Universities are teaming up with sports bodies to create adaptable degree structures for athletes, for use both during and after their sporting careers.
The Athlete and Career Education programme is calling on vice-chancellors to approve greater exam and course work flexibility, time off for competitions, tutors for athletes and distance-learning opportunities.
Lucy Kimber, Ace UK's national manager, said: "Research has shown that athletes with a balanced lifestyle, rather than one entirely devoted to sport, are likely to perform better."
The North West Universities Association, with ten member institutions in the Northwest, has agreed to support the programme.
Keith Burnley, NWUA's executive director, said that universities needed to recognise the unusual demands of an athletic career. "The pressure and time constraints of high-intensity training and competitions can have a negative effect on academic work, exam results and the general wellbeing of athletes. We want to provide the necessary support for them to pursue their studies and continue training so that they achieve their potential," Mr Burnley said.
A network of campus-based contacts will link individual athlete's needs with their academic programmes. "We are looking for high-level contacts, such as pro vice-chancellors, to give the athletes the greatest level of support," Ms Kimber said.