BRINGING TOGETHER EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION & FOOTBALL
Aberystwyth University and Aberystwyth Town Football Club have developed a partnership, Aberystwyth International Football Academy (AIFA), to enable international students to study and improve their football (soccer) skills, or pursue a professional football career at the same time as completing their UK Undergraduate Degree.
You will receive coaching from Licensed coaches thanks to our partnership with Welsh Premier League Club Aberystwyth Town Football Club - a team who in 2014/15 season were competing in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.
AIFA - which runs men’s and women’s teams - offers a large range of Bachelors and Masters degrees across Business and Sports, making sure that you graduate with greater opportunities on and off the soccer field.
OUR TEAM
MIKE PRYCE - HEAD OF RECRUITMENT
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With a multitude of partnership working and project management experience gained in the public, private and voluntary sectors in England, Scotland and Wales spanning more than a decade Mike Pryce is equipped to offer added values such as employability and individualized career support to students, recruitment, consultancy and commercial advice/guidance for key decision makers and strategic partners as well as services for academy and professional footballers at PES FOOTBALL AGENCY- a licensed intermediary of the English Football Association with registration number IMSC00391
ENOCH SHOWUNMI - INTERNATIONAL PARTNER
Enoch Showunmi is a former professional soccer player who has played as a striker for the likes of Leeds United FC, Luton Town FC, Bristol City FC and the Nigeria national soccer team over the course of his 12-season career.
Now based in Naples, Florida, Enoch is the founder of Global Soccer Pathways, an elite soccer development program for student athletes. He joins Aberystwyth International Football Academy as an International Partner with extensive knowledge of football and education, having graduated from Leeds Beckett University in 2011 with an MSc in Finance. Enoch is available for 1-to-1 consultations to discuss your opportunities to play soccer in the UK, while studying for a degree.
YOUR FOOTBALL ACADEMY EXPERIENCE
Minimum
10 hours
soccer activity a week, modelled on Premier League coaching, training and philosophy
Full soccer season with multiple games, running from September to April
Training delivered by elite, UEFA licensed coaches from Welsh Premier League club Aberystwyth Town
Opportunity to represent Aberystwyth Town FC once course is completed.
Mentoring, support for all players and Player Development Evaluations throughout the program while playing in tier 3 and tier 4 league in Wales
All home games played at the Park Avenue stadium in Aberystwyth.
ABOUT ABERYSTWYTH TOWN F.C.
Aberystwyth Town FC is a semi-professional football team, currently playing in the Cymru Premier, the top tier of football in Wales. The club was founded in 1884 and plays at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, where the ground accommodates 5,000 spectators with 1,000 of that capacity seated. The club is one of the founding member of the Cymru Premier.
The club's youth team, Aberystwyth Town Under 19's, currently play in the Welsh Premier Development League – South, whilst the Ladies team play in the Welsh Premier Women's League. The club has an academy, which has produced many players that have played for the first team and some that have gone on to play at higher levels.
ABOUT ABERYSYTWYTH UNIVERSITY
Established in 1872, as the first University College in Wales, Aberystwyth University is one of the UK’s most important institutions. It’s reputation for research power, teaching excellence, graduate employability and it’s unbelievable location are what set it apart from other universities.
The University prides itself on being ranked #1 in the UK for Teaching Quality*. Teaching is directly informed by cutting-edge research; includes a strong focus on developing professional skills; and a high staff-student ratio means every student has the support they need to succeed. 97% of our graduates are in employment or further study within 6 months, and Student Satisfaction is higher than at any other UK University**.
*The Times & Sunday Times: Good University Guide 2021
** The Times & Sunday Times: Good University Guide 2021
Through the Aberystwyth International Football Academy, students can study any undergraduate degree program offered by Aberystwyth University, but must meet the usual entry requirements for that program. See below for more details on how to apply.
PRICING
The total cost of the Aberystwyth International Football Academy depends on your level of study. The cost includes your university tuition, your accommodation fees, and your coaching program
Tuition
Undergraduate: Between £14,000 & £16,000
Football Program
£6,000
TOTAL PER YEAR
Undergraduate £20,000 (Approx $22,500)*
Additional Costs
Student Visa: £350 Health Insurance: £1,500
*The exchange rate from GBP to USD is subject to change. The dollar amount displayed is an approximate amount. The tuition fees indicated above are for US students.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
SOCCER PROGRAM
The cost of your Soccer Academy program will be £6,000 per year.
This includes training delivered by an elite coaching team who are all qualified to UEFA Pro or UEFA A License levels. You will receive a minimum of 10 hours of soccer activity per week, modeled on Premier League training and philosophy, and hands-on mentoring and support from the coaching team.
The program includes showcase fixtures against other academy teams, games at the stadium in Welsh tier 4 league as well as university games. You will also receive Aberystwyth training wear, a match uniform, and bag.
ACCOMMODATION
As part of the Aberystwyth International Football Academy, students can to live on the Aberystwyth University campus, or there are various private accommodation options within the town itself.
Find out more about Accommodation Options.
All international students are eligible for the International Accommodation Award, which provides on-campus accommodation at no extra cost, or with a £2,000 discount
COST
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International Tuition Fees at Aberystwyth University are between £14,000 and £16,000 per year (undergraduate programmes in the UK are 3 years);
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Football Academy Fees are £6,000 per year;
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Accommodation Fees depend on your choice of accommodation, but all international students are eligible for the International Accommodation Award, which provides on-campus accommodation at no extra cost, or with a £2,000 discount;
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PES career consultation fee approximate cost of £99;
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Student Visa tends to cost around £350;
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Healthcare surcharge will also cost around £1,500 for the full 3 years
FIRST TEAM OPPORTUNITY
"I was in my country, Holland, looking for the right opportunity for my football career and my parents wanted me to go to university but all I want to do is train everyday, play football at a high level and make my parents happy when I graduate with my degree. I contacted Pro Ethical Sports Management who completed a consultation with me and my family. PES gave me very good advice and then me and my family decided to join the Aberystwyth Town Football Club Academy and Aberystwyth University.
Since being here in a new country I have really enjoyed my experience, training many times with the first team and I play games for the Under 19 Academy. The Manager has included me on the bench for Cymru Premier League matches and If I keep working hard and developing into a better player when I finish my university I will have the opportunity to be signed with the first team for 2 years to continue my professional football career". - Keurten Martha (May, 2021)
HOW TO APPLY
