1. General
Scheduling around training sessions and sports competitions is challenging - often enough, the needs of elite athletes are incompatible with a standard university curriculum. The HSLU supports its student athletes by giving them the opportunity to study while competing at elite level.
All students are required to fulfil the same criteria when it comes to module exams, assessed assignment, internships and final exams. However, exemptions may apply for attendance, exam or submission deadlines, order of modules taken and maximum duration of study.
In order to apply for elite athlete status, students must get in touch with the person in charge at their School. The first point of contact at any School is the Head of Degree Programmes. He or she makes the final decision concerning elite athlete status and is responsible for the internal communication of the decision.
Students may qualify for elite athlete status if they
- hold a Swiss Olympic Card
- are a member of a national junior squad / U21, U23 squad / elite squad
- are a member of a sports team competing in the top Swiss league (or 2nd league in exceptional cases)
- are a member of a foreign national squad
- have reached the finals of their respective sport association’s international (i.e. European or World) championships
- compete at the highest level in a national sport (e.g. Swiss wrestling)
- act as a coach to elite athletes
2. Course of studies
Advice and support
Elite athletes may consult the contact person of their School (generally the Head of Degree Programmes, Head of Programme or the academic advisor in charge) for additional individual advice and support. At the start of the degree programme, they assist the student with the design of a tentative study schedule. The latter is subject to approval by the Head of Degree Programmes. This tentative plan is then adapted to the student’s effective needs (study, training and competition phase) each semester.
Operative implementation and communication
Types of support considered by the Head of Degree Programmes over the course of a degree programme include:
- Temporary or permanent reduction or elimination of minimum hours of attendance.
- Delayed submission date for assessed assignments (joint decision of Head of Degree Programmes, Head of Programme and Module Coordinator). Students must file an informal request with the Head of Degree Programmes as early as possible.
- As a rule, students are expected to sit module exams with their peers. The Head of Degree Programmes, Head of Programme and Module Coordinator have the authority to jointly grant exceptions. Students must file an informal request with the Head of Degree Programmes as early as possible.
- Students are expected to sit their final exams within the designated exam period.
- In justified cases, the Head of Degree Programmes may extend the maximum duration of study. Students must file an informal request with the Head of Degree Programmes as early as possible.
Commitment to collaboration with HSLU
The student athletes commit to the following actions during their degree programme:
- Active planning and scheduling
- Timely contact with person in charge at the HSLU for each semester during which exemptions are required
- Making themselves available to help advance the interests of the HSLU (e.g. by providing testimonials)
