From equestrian medal-winners at the Olympics, to our BUCS-winning squads for men's and women's rugby and men's football, we nurture the very best talent.
Our equestrian athletes receive world-class coaching to develop their competition careers. Graduates include Rio Olympic medal winner Astier Nicolas and dressage star Olivia Oakeley.
We have teams in the top tier of women’s rugby; the Premier 15s, and BUCS National League, and are previous BUCS champions. Our university team is coached by England star, Natasha Hunt. Recently, graduate Zoe Aldcroft was named World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year 2021.
Our successful student-led team, Hartpury University RFC, plays and trains on campus. Professional players Jonny May, Alex Cuthbert, Seb Negri, Harry Randall, Jonny Hill and Ben Vellacott are among our graduates.
We have teams in the BUCS league for football and futsal. Students play regularly in the Women's Futsal Super Series live on BT Sport. Players also feature for club sides in the National League.
Our senior football programme is among the best in the UK. We're 11-time BUCS Premier League winners and five-time BUCS national champions. Successful graduates include Ghana internationals Abdul Majeed Waris and David Accam, and Mustapha Bundu who played for Sierra Leone in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
Five former students and staff were named in Team GB rowing squad for the Tokyo Olympics. We have a strong relationship with British Rowing and have seen numerous Home International appearances, as well as Henley Regatta, National Schools and BUCS Regatta wins.
We play in the top levels in the BUCS leagues, BUCS Golf Tour and The R & A competitions. Former student George Bryant won the English and Welsh BUCS Golf Championship, while Joe Buenfeld won the Junior European Open.
Our Netball Academy is coached by netball star Jess Shaw. We're a Team Bath Netball Academy Development Centre and BUCS league winners. Students play for Netball Super League teams.
“The environment at Hartpury enables you to be the best that you can become. It allows you to study and play top-level sport at the same time. You play in a professional environment with likeminded individuals."
"I owe so much to Hartpury. Hartpury has played a massive part in my development. I was delighted to win the Women’s World Rugby Player of the Year and follow in the footsteps of the very best players in the game. I want to keep getting better and hopefully be a role model for others.”
Zoe Aldcroft, England Women's rugby player, BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences
“The environment at Hartpury enables you to be the best that you can become. It allows you to study and play top-level sport at the same time. You play in a professional environment with likeminded individuals."
"I owe so much to Hartpury. Hartpury has played a massive part in my development. I was delighted to win the Women’s World Rugby Player of the Year and follow in the footsteps of the very best players in the game. I want to keep getting better and hopefully be a role model for others.”
Zoe Aldcroft, England Women's rugby player, BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences
Academic and career progression
At Hartpury, you can pursue a dual pathway, developing your talent alongside your degree, with specially tailored academic and sporting timetables. We have extensive links with professional and non-league clubs. While you’re with us, you can gain invaluable work experience and build links for your future career.
Sports Academy Membership
If you would like to represent one of the Academy sports at Hartpury in the 2025/26 season, then you must become a member of the Sports Academy.
Sports Academy membership is split into two performance-based tiers (Tier 1 and Tier 2), giving you access to the right level of support and services for your sport and performance goals.
The Hartpury Sports Academy Membership is inclusive of gym membership fees, however, non-Academy students wishing to join the gym can purchase a separate gym membership. Learn more about our gyms here.
If you'd like to purchase gym membership only, you can do so here.
All Sports Academy athletes pay a £250 joining fee at the start of the academic year. Once squad selections are confirmed, you’ll be assigned to a tier as determined by our Sport Academy Managers and charged the remaining balance in January.
By joining the Sports Academy, you are confirming that you will adhere to all code of conducts detailed in the Hartpury Sport Athlete Guide and acknowledging that you have read through the supporting academic achievement for sports academy students’ policies.
During your time as a student, Hartpury may collect, use, and process your personal data as outlined in the Hartpury General Privacy Notice. If you are a member of Hartpury’s Sport Academies or utilise the facilities within Hartpury Sport, we may collect physical and digital data about you.
Scholarships:
We offer scholarships for students with the potential to excel in their chosen sporting field. Read our supporting academic achievement for university scholarship athletes.
Register your interest
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences
Work with the next generation of student athletes, improving their performance through sports and exercise science. Learn in our dedicated Human Performance and Biomechanics Laboratories, which are kitted out with technology used by Premier League and NFL teams.
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition (with Foundation Year)
Examine the science behind the effect of nutrition on athletic performance. Use our dedicated sport performance kitchen and human performance laboratories, working with a range of athletes, including from our Championship rugby team, sports academies, and recreational sports men and women.
BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning (with Foundation Year)
Immerse yourself in a performance sports environment, using dedicated gyms and human performance laboratories to understand how to enhance sports performance and perfect your coaching style. Work alongside our student athletes as you develop the knowledge and practical skills to improve the physical preparation of sports men and women.
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences (with Foundation Year)
Work with the next generation of student athletes, improving their performance through sports science and exercise. Learn in our new, dedicated Human Performance and Biomechanics Laboratories, which are kitted out with technology used by Premier League and NFL teams.
Our partners & accreditations
