Men's Undergraduate Soccer Programme (4 years)

RIASA was the first college soccer programme in the UK, offering student-athletes the chance of playing high intensity football whilst studying for a top-class degree.

Give yourself the best chance of succeeding on the pitch! Join the world's only college soccer program offering a dual accredited US/UK degree whilst you train and compete for 9-months of the calendar year.

On average, we train 4 times per week and compete between 1–2 times. Our soccer programme is perfect for aspiring soccer players or individuals who want to break into the sporting industry.

Professional-standard soccer academy

The RIASA soccer undergraduate programme allows student-athletes to experience a professional academy set-up.

As soon as you join our academy, you'll be thrown in to intense training sessions and competitive league fixtures that will help you grow on and off the field.

Our coaches are at the top of their game with over 100+ years of coaching experience, which enables you to develop each time you step on to the pitch.

Develop yourself culturally

Join a truly international soccer programme which allows you to experience new cultures surrounded by like minded, soccer obsessed, students who share the same passion as you: football.

You'll get to travel the UK as we compete against other academies together with opportunities to play in Europ

One programme, two degrees

Join the world’s only soccer programme that can offer you a highly recognisable dual accredited US/UK degree in International Sports Management.

Once graduated, you’ll be unbeatable. You’ll have studied one programme and gained two degrees, which will open the door to more international opportunities.

UEFA A & Pro Licensed Coaches

The RIASA football programme offers you the chance to learn from experienced coaches who are at the top of their game. The RIASA coaching team combined, has over 100+ years experience within the football industry. Our coaches are dedicated and highly qualified on and off the field, that’s why you'll receive more than just footballing advice when you join our programme

Soccer Programme

Join an internationally renowned soccer academy that will help develop you on and off the field. Embark on a life changing journey and experience what it feels like to live, play and compete in a soccer obsessed environment.

We’re not the average soccer academy, we work harder for you to make sure you leave our programme having had the best possible chance to showcase your abilities. Committing to RIASA could be one of the best decisions you'll ever make, it’s intense, it’s hard work but it’s also rewarding if you show the correct attitude and application.

We've designed the programme to give you the best possible experience, which includes the following:

• UEFA A & Pro Licensed coaches
• Play for 9 months of the season
• Earn FA Level 1 Coaching Award
• Professional standard academy
• Train at least four times per week
• Full gym membership
• Objective led training structure
• Learn the theory of the game
• Match analysis sessions
• Player progression monitoring
• Showcase games
• Play across Europe (tours & pro trials)
• Play in China (Tours)
• Culturally grow in new surroundings
• Make friendships that last a lifetime
• Live streaming & social media

Earn your FA Level 1 Coaching badge

The FA Level 1 in Coaching Football, leading to the achievement of the 1st4sport Level 1 Award in Coaching Football qualification, is the first stepping-stone on the core coaching pathway. It will provide you with an introduction to coaching the game and working with players from under 7 to open age, you will undertake this module during your freshman year.

More than just soccer training

We provide the ultimate pro soccer experience, from training sessions, video analysis, regular team meetings, strength & conditioning sessions and much more. We operate in the same way as any pro club, meaning we have high exceptions from you as players, however you'll reap the rewards of hard-work and dedication.

• 150 On average, we train 4 times per week for a minimum of two hours. That's over 150+ training sessions per season.
• 30 Compete in leagues, play friendlies & break into our showcase squad. Play between 20-30 games per season.
• 250 9-months of soccer development is roughly 250 days. You'll have the time needed to develop and grow on the pitch.

Academic Programme

In partnership with Richmond, The American University in London, the 4-year RIASA Undergraduate Programme is built around the core belief that student-athletes should not have to choose between academics or soccer.

The academic and soccer programme come together to give you the best opportunity to succeed and with the university being the only one in the UK that can award two dual taught degrees, you're going to be unbeatable after you graduate as you look to further your career within the sporting industry.

The undergraduate degree we offer, BA in International Sports Management, is based on the American liberal arts tradition which helps broaden perspective and develops practical skills which are highly appealing to future employers in a global economy.

As a result, you’ll begin the programme with a combination of modules on business and sport, together with topics such as Creative Writing and Scientific Reasoning, to provide a broadened outlook. The second year has a financial focus on Accounting, Calculus, Probability and Statistics, together with a look at other subjects such as Sports Psychology.

The third and fourth years see a blend of diverse subjects, including Marketing, Nutrition, Legal and Ethical Concepts in Management, Sports Events Planning and Promotion and Sports Journalism. Along with a wide-ranging choice of electives in the final year, you’ll also have the option to do an integrated internship in Sports Management, extending your knowledge and expertise in a specialist area of your choice.

Academi Facilities. Weetwood Hall Estate

Weetwood Hall Estate is set within nine acres of beautiful woodlands and gardens, offering peace and tranquillity from the near-by hustle and bustle of Leeds student scene. On the estate you will find a breathtaking 17th Century Jacobean Manor House - this is the location of our academic delivery.

Accommodation

Oxley Residence offers comfortable and modern all-inclusive student living. Located in Weetwood, just minutes from Weetwood Hall Estate and the student neighbourhood of Headingley, this private complex allows ease of living. You'll find more stunning architecture on the grounds of Oxley, plus it has a wide variety of on site facilities for students.

Bodington Football Hub - Sports Facilities

Bodington Football Hub is a brand-new state-of-the-art complex which offers Premier League standard facilities. The new development includes three full size LED floodlit 3G Football Turf Pitches, a four-team changing pavilion with community café, meeting spaces, and a large accessible car park.

Student living in Leeds

Leeds is one of the UK's most popular student cities outside of London. Every year, over 200,000 students enrol at one of the many universities the city has to offer.

Due to the great location of RIASA, just a short journey from Leeds city centre, you’ll get the best of both worlds that Leeds has to offer. That means you can enjoy the city lifestyle whilst enjoying moments of rural perfection as you train, study and focus on improving your game.

Entry Requirements

You will need to meet the following entry requirements to join our soccer academy programme in Leeds. This includes your athletic assessment which can be done by attending RIASA ID camps or by video highlight upon application submission.

• English language requirements (non-native English speakers)
• IELTS 5.5 with 5.5 in each Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing
• TOEFL (IBT) 80+ overall with: Listening 17, Reading 18, Writing 17, Speaking 20
• Overall Cambridge English Scale score of no less than 168 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking