GIS Partners with UNIPRO
GIS Partners with UNIPRO to Offer Flexible Online Degree Pathways for Footballers
The Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is proud to announce a new partnership with UNIPRO International Football Academy, a UK-based academy that combines elite-level football development with education for international student athletes. This collaboration gives footballers the chance to study online while continuing to train and compete at a high level.
Flexible Online Degrees for Footballers
Through this partnership, GIS will deliver its online undergraduate degrees in Sports Management and Football Coaching to UNIPRO players. This approach provides a balanced pathway for both sporting and academic development, helping players gain a recognised university qualification alongside their football career. UNIPRO players will also be able to join GIS’ students from around the world who are studying online and on-campus in stadium-based campuses in Miami, Brussels and Sydney at its iconic global sports summit study tours to the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
Supporting Footballers On and Off the Pitch
UNIPRO supports international footballers by providing opportunities to train in a professional environment while pursuing academic goals. Its programmes, which include degree pathways, gap-year experiences and full-time football development, focus on nurturing well-rounded athletes who thrive both on and off the pitch.
Dr Mike Walsh, Provost of GIS, said, “This partnership with UNIPRO is a fantastic step forward in supporting the dual careers of aspiring athletes. At GIS, we are committed to helping students develop both their sporting ambitions and their academic potential. By delivering our online degrees to UNIPRO players, we are giving them the tools to build sustainable futures beyond their playing careers.”
Geraldine Jackson, CEO of UNIPRO International Football Academy, added, “At UNIPRO, we believe education and football should work together, not in competition. Our mission is to give student-athletes the flexibility and opportunity to pursue both. To study, train and grow without limits. Our partnership with GIS strengthens that vision by allowing our players to earn a world-class degree while continuing their football development. Together, we’re shaping the next generation of athletes who are not only technically excellent, but also resilient, educated, employable and ready for life beyond the pitch.”
About UNIPRO
Founded in 2022, UNIPRO International Football Academy offers international student athletes the opportunity to study, train and live in the UK. The academy provides a range of flexible programmes, including training-only pathways, in-person or online degree study options and gap-year experiences. UNIPRO is led by CEO Geraldine Jackson alongside Director of Football Paul Dickov, the former Manchester City and Scotland striker.
GIS’s Commitment to Athlete Development
This partnership reflects GIS’s mission to support athletes in achieving excellence both on and off the field. By combining high-quality, flexible online degree programmes with UNIPRO’s professional training environment, GIS helps players build knowledge, skills and career opportunities for life after sport. The collaboration underscores GIS’s commitment to developing the next generation of sports leaders and professionals while ensuring athletes can pursue their passions without compromise.
