Dual career: pathway for student-athletes

The University of Pisa supports students engaged in competitive sports by offering them a personalised study pathway that enables them to balance their academic work with their sporting career. This programme provides tutoring and academic flexibility to facilitate the integration of the two activities.

Application for recognition of student-athlete status

Students regularly enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree courses who compete in high-level sports may apply for recognition of their student-athlete status. Applications must be submitted via e-mail from the student’s institutional address to dualcareer@unipi.it, attaching the following documents:

• completed and signed application form (.rtf or .pdf format);
• a copy of a valid ID document;
• documentation certifying the sporting requirements declared in the application.

Eligibility to apply is subject to being duly enrolled and up to date with tuition fee payments. There are no deadlines for applications, but the outcome will be communicated by e-mail.

Requirements for status recognition

To obtain student-athlete status, students must meet the following requirements:

• Sporting requirements: at least one of the criteria listed in Article 2 of the “Procedure for the Dual Career training programme”, see Annex A
• General requirements: namely enrolment in a sports club affiliated with National Sports Federations or Associated Sports Disciplines recognised by CONI or CIP, no criminal convictions or major sporting disqualifications in the past 10 years, and no violations of anti-doping regulations.

Duration and eenewal of student-athlete status

Student-athlete status is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Renewal depends on submitting a new application, maintaining both sporting and general requirements, and meeting curricular requirements (18 CFUs obtained in the previous academic year or 36 CFUs over the previous two years).
Renewal form (.rtf or .pdf format)

Benefits of the “Dual career” programme

Academic flexibility:

• student-athletes may sit exams on dates other than those set in the academic calendar
• access extraordinary exam sessions and online meetings with lecturers
• make up missed classes due to participation in major sporting events
• be exempt from the minimum 18-CFUs requirement if competing in international events or top-level competitions, such as the Olympics.

Administrative support:

• tutoring to help students organise their study plan in line with their sporting commitments
• possibility to suspend studies without losing student-athlete status.

Access to sports facilities:

• student-athletes also have free access to the University’s sports facilities.

Curricular recognition:
Upon completion of their studies, the University of Pisa records participation in the “Dual Career” programme in the student’s Diploma Supplement. In addition, CFUs may be awarded for competitive sporting activities, such as participation in national university competitions or regional and national events with CUS Pisa, if compatible with the student’s training programme.

Commitments of the student-athlete

Student-athletes are required to:

• inform their tutor of participation in sporting competitions
• take part in national and international university competitions wearing clothing and accessories featuring the University logo, where possible
• participate in two orientation and promotional events organised by the University each year.