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Athlete
Track and field athlete
Athletes compete in track and field events for their clubs, with some going on to represent their country at international level.
Average salary (a year)
£0
Starter
£0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
0.0 to 0.0 hours
variable
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
away from home
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this career through:a university course; an apprenticeship; a sports development programme
University
You can apply to do a course at university in the usual way through UCAS and join your university’s athletics performance programme, where one is available.
You may be able to apply for a university sports scholarship, if you’ve competed at club, regional or national level and have shown the potential to go further.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a sports related apprenticeship, which would allow you to develop your athletics career while gaining skills to work in the sport and leisure industry.
Apprenticeships include
Community Activator Coach Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, Community Sport and Health Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Other Routes
The first step to becoming a professional athlete is to join an athletics club. You would work with qualified coaches to develop your skills and compete at a level appropriate to your age and stage of development.
There are several athletics programmes that support individuals to achieve their potential.
The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme allows you to study for a qualification at college or university, while you continue your sporting development. You must be 16 or over, and be performing at a high level. You are nominated for a place by UK Athletics, the national governing body.
You may be able to join the Para Academy, if you have the potential to compete at national and international paralympic level.
England Athletics has more information on pathways from junior and youth programmes through to senior and world class levels.
More Information
Career Tips
You are likely to travel a lot to compete in athletics events, including overseas for international championships.
Further Information
You can get more details about how to become an athlete from British Athletics and UK Athletics.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Ambition and a desire to succeed
    Physical fitness and endurance
    Persistence and determination
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    The ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As an athlete, you could
take part in indoor and outdoor training sessions and exercise routines, practise running, throwing or jumping drills, build up your strength and conditioning in the gym, identify and work on areas for improvement with your coach, take part in trials and competitions, travel to athletics events, including overseas for international championships, do promotional and media activities for your club or country
Working environment
You could work on a sports field or at a sports arena.
You may need to wear a sports kit.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, physically and emotionally demanding and you may spend nights away from home.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
You could move into coaching with athletics clubs, colleges and universities. Your skills and experience would also be useful for a career in community sports development or sports management.
You might wish to take further training to become a
sport and exercise psychologist, nutritionist, performance sports scientist
You may also have opportunities for sports media work.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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