Football scholarships in UK are offered to student-athletes in the UK with exceptional academic and athletic performance and ability. Think you fit the criteria? Then waste no time and start applying for them.
Football is the most played, most popular, and most watched sport in the UK. Everyone knows that when it comes to football, the UK tops the list. They have the world’s most-watched league, the English Premier League (EPL), and some of the best football clubs in the world are also in the UK. Sports have a deeply ingrained culture in the UK and it is highly respected.
With such a rich football heritage, the UK is the best place in the world to play football as a student-athlete. There is a good chance you will be on a football scholarship and get the experience of a lifetime that will open you to a wealth of opportunities. The football scholarships in UK are mostly offered by UK universities to help outstanding athletes pay for their education whilst they represent the university in football competitions.
If you are torn between getting a degree or playing football, by receiving a football scholarship, you no longer have to choose between the two because now you can do both and perform efficiently. The universities offering football scholarships in the UK provide athletes with the perfect blend of academic pursuits and athletic excellence, fostering an atmosphere where football thrives and players can immerse themselves in the game they love.
At the end of your degree program, you will have a world-class degree that guarantees success if you decide to dive into the business world and also an option to become a professional football player. Whichever option you choose guarantees success and that is what the football scholarship does. So, if you are a talented football player, why don’t you take up this opportunity and begin a journey of guaranteed success?
You don’t have to go through the stress of looking for football scholarships in the UK as I have curated them here for you along with their respective information and direct application links. And if football is not your sport of interest, do not worry there are others and their resources are right here too. If it is swimming that interests you then go ahead and look at our previous post on the swimming scholarships in UK or if it is gymnastics, we have a recent article on gymnastics scholarships in UK.
Table of Contents
What is a Football Scholarship?
To observe clarity, a football scholarship is a non-refundable financial aid awarded by a college, university, or organization to a student-athlete who plays football while in a degree program. The scholarship is given to the student to cover the financial cost of their college education whilst they play football representing their respective institutions.
The scholarship is made available by universities to attract talented athletes who will put their school on the map for a strong athletic presence. The scholarship is also made available as a way of recognizing and rewarding young talents and also to encourage others who may have an interest in becoming student-athletes.
Types of Football Scholarships in UK
There are mainly two types of football scholarships in the UK, they are:
1. Full-ride Football Scholarship
This type of football scholarship offers funding that covers college tuition, feeding, accommodation, study materials, and other necessary expenses. In most cases, they are renewable each year and can cover for the entire duration of a student’s degree program.
If there is a renewal, there would be a requirement for the full-ride scholarship to be renewed. Failure to meet the requirement for renewal will terminate the scholarship.
2. Partial Football Scholarship
This type of football scholarship provides funding that covers only part of the college expenses requirements. It may or may not be renewable depending on the donor but if it is renewable then there will be some requirements attached to the renewal. In most cases, partial football scholarships only last for a year but then, you can always go from partial to a full-ride football scholarship.
Aside from the financial aid that football scholarships in the UK offer, there are also other perks and benefits that recipients of the scholarship can enjoy. They include:
- Access to top-notch facilities and coaching
- One-on-one mentorship and coaching
- Extra advice or guidance in balancing studies and sports activities
- Access to medical care, gym membership, and health centers.
Now, let’s look at the best football scholarships in the UK to help you choose the most suitable one.
List of Best Football Scholarships in UK
Football scholarships in the UK are not offered only by universities but also by other organizations and associations. These scholarships are listed below along with their respective details to help you find the best one for you.
The best football scholarships in the UK are:
- EMC Post 16 Football Scholarship Programme
- Eastleigh FC Scholarships
- Winning Students Football Scholarship
- The University of East London Sports Scholarships
- ULMS Women in Football Scholarship
- Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)
- Newcastle University Sports Scholarships and Funding
- Elite Athlete Scholarship
- BU Sport Scholarship
- Sean Dyche Family Scholarship
1. EMC Post 16 Football Scholarship Programme
This is one of the best football scholarships in the United Kingdom because it targets young talents from 16 to 19 years old and trains them with UEFA A standard coaches and former professional players daily while they complete a 2-year BTEC Sports qualification. The scholarship program is ideal for those at the grassroots looking to step up their game at the semi-professional or professional level.
Additional benefits from the EMC Post 16 Football Scholarship Programme include an international summer tour, a nutritional program for all players, a weights program for all players, and physio sessions. Players will also have the opportunity to do a work experience course with EMC Academy and be offered coaching opportunities on weekends. All players are required to keep up to date with their coursework to be eligible for training and fixtures.
2. Eastleigh FC Scholarships
Eastleigh Football Club has a football academy that reflects an ethos that combines the provision of football excellence with a full-time education. The club offers football scholarships through its academy from under 17s – under 19s. The scholarship is a 2/3 year, full-time education and football development program delivered in partnership with professional and non-league football clubs.
The players will initially study for 2 years on a BTEC Level 3 in Sport (Equivalent to 3 A levels). Players will also have the opportunity to access English and Math GCSE. The Eastleigh FC Scholarships have been running for seven years to help talented footballers make progress in their football careers, whilst continuing with their academic studies.
3. Winning Students Football Scholarship
The Winning Students Football Scholarship is a football scholarship in Scotland, UK. It is offered once a year and is worth £6,000. To be considered for the scholarship, you must be a member of the Scottish FA National Performance Centre at Herio-Watt University have represented Scotland at senior, U19, or U17 level, or have been selected by the Scottish FA as a player with the potential to represent Scotland in a major tournament in the future.
4. The University of East London Sports Scholarships
The University of East London has a football program that is ranked number one in BUCS points for universities in London. The university is proud of its high-performance football and offers scholarships to attract men and women who are at the top of their game to join the team while studying in a reputable degree program.
5. ULMS Women in Football Scholarship
The University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS) offers multiple football scholarships to women enrolled in the school’s MBA program whilst playing football for the school. The scholarship covers the cost of their MBA tuition fees and it is offered as full or part fee waivers.
To be eligible, you be in good academic standing holding at least a 2:1 in their undergraduate degree, and have 4 or more years of professional/managerial experience. There is no separate application for the scholarship.
6. Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)
TASS is a partnership between talented athletes, education institutions, and national governing bodies working together to bring the best out of the UK’s most exciting young talent in sports. The scholarship is spread across a variety of sports including Para-football, Diving, Rowing, Rugby, Women’s Football, etc. which makes students in football programs eligible to apply.
The football scholarship is delivered via UK universities. TASS typically supports athletes who are currently at the England U23-U19 level, either competing in the ETP Development League or for a WSL 2 Club. If you’re looking for football scholarships in the UK, you may want to consider TASS.
7. Newcastle University Sports Scholarships and Funding
Newcastle University funds the education of committed athletes across different sports offered at the university. If you play football, golf, tennis, volleyball, badminton, water polo, or hockey and have a track record of achievement then you can win a sports scholarship or funding at Newcastle University.
The sports scholarships and funding are offered annually, to be eligible, you must be a current student in any year of study, or an undergraduate or postgraduate applicant with a place at Newcastle University. Also, you must be a member of the National Governing Body’s (NGB) performance squads or equivalent. The funding is up to £5,000.
8. Elite Athlete Scholarship
The Elite Athlete Scholarship is offered by the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) a college of the University of East London. You must be a student of the university and part of the football team to be eligible for the Elite Athlete Scholarship. Also, you must have competed in football within your age group in the last two years to be considered. In addition to the scholarship, recipients will also receive a sports kit from UCFB and travel expenses.
The scholarship is divided into national level and regional level. The national level is for those who have represented their country or are part of a national development squad while the regional level is for those who participate in regional level football competitions.
9. BU Sport Scholarship
This is a general sports scholarship provided by the University of Bournemouth for sportsmen and women to apply for. It can be any sport at all including football, offering scholarship awards from £500 to £5,000. The BU Sport Scholarship is also recognized among the football scholarships in the UK since footballers are also eligible to apply.
The BU Sport Scholarship is for high-level athletes interested in studying at BU as undergraduate or postgraduate students. The scholarship is intended to equip you with the financial resources you’ll need to further your athletic ability. You can apply for up to £5,000 in funding, which you can use to pay for coaching, equipment, competition registration fees, travel expenses, and/or support services.
You must participate at a Regional, National, or International level and demonstrate excellence in your chosen sport (football). Athletes who receive a scholarship are expected to compete in the BUCS program and represent the university (League and Individual), at a regional, national, or international level, as well as themselves and/or their club. Individual athletes will also have to compete against the best BUCS athletes.
10. Sean Dyche Family Scholarship
Sean Dyche Family Scholarship is one of the football scholarships in the UK also provided by UCFB. All applicants with an offer to one of UCFB’s sports/football coaching and talent development undergraduate programs are eligible for the three-year scholarship supported by the Sean Dyche Family and UCFB.
Those who have worked in football coaching, player development, or operations are required to apply for this scholarship. Applicants will be able to demonstrate extraordinary abilities through academic or extracurricular achievements, as well as compelling displays of leadership, perseverance, and a dedication to equality, diversity, and inclusion principles. The scholarship is a one-year award worth up to £5,000 in the following format:
Year 1:
- £1,500 fee reduction
- £1,500 for professional football and coaching equipment or software
- £2,000 to assist with the costs of accommodation
Year 2:
- £1,500 fee reduction
- £1,500 for travel to conferences and degree-related trips and events (including GIS Global Sports Summits)
- £2,000 to assist with the costs of accommodation
Year 3:
- £1,500 fee reduction
- £1,500 for travel to conferences and degree-related trips and events (including GIS Global Sports Summits)
- £2,000 to assist with the costs of accommodation
Conclusion
Playing football at UK universities offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that blends academic pursuits with the thrill of the beautiful game. The passion for football in the UK, coupled with top-notch facilities and coaching, provides student-athletes with an optimal environment to develop their skills and reach new heights in their sporting journey.
Moreover, the opportunities for personal growth, exposure to professional football, and the creation of lasting friendships make the experience all the more rewarding. So, for those with a love for football and a thirst for knowledge, the UK’s university football scene beckons with open arms and endless possibilities.
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