

Under tier 1 of the Performance Sport Scholarship programme, we award a number of tuition fee discounts to students on University of Essex undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research courses.

Tennis fee discounts for students commencing their studies at Essex in 2025-26* are:

*subject to change.  

Details and Deadlines.

Deadline for tennis scholarship applications is 31 May 2025. 

Sports bursaries are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are linked to successful course applications at the University of Essex. It's crucial to meet the academic entry conditions for your chosen course to be eligible for a sport scholarship.

It's essential to adhere to these deadlines to ensure your eligibility for a sport scholarship at the University of Essex. Applications after this deadline will not be considered.

If you have any further questions or need assistance with the application process, please don't hesitate to email performancesport@essex.ac.uk

We are proud to be a Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) delivery site. As a Sport England funded partnership between talented athletes, the University of Essex and national governing bodies of sport, we work together to develop the best young talent within the UK.

The TASS Dual Career Accreditation Scheme recognises an education institution’s commitment to dual career support for talented athletes who are in full time education. We are pleased to offer an enhanced level of academic flexibility and understanding to allow our athletes the ability to balance their studies with a demanding but rewarding sporting schedule.

Alongside a playing career, we also have a range of opportunities to support your professional growth, to navigate a path through placements including but not limited to Sports Therapy, Performance Analysis, Sport Science and game day support. 

Performance Tennis Head Coach Nigel Parsons started coaching in 1998 after finishing his playing career. He drives the tennis programme here at Essex, assisted by coach Jamie Champion, alongside his role running the Performance Programme at Redbridge, Essex and Performance Liaison Officer for Essex Tennis. He works with the top players in Essex as well as players at national level. 

During your time at Essex, seize the chance to elevate your transferable skills. We provide platforms that spotlight your talents for potential employers in the UK. Your journey extends beyond the courts, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling career. Our tennis programme is designed to help you prepare for either a career in tennis or carry on tennis in some way after your time here at the university finishes.

Read about some of the successful athletes, past and present on our Performance Sport Blog.