Are you aged 16-18 and a future motorsport champion in the making?

Motorsport UK has opened applications for the Enhanced Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE). The bespoke two-year programme ensures that talented young drivers are provided with a well-rounded development programme alongside qualifications to support their future ambitions. This ensures that education is not neglected in pursuit of driving or co-driving ambitions whilst also supporting individuals to become a better athlete.

The unique Sport England backed programme allows the flexibility to follow the education path of choice within motorsport, whilst simultaneously developing driving or co-driving skills. This is not only reflected in the modules covered but also the delivery style which accounts for time away from college for industry experience, testing, travel and race weekend recovery! This means that whilst it’s a full time programme, in-person delivery happens during two weeks of every month.

The programme of qualifications and delivery format has been reviewed, developed and improved and for the first time in 2022 will include a BTEC Level 3 in eSports, replacing the Business qualification previously delivered. The inclusion of eSports within the suite of qualifications aligned to DiSE will allow for further opportunities within another area of the motorsport industry, whilst also enhancing the development experiences. Simulator training will provide an opportunity to put technical and tactical theory and learnings into practice, whilst ensuring transferability of performance principles between digital and real-world driving.

The enhanced DiSE programme will consist of the following qualifications which form the overall programme:

• Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE)
• L3 Extended Certificate in Sporting Excellence & Performance
• L3 Extended Certificate in eSports
• L2 Extended Certificate in Motor Vehicle Technology

These qualifications are combined with motorsport specific education to create a wholly exclusive programme. As part of this, the Motorsport UK Academy also provide, plan and deliver additional talent development opportunities, including driver development days at iZone Driver Performance, sessions with Porsche Human Performance, workshops and guest speakers, as well as practical driving opportunities such as karting, and entry into different motorsport disciplines, in the Motorsport UK Academy vehicle. Alongside this the Academy work with the a vast network of motorsport industry experts to support and facilitate work experience opportunities at various events throughout the year.

Katie Baldwin, Competitors Pathway Manager at Motorsport UK, said: “The delivery model and content for 2022 is an exciting one, and the developments to the programme reflect the developments in the sport in recent times. We’re really looking forward to being able to utilise technology to provide simulated and virtual training, bringing the various elements of the classroom delivery to life whilst also providing more inclusive and accessible routes into, and out of, the talent pathway. The programme will give an opportunity for drivers to build and work on developing all areas of their motorsport performance, both on and off the track.”

Recent graduates include Abbi Pulling, Gordie Mutch, Casper Stevenson and Josh Steed, who have all been selected into Motorsport UK Academy’s Team UK Futures programme.

Find out more and how to apply here.