soccer

3-year football program + studying in the UK Univeristy

England, Newcastle upon Tyne, Independence House, Millfield Lane, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6PH North Yorkshire,
amateur professional
39 weeks
17-21 years
About the program

The i2i International Soccer Academy (i2i ISA) provides an exceptional opportunity for student athletes interested in balancing their academic pursuits and soccer development in England. Collaborating with Northumbria University in Newcastle and Leeds Beckett University in Leeds, the academy offers students the chance to pursue a range of internationally recognized undergraduate degrees.

Expert Soccer Coaching

Each player benefits from personalized guidance by seasoned coaches who have experience with Premier League clubs. This comprehensive training program focuses on helping athletes refine their skills with the aim of forging careers both within and outside the sports industry. Student athletes here also participate in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues, with opportunities to join the i2i ISA U21 & U23 teams.

Real-World Match Experience

The season includes more than 35 games over nine months, featuring showcase matches against professional and semi-professional teams. Matches are documented and evaluated by a performance analysis team to enhance every player's performance using an extensive Athlete Monitoring System. Training encompasses five days a week under UEFA PRO and A licensed coaches, with experience at clubs such as Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Academic Pathways

Academically, i2i ISA’s programs, held at Northumbria and Leeds Beckett Universities, are structured to integrate with athletes' training schedules. These three-year degree courses ensure academic support, access to top-notch campus facilities, and the opportunity to graduate with prestigious qualifications. Options include a variety of degrees relating to sports and beyond.

Soccer Training & Facilities

Student athletes receive up to 15 hours of weekly coaching under UEFA-certified coaches. Specialized sessions and showcase games further hone skills. Athlete support includes access to sports physiotherapists and strength coaches, video analysis, and a subscription to online performance tracking tools. Ample training gear and superior facilities are guaranteed, with up to 35 games per season.

Comfortable & Convenient Living

Students reside in comfortable en-suite accommodations within well-equipped shared apartments. Leeds and Newcastle offer safe, student-friendly environments, complete with robust university communities. Additional conveniences include airport pickups, comprehensive insurance, and guidance from university staff regarding visas and federal aid.

Degree Offerings

Programs available at Northumbria University include Business & Management, and several sports-focused degrees, while Leeds Beckett University offers courses ranging from Sports Coaching to Cyber Security and Fashion Marketing, among others.

A Balanced Academic & Athletic Experience

The i2i ISA emphasizes the importance of both education and soccer development. Partnering with top institutions like Northumbria and Leeds Beckett, the academy ensures that student athletes graduate with valuable skills for diverse career opportunities. These universities are recognized for their quality teaching, research excellence, and commitment to student success and employability.

Showcase Matches & Trials

All student athletes train like full-time professionals five days a week with our UEFA PRO and A licensed coaches who have previously played or coached at a range of professional clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers, Watford, Birmingham, Charlton Athletic, Sunderland and Hull City.

Football Academy Package includes:

Academics:

  • Our three-year degree courses are delivered by the prestigious Northumbria University and Leeds Beckett University – where students can study for a range of different internationally recognised degrees.
  • Specifically timetabled academic programme delivered in the morning to avoid any clash with soccer.
  • Academic support provided via mentors and regular 1-to-1 meetings with professors.
  • Access to all the University’s state-of-the-art facilities including libraries, laboratories, swimming pool, sports facilities, gyms and the Students Union.
  • Prestigious graduation ceremony.
  • Membership of National Union of Students.

Soccer:

  • Up to 15 hours a week coaching with UEFA A Licensed Coaches, former professional academy coaches and professional players
  • Position specific specialisation sessions
  • Showcase games against professional and semi-professional soccer teams
  • Access to qualified Sports Physiotherapists & Strength and Conditioning Coaches
  • Subscription to Online Sports Training and Performance Monitoring App
  • Filmed games and video analysis
  • Mentors, pastoral advice and support from members of the i2i Sports team
  • Extensive training kit package provided by Nike
  • Excellent soccer facilities and training equipment
  • No Red Shirting
  • No Practice Teams
  • Up to 35 games a season
  • Transport to and from all games
  • 9-month season from September to May
  • Fitness testing conducted by Sports Science (S&C) Coaches
  • Work experience opportunities

Accommodation:

  • High grade en-suite accommodation in centrally located Halls of Residence
  • Individual bedroom with en-suite facilities and desk within a shared apartment comprising a kitchen and lounge with TV.
  • Furnished apartments including dining set, fridge, freezer, stove, cutlery, pans and sofas.

Convenience:

  • Enjoy peace of mind knowing that both Leeds and Newcastle are safe, student-friendly cities. Leeds Beckett and Northumbria University each attract thousands of students annually, offering vibrant, supportive communities
  • For added convenience, we offer a first pick-up of the year from both Manchester Airport (For LBU) and Newcastle International Airport (For NU), ensuring a smooth arrival directly to your accommodation.”

  • Extensive induction programme.
  • Free contents insurance and public liability insurance.
  • Advice and support from Northumbria University staff on applying for a Student Visa and Federal Aid.

Academic Education & Excellence

Northumbria University offers a focused set of degree programs, including BA (Hons) Business & Management, BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science, BSc (Hons) Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching, and BSc (Hons) Sport Management.

Leeds Beckett University provides a broader variety of courses such as BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science, BSc Sport & Exercise Therapy, BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching, BA (Hons) Business & Management, BA (Hons) Sport Business Management, BA (Hons) Sport Marketing, among many others, from computer science to graphic design.

These degree programs align with the i2i International Soccer Academy's Soccer Development Programme, which allows students to train five days a week in a professional setting. This allows students to benefit from both academic and athletic training, with a timetable structured to ensure ample time is spent in both lectures and on the field.

Recognizing a competitive graduate market, the i2i International Soccer Academy underscores the importance of balancing education with soccer development. The academy partners with reputable institutions: Northumbria University, praised internationally for its student experience, and Leeds Beckett University, awarded maximum stars for employability by QS Stars in 2022. Students enroll as full-time students at their selected universities, choosing from a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Northumbria University stands out as a modern, research-driven institution, placed 23rd for research power in the REF 2021. The university boasts over £250 million in new facilities, providing a dynamic environment for learning and student life, with high student satisfaction ratings.

Leeds Beckett University excels in innovative teaching and research, with a strong employability rate for graduates. Notable for its sports science labs and exemplary teaching quality, Leeds Beckett also ranks high in student experience and has a solid reputation for its social and environmental commitments, highlighted in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, with 94% of its graduates in employment or further study within six months. It has invested significantly in modern facilities, including state-of-the-art sports science labs and training spaces.

Registration Process:

All applicants must meet the requirements of both - the university and the football department. The prices are for a 1-year, but the overall program lasts for 3 years (it is 3 years at the university + football training). You can only apply for a 3 year program, and upon completion you will graduate from one of the best UK universities + will progress (hopefully to the higher PRO level) in football.

Dates
1
Start
End
Price
9-months (out of 3 years) program
01 Sep 25
30 May 26
35500 £
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FAQ
Once your application has been submitted to Northumbria University (NU) or Leeds Beckett University (LBU), you will have acknowledgment of receipt within 5 working days. Once the University has reviewed your application, you will be offered a conditional offer. This will be conditional on the academic and financial requirements.
Please do read up about available loans now and try the FAFSA 4 Caster if you wish. Our website will be updated shortly for the current academic year. You may start your real FAFSA application as soon as you are ready but please do not complete any credit checks or loan MPNs until at least May because they only stay valid for six months and you would have to repeat the process before September.
You cannot make the visa application until 3 months prior to the start date in September. Once the financial element and academic requirements are secured, the NU / LBU Visa team will contact you with all of the details of how to begin the visa application.
The start date will be confirmed, however please be prepared to arrive in England and begin the full soccer and academic programme in the 1st week of September.
Students are required to achieve a High School Diploma with minimum GPA of 3.0 and an ACT composite score 24 or SAT composite score of 1180. We also accept a minimum of 2 AP’s grade 3 or higher.
The programme runs for three years followed by a prestigious graduation ceremony. Our programme runs from September through to the end of May, so our programme is around 9 month in length. There are opportunities for students to visit home over Christmas, Easter and Summer.
The three-year degree courses have been specifically designed to ensure transferability Worldwide. The Degree has been carefully thought out to ensure it is relevant for a wide range of careers. Both Northumbria University and Leeds Beckett University are highly regarded by companies and organizations all around the world.
In relation to a student to transferability of credits, if a student were to leave after successfully completing 2 years for example, they would leave with a lower award; they would have 240 credits, evidenced by a detailed transcript. These credits could then be used by a university in the US to allow the student to gain advanced entry. It would be at the University’s discretion as to which level the 240 credits would enable the student to enter, however it is likely that the credits gained in the UK academic degree would allow entry to Year 3 or Year 4 of a US degree.
Students are unable to combine the degrees on offer, however can progress onto a different Masters program.
Northumbria University and Leeds Beckett University both deliver a wide range of Masters Degrees that are available to i2i student athletes. Please check with i2i staff to determine alignment with the soccer program.
No, this program does not offer scholarship for applicants.