We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Ultimate Athletics UAE, creating a trusted pathway for athletes who want to combine their education with competitive sport in the UK.
Through the partnership, athletes and families connected with Ultimate Athletics will receive free, personalised support when exploring UK schools, universities, sporting programmes and scholarship opportunities.
The partnership will provide athletes with specialist guidance throughout the recruitment journey, from understanding their initial options through to applications, university enrolment and the student visa process.
About Ultimate Athletics UAE
Founded in 2015, Ultimate Athletics is an established track and field academy supporting athletes across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Its coaching programmes support athletes at every stage of their development, from young athletes learning the fundamentals of running, jumping and throwing through to experienced competitors pursuing elite performance goals.
Ultimate Athletics provides specialist coaching across a wide range of track and field disciplines, including sprints, middle-distance running, hurdles, jumps and throws.
By partnering with The Student Sport Company, Ultimate Athletics can now provide its athletes with a direct route to specialist advice about combining their sporting ambitions with education in the UK.
How The Student Sport Company will support Ultimate Athletics UAE athletes
The Student Sport Company has helped student-athletes from more than 60 countries explore opportunities to study and compete in the UK.
As part of this partnership, Ultimate Athletics athletes will have access to a completely free recruitment service, including support with:
Every athlete will receive individual guidance based on their academic background, sporting level, preferred course, budget and long-term ambitions. The aim is not simply to provide athletes with a list of universities.
The Student Sport Company will help each athlete understand the complete academic and sporting experience available, including the standard of the programme, the coaching environment, training expectations, competition opportunities and any potential sports scholarships.
The partnership will support athletes considering several different UK pathways:
Boarding Schools
UK boarding school opportunities for younger student-athletes.
Undergraduate Degrees
Continue training and competing alongside your undergraduate studies.
Postgraduate Degrees
One-year master's degrees for graduates, including former collegiate athletes looking to continue competing.
A Shared Commitment to Athlete Development
The partnership brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to helping athletes make informed decisions about their future.
Ultimate Athletics will help make its athletes and families aware of the opportunities available through UK education and university sport. The Student Sport Company will then provide the specialist recruitment knowledge, university relationships and individual support required to explore those opportunities properly.
The two organisations will also collaborate on webinars, educational resources and information sessions designed specifically for Ultimate Athletics athletes and their families.
Harry Newton, Director of The Student Sport Company, said:
“Over recent years, our service has become increasingly popular with schools, athletes and families across the UAE.
Working with an established sports organisation such as Ultimate Athletics is the natural next step in our work across the region. This partnership will help ensure that talented athletes are aware of the opportunities available to continue their sporting careers alongside their education in the UK.
We are really looking forward to working with Lisa and the Ultimate Athletics team and supporting their athletes as they explore their future options.”
Lisa Campbell, Founder of Ultimate Athletics UAE, said:
“We are excited to partner with The Student Sport Company to provide our athletes with direct access to specialist guidance on studying and competing in the UK.
Navigating university sports applications can be overwhelming, so having a trusted team to guide our families through courses, scholarship options, and admissions ensures our athletes are fully supported every step of the way.”
Supporting Students Applying for 2027 Entry
The partnership begins at an important point in the recruitment calendar, with many students across the UAE currently preparing their UCAS applications for 2027 entry.
Athletes do not need to wait until after submitting their application to begin exploring their sporting opportunities.
Speaking with university coaches before making final university choices can help an athlete understand the standard of the programme, how regularly they will train, the competition opportunities available and whether they may be considered for a sports scholarship.
Any Ultimate Athletics athlete currently considering UK study is encouraged to begin the conversation as early as possible. The Student Sport Company can arrange an introductory meeting with the athlete and their family to understand their academic and sporting ambitions and explain how the free service can support them.
