We now have a number of exciting opportunities available for talented and committed young athletes through the Level 3 Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) qualification.
DiSE offers aspiring cyclists aged 16-18 the chance to pursue a dual career that offers opportunities to train with highly qualified British Cycling coaches whilst also undertaking a full-time study programme to support wider career aspirations.
The programme has been designed to accelerate elite athlete development. Diploma in Sporting Excellence carries 64 UCAS points to help athletes with their ongoing progression into Higher Education, allowing them to continue on a dual career pathway. This programme is funded by Sport England and is for athletes who have been recognised and nominated by British Cycling as having high potential for excellence.
British Cycling's Head of Talent Development Pathways, Joe Malik, said:
"Being in receipt of DiSE places creates a new and exciting opportunity for us to expand our support offer. As the development pathway evolves it is key for us to ensure we are attracting and enabling the most talented athletes in the UK to British Cycling."
How the programme works
DiSE is funded by Sport England as a dual career pathway for athletes who have been recognised and nominated by British Cycling as having high potential for excellence.
The programme is delivered over two years, with cyclists able to choose their further education studies, such as A levels, T-Levels, BTEC or other vocational qualifications. Athletes must be in full-time education for the duration of the DiSE programme.
The DiSE programme is a new and important component of British Cycling’s English Talent & Performance Pathway. Through it, British Cycling hopes to provide talented young cyclists with the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
What topics does DiSE cover?
Over the two-year programme athletes will complete focused sessions around technical, tactical and physical improvement, and further their understanding in terms of:
- Injury prevention
- Psychological skills
- Nutrition
- Lifestyle
- Career planning
- Financial planning
- Communication and media
- Anti-Doping (100%ME)
- Health and safety
- Culture, values and behaviours
Athletes will also have an opportunity to access additional CPD courses to further their knowledge in cycling.
Who is eligible?
DiSE is a Sport England programme and therefore available to athletes that reside or study in England.
There is an online/remote option through SGS College that may be able to support Scottish or Welsh learners. Please contact British Cycling for further information.
DiSE is designed for the following categories of athlete:
- Those currently in their final GCSE year at school (sitting GCSEs this summer) born between 01 September 2008 - 31 August 2009
- Member of a British Cycling affiliated club
- Athletes who are, or show the potential to ride at an elite level
- Athletes that are part of or have been part of British Cycling’s Talent Pathway, or posted consistent results at national level in their chosen discipline
- Athletes must be in full-time, ESFA funded education for the duration of the DiSE programme
We are unable to accept applicants in fee paying independent schools unless one of the following applies:
- The Learner is in receipt of their school’s means-tested bursary of at least 50% fee remission, or
- The Learner is in receipt of a talent / ability-based scholarship of at least 50%. Where this is not the case then they would have otherwise qualified for their school’s means-tested bursary of at least 50% fee remission, or
- At least 50% of the Learner’s fees are being paid by a third sector organisation. Where this is not the case then they would have otherwise qualified for their school’s means-tested bursary of at least 50% fee remission
Where can I study for DiSE?
Athletes can study at four existing College Cycling Academies, which are:
- Oaklands Wolves Cycling Academy, St Albans
- SGS Cycling Academy, South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (Distance Learning Option Available)
- Manchester Cycling Academy (Distance Learning Option Available)
- Derby College Cycling Academy
Distance Learning Option
The Level 3 Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) qualification is now available for study alongside your existing school or college programme through remote online delivery from SGS College.
This means you can pursue your passion for cycling and take advantage of this exciting opportunity without compromising your current education commitments. The flexibility of remote online delivery allows you to access the DiSE programme from anywhere, providing a convenient and accessible pathway to develop your cycling performance while continuing your academic studies.
In order to express an interest in this route, please select 'ROADSTARZ - SGS remote support & assessment' on the application form.
Read more: College Cycling Academies
Application process
We are currently accepting applications/ expressions of interest for a DiSE place for Autumn 2025. Please complete the form and we will be in touch shortly.
Please note the amount of places available has yet to be determined for 2025. We will reach out to all those who apply via email once we have confirmation from Sport England on the number of places available for the DiSE programme in 2025 (likely to be in the Spring).
