From NCAA to England’s domestic football pyramid, discover how Sydney Schenk turned graduation into the start of an unforgettable new chapter.
For many US college soccer players, graduation feels like the end of the road. Four years of college soccer come to an end, eligibility runs out, and for many players, so does the opportunity to compete at a high level.
But it doesn’t have to.
Every year, more US college soccer players are discovering a different pathway after graduation, one that allows them to earn a master’s degree in the UK while continuing to play competitive soccer for another season.
Better still, many student-athletes have the opportunity to play for both their UK university and an external club within England’s domestic football pyramid, creating the unique opportunity to extend their playing careers across two competitive seasons while gaining valuable experience in the English game.
Sydney’s Journey To The UKFor Sydney Schenk, graduating from Case Western Reserve University in Spring 2025 wasn’t the end of her soccer story. The Illinois native developed into one of the Spartans’ key players during a four-year NCAA Division III career, making 62 appearances, scoring 10 goals, and earning All-University Athletic Association honours as a senior. Determined to continue competing after graduation, Sydney made the move to England in Fall 2025, where she embarked on the next chapter of her student-athlete journey. |
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Sydney’s Story, In Her Own Words
In the video below, Sydney shares why she decided to move to the UK, what the transition from US college soccer was really like, and how another year of competitive soccer alongside a master’s degree became a reality.
Highlights from Sydney’s Postgraduate Year Overseas
Sydney’s postgraduate year overseas proved just how much can be achieved in a single season.
Alongside studying for her master’s degree, she played an important role in her university’s successful campaign, helping the team lift the league title before taking the next step into England’s domestic football pyramid with Bradford City AFC Women.
Relive some of the standout moments from an unforgettable chapter of her student-athlete journey below.
Divisional UK University Soccer ChampionsAlongside pursuing her master’s degree in Biomechanics of Human Movement, Sydney quickly established herself within one of the UK’s most competitive university soccer environments. Representing her university in BUCS (the UK’s equivalent to the NCAA), she helped her team capture the Women’s Northern Tier 1 title. |
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Signing with Bradford City Women’s FCOne of the unique advantages of the UK pathway is the opportunity to represent both your university and an external club simultaneously. Just a month after arriving in England, Sydney signed for Bradford City AFC Women, giving her the chance to experience another level of competition within England’s domestic football pyramid. |
First Overseas Hat-TrickSydney wasted little time making her mark in English soccer. On 26 October 2025, she scored her first overseas hat-trick as Bradford City defeated Sunderland West End, marking a memorable milestone during her first season abroad. |
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Promotion with Bradford CityHer impressive overseas campaign concluded with another major achievement as her 11 goals in 16 appearances helped Bradford City lift the North East Regional Women’s Football League title and secure promotion back to the FA Women’s National League. |
Finding the Right Fit With Play Overseas
Working closely with Play Overseas, Sydney was introduced to a number of universities across the UK, each offering a different combination of academic programmes, scholarship opportunities and basketball environments.
With interest coming from multiple universities, we helped Sydney to:
Discover UK University Options
Connect with University Coaches and Staff
Identify Postgraduate Scholarship Opportunities
Navigate Postgraduate Applications
Understand the UK Student Visa Process
From identifying the best postgraduate fit and managing her UK university application to supporting her transition to England, Play Overseas guided Sydney through every stage of the process, making the move overseas as straightforward as possible.
“It was so easy to reach out and get quick responses. I always felt like if I had any question, no matter how small or silly, I could shoot it their way and get an answer quickly.”
Ready for Your Own Overseas Journey?
From winning silverware and scoring memorable goals to experiencing a new country and helping Bradford City secure promotion back to the FA Women’s National League, Sydney embraced every opportunity her year in the UK had to offer.
If you’re interested in playing another season while pursuing a master’s degree and experiencing life in a new country, we’re here to help.
We offer a FREE service, helping former student-athletes identify postgraduate scholarship opportunities, connect with coaches and find universities that match their academic and athletic goals.
Start exploring your options today!
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