Taking the UK University Sport Conversation to Schools Across Dubai and Building New Connections
The UAE has become one of The Student Sport Company’s most established international markets, with a growing number of student-athletes from schools across the country using our free service to explore opportunities within UK university sport.
Ahead of the new academic year, and with students beginning to consider their university options for September 2027, our Director, Harry Newton, spent time in Dubai meeting careers and university counselling teams at some of the city’s leading international schools.
During the trip, Harry visited a range of schools including Repton School Dubai, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha, The English College Dubai, GEMS World Academy – Dubai, and Dubai British School Emirates Hills.
The visits provided an opportunity to discuss UK university sport pathways, share more about the support available through The Student Sport Company and deliver resources that schools can use with their students and families throughout the coming academic year.
Supporting Student-Athletes in Dubai and the UAE
Every year, The Student Sport Company supports student-athletes from around the world who want to combine their university education with competitive sport in the UK.
The UAE has become an increasingly important part of that work, with its international schools home to students from a wide range of nationalities and sporting backgrounds.
While many students and families are familiar with the academic routes into UK universities, the opportunities available through UK university sport can often be less well understood.
With UK universities offering different sports, competitive standards, recruitment pathways and sport scholarship opportunities, it can be difficult for students to understand which institutions are best suited to both their academic and sporting profile.
The Student Sport Company provides free, individual support to help student-athletes navigate this process. Our team works with students to understand their academic background, sporting ability and future ambitions before helping them explore suitable UK universities, communicate with university coaches and understand potential sport scholarship opportunities.
Working Alongside International School Counsellors
A major focus of the Dubai visit was spending time with the careers and university counselling professionals who support students through some of their most important educational decisions.
Our aim is not to replace the work of school counsellors, but to provide specialist knowledge whenever sport becomes an important factor in a student’s university decision.
By working together, school counsellors can continue to guide students academically while our team helps them understand the UK university sporting landscape and communicate with relevant university sports programmes.
Speaking about the visit, Harry Newton, Director of The Student Sport Company, said:
“Dubai and the wider UAE have become incredibly important to our work, and we have been fortunate to support a growing number of student-athletes from schools across the country as they explore and progress into UK university sport.
One of the things we regularly find is that students and families know a great deal about studying in the UK, but don’t always realise how many opportunities exist to continue competing in their sport alongside their degree.
Spending time with careers and university counselling teams allows us to explain that pathway and, importantly, make sure they know that specialist support is available whenever they have a student whose sport could influence their university decision.
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with me during the trip. We’re looking forward to building on these relationships and supporting more student-athletes from across the UAE in the years ahead.”
Sharing Our Materials: Building Relationships Across Dubai and the UAE
During the visits, Harry was also able to share a growing range of resources developed specifically for international schools.
These materials cover the UK university sport pathway from a number of different angles, with resources designed for counsellors, students and families at different stages of the process.
From introductions to UK university sport and guidance on the recruitment process to dedicated resources covering specific opportunities and pathways, our library continues to grow as we work with more international schools, giving counsellors practical materials they can share directly with students and families.
Our Resources are FREE for Schools!
All of these resources are available to schools free of charge and can be shared digitally or as physical copies for students and families. To request a resource or learn more about what we have available, email us at sport@studentsportcompany.com.
Applying to a UK University for September 2027?
With the 2026/27 school year beginning, many students are now starting to consider their university options for September 2027.
For student-athletes, beginning those conversations early can be particularly valuable.
It provides more time to understand the UK university sporting landscape, identify institutions offering the right combination of academic and sporting opportunities, communicate with university coaches and explore any potential scholarship support.
Students considering September 2027 entry can register directly with The Student Sport Company for free, individual guidance based on their academic background, sporting ability and future ambitions.
