+ Do I have to pay Student Athlete Network for this service?

No, our service is 100% free for our student-athletes.

+ What are the benefits of this program?

First and foremost you will have access to a great education at a significantly cheaper rate than you would do for the equivalent education in the USA. Secondly, you can continue playing your sport for another year. It might be just one additional year, but for some it could be the beginning of a professional career. Finally, you will have the opportunity to live in a foreign country, embrace new cultures and make great friendships. All in all you will be a more well-rounded person after your time at Graduate School in the UK.

+ When Should I apply?

We suggest athletes register their interest as ASAP, even if you are still completing your bachelor’s degree. There is no application fee. Once you have registered your interest we can make a plan to give you the best opportunity to be recruited. The sooner you sign up, the more options you will have at your disposal.

+ I have exhausted all my eligibility with the NCAA/NAIA, am I still eligible?

Yes. The eligibility requirements in the USA College Systems are not applicable to British Universities. So even if you have exhausted all of your eligibility with the NCAA/NAIA you are still eligible. You will be able to represent your University in Varsity competition.

+ I graduated several years ago, am I still eligible?

Yes, there is no time line. You can apply at any time.

+ I have previously played my sport professionally, am I still eligible?

Yes, there are no amateurism requirements.

+ What if I don’t have a bachelor’s degree, am I still eligible?

No, you need a bachelor’s degree to get on to a Master’s program. However we can begin working with you whilst you are still working towards your bachelor’s degree.

+ What GPA do I need?

The minimum requirement of any University is a 2.5 CUMULATIVE GPA, however each University has different entry requirements, so they might require higher. The higher your GPA is, the more chance there is of academic scholarships.

+ How long is the Master's Program?

A full time master’s program in the United Kingdom is typically 12 months in duration.

+ What Master’s Programs Can I Study?

Our partner Universities offer over 200 Master’s programs, so we can almost guarantee you’ll be able to study your degree of choice. Let us know what you would like to study and we will provide a shortlist of Universities and Masters Programs for you.

+ Can I apply to multiple Universities?

Yes, we encourage it. University applications in the UK are free.

+ How do I know which University is right for me?

We will provide you with a shortlist of Universities based on your academic and athletic need and ability. We encourage you to apply to several Universities and speak with the academic staff and coaches to get a feeling of which University will be the best ‘fit’ for you.

The team at SAN will also advise based on our knowledge and experience, helping you to weigh up the pros and cons of each University.

+ Are there scholarships available?

Yes, there are a variety of scholarships available at each University. These scholarships usually come in three forms, Athletic Scholarships, Academic Scholarships and International Scholarships. At some Universities you may be eligible for multiple scholarships that you can stack. Other Universities will restrict you to one scholarship.

Full scholarships are extremely rare, but it’s important to note that Graduate School in the UK is considerably cheaper than in the USA.

Our team will let you know about the scholarships available to you and how you can apply for them.

+ Will my Master’s Degree from the UK be of value to me in the USA job market?

Yes. British Universities are world-renowned and your Master’s degree will absolutely transfer back to the USA. Some employers will even favour applicants who have studied abroad because of their experiences internationally and understanding of different cultures.

+ What playing level do I need to be?

We have successfully placed student-athletes from all levels of College sports in the USA and Canada. Our student- athletes have come from all levels; NCAA D1 – D3, NAIA, USCAA, NCCAA and U Sports/CCAA in Canada. There are various levels of athletic opportunities within our network of UK Universities; we can even work with club athletes.

+ I want to go pro but I don’t have any offers, is this a good route for me?

Yes – if you are committed to your academics! Once you are in Europe and in our ‘system’ it’s a lot easier for you to stay in the system and move up than it is to get that initial breakthrough. Also, it allows coaches to judge you relative to competitions they have a good understanding of.

+ How do I fund graduate school in the UK?

American citizens will be able to apply for a student loan with the U.S. Federal Loan System (FAFSA) to cover any remaining costs not covered by scholarships.

+ How much will a Master’s Degree cost in the UK Cost?

The average Master’s degree in the UK before any scholarship costs approx. $30,000 - $35,000. This includes your tuition, accommodation and living costs for the year. This can be reduced by any scholarships you receive. It can also vary depending on which University you choose and which city you are in. If you compare that to the USA, where the average price of the same Master’s Degree would be $70,000 - $75,000 we think it’s a great deal!

+ Can I work whilst I study in the UK?

Yes, international students are permitted to work for up to 20 hours per week on a student visa.

+ Will I receive Health Care?

Yes. You will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when applying for your student visa. This will cost approximately £470/$635 and allow you access to the National Health Service (NHS) for the duration of your time in the UK. Health care in the UK is considerably cheaper than in the USA!

+ Do I Need a student visa?

Yes you will need a Tier 4 Student Visa. The student visa will cost approx. £348/$470. We will guide you through this process each step of the way. You can apply for this up to 6 months prior to the start date of your Master’s Program.

+ Where will I live? Can you help me find accommodation?

Your chosen University will have accommodation that they can recommend to you. Alternatively, we can recommend options to you in your chosen city. In some instances your new coach will be able to help coordinate you staying with some of your teammates in the same accommodation.

+ Will I have time to travel?

Yes. University Sport in the UK is always played on a Wednesday, giving you weekends to travel if you are not playing club sport. You will also get a month break at Christmas and a month break at Easter, which gives you the flexibility to travel home to see family or explore Europe. London is a global travel hub and you can fly direct from London to any country in Europe.

+ Can I apply if I'm not an athlete or don't want to continue playing?

Yes. We can provide many other opportunities to our student athletes, inclusing internships with professional sports teams. Please email admin@studentathletenetwork.co.uk for more information on this.

+ Can I apply with a friend?

Yes, it’s very common for American post-graduate students to come to the UK with a friend and both study at the same University.

+ Can you assist with undergraduate admission at a UK University?

Yes. Please email admin@studentathletenetwork.co.uk for more information on this.

+ I have another question that is not answered above, who do I ask?

Please email us at admin@studentathletenetwork.co.uk and we will be happy to answer any questions you have.