Who qualifies as a top-class athlete?

In making the assessment of whether to award support, the UvA applies criteria defined in line with the recommendations of the Netherlands Olympic Committee*Netherlands Sports Confederations (NOC*NSF). You qualify as a top-class athlete if one of the following criteria applies to your situation:

• You compete at the highest international level (European championships, world championships and/or the Olympic Games) in a recognised area of elite sports (class A or B).
• You have not yet achieved the age and/or experience to be able to take part in competitions at the highest international level but based on current performance can be expected to achieve the level of a class A athlete ('High Potential').

To find out if you qualify for class A, B or High Potential status, consult the website of the NOC*NSF, under ‘Topsport’ (available in Dutch only).

Who should I speak to?

To apply for the Top-class Athletes Scheme, please contact student counsellor Marjan Kuiper, Coordinator 'Topsport'.
E: j.m.kuiper@uva.nl.

What options are there?

Each year, you can speak with your programme’s study adviser to draw up an integrated academic and athletic plan. This form of customised academic student counselling will ensure that your studies and sports activities are synchronised as much as possible. Examples include adjusting your curriculum in consultation with lecturers, requesting an extra examination resit or shifting examination dates if they fall within a training period. Please note: the possibilities vary by faculty and/or programme.

Financial scheme

The UvA has a Top-class Athletes Scheme specifically intended to provide high-level competitive athletes with financial support. For the purposes of this scheme, it is important to distinguish between genuine ‘top-class’ athletes and other athletes competing at upper levels.

Students who are class A athletes can receive a stipend (grant) from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Students who receive this stipend may opt to waive their right to government student grants and loans. Study completion delays that arise due to participation in class A athletics are not compensated by the UvA.

Top-class athletes who have been recognised as such by the UvA but are not class A athletes and who encounter a delay in the completion of their studies during the period in which they are receiving the basic student grant can qualify for financial assistance in the form of a non-repayable grant spanning a period of 12 months. The main conditions for qualifying for this form of assistance are:

• You contacted your academic study adviser and/or student counsellor regarding the study completion delay in a timely manner.
• You have not yet obtained your initial university degree or Master’s degree diploma.

'Regeling Topsporters'

More information is available in the Top-class Athletes Regulations (Regeling Topsporters) (in Dutch only). For questions about this document, please contact the student counsellor.

Free sports pass

If you have been designated as a top-class athlete by the UvA, you are entitled to a sports pass for the USC, free of charge. To qualify, you must be registered with Topsport Amsterdam. You can arrange this via the student counsellor.

USC
Science Park 306
1098 XH Amsterdam  
T: +31 (0)20 525 8955

Further information

Students' Sports Council

Science Park 306, 1098 XH Amsterdam   
Telephone: +31 (0)20-525 8960   
This is a special interest body for student athletes.

Topsport Amsterdam  

Nienke Groen
Olympisch Stadion 14
1076 DE Amsterdam
T: +31 (0)20 470 8708
E:  nienke@topsportamsterdam.nl