Women warming up for running.

Study as an elite athlete

Continue pursuing your dreams – both as an elite athlete and a student. We understand that your commitment to elite sports is a way of life. Therefore, we offer an adapted course of study for those who wish to combine higher education with elite sports. We are an Elite Sports-Friendly University (EVL), which means that we provide support and flexibility, enabling you to follow your athletic career while investing in your future with an academic degree.

Daniel, table tennis player and Paralympic competitor

During my five years of studies, I never had any problems combining my commitment to elite sports with my studies, thanks to very supportive lecturers and other university staff.

Daniel, table tennis player and Paralympic competitor

Whether you are planning on a career in sport and fitness sciences or want to pursue a completely different path, you can build a future that provides security and opens up new opportunities even after your athletic career comes to an end. With us, you’ll have the chance to grow both as an athlete and as a future professional in your chosen field.

Benefits for our student-athletes include:

  • an individual study plan
  • exams at alternative times or locations
  • a designated contact person, known as a dual careers coordinator, who will assist you with adjustments when examinations clash with your athletic commitments.
Matilda Wiberg, competitor in the WC in powerboat racing and a student on the Nautical Science Programme

As an EVL student, I have a lot of flexibility with exams and exercises if they happen to clash with training or competitions.

Matilda Wiberg, competitor in the WC in powerboat racing and a student on the Nautical Science Programme

 

Apply for support as a student-athlete

Once you have been admitted as a student at Linnaeus University, you will need to submit an application to receive support as a student-athlete.

For students competing at the national team level or the highest international level

The Swedish Sports Confederation requires that you meet one of the following criteria to become an EVL student:

  • You have been selected for a Swedish junior or senior national team.
  • You participate regularly in competitions at a high international level, i.e., with international competition requiring qualification.
  • You play a team ball sport in the top division at the national or international senior level.
  • You have been identified by, or are involved in, the national team’s development programme.
  • You are assessed as having the potential, in the future, to secure a place in the senior national team or compete at a high international level, i.e., with international competition requiring qualification. The timeframe referred to as “in the future” is determined by your specialised sports federation.

If you meet one or more of these criteria, complete the relevant sections of this form:

The completed form should be sent to evl@lnu.se. Your dual careers coordinator will then submit your application to your sports federation.