UDA SOCCER PROGRAM
I HAVE BEEN OFFERED a SPOT IN THE ACADEMY, HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO ACCEPT?
Typically we look to recruit 15 new players/students each year into each program, however this number can sometimes be more or less depending on our roster needs. You are encouraged to accept your spot as early as possible to ensure your spot on the team is secured. Once you have returned your signed soccer offer letter you will be sent your UDA Soccer invoice where you can pay your $1300 deposit. Note: Your $1300 deposit is 100% refundable should you complete an application into one of the universities and not be accepted. Your deposit secures your spot and signals to UDA your commitment and that we don't need to recruit another player to offer your spot to.
WHEN DO STUDENTS ARRIVE FOR PRESEASON?
As we play year round, players will report to campus in mid September, the weekend prior to what is called ‘freshers week.’ UDA will hold its own soccer training the first weekend, which will include orientation for new students with UDA staff.
HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE IN THE UDA PROGRAM?
We run two squads of ~20 players (2 GKS and 18 outfield as a preference), with no more than 50 players within each program.
If selected to the program, all players will play a guaranteed 25 games per year as a minimum. Expect 35 plus.
In order to ensure that we meet and provide a positive experience for all students selected for the program, we do not over recruit. And we recruit by position.
If selected to the program, all players will play a guaranteed 25 games per year as a minimum. Expect 35 plus.
In order to ensure that we meet and provide a positive experience for all students selected for the program, we do not over recruit. And we recruit by position.
HOW LONG IS MY SEASON?
We play a nine month season from September to May with a two week break for Christmas and a 2 week break in Spring. However, please note our competitive leagues play some games in early January and you may need to be available for those games.
HOW MANY GAMES DO I PLAY?
On average we have played over 35 games per year, and each player enrolled into the program is guaranteed involvement in a minimum of 25 competitive games per year for development.
We keep track of every player’s minutes played. Some players will play over 40 games a season depending on the squad they are playing with.
We keep track of every player’s minutes played. Some players will play over 40 games a season depending on the squad they are playing with.
WHAT LEAGUE DO I PLAY IN?
Our Chester squads play in:
Our Gloucester Men’s squad plays in:
Our Gloucester Women’s squad will represent the Women | Gloucester City AFC and play within the UDA structure of games.
The women will also represent Gloucester City AFC in Gloucester City AFC Gloucestershire county league within the Football Association pyramid of professional football. Our teams also play in the British Universities league as well as a schedule of selected showcase games.
- Royals Squad - East U21 NW Development League
- Cestrians Squad - West Division u21 NW Development League
Our Gloucester Men’s squad plays in:
Our Gloucester Women’s squad will represent the Women | Gloucester City AFC and play within the UDA structure of games.
The women will also represent Gloucester City AFC in Gloucester City AFC Gloucestershire county league within the Football Association pyramid of professional football. Our teams also play in the British Universities league as well as a schedule of selected showcase games.
DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY SECOND OR THIRD YEAR TO GET PLAYING TIME?
No, You have been recruited to our program because we believe you can have an impact on one of our teams. Players are selected based on performance and their academic attendance. All players will be assigned to one of our teams.
DOES UDA PROVIDE ANY VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GAMES?
Yes, we try to video record every game. The full games are available for viewing online for family and friends and others back home within a few days.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT UDA RETENTION RATE?
The retention rate for the UDA program is over 88 percent from year one to year three. Note: Most degree programs are three years.
ACADEMIC & ADMISSIONS
HOW AND WHEN DO I APPLY TO THE UNIVERSITY?
Once you have had your soccer meeting with one of our Recruiting Directors, you will then be required to attend a virtual meeting with our Executive Director to discuss your academics and lay out a potential plan for successful application into the university. Assuming this meeting goes well, you will then be provided with full details of how and when to apply to the university.
WILL UDA SUPPORT ME WITH MY UNIVERSITY APPLICATION?
Yes, UDA will support you through the entire application process and will be there to help answer any questions you may have.
DO I NEED TO TAKE THE SAT OR ACT?
The universities may use the SAT and ACT as part of their admission decision. However, they look holistically at an application, taking into consideration transcripts, GPA, AP classes and AP scores as well as college credit.
DO AP CLASSES COUNT AS PART OF THE ACADEMIC ADMITTANCE PROCESS?
Yes, AP classes count but need to be related to the degree course you are seeking. For example, if you are interested in studying business then you might consider enrolling in AP Economics, or AP finance etc. If you are unsure which AP classes to sign up for please contact Brian Haley at [email protected].
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET MY VISA?
A visa can take between three and five weeks once the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is received. There are some private services that can expedite the process at a cost. Learn more about the Enrollment Process.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR MY VISA?
You do not apply for your Visa until you have been officially accepted into the university. Each student receives a CAS form on acceptance and payment of their tuition deposit. a £4,000 deposit is required at Chester. A £3000 deposit is required at Gloucestershire.
This deposit can be paid through student loans once they are approved. However, check when loan disbursements are made if you are paying your deposit through student loans.
Learn more about the Enrollment Process.
This deposit can be paid through student loans once they are approved. However, check when loan disbursements are made if you are paying your deposit through student loans.
Learn more about the Enrollment Process.
IS THERE FAFSA?
Yes, Chester uses FAFSA. The University of Chester’s school code is: 041709.
Gloucestershire presently does not use FAFSA but students secure their loans through Sallie Mae and other private lenders.
Gloucestershire presently does not use FAFSA but students secure their loans through Sallie Mae and other private lenders.
WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL AID?
- The University of Chester: Financial Aid Information
- The University of Gloucestershire: International Funding
WHAT ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE?
As a student with the right to live and study in the UK, you will be entitled to use the National Health Service with an average supplemental charge of £450 per year. Students pay a three years health surcharge at the time they apply for their visa.
This entitles the student to all emergency hospital care and access to a doctor during their years of study at the university.
This entitles the student to all emergency hospital care and access to a doctor during their years of study at the university.
IS THERE SUPPORT FOR ACADEMICS?
Each of our UDA academies has a student support officer outside of the normal international support each university provides. Induction packets are sent out to each incoming player/student to provide helpful guidance in order to get to know the students prior to arrival. The major role of the support officer is to provide social, cultural and emotional support for students in order to help them succeed within their studies and gain the most from their experience.
Note: The student support officer along with the coaching staff will monitor the required UDA 90% percent class attendance policy for students in order to be eligible for training or playing in games.
Note: The student support officer along with the coaching staff will monitor the required UDA 90% percent class attendance policy for students in order to be eligible for training or playing in games.
WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE?
All international students are guaranteed placement at a dorm if they so choose. There are many options that UDA can help guide you through in your decision for your first year.
There is a range of choices for accommodation, both on as well as off campus. Learn more using the links below:
There is a range of choices for accommodation, both on as well as off campus. Learn more using the links below:
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY ACCOMMODATION?
We recommend buying bedding in the UK — bed sizes in the UK are different from the U.S. so your bed sheets from home won’t fit! You can also buy utensils for cooking and eating if you plan to choose self catering as a meal option.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR MEAL PLANS?
Many students choose the self catering option, as the dorms have facilities for cooking. However, meal plans can be purchased for on campus dining.
AM I ALLOWED TO WORK WHILE I STUDY?
Yes, students can work either on campus or off campus for 20 hours per week under their visa. During the summer students can work a total of 40 hours per week either on or off-campus.
TRAVEL & LOGISTICS
WHEN CAN I ARRIVE IN THE UK PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASSES?
First year students presently cannot arrive in the UK until two weeks prior to the start of classes. Second and third year students are free to come and go as they please.
WHAT AIRPORT SHOULD I ARRIVE AT?
Students attending the University of Chester should arrive at the Manchester International Airport. From here we recommend taking a taxi to the University campus.
Students attending the University of Gloucestershire we recommend booking flights into London or Birmingham airport. Upon arrival in the UK, here are some options to help you safely travel to the University of Gloucestershire; https://www.glos.ac.uk/information/knowledge-base/international-airports/
Students attending the University of Gloucestershire we recommend booking flights into London or Birmingham airport. Upon arrival in the UK, here are some options to help you safely travel to the University of Gloucestershire; https://www.glos.ac.uk/information/knowledge-base/international-airports/
HOW DO I GET TO MY ACCOMMODATION AFTER I LAND?
There is a university service for pickup and transportation to campus. You will need to pre book and be mindful of what time these services operate. For Chester the transportation is from Manchester airport, for Gloucestershire the transport is either from London or Birmingham.
At the UDA orientation in the summer (in the USA) we help students and families coordinate arrival information for their first year arrival.
At the UDA orientation in the summer (in the USA) we help students and families coordinate arrival information for their first year arrival.
CAN I TRAVEL BACK TO MY HOME COUNTRY DURING SCHEDULED BREAKS?
Yes, students can return home as they wish for scheduled breaks but keep in mind our league games may overlap with some holiday periods.
CAN I STAY ON CAMPUS DURING THE WINTER BREAK?
Yes, however, this can be an extremely quiet time on campus as the majority of students return home and we do not train from the end of term (mid December) until early January. We therefore generally recommend that the boys go home for the holidays and have some family time.
CAN I STAY ON CAMPUS AFTER THE END OF THE YEAR?
Students can stay and work in the UK over the summer, but private housing would be needed as dorms are closed.
For additions questions related to Travel and Logistics please contact the appropriate UDA Support Officer:
UDA Chester - Jennifer Murray @ jmurray@udauk.org
UDA Gloucester - Lian Hyde @ [email protected]
UDA Chester - Jennifer Murray @ jmurray@udauk.org
UDA Gloucester - Lian Hyde @ [email protected]