Greater Norwich and North Norfolk Active Workplaces Officer Scholarship

Scholarship and Placement Length: 2 Years

Masters Scholarship: Fully funded (UK Home Fee Value) on the following course: MSc Professional Practice in Sport (Part Time) 2026/27 | Postgraduate Course | UEA. UEA Sport Kit, Gym and Swim Gold Membership at UEA SportsPark, CPD and Training.

Placement Host: UEA Sport Performance Sport: UEASport

Additional Funding: Students may wish to access further financial support at Funding for postgraduate study - GOV.UK and Postgraduate Scholarships Finder to support living costs

Location: University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK (In person requirement 4-5 days per week)

This unique scholarship and voluntary placement combines a sports development role within University of East Anglia Sportspark community sports development team, with academic study toward a Master’s degree in Professional Practice in Sport. The post is designed for an ambitious graduate seeking to develop both their partnership working, project management and academic understanding of community sports development. It aligns to the current work of Sport England and Active Workplaces - Organisations - Active Norfolk, with a particular focus for this post being on the Norwich, South Norfolk, Broadland and North Norfolk areas locally.

As the largest Sport England funded university facility of its kind, and the central hub for community sport and physical activity in Norwich and Norfolk, this placement role will act as a key connecting point between local workplaces, the Sportspark, and Active Norfolk. It aims to highlight the benefits of promoting and encouraging physical activity at work. This current level of public inactivity is contributing to a rise in the number of people suffering from avoidable health problems. It’s also contributing to the increase in the number of long-term health conditions that are being diagnosed. Costs of presenteeism at work are estimated to be £30bn annually. The work will feed off our existing success as drivers of the Norfolk Business Games.

The experience is paired with a fully funded *(UK Home Fee Value) place on the identified masters degree at the university working alongside our highly regarded academic team and making use of specialist delivery and research facilities on campus. The students research activity will be designed to directly affect the placement role in action with support of a specialist supervisor, and academic credit is awarded for close linkage of the placement role to academic reflection and exploration through the modules offered.

This scholarship and placement opportunity is open to people with the following essentials:

• Undergraduate honours degree in any Social Science subject area, including the Sport Science subject group, which may include but not limited to; Sports Development, Physical Education, Physical Activity and Health, Education, Sociology, Business, Psychology, or relatable discipline at a 2:2 or above.

• An understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods in social sciences

• Willingness and commitment to completion of a two-year placement and MSc study programme

• Level 1 or 2 Coaching, Leadership, or Mentoring qualification

• Experience delivering taster sessions of any kind to adult groups

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, initiative and professionalism

• Ability to balance academic workload and placement commitments with a willingness to learn

• DBS check or willingness to complete one

In the instance that multiple applications for this scholarship are received we will assess the following desirable criteria;

• Experience delivering sport and/or physical activity sessions in a range of sports, activities, fitness and health related disciplines

• Experience partnership working across professional stakeholders

• First Aid and Mental Health First Aid Qualification

• Safeguarding qualification

The student will commit to a 4-day working week to include all elements, the below outlines a typical’ schedule’* that includes the MSc contact study time, protected study and rest time, and an indication of contact placement hours. The role may have some occasional unsociable working hours in line with sector requirements. There is no formal requirement for weekend work.

The expected weekly academic and placement schedule is outlined in the full brochure.

*We welcome applications from a diverse range of people, including international students. In the case that the scholarship is awarded to a non-UK Home student, the applicant will be responsible for paying the difference in fees required.

Send a CV (max. 3 pages) and Cover Letter detailing how your experience meets the criteria to Julia Robathan at J.Robathan@uea.ac.uk.

The deadline for applications is Monday 27 July 2026. Interviews will be scheduled for Monday 10 or Tuesday 11 August in person.

Terms and Conditions

MSc Graduate Strength and Conditioning Coach Scholarship terms and conditions