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For the past ten years, Platform Sports has worked closely with student athletes and their families to navigate the United States college system. We have helped athletes understand eligibility, build the right profiles, connect with coaches, and ultimately secure opportunities that align with both their sport and their education.
Now, we are opening a second international pathway.
Through a new partnership with the Student Sport Company, Platform Sports is expanding into the United Kingdom, giving athletes the option to pursue university sport and degrees in the UK with the same level of guidance and support they expect from us.
This is not about replacing the US pathway. It is about offering choice.
For some athletes, the United States remains the right fit. For others, the UK offers a better balance of academics, sport, time commitment, and long term outcomes. Our role is to help families understand the difference and make an informed decision based on what actually suits the athlete.
The UK university system offers a different structure to the US, both academically and athletically. Degrees are typically completed in three years, which can reduce overall cost and time spent studying. Universities compete in a national league system that is structured, competitive, and well resourced.
Many athletes train and compete at a high level while studying at universities that are globally recognised for academic excellence. For the right athlete, this can be a strong alternative to the NCAA route.
Until now, this pathway has been less visible to international families. Our partnership with the Student Sport Company changes that.
Founded in 2016, the Student Sport Company specialises in helping international athletes gain entry to UK universities where they can study and compete in sport. They work directly with universities, coaches, performance sport staff, and admissions teams across the country.
They are a registered UCAS centre and support athletes throughout the entire process, from initial conversations to arriving on campus. That includes academic guidance, applications, coach introductions, and practical support around housing and visas.
Together, Platform Sports and the Student Sport Company provide end to end support that mirrors the structure families are familiar with in the US process, but adapted to the UK system.
University sport in the UK is governed by British Universities and Colleges Sport, known as BUCS. It is the national competition framework for higher education sport, with thousands of teams competing across dozens of sports.
Athletes compete in structured leagues and national championships, earning points for their universities throughout the season. The environment is competitive, organised, and performance focused, while still allowing athletes to prioritise their academic commitments.
Sports offered include football, rugby, golf, athletics, tennis, swimming, basketball, rowing, volleyball, cycling, cricket, lacrosse, esports, and many others.
This expansion gives families clarity and optionality.
Some athletes thrive in the US system. Others benefit from the shorter degrees, different competition structure, or academic focus offered in the UK. There is no one size fits all answer.
Our job is to help athletes understand where they will actually develop, compete, and enjoy their university experience, rather than chasing a name or a logo that may not serve them long term.
Athletes begin their journey with Platform Sports, where we assess their academic background, sporting level, and long term goals. From there, we build their profile and prepare the information coaches need to evaluate them properly.
The Student Sport Company then manages introductions to UK universities and coaches, supports UCAS applications, and guides families through offers, decisions, and preparation for departure.
Platform Sports remains involved throughout the journey, providing continuity, context, and support as athletes transition into university life.
It reflects what families are asking for and what athletes need more of, which is clarity, choice, and guidance that is based on fit rather than prestige.
Wherever an athlete chooses to study and compete, our role stays the same. We help them make informed decisions and support them through every stage of the journey.
If you are considering your options for university sport and want to understand whether the US or UK pathway is right for you, we are here to have that conversation.
The goal is simple. Choose the pathway that fits the athlete, then build the plan to make it happen.
