STAGE 2 NOW OPEN! 

STAGE 2 ENTRY CLOSING DATE

Student Entry Deadline: Tuesday 6 February 2024 at 23:59

(Students / Competitors must apply by this deadline)

IA Selection Deadline: Thursday 8 February 2024 at 23:59

(Institutional Administrators are given 48 hours after the student / competitor deadline to approve entries)

ENTRY COSTS

Fencing Individual - £51.60

ENTRY OPENING DATE

Tuesday 28 November 2023

STAGE 1 ENTRY CLOSING DATE

Student Entry Deadline: Tuesday 30 January 2024 at 23:59

(Students / Competitors must apply by this deadline)

IA Selection Deadline: Thursday 1 February 2024 at 23:59

(Institutional Administrators are given 48 hours after the student / competitor deadline to approve entries)

ENTRY COSTS

Fencing Individual - £43

STAGED ENTRY

This competition operates a staged entry process. Entries received before the Stage 1 entry closing date (23:59 on Thursday 1 February 2024) will be accepted where the competition allows. After this deadline, Stage 2 entry may open where the competition allows and will have a closing date of Thursday 8 February at 23:59. Please note Stage 2 is not guaranteed to open.

Priority will remain with the entries received before the Stage 1 entry closing date. Entries received after the Stage 1 entry closing date and before the Stage 2 entry closing date that are accepted into the competition, will be charged an additional 20% fee. We will not accept any late entries under any circumstances.

Six individuals per gender, per discipline, per institution will be guaranteed entry. Any further entries will be accepted subject to the number of entries overall. 

Therefore when submitting entries on BUCS Play, entries should be ranked in order of preference of entry before being submitted (e.g 1, 2, 3, 4). Should BUCS need to restrict per this will be done equally across instituions.

Fencers may only compete in the BUCS Championships if they are in possession of a current British Fencing ‘Compete’ licence.  British Fencing ‘Recreational’ Licenses and FIE Licences will not be accepted. You must produce proof of your license (Full license) when registering for the championships. British Fencing Licenses are available from www.britishfencing.com  

Fencers will not be able to obtain a new British Fencing Licence on the day. They MUST be purchased before entering. 

Competitors must be properly equipped for their events and competitors clothing MUST conform to British Fencing rules and ‘’Guidelines on Safety in Fencing’’.  BUCS cannot be held responsible for accident, loss or damage to persons or property, however caused.

Under BUCS Fencing Regulation 3 “All competitors in the sabre discipline in league and events must wear 800 Newton Glove. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of that match”.

BUCS are delighted to announce two supporting partners for Nationals 2024 – New Balance and AmeriCamp. 

As BUCS’ kit provider, New Balance are giving you as BUCS athletes the chance to access a range of bespoke and personalised Nationals kit. To purchase this new range, head to the BUCS Shop!  

AmeriCamp is offering BUCS athletes the summer of a lifetime, providing you with the opportunity to earn a minimum of $2000 working at a summer camp in the USA, using the skills and experiences gained from your sporting background. To find out more and apply, click here!  

All partners are excited to be here supporting you as you take on a thrilling weekend of sport and competition. They'll be offering the opportunity to win some exclusive giveaways and you can find out more about what they have to offer. 

Competitor withdrawals must be made by a competitor's institutional administrator emailing Harry Spinks, the BUCS Event Coordinator.

Withdrawals before the entry deadline (1 February 2024 at 23:59 [stage one]) will not be charged.

Withdrawals after the entry deadline (1 February 2024 at 23:59 [stage one]) and before 23:59 on the 8 February 2024 will still be charged the entry fee.

Competitors who do not withdraw before 23:59 on the 8 February 2024 and do not attend the competition will be classed as a late withdrawal/no show and therefore will be charged the entry fee. They will also be fined £50 which will be charged after the event, to the competitor’s athletic union.

Should BUCS have to open stage two entries then new deadlines for withdrawals will be published. Reserves will only be charged an entry fee if they are accepted into the competition.

Please see our Withdrawal Policy for more details.

🎉 Join the Action at BUCS Nationals 2026! 🎉

We’re excited to open applications once again to volunteer at BUCS Nationals 2026 – one of the biggest and most exciting university sporting events of the year hosted in Sheffield!

This is your chance to be right at the heart of the action, gain hands-on event experience, and boost your professional development – all while supporting student sport at the highest level!

Nationals Overview

Dates: Friday 13 February – Sunday 15 February 2026

Location: Sheffield (specific sport locations detailed in role descriptions)

This event is three days of unstoppable energy, competition and excitement! This year over 4,300 students from 120 institutions will come together for the largest multi-sport student event in the country. Across six sports and four venues in Sheffield, competitors will experience the highest calibre of student sport.

And don’t worry – you will receive food whilst on shift, your very own event kit and local travel expenses within Sheffield paid. Please note, no accommodation is provided for this event, volunteers are expected to organise and pay for this themselves.

📄 Role Descriptions and application details can be downloaded below.

Athletics Sport Assistant Volunteer

Badminton Sport Assistant Volunteer

Fencing Sport Assistant Volunteer

Karate Sport Assistant Volunteer

Swimming Sport Assistant Volunteer

Volunteer Photographer (please note: this role must be applied for using the link provided in the role description)

🕓 How to apply:

1. Register your interest through the form at the bottom of this page by 5pm Wednesday 23 January 2026
2. After the closing date the BUCS office will be in touch with all applicants on how to sign up for shifts and the invite to the Volunteer Training.
3. Attend the online Volunteer Training session scheduled 6-7pm on Thursday 5 February 2026

Although role descriptions are provided for each individual sport, volunteers will need to sign up to shifts after the closing date, and BUCS cannot guarantee availability of all roles.

Any questions, please get in touch with [email protected]