Study, train, and compete at the University of Bath, ranked in the top 10% of universities worldwide for academic excellence (QS World University Rankings).
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Renowned for teaching quality, research impact, and student satisfaction, Bath also offers world-class sport facilities that have trained Olympic and professional athletes.
This program is designed for top academic students seeking a world-class degree while training in a professional soccer academy environment. |
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World-Class Sports Facilities
The University of Bath is home to the Sports Training Village (STV) — a £35 million elite performance facility used by Olympic, Paralympic, and professional athletes.
Facilities include:
Facilities include:
- High-performance gym and strength facilities
- Sport science and rehabilitation centre
- Physiotherapy and recovery spaces
- Floodlit 3G and grass soccer pitches
- Fully integrated on-campus training environment
About UDA
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Our Mission
To provide student-athletes with a world-class academic and athletic experience that prepares them for success in sport, career, and life. Our Values
Why UDA UDA exists to offer motivated student-athletes an alternative to traditional college soccer — one that prioritizes academic credibility, professional training, and global opportunity. |
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Our Goal
To develop independent, capable, internationally minded graduates who are prepared for life beyond university. In the Classroom and on the Field UDA integrates academic planning with professional-level training, ensuring student-athletes succeed both academically and athletically. Recruitment Pathways UDA provides clear pathways to:
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UDA staff have become an extension of our family, helping our son succeed far from home.
Julie Meyers
Parent / Chester Academy
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Why the University of Bath?
12 Reasons Why
- Ranked 7th in the UK, alongside Oxford and Cambridge (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025–26)
- Ranked in the top 10% of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2026)
- Three-year degree programs focused on career readiness
- Located in a UNESCO World Heritage city
- One of the UK’s safest cities for international students
- World-class research culture
- Named UK Sports University of the Year (2026)
- Top 100 worldwide for employer reputation (QS)
- Triple Gold for teaching excellence (TEF 2023)
- Research rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2023)
- Top-ten national rankings for research, teaching, and student satisfaction
- Global campus: 21,340 students, 27% international, representing 152 nationalities
Economic ValueA world-class education with significant cost advantage.
University of Bath tuition:
This represents exceptional value while building a global résumé within a career-ready degree program. Vertical Divider
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Degree Options
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Admissions Process
Admissions to the University of Bath are highly selective.
UDA requires submission of a Pre-Academic Meeting Form. Suitable students will be invited to a video call with a UDA Academic Advisor to review eligibility and the application process.
UDA requires submission of a Pre-Academic Meeting Form. Suitable students will be invited to a video call with a UDA Academic Advisor to review eligibility and the application process.
General Entry RequirementsA holistic approach is taken for North American applicants.
Applications are assessed case-by-case. Vertical Divider
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city of Bath
A Safe, Inspiring Place to Learn and Grow
Founded in 60 AD and designated a UNESCO World Heritage City, Bath blends rich history with modern student life. It offers international students a calm, focused, and academically supportive environment — ideal for those transitioning into independence.
Consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the UK, Bath is compact, walkable, and easy to navigate. Students move confidently between campus, housing, training facilities, and the city centre within a welcoming, international community.
Focused, Global, and Perfectly Balanced
Unlike large metropolitan cities, Bath provides structure without isolation. Its strong academic culture, balanced social life, and peaceful setting support both academic success and athletic development.
Students live among historic architecture, cultural landmarks, and vibrant arts venues, while remaining just 90 minutes from London with easy access to major travel hubs. Families often describe Bath as the perfect bridge between home and adulthood — a city that encourages confidence, independence, and long-term success.
Founded in 60 AD and designated a UNESCO World Heritage City, Bath blends rich history with modern student life. It offers international students a calm, focused, and academically supportive environment — ideal for those transitioning into independence.
Consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the UK, Bath is compact, walkable, and easy to navigate. Students move confidently between campus, housing, training facilities, and the city centre within a welcoming, international community.
Focused, Global, and Perfectly Balanced
Unlike large metropolitan cities, Bath provides structure without isolation. Its strong academic culture, balanced social life, and peaceful setting support both academic success and athletic development.
Students live among historic architecture, cultural landmarks, and vibrant arts venues, while remaining just 90 minutes from London with easy access to major travel hubs. Families often describe Bath as the perfect bridge between home and adulthood — a city that encourages confidence, independence, and long-term success.
Fees & Funding
Education Costs
- Tuition: £25,000–£32,000/year (3-year degree)
- Degrees with industry placement become 4-year programs (placement year at reduced cost)
- Estimated living costs (housing + meals): £8,000–£9,000/year
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Soccer Academy Costs
Scholarships
Soccer Scholarships
Funding Your Studies U.S. students may use FAFSA to support education costs. |
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UDA Soccer Academy at the University of Bath
Building on successful programs at the University of Chester and University of Gloucestershire, UDA now offers an elite academic and high-performance soccer program at the University of Bath.
Designed for high-achieving students seeking professional-level soccer within a world-class university.
Designed for high-achieving students seeking professional-level soccer within a world-class university.
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Choosing UDA was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I know I’ll make memories for life.
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We immediately bonded as teammates and built friendships from day one.
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Training & Competition
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*Delivered through structured sessions across the year
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Typical Weekly Schedule
Monday: Training (2 hrs) Tuesday: Training (2 hrs) Wednesday: Game Day Thursday: Analysis, S&C, recovery (2 hrs) Friday: Training (2 hrs) Saturday: Game Day Sunday: Rest |
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UDA High Performance Squad (HPS)
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The HPS selects top performers from Bath, Chester, and Gloucestershire.
Selection Criteria
Selected players attend four training camps per year and compete in showcase fixtures vs professional academies. International travel opportunities may be available; UDA subsidizes part of the cost. |
Academy Staff
Program Director – Steve Lilley (UEFA A)
Steve Lilley brings extensive experience in elite player and coach development, including leadership roles with the English Football Association and professional academies.
Steve Lilley brings extensive experience in elite player and coach development, including leadership roles with the English Football Association and professional academies.
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Previous roles include:
Steve will assemble the Bath coaching staff by Spring 2027 ahead of the inaugural season (September 2027). |
Connect with our Recruitment Team
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NATIONAL RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR
JAY SPARROW 
CONTACT
BIO
Jay will be attending several showcase events around the country. Jay, originally from England moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2003. He has a passion for helping student athletes reach their academic and soccer goals. He is experienced in talent identification and player development. He has identified, selected and provided opportunities for many students seeking an international studying and playing experience. Jay ran and developed a successful soccer organization in the USA and now has taken his skills to player identification for UDA across the USA |
RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR
WOMEN'S PROGRAM BRENTON DAWSON 
CONTACT
BIO
Prospects wanting to learn more about the UDA Women's Program should contact Coach Dawson directly. Brenton Dawson heads national recruitment on the women’s side bringing a wealth of knowledge from past experiences having worked with all NCAA levels, the NPSL, multiple youth clubs across the country and having studied and played in Europe. Coach Dawson most recently assisted at Daytona State College Women’s program reaching the Region 8 finals. Prior to coaching at DSC, Dawson assisted at Lynn University for two seasons where he helped the Fighting Knights to the Final Four in the fall of 2019 after being crowned both SSC regular season and tournament champions. The staff also received the Regional Coaching staff of the year award that year. Dawson has also worked at NCAA Division III programs, Wittenberg and Heidlelberg in Ohio where he helped lead the Witt Tigers to a National ranking of 5th and the Berg Student Princes to their first OAC championship. Dawson has also been active in the Club soccer coaching at some of the nation's top premier clubs in multiple states across the country. |
ACADEMIC RECRUITMENT ADVISOR
DR. BRIAN HALEY 
BIO
Dr. Haley will work with each student discussing their degree options, reading personal statements as well as discussing all the academic requirements of degree programs making sure that we find the right fit for the student. With over thirty years experience as a tenured professor in teacher education he will use his experience to help students prepare their applications to give them the great chance of success in enrolment to the university. |