Discover why three former NCAA tennis players chose to continue their student-athlete careers in the UK after graduation.
For many college tennis players, graduation can feel like the end of their competitive journey. But for former NCAA athletes, the UK offers a different pathway: the chance to study for a master’s degree while continuing to train and compete at university level.
We recently caught up with three former NCAA tennis players currently based in the UK to discuss why they chose to extend their student-athlete journeys overseas and how Play Overseas helped make the transition possible.
Featuring Nika, Oliver and Eva, this video offers a first-hand look at life as a postgraduate student-athlete in the UK, from competing in university tennis to balancing sport with a master’s degree.
Meet the Players
Although their journeys began at different universities in the United States, all three players chose to continue competing and studying in the UK with the support of Play Overseas.
Nika Beukers
Oliver Winterhagen
Eva Golembiovski
Why Former NCAA Tennis Players Are Choosing the UK
For players who are not ready to step away from their sport, the pathway can offer the best of both worlds: another season of competitive tennis, a new international experience, and the opportunity to complete a master’s degree in just one year.
Continued Athletic Eligibility
Your college career does not have to end after senior year!
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Continued Athletic Eligibility
Your college career does not have to end after senior year!
Unlike the NCAA, previous years of competition in the United States do not impact a student-athlete’s eligibility within UK university sport.
This means graduating seniors can continue competing while studying for their master’s degree in the UK.
Every year, former NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA and NJCAA athletes continue their sporting careers at UK universities across a wide range of sports.
One Year Master’s Degrees
Earn your master’s in just 12 months!
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One Year Master’s Degrees
Earn your master’s in just 12 months!
One of the biggest advantages of studying in the UK is that most postgraduate degrees can be completed in just 12 months.
This allows student-athletes to continue competing while gaining an internationally recognised qualification in a shorter timeframe than many equivalent programs in the United States.
There are hundreds of postgraduate course options available, including MBA Programs, Sport Management, Engineering, Business, Psychology, Data Science, Marketing, and many more.
Postgraduate Athletic Scholarships
Use your US college athletic experience to lower your tuition costs!
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Postgraduate Athletic Scholarships
Use your US college athletic experience to lower your tuition costs!
Many UK universities offer postgraduate scholarships to talented former college athletes.
These scholarships can help reduce tuition costs while giving athletes the opportunity to continue training and competing at a high level.
Scholarship opportunities vary depending on the university, sport and athletic level of the student-athlete.
High Level UK University Sport
Compete in a serious, competitive college sport environment!
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High Level UK University Sport
Compete in a serious, competitive college sport environment!
When studying in the UK, former NCAA and NAIA student-athletes have the opportunity to compete within British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), the national governing body for university sport in the UK, while also potentially competing for external club teams alongside their university commitments.
Student-athletes regularly compete alongside and against former US college athletes, elite British athletes and international students from countries all over the world, creating a highly competitive and globally diverse sporting environment.
Many UK universities continue to invest heavily in facilities, coaching staff and performance sport environments, helping student-athletes continue competing at a high level while completing their postgraduate degree.
How Play Overseas Supports the Process
Moving from college tennis in the US to university tennis in the UK can feel like a big step, especially when comparing universities, speaking with coaches, understanding offers and preparing for the visa process.
Play Overseas helps former college athletes understand their available opportunities, connect with UK university coaches, compare options clearly and receive support throughout the application and pre-arrival process.
Our team helps student-athletes:
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Discover UK University Options |
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Connect with University Coaches and Staff |
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Identify Scholarship Opportunities |
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Navigate Postgraduate Applications |
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Understand the UK Student Visa Process |
Ready to Follow in Their Footsteps?
If you are a graduating senior, recent graduate or former college athlete interested in exploring postgraduate opportunities in the UK, we would love to hear from you.
You can begin your recruitment process by creating a free Play Overseas profile below, or schedule a call with our team directly to learn more about your opportunities in the UK.
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