Dual careers for athletes

Umeå University was one of the first universities in Sweden to introduce a policy for combining competitive sports and academic studies, as early as 2007. In 2015, Umeå University became one of the first three designated National Sports Universities.

Combining elite sports with university studies can be challenging, but at Umeå University you don’t have to choose between the two. As a designated National Sports University, we offer the support you need to succeed both academically and athletically.

Through our elite sports agreement, you can have your studies adapted to your needs as an athlete – regardless of your programme or sport. The agreement clarifies your and the university’s commitments and gives you access to our dual career policy, where sport and education go hand in hand.

What is the elite sports agreement?

The elite sports agreement is designed for students who are engaged in elite-level sports to such an extent that study adjustments are necessary.

The agreement is made between you and Umeå University through the School of Sport Sciences. It clarifies both your responsibilities and those of the university and gives you access to our dual career policy, where sport and education go hand in hand.

You sign the agreement after being admitted to a programme or course at Umeå University.

Who can apply?

At Umeå University, there are two levels of elite sports agreements. Which agreement you can sign depends on which criteria you meet.

RIU student

The Swedish Sports Confederation (RF) defines elite student-athletes at RIU level using stricter criteria.

To qualify, you must belong to a Swedish sports federation (SF), which certifies that you meet at least one of the following:

• Selected for a Swedish junior or senior national team
• Competing at a high international level in an individual sport
• Play a team ball sport in the top national or international division
• Identified by or participating in national team development programmes
• Assessed as having the potential to be selected for a senior national team or to compete at a high international level

International Specialised Sport Federation Certificate 

IH student

Umeå University also applies a broader definition of elite student-athletes, referred to as IH students.

Your club certifies that you meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Compete at and within an individual sport at a minimum of national championship level*
• Play a team ball sport in the second-highest national senior division (provided that at least four divisions exist)
• Serve as head coach for an elite individual athlete or elite team
• Act as a national team head coach or coach for junior or senior national teams
• Be a certified referee at national and/or international elite level

* Given that the championship has required a qualifying procedure and/or that the active athlete belongs to the championship's so-called elite class, as in e.g. shooting

Certificate of Elite Athlete Status – Club Level

Dual careers for international student-athletes

You can apply if you:

• Meet the equivalent performance level of the Swedish RIU standard
• Compete for a sports club in the Umeå region, or
• Are admitted to one of the School of Sport Sciences’ competence centres (cross-country skiing, orienteering, ski orienteering, track and field, or badminton)

Additionally, the sport must be included among those approved by the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet) for dual career support. Your national sports federation must also certify your level of performance.

Agreement Dual career
Rule Dual Careers

How to apply in four steps

To sign an elite sports agreement, you need to:

1. Be admitted to a program or course at Umeå University.
2. Meet the criteria to be an elite sports student, RIU or IH.
3.  Complete the relevant certificate and have it signed by your federation (RIU) or club (IH).
4. Book a meeting with a dual career adviser to sign your agreement

Contact us to get started and book a meeting with Tove Mårs, our dual career adviser.

SLU in Umeå

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU Umeå) also offers elite sports agreements for students in the Forest Science programme. To do this, you must sign an agreement with the Faculty of Forest Sciences at SLU. The agreement specifies both the university’s and your own commitments.Please contact SLU Umeå for more information.