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International Football Academy

The University of Gloucestershire (UoG) has partnered with University Degrees Abroad (UDA) to form a professional soccer academy for international students seeking to further develop their football and reach their full potential while studying a degree of their choice.

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Jump to: Achievements | How to Qualify | League & Divisions | Training | Pre-Academy

The academy and degree programs are integrated and aligned to ensure that academic progress and football development are coordinated for success on and off the field.

The academy is based at UoG’s integrated sports park at Oxstalls, where athletes use our FIFA-approved 3G facilities and international indoor arena.

The academy is headed up by former FA Coach Educator (UEFA A Licence) and FA Talent ID Reporter Steve Lilley, who has also worked at Bristol City FC as their Head of Academy Coaching. Steve is supported within the program by other UEFA-qualified staff who have coached at professional clubs and played professionally.

Students receive high level coaching from top UEFA qualified coaches, as well as more holistic support, such as strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, diet and nutrition etc.

What has UDA achieved to date?

Men

  • 2 x UDA players (Mikkiel Graham and Jaxon Hundt) have represented the England Universities national team
  • 8 x UDA players in the 2025/26 Treble Winning BUCS squad (League, Cup & Varsity)
  • UDA 1st years promoted into BUCS 4th tier
  • Herefordshire Premier Division runners up
  • Herefordshire County Cup winners
  • Herefordshire Charity Bowl winners
  • 7 x UDA players duel registered with clubs of a higher level (Steps 5 & 6)
Mens football students running towards and hugging the goal scorer whilst celebrating a goal
Womens football students in a huddle on the pitch

Women

  • 1 x player selected to represent UoG at National BUCS trials
  • All players selected for BUCS 1st team squad
  • Runners up in BUCS Tier 2 division, narrowly missing out on promotion
  • FAWNL Development League Phase 2 Championship Winners
  • 1 x player dual registered with Forest Green Rovers Women’s FC (Tier 5)
  • 2 x players dual registered with Weston Super Mare Women’s FC (Tier 6)
Three female football players with their backs to the camera wearing Team Glos University of Gloucestershire Women's football tshirts showing a Student Union logo.

How do students qualify for the Academy?

To qualify for the University’s Academy Program, students must meet a required playing standard.

Students can attend training for evaluation or by video.

Please reach out to the team:

Men

Jay Sparrow, our UDA National Recruitment Director on [email protected].

Women

Abbey Golden, Director of Talent Identification on [email protected].

Academic Enquiries

Please contact Brian Haley at [email protected] for help with UK and UoG enrolment requirements and processes.  

Where do they play?

If students make the full academy program, they are eligible to play against other University teams.

The Men’s 1st team has recently been promoted to the 2nd tier of the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) league, having achieved the treble this year (League, Cup & Varsity).

On a weekend, our 1st team currently compete in the Herefordshire Premier Division and our Development Squad in the Hellenic 1st Division, with both teams challenging for promotion. Between the two squads also, we have reached three cup finals in the 2025/26 season.

Two football players side by side on a pitch chasing the ball, with one player in a light blue kit and the other in a dark kit.
Female football player in a University of Gloucestershire football kit striking a ball during a match on a grass pitch with spectators blurred in the background.

The women represent either the UoG 1st or 2nd team. The 1st team also currently compete in the 2nd tier of the BUCS league and are actively looking to gain promotion into the Premier Division. 

On a weekend, they represent Cheltenham Town Women’s Development Squad, in the Reserve Division of the Women’s National Football League (FAWNL Tier 3).

Full Academy Training Overview

  • Train from Sept to May (3 x training sessions per week)
  • One recovery session with strength and conditioning
  • 2 x games per week, Wednesday (BUCS league) and Saturday (Men) or Sunday (Women)
  • Player evaluation with Individual Player Assessment for specific areas of improvement
  • Individual and / or positional training sessions
  • Transport to and from game and training sites
  • Full off-field student support to ensure academic studies are on track
Male football player in a University of Gloucestershire football kit standing on a pitch, pointing with one arm, with blurred spectators in the background.
Credit: Morgan Turner-Green
A male football player wearing a light blue University of Gloucester kit raises both arms in celebration on a pitch, with another teammate standing close behind.
Credit: Morgan Turner-Green
Female football player wearing number 4 University of Gloucestershire kit.
Credit: Morgan Turner-Green

The UDA Pre-Academy Program At UOG

If you are looking for a program that helps you enjoy football while looking to improve your game, then consider the UDA at UoG pre-academy program. 

Any student not ready for the full academy is still eligible to trial for the University teams (ie entry into the pre-academy requires no evaluation prior to attending).

Students take part in pre-academy technical and tactical sessions within the academy training circuit to improve their skills and tactical understanding until they are ready to potentially enter the full academy.

In addition, they are eligible to trial for the UoG football teams (5 x Men’s & 2 x Women’s), which serve multiple levels and will play a series of small-sided games competitions to develop their tactical and skill development.

Pre Academy Training program

No pre-approval required.

Useful Links

UDA Soccer Academy at UoG

UDA Soccer Academy at UoG – Men’s Program

Photo Gallery

A group of female football players in light blue University of Gloucestershire kits, huddled together on a pitch with a goalpost in the background.
Eighteen male football players, wearing University of Gloucestershire kits, standing in two rows in front of a goal for a team photograph.
Two male football players in University of Gloucestershire football kits, standing close together on the pitch, with one player whispering to the other behind his hand.
Male football player wearing a light blue University of Gloucestershire kit with the number 11 on the back, standing on a pitch with a blurred goal and another player in the background; the player in colour contrasts against a mostly black-and-white scene.
A group of female football players in light blue University of Gloucestershire kits, huddled together on a pitch with a goalpost in the background.
Eighteen male football players, wearing University of Gloucestershire kits, standing in two rows in front of a goal for a team photograph.
Two male football players in University of Gloucestershire football kits, standing close together on the pitch, with one player whispering to the other behind his hand.
Male football player wearing a light blue University of Gloucestershire kit with the number 11 on the back, standing on a pitch with a blurred goal and another player in the background; the player in colour contrasts against a mostly black-and-white scene.

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Speak to our International Team in your country

https://www.glos.ac.uk/international/uda-football/