Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE)
Manchester Cycling Academy is proud to deliver the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) in partnership with British Cycling, as the northern DiSE delivery centre.
DiSE is a nationally recognised, Sport England funded qualification worth 64 UCAS points, designed for riders aged 16–18. It runs alongside existing A Levels or BTEC study, complementing your education, not replacing it.
After five years of delivering DiSE, we know what works. Our face-to-face model builds community, accountability and the kind of relationships between coaches and learners that make a real difference to performance and development.
Using a holistic approach, this unique and bespoke Sport England funded programme, overseen by SportsAid, is worth 64 UCAS points and runs alongside existing academic qualifications such as A levels or BTECs and is designed to make you a better rider.
We are very proud of our different approach to learning. Using the philosophy of providing you with the ‘Why’ behind your ‘Watts’, we provide you with a series of practical days which help you bring your learning to life.
WHY CHOOSE MANCHESTER?
Hub Days take place at world-class facilities including:
- The National Cycling Centre Velodrome
- The indoor BMX Centre
- UA92
- Manchester Metropolitan University
Riders from all disciplines are welcome, BMX, track, road, mountain bike and more. You don’t need to be on a British Cycling talent pathway to apply.
If you are in year eleven right now and just about to take your GCSE’s, then now is the time to apply.
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2026–27?
We’re really excited about what’s coming for our new cohort this September:
- Weekend Residential Hub Days, immersive, overnight hub days that go deeper into performance development and build a stronger sense of community among learners
- Subsidised Trip to Spain, a training camp abroad giving learners the experience of high-performance preparation in a professional environment, from just £150
- New Performance Coaches and Experts, we’re expanding our team with exciting new appointments joining in September, bringing fresh expertise and perspectives to the programme
HOW DOES IT WORK?
DiSE is an 18-month programme starting each September. Here’s what to expect:
Face-to-face Hub Days The heart of the programme. Regular weekend residential hub days in Manchester at world-class facilities, themed around key performance topics. Both year groups attend together, building a strong community of riders across disciplines.
Online Seminars Supporting each hub day, online seminars run approximately one to two times per month, each around 90 minutes. Designed to fit flexibly around your child’s existing academic timetable.
Training Camps Including an annual overseas training camp. In 2026–27 this is a subsidised trip to Spain’s Costa Blanca, home of the Benidorm Cyclocross World Cup.
Personal Tutor Support Every learner is allocated an experienced personal tutor who provides 1-2-1 support online as and when needed throughout the programme.
Assessment Assessment is via a portfolio of learning completed throughout the course, including race plans, nutrition diaries, career plans, goal setting and reviews.
COURSE CONTENT
- Technical, tactical and physical skills
- Sports psychology
- Nutrition and anti-doping
- Strength and conditioning
- Lifestyle and career planning
- Sports injuries
- Communications and media skills
WHAT’S EXPECTED OF ME?
DiSE has been specifically designed to sit alongside A Levels or BTEC without overwhelming your existing academic commitments:
- Four weekend residential hub days spread across the academic year
- Online seminars, one to two per month, around 90 minutes each
- 1-2-1 tutor sessions, available online as and when needed
COURSE PROGRESSION
Whether your child wants to pursue professional racing, coaching, sports science or university, DiSE provides the foundation. Previous graduates have gone on to:
- University
- Professional racing in the UK and Europe
- Sports science and physiotherapy
- PE teaching and sports coaching
- Sports management and development
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are made via the British Cycling website. The application period for September 2026 is open now and closes on May 20th 2026.
Got a question? We’re always happy to talk through the programme.
Key Dates for 2026-27
2025 Welcome Day at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester. A full day of activities including an introduction to those joining the course, on and off the bike team-building sessions, team photos and discipline specific sessions on and off the bike throughout the day.
Year 2 students will be introduced to our new learning platform, take part in discipline specific sessions on and off the bike, and 1-2-1 sessions with your personal tutor to plan for the completion of the course.
Course Detail
- Starts in September annually and lasts for 18 months
- For riders who are, or who show potential to be, in the British Cycling talent pathway
- A combination of face to face and online learning with training camps every two months
- Overseas training camp in late winter each year
- Assessments are via a portfolio of learning that the rider will complete throughout the course
What you need to know
When does the course start?
- September 2026
How long is the course?
- 18 months
How many UCAS Points?
- Up to 64 UCAS Points
Course Progression
Whether you want to be a professional cyclist, move onto be a performance coach or study sports science at University, this course aims to challenge and support your development to be the best you can be. Some examples of routes you can take once you have graduated from Manchester Cycling Academy are below.
- Professional Cycling
- Bike Mechanic
- Sports Coach
- University
- Sports Science
- Physiotherapy
- PE Teaching
- Sports Marketing
- Sports Coaching
- Sports Management
- Sports Development