Student Athlete Thinking About Studying Overseas? Here’s How the Process Actually Works
To date, we’ve helped more than 500 students secure opportunities at universities across the USA, Canada, the UK and Europe, with students earning more than USD 40 million in scholarships over the course of their degrees.
For many families, the idea of studying overseas sounds exciting—but also overwhelming.
How do you choose the right university?
How do scholarships work?
What if you’re an athlete?
Do you need SATs?
What about visas, applications, admissions requirements, and costs?
These are questions we hear every day.
At BRUSA Sports, we help students and student-athletes navigate the process of studying internationally. While we originally focused on helping athletes secure opportunities in the USA, we now support students exploring university options in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Europe.
But before we talk about what we do, let’s start with the bigger question.
Why Study Overseas?
For many students, studying overseas isn’t simply about earning a degree.
It’s about:
- Accessing universities and courses that may not be available at home
- Experiencing a new country and culture
- Developing independence and life skills
- Building an international network
- Combining sport and education
- Creating future career opportunities
For student-athletes, it can also mean continuing to compete at a high level while earning a recognised degree.
Can’t I Just Apply Myself?
Absolutely.
Many students successfully apply to overseas universities without assistance.
However, international admissions can be very different from domestic applications.
Students often need to navigate:
- Different admissions requirements
- Scholarship opportunities
- Athletic recruitment processes
- Standardised testing requirements
- Visa applications
- Financial documentation
- University comparisons
- Deadlines and eligibility requirements
The challenge isn’t usually finding a university.
The challenge is finding the right university.
Many families are also surprised by how competitive international recruitment has become. Coaches are no longer recruiting only from their local area or even their own country. They are recruiting globally, which means students are often competing against athletes from dozens of different countries for the same opportunities.
Why Is The Process More Difficult For Athletes?
Athletes are effectively completing two applications at the same time.
The first is the academic application.
The second is the athletic recruitment process.
Coaches need to evaluate athletes, determine whether they fit their programme, decide whether scholarship funding is available, and assess how they compare to other recruits from around the world.
How Competitive Is College Recruitment?
One of the biggest misconceptions about studying overseas as an athlete is that coaches will simply find talented players.
The reality is very different.
Every year, thousands of student-athletes from around the world compete for a limited number of roster spots and scholarship opportunities. Coaches receive countless emails, videos, and recommendations from athletes hoping to be recruited.
In many sports, coaches are evaluating athletes from multiple countries while balancing scholarship budgets, admissions requirements, and team needs.
Being a talented athlete is important, but it is often not enough on its own.
Students need to:
- Be visible to coaches
- Contact the right universities
- Present themselves professionally
- Understand how recruitment works
- Communicate effectively throughout the process
- Apply to universities that realistically match their academic and athletic level
Many talented athletes miss opportunities simply because they don’t know where to start, contact the wrong universities, or begin the process too late.
The reality is that recruitment has become far more competitive than it was even ten years ago. Success is no longer just about ability; it’s also about understanding the system and navigating it effectively.
With thousands of universities, limited scholarship budgets, and student-athletes from around the world competing for opportunities, knowing where to start can be overwhelming.
So What Does BRUSA Sports Actually Do?
We act as guides throughout the process.
Depending on the student’s goals, we help with:
University Research
Identifying universities that fit academically, athletically, socially, and financially.
Coach Recruitment
Creating athlete profiles, highlighting achievements, contacting coaches, sharing information with our network, managing communication throughout the recruitment process, and helping students become visible to the right coaches.
Scholarship & Financial Aid Support
We help students identify universities offering scholarships and financial aid, communicate with coaches and admissions teams, and work to secure the best possible package while keeping family budgets in mind.
Applications
Supporting students by managing their admissions applications and preparing documents.
Eligibility Requirements
Helping students navigate NCAA, NAIA, and university requirements where applicable.
Visa Support
Providing guidance through the student visa process once an offer has been accepted.
Ongoing Support
Our support doesn’t stop once a student arrives on campus. We continue assisting students throughout their university journey.
Is This Only For Elite Athletes?
Not at all.
While some students compete at national or international level, many successful placements come from strong club, school, and regional athletes.
The key is finding the right fit.
There are thousands of universities offering different levels of competition and academic opportunities.
What Happens Next?
The first step is usually a conversation.
We’ll learn more about the student’s academic background, sporting achievements, goals, and budget.
From there, we can explain what opportunities may be available and whether studying overseas could be a good fit.
Every student’s journey is different, which is why we always start with understanding the individual before recommending a pathway.
If you’re considering studying overseas and would like to explore your options, we’d love to chat!
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