THE ORIGINAL RIASA PROGRAMME

RIASA LEEDS

THE ORIGINAL COLLEGE-SOCCER PROGRAMME

WHAT TO EXPECT IN LEEDS

Our RIASA Leeds programme is our original and bespoke offering, providing student-athletes with a unique US/UK dual-accredited International Sports Management degree alongside world-class coaching and facilities. With 15 years of proven success, it balances academics and football in a carefully scheduled environment to support player and career development.

Academically, students will pursue a dual-accredited International Sports Management degree through our partnership with Richmond American University London. On the athletic side, student-athletes can expect effective training sessions led by our world-class coaching staff, who all bring professional playing or coaching experience. Weekly fixtures test our squads against competitive opposition, including professional academies, local sides, and university squads, offering valuable experience against varied playing styles and levels.

Our programme in Leeds is a bespoke offering that has been refined over 15 years, ensuring a perfectly balanced and managed schedule between academic and athletic commitments. Our programme is designed to provide student-athletes with the best opportunity to excel both on the pitch and in the classroom, allowing students to thrive in a structured environment without compromising on either aspect of their development.

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Accommodation: Oxley residence

Located a short distance from the bustling student suburb of Headingley, Oxley Residence offers a tranquil escape from the hectic city centre. Within the leafy woodlands of Weetwood and Far Headingley, Oxley Residence combines serene nature with modern university accommodation, allowing you to relax and study alongside fellow RIASA students. With your training pitches, gym facilities and academic classrooms all within a 5-minute walk, you’re never too far from everything you need during your stay. In your downtime, take the short walk into Headingley, a vibrant student hub with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants for you to enjoy. Alternatively, a bus or taxi will get you to the modern Leeds city centre in less than 15 minutes, opening up endless possibilities for exploration.

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An aerial view of a beige four-story apartment complex with a circular driveway in the center, surrounded by green trees and grassy areas. In the background, there is a football field with goalposts.

A cozy bedroom with a bed, beige and pink pillows, a pink throw blanket, a window with light gray curtains, artwork on the wall, a wooden wardrobe, a small desk with a black chair, and a gray pouf near the window.

A bedroom with a bed, window with curtains, a wooden wardrobe, a blue office chair, a desk with shelves, and decorative items.

Dining area with a round wooden table set with plates and bowls, four orange chairs, a black sofa, and a window with a view of trees outside.

A neatly made bed with light blue and grey bedding, two patterned throw pillows, and a chunky knitted blanket in a bedroom with a window, curtains, and a small side table with potted plants.

A cozy bedroom corner featuring a built-in wooden desk with a black chair, open shelves with books and plants, a wooden wardrobe, a window with curtains, and a bean bag chair next to two small potted plants.

A small workspace with a wooden desk, a teal office chair, a shelf with decorative items, a desk lamp, a power outlet, and a black wastebasket.

A kitchen with light blue cabinets, white backsplash, a round wooden dining table set with teal dishes, and four yellow chairs.

Dining area with a round wooden table set with teal plates, four orange chairs around it, a black sofa with patterned cushions, a window with green plants, a colorful ironing board, a framed artwork on a teal wall, and three trash bins

Degree Overview

We care about your academic success - every aspect of the International Sports Management degree is designed to set you up in the sporting industry, whether that’s on or off the pitch. In addition to the practical aspects of the programme, you’ll explore the theory and practice of sports management and business on a global scale. You'll develop essential business skills, equipping you for a thriving career in the dynamic world of sports management.

At RIASA, we understand the positive impact that academic freedom can have on your studies. We were the first and only college soccer programme offering US education alongside UK soccer, providing a US/UK dual-accredited degree with transferable credits, giving you the option to join us at any one of 4 entry points as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior. After completing your associates’ degree at the end of your sophomore year, you’re free to head back into the US education system if your passion leads you elsewhere. Additionally, your credits allow you to join us in either the fall or midway through the season in spring

RIASA LEEDS FACILITIES

Bodington Football Hub

Bodington Football Hub is a brand-new state-of-the-art complex which offers Premier League standard facilities. The new development includes three full size LED floodlit 3G Football Turf Pitches, a four-team changing pavilion with community café, meeting spaces, and a large accessible car park. This stunning facility is where your training sessions and home matches will take place - the park cost an estimated £8.4m and received partial funding from The Premier league, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.

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Weetwood Hall

From the pitch to the classroom, RIASA only offers the absolute best - Weetwood Hall acts as the location for your studies, set within nine acres of beautiful woodlands and gardens offering a tranquil hub for your academic delivery. Just a short walk away you’ll find Oxley Residence, one of Leeds’ most iconic student accommodation facilities. Popular among international students, Oxley is tucked away within the woodlands providing a safe and secure environment for you to call home. The residence provides all-inclusive living, meaning gas, electricity, water and WiFi are covered, with the nearest supermarket a brief walk away.

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Village Gym & Hotel: Headingley

During your time at RIASA, you’ll also have access to gym and pool facilities at the nearby Village Hotel, located just a 5 minute walk away from campus. Our partnership with this fantastic establishment offers our students unprecedented access to the state-of-the-art health & wellness club, featuring first-rate gym equipment, a heated indoor swimming pool complete with a steam room and sauna. Students will also receive weekly fitness classes with a professional instructor, providing tailored sessions designed to enhance athletic performance, recovery, and overall well-being.

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venture Beyond Leeds

Leeds is perfectly located in the charming suburb of Headingley, just a short distance from the city centre. Known as one of the UK’s most popular student hubs, it offers a vibrant atmosphere filled with like-minded young adults. The city itself is easy to navigate, allowing you to explore its many bars, restaurants, and cultural hotspots during your downtime. With our campus surrounded by scenic woodland, you’ll experience the best of both worlds - a peaceful study environment as well as access to the lively city life. Leeds’ central location also makes it easy to travel to major cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and even London by train, opening up endless opportunities for exploration.