South Shields FC International opportunities

Route options

As part of our partnership with South Shields Football Club, we offer two exciting routes open to all genders that combine studying with professional soccer development.

With South Shields FC Study Abroad, you'll gain football expertise and higher education credits through our one-year SSFC Study Abroad programme. This gap-year experience will enhance your potential as a sportsperson and an academic.

With South Shields FC International Academy programme, you can undertake a three-year undergraduate degree for if you're graduating from high school or a one-year postgraduate course if you're graduating from college, all while developing your soccer skills.

South Shields FC Study Abroad

If you're a soccer player who has just graduated high school and is looking to gain professional soccer development while acquiring higher education credits at a renowned institution, this international experience is the perfect opportunity. You'll study a selection of modules during the morning and spend your afternoons and weekends developing training and competing at a reputable football club.

Football

When training with SSFC, you'll be taught by an experienced team of staff who have played for and coached several different English Premier League clubs. They will pass on their knowledge to guide you to becoming an expert player both on and off the pitch.

Training will include on-pitch sessions with a concentration on decision-making skills and tactical understanding. Additionally, you'll take part in professionally led strength and conditioning sessions to complement your training.

You'll not only develop as a team, but also as an individual. You'll meet with the coaching team at South Shields to construct individual plans with a series of short and long-term goals specific to you. Your personal plan will be reviewed on a regular basis, using video feedback to help you better understand coaching assessments.

The average football season in the UK lasts nine months, and participants in the programme will play at least once per week or more. Your team will compete in a league against other academy teams from all over England. NCAA rules and regulations will not restrict players on this programme.

You never know where this opportunity may lead you.

Entry Requirements

Academics

Our typical offer is 112 UCAS Tariff points, from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator(opens in new tab).

These are the standard entry requirements for students with US qualifications:

• High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement
• GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+)

The entry requirements will be comparable to those above if you are not a US citizen.

Find out more about the exact entry requirements for your qualifications and country.

If English is not your first language, you will also be required to meet our internal English language requirements. Find out more information about language requirements(opens in new tab).

Football

To take part in the programme, you must possess a certain degree of football skill. This will be assessed on a one-to-one basis through South Shields FC as part of the application process.

Fees and accommodation

Please contact the international academy(opens in new tab) for pricing and fees.

During this year, you'll be guaranteed a place within university housing at the University of Sunderland. This is a separate, additional cost and is not included in the academic or football fees. You can find details about the lodging we provide, including the cost, on our accommodation page.

South Shields FC International Academy programme

Our international partnership allows players from any gender the chance to find success both on and off the field. You'll follow a carefully crafted timetable to maximise the time available on the pitch and can expect to train in a professional footballing environment with incredible coaching for a season lasting at least nine months.

Academics

As part of the international partnership between the University of Sunderland and South Shields Football Club, we are delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity to enrol in a three-year undergraduate degree if you're graduating from high school or a one-year postgraduate course if you're graduating from college.

These degrees are recognised internationally, and you can choose from the following options:

• BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences
• BA (Hons) Business and Management
• MA Master of Business Administration (Sports Management)
• MSc Sport and Exercise Sciences
• MA Journalism / MA Journalism (Sport)

Football

When training with South Shields FC, you'll be instructed by an experienced team of staff who have played for and coached at a variety of English Premier League clubs. Their knowledge and experience will be vital in each participant’s overall development both as a soccer player and on a personal level.

Training will largely consist of on-pitch sessions with a focus on decision-making skills and tactical understanding alongside individual, position-specific skills. As well as a thorough on-field coaching programme, you'll also have access to professionally-led strength and conditioning sessions to supplement your training.

The coaching team at South Shields will work with players on an individual basis – players will meet with coaches to discuss and develop individual plans with a series of targets and goals, both short-term and long-term. This will be reviewed periodically, utilising video feedback to help players better understand coaching assessments.

In terms of footballing action, players will not be constricted by NCAA rules and regulations. The football season in the UK lasts at least nine months, and during that time participants in the programme will play at least once per week, but sometimes more often. Players will test themselves against other academy teams from around England in a structured league environment, as well as being able to play exhibition matches against top opposition.

The International Academy programme is an incredible opportunity for any high school or collegiate soccer player interested in furthering their academic and footballing education while immersing themselves in a new culture. Are you ready? We’re always ready.

Fees, accommodation, and cost of living

According to The Education Data Initiative(opens in new tab):

• The average cost of attendance for a US student living on campus at a public four-year in-state institution is $25,487 per year or $101,948 over four years.
• Out-of-state students pay $43,161 per year or $172,644 over four years; traditional private university students pay $53,217 per year or $212,868 over four years.
• While four years is the traditional period to earn a bachelor’s degree, just 39% of students graduate within four years.
  60% of bachelor’s degree earners graduate within six years, totaling an average of $152,922 for the cost of attendance.

In the UK, however, those numbers are significantly smaller, partly due to the shorter length of time required to complete your studies. Undergraduate courses last three years by and large, and postgraduate courses are usually one year long.

The total cost of attendance will depend on your level of study, with postgraduate courses costing slightly more than undergraduate courses. Applicants can expect to pay between £27,000-£30,000 ($33,000-37,000) per year for the course in total. Please note: academic costs and soccer costs are paid separately. You will only be able to utilize Federal Direct and PLUS Loans to cover the cost of academics – more information about this can be found below.

Applicants are required to book their own accommodation for the duration of their time here. Applicants will be supported by the University and SSFC during this search, and the University will guarantee a place in university accommodation for applicants. The University has several accommodation options to choose from at very reasonable rates, and the region as a whole has numerous private options available.

The average cost of accommodation in the city can range from £85–£150 per week – this often includes all utilities, insurance, WiFi, and security. Find out more about our accommodation.

Additionally, the cost of living in Sunderland is exceptionally low and students can expect to pay £150–£500 per month for items like food, travel, and social life depending on their budget. American students could also look to finance the academic portion of their studies at the University of Sunderland with Federal Direct and PLUS Loans.