Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE)
The Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) is a two-year Level 3 qualification - delivered by Snowsport England - for talented snowsports athletes showing the potential to meet the demands of a career in performance sports.
WHAT IS DISE?
During the two-year programme, DiSE supports talented athletes through a supplementary curriculum, combining sport and education, so that they have the skills, knowledge and behaviours to pursue a dual career in high-level sport alongside separate paid employment in the future. It is delivered across two academic years, alongside a full-time study programme, such as A-Levels, BTEC, T levels, and includes 19 units, worth 64 UCAS points.
The DiSE programme is delivered by Snowsport England in collaboration with our educational partner, Loughborough College. Since 2026, we have also collaborated with England Athletics on the non-sports specific elements of the course and will start to offer Level 1 coaching qualifications as part of the DiSE programme.
The programme requires candidates to attend a mixture of in-person camps, online webinars and tutorials, as well as completing some self-guided or e-learning modules with potential in-person support during the summer months.
After delivery of each topic, athletes will be given tasks to complete and must upload evidence onto their own centrally-hosted development wheel. There is an expectation that when in their own training environments, athletes will be collecting evidence to support their achievement on the DiSE programme.
How DOES the DISE programme work?
The DiSE programme has been designed to help athletes progress in the pathway and on their individual personal development journey. It covers a range of topics, which are split into on-snow and off-snow development wheels.
On-snow elements including:
· Technical skills
· Tactical awareness
· Physical fitness aspects related to snowsports
Off-snow elements include aspects such as:
· Nutritional planning (including anti-doping)
· Psychological skills
· Career and personal development
· Lifestyle organisation
· Communication skills (including interview training and social media)
· Money management
· Personal safety and wellbeing
WHAT DOES DISE PROGRAMME COVER?
WHAT DO YOU GAIN AT THE END OF THE PROGRAMME?
After completing the DiSE programme, athletes will have achieved the Level 3 Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE), subject to submitting a portfolio of evidence. The DiSE programme, certified by Pearson, is worth 64 UCAS points.
HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR DISE?
APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2026 INTAKE IS NOW CLOSED
If you are interested in applying next year, please contact tom@snowsportengland.org.uk