As parents across the UK prepare to wave their children off to university, conversations about family finances and the rising cost of living grow ever more frequent and fervent.
Every year, millions of pounds in scholarships and bursary funding go unclaimed because many students simply do not know the extra help exists.
Enter a new generation of competitive gamers. This year they can apply for an esports scholarship from the University of Roehampton — one of the first of its kind in the UK. More than 100 have already been awarded since the scheme began in 2018.
But can students truly balance rigorous academic study with high-level competitive gaming? And is this model likely to spread to other universities?
What is esports?
Esports (electronic sports) refers to organised, competitive video gaming. Unlike casual play, it features structured tournaments, spectators, prize money and trophies — much like traditional sports. Players compete in titles such as League of Legends, Overwatch and Counter-Strike, often in front of live or online audiences.
What’s the scholarship about?
According to a report by BBC, Roehampton offers the scholarship to both undergraduate and postgraduate students (including international and study-abroad students) who can demonstrate strong academic progress alongside excellence in competitive gaming. Up to 20 awards are available each year, each worth £2,000 annually for every year of the degree. The money is paid termly in cash after enrolment.
“This scholarship is about recognising talent in a field that has growing popularity both around the world and among our students,” said University of Roehampton registrar Mark Ellul.
Scholars must compete in weekly university tournaments and represent Roehampton at in-person events. They also gain priority access to the university’s dedicated Esports Arena (20 high-spec gaming PCs with professional monitors and peripherals), travel and entry costs for competitions, gym access, sports massage, extra training and welfare support. They are encouraged to stream, create content and help promote the university’s esports scene.
Minimum ranking thresholds apply in major titles, but the university considers applicants close to those levels who bring other strengths — such as large followings on platforms like Twitch.
Roehampton has also launched a separate Women in Esports Scholarship (up to four awards of £2,000 a year). It is the first women-focused scheme of its kind in Europe and aims to boost diversity and inclusivity in the industry. Recipients receive mentorship, industry connections and partnerships with organisations including Women in Games and the National University Esports League.
A former scholar’s experience
Former esports scholar Cameron Dray discovered Roehampton through the scholarship itself. Inspired by similar programmes at American universities, he searched for UK equivalents.
The award originally stood at £1,500 but was raised to £2,000 as the university team’s performance and popularity grew.
“This money was crucial to me as it gave me the opportunity to study in a very expensive city without the need for part-time work,” Dray said. “There were requirements that came alongside the scholarship, but none that were unexpected or not transparent when applying.”
The wider student-finance picture
Dray urges every student to chase every scholarship, bursary and opportunity available. “Many of these funds are available to more students than they realise, and everyone should be taking full advantage.”
The average graduate in England leaves university with more than £47,500 of debt. Awards such as Roehampton’s can ease that burden and reduce the need for part-time work.
Thomas Cole (known as “Pac”), a competitive Trackmania player, welcomed the idea: “Uni students being paid to play a game alongside doing their studies — it’s definitely cracking. If I had gone to uni, I would have loved that. If it doesn’t let the academic side suffer, then I think being offered something like that really spurs people on to be better in gaming.”
Tom Allingham, student-money expert at the personal-finance site Save the Student, regularly tells incoming first-years to research what their chosen university offers. “Unfortunately, I don’t think there is enough awareness of scholarships. There is a lot of funding that goes unclaimed because students don’t know that they’re eligible for it. What we try to get across is you can get extra funding for so many different reasons.”
Save the Student lists a wide range of scholarships and bursaries on its website to help students find them.
Roehampton’s pioneering scheme shows that talent in competitive gaming can now sit alongside academic achievement on a university’s balance sheet — and that the financial rewards can make a real difference.
