Please find below all the information relating to February's Long Course event.
We have split the information to make it easier to view and find what is relevant to you.
The Entry Information is relating to the BUCS aspects of the event; entries, deadlines and BUCS Play and guest entries.
The Meet Conditions are specifically swimming related and include information relevant to the the event delivery itself; meet procedures, event protocols and para conditions.
All documents referenced within the Entry Information or Meet Conditions are linked here to be downloaded:
Entry Information
Programme of Events
Meet Conditions
Entry Times
Guest Entry Information
Entry Information
Entry Opening Date
Entry Closing Dates
Tuesday 13 January 2026 at 23:59 – Student/Competitor Deadline
(Students / Competitors must apply by this deadline)
Thursday 15 January 2026 at 23:59 – Institution Administrator Approval Deadline
(Institutional Administrators are given 48 hours after the student / competitor deadline to approve entries)
This competition will NOT operate a staged entry process. As such, please ensure all entries are submitted through BUCS Play prior to the closing date listed above.
Entry Costs
Individual Events: £16.45
Relay Events: £31.70
Entry Process
Individual Events:
- Competitor to apply to the event on BUCS Play (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
- Institution administrator approves entry (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
- BUCS approves/denies entry into competition and publishes confirmed entry list
Relay Events:
- Entries will need to be submitted via the team entries section of our online entry system, BUCS Play (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
- Please ensure your Institution Administrator has entered the correct number of teams for you.
- Competitors then need to apply for the respective event. (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
- Institution Administrators must assign competitors to the correct team during the approval process. (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
Any data will be handled in accordance with BUCS Privacy Policy.
By participating in this event you agree to adhere to BUCS General Event Disclaimer.
To check whether you are eligible to compete in BUCS competitions, please visit REG 4 Individual Eligibility.
No entries will be accepted after the entry closing deadline under any circumstances.
If a competitor experiences issues entering via the BUCS Play app before the deadline of 13 January 2026 this must be reported through BUCS app support. Any issues that have not been brought to BUCS’ attention before this deadline will not be considered for entry.
Para Swimmer Entry Information
Para-swimmers are permitted to enter recognised para events for their classification as listed within the meet conditions (in line with events currently being swum in Great Britain for para-swimmers) and are required to meet the consideration times.
Eligible entrants in these events can, subject to competitor numbers, earn BUCS Points, BUCS Medals and Swimming Para Event Points, as part of multi-classification extracted results using British Para-Swimming Points.
If any para swimmer enters an event which their classification is not eligible for, they will be required to meet the consideration or qualifying times for non-para swimmers for that event.
Specific Requirements:
- If you have any specific requirements for competing e.g. Strobe lights, use of 'tappers' etc. please advise Joseph Gallimore in advance of the event.
- Any swimmer requiring the use of tapping devices, blackened goggles or starting devices MUST have these signed off at the Technical Briefing for them to be used during the Championships.
In line with World Para Swimming Rules and Regulations (Regulation 5.1.2) any World Record swims will not be recognised at BUCS Long Course Swimming Championships.
Mixed Para MC Finals – Exhibition Events
We will be trialling a Mixed Para MC Final in the 100 Backstroke and 100m Freestyle at this event. Note that these exhibition events are not licenced and the times achieved in these finals will not be official.
S15 Swimmers
S15 swimmers are eligible to enter any event and earn BUCS medals and points as per Appendix 1 but must meet the entry consideration and qualification times of non-para swimmers.
A secondary strobe light will be available.
BUCS Points
BUCS Points will be awarded as per Appendix 1 and Reg 6 along with the following:
Only the top 2 swimmers from each institution or 1 team per institution for relay events will score points. For example, if three swimmers from the same institution finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd, only 1st and 2nd would receive BUCS Points and 3rd and 4th place points would be pushed down to the next eligible swimmer from a different institution.
For para-swimmers to be eligible they must be nationally/internationally classified and have a current classification status (see para entrants tab for more information).
Entry Checks
The entry lists will be published on the BUCS website by 17:00 Friday 30 January 2026 for checking.
All entries MUST be checked; with errors you wish to be corrected being reported by 11:00 Thursday 12 February 2026 to the event lead.
Any changes to entry information are subject to a £10 admin fee.
No late entries under any circumstances will be accepted.
Any requests for changes made at the event will not be made.
Governing Body Registrations and Rankings
Being registered with a governing body is not a requirement to compete in the BUCS Swimming Championships. However, registered swimmers of Swim England, Scottish Swimming or Swim Wales who wish for their times to be submitted for British Swimming ranking purposes must provide their governing body number when registering on BUCS Play, as well as checking that the name and date of birth matches that on your governing body registration.
Rules and Regulations
The Rules and Regulations can be found here.
BUCS Play Information
- Swimming membership number (if you have one)
- Entry Time
- Entry times MUST be submitted for all events. These should be Long Course times or conversions from Short Course times.
- Please write the PB in number format HH:MM:SS.MS. For example: 00:02:21.59 – represents 0 hours, 2 minutes, 21 seconds and 59 milliseconds). Any entries made putting 00:00:00.00 (or any other zero-time format) will be rejected.
- Entries made with times that are not appropriate/in the correct format for the event will also be rejected. If you do not have an official time, please submit a time trial time – This includes relay entries.
- Are you a para swimmer? (drop down yes or no) If yes, you will be asked:
- S classification
- SB classification
- SM classification
- Exemption codes
- URL proof – e.g. link to your profile on NGB or WPS website to demonstrate your classification
- Classification Status (drop down Confirmed, Review, Fixed Review Date)
If you are having any problems with the BUCS Play app please contact BUCS App Support before the deadline. Any issues that have not been brought to BUCS’ attention before this deadline will not be considered for entry.
Event Guide
This will be released two weeks prior to the competition date.
Event timings & warm up schedules will be published in this guide.
Safeguarding
BUCS’ mission is to provide exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite.
Critical to our success is our commitment to always providing safe, friendly and enjoyable environments for all participants. Whether competing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, working or spectating at these events, the welfare of all is critical to our mission.
To find out more or report a concern, please click here.
Commercial Partners
BUCS are delighted to announce Milk Every Moment and Subway as the supporting partners of Nationals 2026, and Ashaway as the Sports Programme Partner for Badminton.
Milk Every Moment is a campaign showcasing milk, the timeless classic in your fridge; it’s more than just a beverage, it's a nutritional powerhouse. Loaded with essential nutrients, it's a top-notch source of high-quality protein and has all you need to build and repair muscles after a workout. Whether you're gearing up for your race or looking to recover post event, take a look at the website for more information and useful recipes. You will find Milk Every Moment ambassadors located across the venues during the event, where they'll be offering the opportunity to win some exclusive giveaways.
Subway joins Nationals 2026 as a supporting partner through its wider BUCS collaboration, encouraging students to get active as part of its ‘Fresh Moves’ initiative. During the event, Subway will be present across venues with fun activations, games, and more opportunities to win exclusive giveaways.
Our Nationals 2026 partners are excited to be supporting you as you take on a thrilling weekend of sport. You can also find further information about our partners on the official event webpage.
Questions
All questions should in the first instance should be directed to your Institution Administration.
Meet Conditions
Meet Conditions
General Conditions
a. BUCS, the BUCS Swimming Event Team, the Meet Director and the Technical Director (Lead Referee) reserve full powers over the event, including but not limited to cancelling, postponing or changing the Championships venue and/or format due to reasons beyond its reasonable control.
b. The Championships shall be held under Swim England Regulations and Technical Rules of Swimming.
c. Entries may only be accepted from competitors who are eligible students as defined by BUCS Rules and Regulations.
d. Guest entrants may be accepted for Time Only.
The Events
a. The following events will be offered for Open & Female
Individual Events
50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m Freestyle
50m, 100m & 200m Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly
200m & 400m Individual Medley
Relay Events
4 x 100m Freestyle
4 x 100m Medley
b. The following Mixed Event will be offered:
4 x 100m Mixed Medley Relay
Entries
a. Entries shall be received no later than the ‘closing date’ i.e. 23:59 on Tuesday 13 January 2026.
b. All entrants must have equalled or bettered the qualifying times/consideration times as stated in the 12 months prior to the event (converted long course times will be accepted).
c. The Female category is for birth sex females in accordance with Swim England’s Transgender and Non-Binary Competition Policy. By entering the ‘Female’ category, a swimmer confirms that their birth sex is female.
d. The BUCS Swimming EMG Lead has the authority to restrict the number of entries accepted to ensure the smooth running of the Championships.
Entry Restrictions
a. Individuals may enter up to a maximum of three individual events.
b. Institutions may enter up to three eligible swimmers in each individual event and up to two teams in each relay event.
c. It may become necessary to restrict entries if the entries exceed capacity. If required, rejections will be made after the closing date at the discretion of the BUCS Swimming Event Team. Should it be necessary to restrict entries, accepted individual entries will be prioritised based on entry time and for team events may be based on entry time and/or a fixed number of teams per institution.
d. Up to a maximum of 30 entrants based on verified entry times will be accepted in the 800m Freestyle and 1500m Freestyle. Entrants are required to meet the event qualifying times or consideration times.
e. Para entries do not count towards the limit of three individual entries per institution per event.
Meet Procedure
a. All individual events shall have heats and A & B finals with the exception of the 400m, 800m & 1500m, which shall be Heat Declared Winner events.
b. All relay events shall have heats and A & B finals.
Heats
c. Heat Sessions will be split into two sessions – A & B
The exact split will be determined by the overall number of entries and will be advised in the Event Information
d. For the 50m/100m/200m events and the Relays, the fastest heats will be in Session A followed by the remaining heats in Sesson B.
d. HDW events (400m+) will have their fastest heat in the final session with other heats in the heat sessions (the exact split shall be determined based on entries and event timings).
Finals
e. The fastest ten competitors/teams from the heats shall be allocated places in the A Final.
f. The next ten fastest competitors from the heats will be allocated places in the B final.
g. Competitors who have qualified for finals will be expected to swim unless they have complied with the withdrawal procedure.
Relay Events
h. Team Declaration Forms must be completed and submitted for each relay team at least 60 minutes before the start of the morning session on the day that event will be swum.
i. Team Declaration Forms only need to be submitted for Finals if changes will be made from the team that swam in the heats, otherwise it will be assumed that the same swimmers are swimming in the same order.
j. Any Final Team Declaration Forms must be submitted within 30 minutes of the end of heat session B.
k. Swimmers may only swim for one team in each Relay event. Once they swim for that team they are tied to that team for heat and final (where applicable).
i. If a team progresses to the final the swimmers within that team in the heat are only eligible to swim in that team in the final., e.g. if a swimmer swims for their institution's Team 2 in the heats, they may not swim for their Team 1 in the final.
ii. If a team fails to qualify for a final or is disqualified those swimmers are not permitted to swim in another team. e.g. if a swimmer swims for their institution's Team 2 in the heats and they are disqualified in the heats they may not swim for their Team 1 in the final.
Withdrawals from Heats
a. Withdrawals must be made by 11am the day before the relevant event.
b. All withdrawals must be made online, via the link supplied in the event guide. The deadline for withdrawals to be made is 11am the day before the event, otherwise fines will be incurred.
Withdrawals from Finals
a. Finalists, not wishing to swim, must withdraw online no later than 30 minutes after the conclusion of the heat session they participated in.
Call Room/ Reporting to Race
a. No formal call room will be in operation for heats, but Competitor Stewards will be on poolside to assist and direct.
b. Finalists are required to report to the Competitor Steward in the Finals Assembly Area on poolside in sufficient time and be available to parade for their event.
c. It is the competitor/team’s responsibility to report in good time for their event and to notify the Competitor Steward if there is any reason why they may be delayed reporting (e.g. Back-to-Back races).
d. Reserves are required to report for their Final or withdraw.
Medals and Rewards
a. Medals shall be awarded to the first, second and third placed eligible competitors/teams in A Finals.
b. In Heat Declared Winner events, medals will be awarded to the overall first, second and third ranked competitors once all heats have been completed.
c. Awards will be made to the Open and Female Top Performers & Open and Female Top Para Swimmer Performers based on points.
Technical Meeting
a. It is a requirement for a representative from all institutions to attend. The time and location will be notified in the Event Information.
Para Swimming Specific Conditions
Para Swimming
a. The general conditions for the Championships shall apply to the Para-Swimming events except where varied by any of the following conditions.
b. Para Entrants are only eligible as Para Entrants in the events defined below and entries into any other events are considered as standard entries and are subject to all other event conditions.
c. The Events:
Event Open & Female
50m Freestyle S1-S13
100m Freestyle S1-S14
200m Freestyle S1-S5 & S14
400m Freestyle S6-S14
50m Backstroke S1-S5
100m Backstroke S1-S2 & S6-S14
50m Breaststroke SB1-SB3
100m Breaststroke SB4-SB9 & SB11-SB14
50m Butterfly S2-S7
100m Butterfly S8-S14
150m Individual Medley SM1-SM4
200m Individual Medley SM5-SM14
Consideration Times
a. Eligible swimmers must achieve the qualifying standards outlined in the Entry Times document.
Eligibility
a. Para Swimmers must have a CURRENT authorised World Para Swimming Classification, British Swimming Classification, Virtus-FID or British Blind Sport Classification, which is held on the British Swimming Database or be Internationally classified at the time of entry.
Eligibility is defined below:
C (Confirmed) = Eligible
FRD (Fixed Review Date) =Eligible for up to 12 months post date.
R (Review) - Needs to be Classified/ Seen next swim - Ineligible for medal or BUCS Para Points but can enter and participate as a para swimmer.
Swimmers with any other classification status are ineligible and unable to swim as para-athlete but can enter not as a para-athlete providing they meet the consideration times required.
For more information on para swimmers’ classification status, please visit:
https://www.britishswimming.org/performance/para-swimming/classification/classification-status/a
b. S15 swimmers are eligible to enter any event and earn BUCS medals and points as per BUCS Appendix 1 but must meet the entry consideration and qualification times of non-para swimmers.
c. A secondary strobe light will be available for athletes.
d. All Para events will be competed as Multi-Classification (MC) events.
e. Para Swimmers may progress to finals if finishing in the top 20 fastest swimmers in the event.
f. Mixed Para MC Finals in the 100m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle will be trialled as exhibition events.
i) The top 5 Open and top 5 Female category swimmers as determined by British Para Swimming Points (BPSP) from the heats will progress to the final, plus two reserves, one Open & one Female.
ii) If necessary, due to a dead heat of equal points which results in the number of finalists exceeding ten a swim-off may be used to determine swimmers for a final – unless in the same class whereby the faster time will progress.
iii) Final-lane allocation will be seeded by qualification time and spearheaded.
iv) BUCS Medals & BUCS Points will be decided based on the extracted results from the heats due to these being trial events.
v) Mixed Para MC Finals are not licenced and the times achieved in these finals will not be official.
g. The competition shall take place under the relevant WPS Swimming Rules and Regulations.
h. Para entries do not count towards the limit of three individual entries per institution per event.
Para-Awards and Medals
a. Eligible entrants in these events can, subject to competitor numbers, earn BUCS Points and BUCS Medals as part of multi-classification extracted results using BPSPs.
b. Eligible competitors shall be awarded medals on a multi-class basis to the competitor placed 1, 2 and 3 in each event by using BPSPs for each event.
c. Medals shall be awarded during the relevant ceremony for the session.
Swimming and Para Swimming Points (Not BUCS Points)
These are an internal points system that the sport itself uses to rank participating institutions and make its own awards. These are separate to BUCS Points.
Swimming Points
a. Points will be awarded for the first 20 places in any event.
b. Points will be awarded from 1st (20 points) to 20th (1 point).
c. Double points will be awarded in Open and Female relays; 1st (40 points) to 20th (2 points).
d. In the Mixed Relay points will also be double points, but the total awarded to each institution will be split equally between the Open and Female categories. E.g. An institution finishing 1st will score 20 points in Open and 20 points in Female.
e. Points will only be awarded to the highest placed competitor / team from each institution. i.e. if competitors from Aberdeen finish in 1st and 2nd place and a competitor Aberystwyth finishes in 3rd place, Aberdeen will be awarded 20 points, and Aberystwyth will be awarded 18 points. 19 points would not be allocated.
f. In the event of a tie for a position, the points associated to that position will be awarded to both teams with the next place’s points not awarded. E.g. Joint 1st will be awarded 20 points each, 19 points will not be awarded and the next points awarded would be 18 for 3rd.
g. In the event that less than 20 competitors enter an event, points will only be awarded up to the second from last competitor
h. In the event of a DQ or DNC in the A or B final, the points will be awarded to the competitor/team finishing in 21st place and below until all the points are allocated.
Para-Swimming Points
a. Para-Swimming entrants will be ranked on BPSPs.
b. Points are awarded for finishing 1st to 10th in each Para Event based on points as defined above.
c. Competitors can only score points in Para Events where their classification is defined as eligible.
d. Only the highest finishing competitor from each institution will score points.
e. Where a Para Swimmer competes in a final their fastest time will be used for para-points.
f. 10 points will be awarded for 1st, 9 points for 2nd…down to 1 point for 10th place.
g. A competitor must beat another eligible competitor in a Para Event to score points.
