Getting to UDA is about more than being identified as a talented soccer player.
Our recruitment team works with students and families well before they arrive in England to understand the player, the student, and the person — their soccer ability, academic goals, character, ambitions, and the type of environment in which they are most likely to thrive.
Our goal isn't to recruit every player.
It's to find the right players for UDA — and the right UDA pathway for each student.
Our recruitment team works with students and families well before they arrive in England to understand the player, the student, and the person — their soccer ability, academic goals, character, ambitions, and the type of environment in which they are most likely to thrive.
Our goal isn't to recruit every player.
It's to find the right players for UDA — and the right UDA pathway for each student.
The UDA Difference
We Recruit the Whole Student-Athlete
Soccer matters. But it isn't the only thing that matters.
UDA looks for motivated student-athletes who are ready to grow academically, athletically, personally, and socially.
Our recruitment process considers:
That means joining UDA isn't simply about earning a place on a team. It's about finding an environment where a student can succeed over the next several years — and prepare for what comes after university.
UDA looks for motivated student-athletes who are ready to grow academically, athletically, personally, and socially.
Our recruitment process considers:
- Soccer ability and development potential
- Academic interests and degree goals
- Character, maturity, and motivation
- Personal ambitions
- The university and soccer environment that best fits the student
That means joining UDA isn't simply about earning a place on a team. It's about finding an environment where a student can succeed over the next several years — and prepare for what comes after university.
More Than Player Identification
UDA has a dedicated U.S.-based recruitment team working with players and families throughout the year.
We meet prospective students at UDA ID Events, showcases, club environments, through video evaluation, and through direct conversations with players, parents, and coaches.
But identification is only the beginning.
Once a student begins the UDA recruitment process, our team works to understand both their soccer goals and academic goals.
That includes:
Families have an opportunity to ask questions, understand expectations, compare options, and determine whether UDA is genuinely the right fit.
We meet prospective students at UDA ID Events, showcases, club environments, through video evaluation, and through direct conversations with players, parents, and coaches.
But identification is only the beginning.
Once a student begins the UDA recruitment process, our team works to understand both their soccer goals and academic goals.
That includes:
- Individual conversations with students and families
- Soccer evaluation and development discussions
- Academic profile meetings
- Degree and university pathway discussions
- Guidance throughout the recruitment and decision-making process
- Coordination with UDA's UK leadership and university partners
Families have an opportunity to ask questions, understand expectations, compare options, and determine whether UDA is genuinely the right fit.
A Recruitment Process Built Around Fit
We believe the best outcomes happen when the student, university, soccer environment, and expectations all align.
That's why our recruitment process is deliberately thorough.
1. Get Identified
Players can be identified at UDA ID Events, showcases, through video evaluation, or by connecting directly with our recruitment team.
2. Get to Know Each Other
Our recruiters speak with players and families about their soccer background, ambitions, experiences, and what they are looking for from the next stage of their development.
3. Explore the Academic Path
Students also meet with UDA's academic team to discuss academic interests, degree options, university requirements, and long-term goals.
4. Find the Right Fit
Our team considers the complete picture to help determine which UDA university and academy environment may best suit the student.
5. Prepare for What Comes Next
Recruitment doesn't end when a student accepts an offer.
Our U.S. recruitment team works alongside UDA's UK leadership to help create continuity as students prepare for university life, soccer, and living abroad.
That's why our recruitment process is deliberately thorough.
1. Get Identified
Players can be identified at UDA ID Events, showcases, through video evaluation, or by connecting directly with our recruitment team.
2. Get to Know Each Other
Our recruiters speak with players and families about their soccer background, ambitions, experiences, and what they are looking for from the next stage of their development.
3. Explore the Academic Path
Students also meet with UDA's academic team to discuss academic interests, degree options, university requirements, and long-term goals.
4. Find the Right Fit
Our team considers the complete picture to help determine which UDA university and academy environment may best suit the student.
5. Prepare for What Comes Next
Recruitment doesn't end when a student accepts an offer.
Our U.S. recruitment team works alongside UDA's UK leadership to help create continuity as students prepare for university life, soccer, and living abroad.
Experience Families Can Trust
Choosing to study and play soccer overseas is a major decision.
Families deserve people they can talk to, ask questions of, and trust to give them straightforward answers.
UDA's recruitment and academic team brings decades of experience across:
We don't believe recruitment should be a quick evaluation followed by a sales pitch.
It should be a conversation about where a student wants to go — and whether UDA can help them get there.
Families deserve people they can talk to, ask questions of, and trust to give them straightforward answers.
UDA's recruitment and academic team brings decades of experience across:
- U.S. youth soccer
- Professional and collegiate soccer
- Talent identification and player development
- College and university coaching
- Higher education and academic advising
- International student pathways
We don't believe recruitment should be a quick evaluation followed by a sales pitch.
It should be a conversation about where a student wants to go — and whether UDA can help them get there.
Our recruitment team works throughout the year — not simply during recruitment events.
You'll find UDA representatives at showcases, club events, UDA ID Events, online meetings, academic meetings, and individual family conversations across the country.
That year-round involvement also helps us build academy groups made up of students who share a commitment to soccer, education, development, and making the most of their experience abroad.
You'll find UDA representatives at showcases, club events, UDA ID Events, online meetings, academic meetings, and individual family conversations across the country.
That year-round involvement also helps us build academy groups made up of students who share a commitment to soccer, education, development, and making the most of their experience abroad.
A Year-Round Commitment
When UDA recruits a student-athlete, we're looking beyond what they can contribute on the field today.
We're looking at who they can become.
The right student.
The right academic pathway.
The right soccer environment.
The right fit.
That's the UDA recruitment difference.
We're looking at who they can become.
The right student.
The right academic pathway.
The right soccer environment.
The right fit.
That's the UDA recruitment difference.