University of Birmingham

You can take part in sport and exercise at a number of different levels. It's up to you! Some level of participation is good for your general well-being and, knowing this, universities are working hard to offer the best facilities and opportunities they can to meet your needs.

See a summary of exercise and sport provision below, or search the Sports Table to discover which sports and activities are offered at each university.

• Performance sport (varsity level, which is competition between universities through BUCS – British Universities & Colleges Sport).
• Intramural sport (competition level within your university).
• Social and recreational sport (informal participation).
• Health and well-being or lifestyle (e.g. gym, fitness, yoga and pilates classes, swimming pool).

Summary

Student sports club members	4,200
Number of sports offered through student-run sports clubs	51
Teams in non-BUCS leagues	40

Performance Sport

BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) is the national governing body for sport in higher education in the UK.

BUCS ranking (2015–16)	6th
Teams in BUCS leagues	66
Teams in BUCS premier leagues	19

Intramural Sport

Intramural sport is sport played between students at a university or college. Teams are generally made up from halls, societies, or groups of friends. On offer there could be 5-a-side, soccer 6s, 11-a-side football, rugby 7s, badminton and squash leagues.

Indoor intramural sports	2
Indoor intramural sports teams	24
Outdoor intramural sports	4
Outdoor intramural sports teams	96

Social and Recreational Sport

This is more casual, requiring no regular commitment.

Hours per week of timetabled informal participation sports programmes	4
Sports and physical activity programmes per week	4
Beginner/improver sports classes	17
Beginner/improver sports class student capacity	350

Health and Wellbeing

This is not to do with chasing the prize and winning the race, but physical exercise as an end in its own right – for personal benefit and well-being. Go at your own pace.

Health and wellbeing referrals	Yes
Health and wellbeing assessments	Yes
Fitness classes (bookable, instructor-led)	92
Fitness class student capacity	2,050

Sports Bursaries and Scholarships

Sports scholarships (or equivalent) programmes	Yes
Number of students supported (2015–16)	98
TASS or Winning Students sports scholarships*	Yes
Sports scholars (2015–16)	98

*Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) helps athletes in education (16+) in England. Winning Students scholarships are awarded annually to students in Scotland.