Can I compete in the UK if I’ve used up my NCAA/NAIA eligibility?

You bet. American collegiate eligibility rules carry no weight once you leave the county. If you've exhausted your eligibility, played professionally, or are 90 years old, you can still compete legally in the UK’s BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) league. How refreshing.

How does the level of sport in the UK compare to the level in the US?

Similar to how comparing the level of competition between NCAA Divisions is not always black and white, it's difficult to compare the level of competition between countries. Whether your sport is stronger or weaker in the UK often depends on the popularity of your sport in Europe. For example, lacrosse and American football are developing sports and may be lower level in the UK than what you're accustomed to in the US. This would not be the case for sports like football (soccer), field hockey, or rugby.

How does the time commitment required for my sport in the UK compare to the time commitment required in the US?

99% of the time, your time commitment requried for your sport will be much less than what you are accumstomed to in the states. We often describe the commitment as more similar to Collegiate Club in America than NCAA or NAIA.

The British collegiate athletic culture is much more welcoming and participation-focused what we're used to in the states. If 50 women want to play volleyball, the University will create 4 teams, rather than cut dozens of players. Your sport commitments will likely be less No matter what sport you play, the time commitment required for your UK team will most likely be less strenuous than what your time commitment was for your NCAA team. Collegiate sports in the UK are comparable to Collegiate Club sports in America, and the environment tends to be more laid back. This, our friends, is something our TG graduate athletes tend to love.

Will I have time to travel as a full-time graduate student and athlete?

Yes. See above question for an explanation of why you'll have more time available for your studies and travel than you might think!

You will also have 3-4 weeks off in between terms around the Christmas and Easter holidays. These are great opportunities for you to travel for several weeks at a time with new course friends and teammates.

How do I know which University will be the best fit for me?

That is where we come in! Helping you undertand which universities you should consider is our jam.

When you see a University listed on our website, it means we've personally visited the University, walked around campus, met the staff in-person, and are trained on what athletic and academic programs are available. We use this expertise to make recommendations for you.

Once we have our 1:1 Kickoff Call and learn more about your unique background and future goals, we'll know within minutes which Universities would be a great fit for you. In the end, the decision on which University you attend is 100% yours.

What are the costs affiliated with TeamGLEAS?

Working with TeamGLEAS is completely free to student-athletes. It always has been and it always will be. However, whether you pursue your masters in the states or overseas, earning your maters degree will of course be a financial investment. The cost of your education (tuition fees + living expenses while abroad) is the only investment affiliated with TeamGLEAS.

How does the price of a masters in the UK compare to the price of a masters in the US?

We love this question and you’ll love our answer. On average, the price of a masters in the UK is half the price of a masters in the US. HALF!

The average masters degree in America costs $80,000 USD. The average masters degree in the UK costs $35,000-40,000 USD.

Why so affordable, you ask? Not only does a UK degree take half the amount of time, but annual tuition in the UK is also far more affordable than American tuition. This does not mean that the degree is less credible. The cost of tuition is just one of many examples of the differences between our countries' education systems.

Can I take out US Federal Aid to fund this experience?

Yes. 99% of our alumni funded their experience through US Federal Aid (Student Loans). The US Department of Education has assigned each of our universities a FAFSA School Code, which means Americans can take out US Federal Aid to go to college in the UK.

These loans can be applied to cover ALL expenses affiliated with your education, including tuition and living expenses.

A detailed explanation of which loans you can take out and how to take them out is available to TG recruits inside the private TeamGLEAS Community.

What types of scholarships are available?

Yes, there are sport and academic scholarships available in the UK, and the amounts and eligibility requirements vary by University.

There are no full sports scholarships.

Is a masters degree in the UK as credible as a masters degree in the US?

We love this question, too. YES! A masters in the UK is as credible and it will transfer back to the US. In fact, many TG alumni who earned degrees in the UK found their degree to be more credible and appealing than the one they would have earned from their home country.

Why? Because the personal qualities and characteristics developed by those who pursue an opportunity like this one are exactly what today's employers are seeking - globally minded, confident, independent, resilient, courageous, team-oriented, creative, and resourceful.

*As with all things in life, there are exceptions. If you are studying in a highly regulated industry like law, psychology, or education, speak with a professional in your industry to ensure your UK degree will meet the entry requirements for your future job.

Why does a masters from the UK only take one year?

Both bachelors degrees and masters degrees take less time to complete in the UK than in the US. A bachelors in the UK takes three years, while in the US it takes four. A masters in the UK takes one year, while in the US it takes two.

This is due to the varying approaches our countries take to higher education. Remember that class you took during your undergrad in America that had nothing to do with your degree?

That's not how it works in the UK.

When you study in the UK, you will only study material that is 100% relevant to your program. This is why British degrees take less time to complete. Makes sense to us!

What masters degrees can I pursue overseas?

Every and any masters degree you can imagine. Every subject that is available in the US is available in the UK.

What undergraduate GPA do I need in order to get accepted into one of your partner universities?

Just like in the US, the entry requirements vary by university. Some universities require a 2.8 GPA, while others require at least a 3.5 GPA.

As long as you have a 2.8 cumulative GPA or above, you are eligible for this opportunity.

*Admissions decisions are solely up to the Universities. TeamGLEAS makes no guarantee that you will be accepted.

Can admissions teams base their decision on my major GPA instead of my cumulative? My major GPA is stronger than my cumulative.

No. Admissions teams will only look at your cumulative GPA when making a decision on your application.

Does the fact that I’m an athlete increase my chances of getting accepted?

No. Universities in the UK prioritize academics over athletics, and do not lower entry requirements for athletes. Your athletic talent and background will not be taken into consideration by admissions teams.

Will I have health insurance while living in the UK?

Great question. The answer is yes. All international students who require a Student Visa are required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the visa application process. Your visa application will not even be processed without proof that you’ve paid this surcharge. The health surcharge guarantees you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) while living overseas.

How much does the immigration health surcharge cost?

For the 2023/24 academic year, international students studying in the UK for 6-12 months are required to pay £470, and students studying in the UK for 1-6 months are required to pay £235.

As a graduate student on a Student Visa, your visa will be valid for 17 months even though your course only lasts 12 months long. Therefore, you will be required to pay a health surcharge of £705 GBP (£470 for the first 12 months + £235 for the additional 5 months).

Click here to see how £705 GBP converts to USD based on today’s exchange rate.

Then, don't forget to divide the total by 17 months to understand what you're monthly cost actually is. In 2022, the average monthly cost of health insurance for an individual in America is roughly $438 USD. That really puts into perspective how affordable your health insurance in the UK is, and what a gift it is that you don't have to go about finding coverage on your own!

Do I need a student visa?

YES. If you are not from the UK and are studying on a full-time course longer than 6 months, you must obtain a Student Visa. The earliest you can apply for this visa is 6 months before your course starts (around March for courses starting in the Fall).

Before applying for your Student Visa, you must have:

• Decided what University you’re attending.

• Met all of the conditions of your offer, and accept your Unconditional Offer.

• Received your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from your University.

*Starting in 2021, students from the European Union must now apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK.

How much does a Student Visa cost?

The cost of a Student Visa for international students studying in the UK during the 2023/24 academic year was £363 GBP. As soon as we have the updated price for the 2024/25 academic year, we will share it. Click here to see how £363 GBP converts to USD based on today’s exchange rate.

Will TeamGLEAS guide me through the Student Visa application?

You bet. In fact, this is one of the steps we’re most excited to guide you through because we understand (and remember!) how confusing it is to complete alone.

Free resources and guides are available to all TG recruits inside our private TeamGLEAS Community.

Can I work while studying in the UK?

Yes. All international students studying in the UK on a Student Visa are eligible to work part-time.

Do I have to be an athlete in order to work with TeamGLEAS?

Nope. We are more than happy to help students who are not interested in competing. Whether you are a general student who stumbled on TeamGLEAS and would like our assistance, or your're a student-athlete who originially though you'd like to ccontinue competing, but then realized that maybe you'd rather just study and explore, we're here to help!

The process is the same - we just won't take sports into consideration when helping you select your University, and we'll only introduce you to International Office staff members rather than IO staff and Sport Department staff.