Congratulations on officially being offered a spot to join the UDA Soccer Academy at the University of Chester. We are excited to welcome you into our program and we look forward to helping you achieve your goals both academically and on the soccer field.
Now that you have been offered a roster spot, it is now time for you to start your official application. Please note; just because you have been offered a spot to join the UDA Soccer Academy, this does not mean you have been accepted into the University. You will need to apply to the university following the steps below.
Now that you have been offered a roster spot, it is now time for you to start your official application. Please note; just because you have been offered a spot to join the UDA Soccer Academy, this does not mean you have been accepted into the University. You will need to apply to the university following the steps below.
How to accept your offer to join the UDA Soccer Academy
- Receive a verbal offer from a member of the UDA recruiting team
- Receive an email offer with the link to this page - you're on your way!!
- Receive your official contract to join the UDA Soccer Academy.
- Sign, return and pay your $1300 deposit to lock in your roster spot. *** Fully refundable if your application to join the university if not approved***
Once these steps are completed, your roster spot into the academy is secure. Congratulations!
Steps required to be accepted as a University of Chester student
Requirements to apply:
Note: In the UK, university degrees are typically completed in three years. With this in mind, there are no Gen Ed requirements, students enter straight into their major. It is very important that you have on your transcript AP, Honors or college credit in the degree area you wish to study. For example, if you are wanting to study business then you might look to take courses in economics, accounting, finance, marketing etc. For additional guidance on what classes to consider taking, please email Dr. Brian Haley at bhaley@udauk.org.
- To be accepted into the University of Chester you will need a minimum GPA of 2.8. However, we typically look for our players to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. If you can successfully achieve a 3.2 or higher GPA, you could be eligible for an academic scholarship.
- In addition to GPA requirements the University of Chester will accept different academic pathways that include ONE of the following: either ACT (21), SAT Scores (1150), college credit classes, AP classes or honors classes.
Note: In the UK, university degrees are typically completed in three years. With this in mind, there are no Gen Ed requirements, students enter straight into their major. It is very important that you have on your transcript AP, Honors or college credit in the degree area you wish to study. For example, if you are wanting to study business then you might look to take courses in economics, accounting, finance, marketing etc. For additional guidance on what classes to consider taking, please email Dr. Brian Haley at bhaley@udauk.org.
Steps to take to start your UoC application
You do not need to upload all documentation at once, your application will be saved. Take your time and make sure everything is correct and up to date with new information as you receive it.
Step 1: Typically starting in September
Academic Application open September 1st: Please use the AMIS app to start your online application. AIMS online application.
***Important
Make sure you choose a degree track (course) that you want to study- you cannot change your course selection once you are admitted to the university so it is really important that we get this correct. It is also important to ensure that the course you pick is being offered at the Queens Park or Exton Park (Parkgate Road). Courses in Shrewsbury and Warrington are not conveniently located for your UDA training commitments. Look carefully over the course selection at Chester - there are many options. Academic Courses.
Step 2: Typically after receiving your offer to join the UDA Academy
You will need to schedule an interview with the admissions office at Chester. To do this, please email Holly Shepherd h.shepherd@chester.ac.uk.
When meeting with Holly please make it clear that you are a UDA player and that your academic application needs to be tagged as such. This will help UDA and the university keep track of your application process. This is a very important step in the application process so please email Holly asap.
Step 3: Typically completed before November 1st
Complete and upload all documentations required - Upload what you have and then upload additional documentations as you receive it.
Step 4: Typically completed Before April 1st
After you have uploaded all of your documentation, you will receive a conditional letter of acceptance to the university. This offer will outline any outstanding documentation to complete your application.
Step 5: Typically completed May/June
As soon as you have them, upload your final transcripts to your AIMS portal. These will likely become available once your school year is completed.
Step 6: Typically June
Attend the UDA orientation weekend to meet the coaches, academic staff and your future team mates! More information will be sent to you via email. At the Orientation you will also be invited to join the UDA team app which is the main form of communication for players and families once the season/semester commences.
Step 7: Typically completed June/July
Once you have sent in your final transcripts and fixed any requests from the school, you will receive an unconditional offer letter from the University. Congratulations you are officially accepted!
Step 8: Typically July
You will now need to pay your tuition deposit to the University of Chester. Once this has been paid you will begin the visa application process and can apply for housing. The university will send you a CAS (Confirmed Acceptance of Study) number. You will need your CAS number to apply for your visa. For further information please contact Holly Shepherd at h.shepherd@chester.ac.uk.
**The visa process can take 3-5 weeks depending where you live**
Step 9: Typically July/August
As part of your visa application process you will be required to attend a biometric appointment for your visa. All information is on the CAS form you received from the University.
Step 10: September
Congratulations, it's now time to arrive on campus and begin your life as a UDA soccer player and student!
Step 1: Typically starting in September
Academic Application open September 1st: Please use the AMIS app to start your online application. AIMS online application.
***Important
Make sure you choose a degree track (course) that you want to study- you cannot change your course selection once you are admitted to the university so it is really important that we get this correct. It is also important to ensure that the course you pick is being offered at the Queens Park or Exton Park (Parkgate Road). Courses in Shrewsbury and Warrington are not conveniently located for your UDA training commitments. Look carefully over the course selection at Chester - there are many options. Academic Courses.
Step 2: Typically after receiving your offer to join the UDA Academy
You will need to schedule an interview with the admissions office at Chester. To do this, please email Holly Shepherd h.shepherd@chester.ac.uk.
When meeting with Holly please make it clear that you are a UDA player and that your academic application needs to be tagged as such. This will help UDA and the university keep track of your application process. This is a very important step in the application process so please email Holly asap.
Step 3: Typically completed before November 1st
Complete and upload all documentations required - Upload what you have and then upload additional documentations as you receive it.
- Personal statement - see guidelines below
Letter of recommendation - see guidelines below - Unofficial transcript to date
- SAT scores / ACT scores
- Passport photo
Step 4: Typically completed Before April 1st
After you have uploaded all of your documentation, you will receive a conditional letter of acceptance to the university. This offer will outline any outstanding documentation to complete your application.
Step 5: Typically completed May/June
As soon as you have them, upload your final transcripts to your AIMS portal. These will likely become available once your school year is completed.
Step 6: Typically June
Attend the UDA orientation weekend to meet the coaches, academic staff and your future team mates! More information will be sent to you via email. At the Orientation you will also be invited to join the UDA team app which is the main form of communication for players and families once the season/semester commences.
Step 7: Typically completed June/July
Once you have sent in your final transcripts and fixed any requests from the school, you will receive an unconditional offer letter from the University. Congratulations you are officially accepted!
Step 8: Typically July
You will now need to pay your tuition deposit to the University of Chester. Once this has been paid you will begin the visa application process and can apply for housing. The university will send you a CAS (Confirmed Acceptance of Study) number. You will need your CAS number to apply for your visa. For further information please contact Holly Shepherd at h.shepherd@chester.ac.uk.
**The visa process can take 3-5 weeks depending where you live**
Step 9: Typically July/August
As part of your visa application process you will be required to attend a biometric appointment for your visa. All information is on the CAS form you received from the University.
Step 10: September
Congratulations, it's now time to arrive on campus and begin your life as a UDA soccer player and student!
Loans
If you are planning on applying for loans, secure your loans - : University of Chester's school FAFSA code is 041709.
Personal Statement GuidelineS
Write a personal statement that reflects the reasons why you have dedicated yourself to study the course at UoChester. Look carefully at the modules within the degree they offer and discuss how this connects with you and your career aspirations. Please make sure Brian gets a chance to read that personal statement before you submit it. You can email it to him at bhaley@udauk.org.
It should be a mim of 500 words - preferably 700 words. It needs to answer the following; why you want to study in the UK (don't mention soccer), why you have picked the course you are studying; look at the modules in your course and discuss which ones are attractive for you; how does the course you are studying relate to career aspirations.
It should be a mim of 500 words - preferably 700 words. It needs to answer the following; why you want to study in the UK (don't mention soccer), why you have picked the course you are studying; look at the modules in your course and discuss which ones are attractive for you; how does the course you are studying relate to career aspirations.
Letter of Recommendation Guidelines
Your letter of recommendation should be from a teacher, NOT a soccer coach. Your recommendation letter needs to be on headed school paper and it needs to be signed. Once completed, ask them to send it to you for you to upload to your AMIS portal.
Got Questions?
Please review the Questions and Answers. If your questions are still not answered please email:
For Soccer Questions - Jay Sparrow - jsparrow@udauk.org
For Academic/application questions - Brian Haley bhaley@udauk.org
For UDA deposit payment questions - Jeff Thompson - jthompson@udauk.org
For Visa questions - Holly Shepherd - h.shepherd@chester.ac.uk
For Accomodation questions - Holly Shepherd - h.shepherd@chester.ac.uk
All other questions please email - Brian Haley bhaley@udauk.org
For Soccer Questions - Jay Sparrow - jsparrow@udauk.org
For Academic/application questions - Brian Haley bhaley@udauk.org
For UDA deposit payment questions - Jeff Thompson - jthompson@udauk.org
For Visa questions - Holly Shepherd - h.shepherd@chester.ac.uk
For Accomodation questions - Holly Shepherd - h.shepherd@chester.ac.uk
All other questions please email - Brian Haley bhaley@udauk.org
