Elite sports team and Urhea cooperation

BC elite sports team helps combine studies and sports

As a daytime student at Business College, you can apply to join our BC elite sports team and, through it, the Helsinki metropolitan area sports academy Urhea.

The BC elite sports team supports student-athletes in combining studies and sports so that your studies progress even if you are away from school due to sports commitments. During competitions and training trips, student-athletes can, if needed, complete studies and qualification units online.

The BC elite sports team consists of our students who have regular competitive training in an individual or team sport, a designated coach in their sport, and a structured training programme.

See below for a list of our Urhea students, the BC elite sports team, and their sports.

Teachers, the HOKS coach, and the Urhea coordinator tailor the athlete’s studies individually so that completing the qualification is possible alongside an active sports career. This includes HOKS discussions and organising studies so that training and competitions can be combined with studies. (HOKS = Personal Competence Development Plan).

Helsinki metropolitan area sports academy Urhea

Athletes competing at least at national championship (SM) level can be part of Urhea in their sport.

Sports federations approve applications based on eligibility. Urhea enables students to complete studies online during competition trips and, when needed, to use flexible and independent learning environments to complete qualifications and individual units.

Urhea coordinators support students and create a personal athlete HOKS together with them. Urhea students also receive special services, such as physiotherapy, and benefits negotiated by the Helsinki metropolitan area sports academy for level 2 athletes.

Lectures and tips

The elite sports team organises events and lectures for its athletes, including information sessions, marketing events, and opportunities related to productising personal skills and completing assignments linked to qualifications that support both sports and studies.

Coordinators also provide tips on funding training and competition trips through scholarships, and they help tailor studies and support athletes in managing their education in the best possible way. Elite sports team members also have their own reserved gym time at the institution.

Top-level athlete studies

Every BC elite sports team member has the opportunity to complete the qualification unit Working as a Top-Level Expert (15 competence points).

You can also prepare for entrepreneurship, service business, vocational skills competitions (Taitaja), and international activities. As part of your studies, BC elite athletes can complete 15–25 competence points.

Apply to the BC elite sports team

Would you like to join our elite athlete team? Send a free-form application by email to the BC elite sports coordinator.

You can apply at any time during your studies.

Your application should include:

Personal information

• Sport and club
• Home municipality
• Email address

Sports information

• Best achievements
• Sports goals
• How you will organise your daily training
• Time spent on sports per week (training + other activities)

Study information

• Qualification and field of study
• Year of admission
• Estimated graduation year
• Time spent on studies per week

Contact information

• Coach and contact details
• Sports federation contact person

Please also include consent for publishing your name on the website under the BC elite sports team athletes section.

Publishing your name helps various stakeholders, such as schools and medical partners, confirm your membership. This benefits you in practice.

More information and applications

Email format: firstname.lastname@bc.fi

Taru Toivonen, BC Elite Sports Coordinator, Lecturer
Tarja Airaksinen, BC Elite Sports Coordinator, Lecturer
Heli Huotari, Vice Rector, Director of Quality