I'm a rugby player
Become a tennis student-athlete in the US or Canada.
Ready to take your game to new heights in the USA? Play rugby in USA while pursuing a bachelor's degree thanks to rugby scholarships!
RUGBY
RUGBY
Keystone Sports is the powerhouse of eight top college sports placement agencies. We specialize in helping international students getting recruited and secure sports scholarships in the US and Canada. Are you dreaming of playing rugby and study abroad on a rugby scholarship? At Keystone Sports, we are experts in guiding players like you to achieve your rugby dreams in America!
Application
Fill the form and get a free evaluation of your chances by our experts
Signing
Contract with Keystone Sports and university action plan
Preparation
Test prep and grade evaluation, university admission profile, choosing school and division
Plannning
Visa, travel arrangements, and assistance with the application process
Support
On going college support/assistance
If you want to learn more about the different steps, from the free assessment to enrolled student-athlete, click on the button and discover the full process.
Rugby scholarships:
play college rugby & study in the USA
Discover rugby scholarships in the USA and the opportunity to train in rugby while earning a bachelor’s degree!
Scholarships for rugby players offer an incredible opportunity for UK players aiming to play rugby in the USA. In addition to financial support, you’ll receive guidance from coaches who will help you develop and become an even more skilled player.
Whether you aspire to go professional or simply want to combine your love for rugby with studying abroad, playing rugby on university level in America is a fantastic way to grow both as a player and as a student!
Top 5 of our rugby players studying in the US:
Luke Ingle
University of Notre Dame
Aston Gradwick Light
University of Arizona
Henry Thomson
Siena College
James Holland
Wheeling University
Hugo Taylor-Jones
Belmont Abbey College
What is College Rugby?
College rugby is a sport played at colleges and universities in the U.S. As a sport, it shares many similarities with American football. The main differences between the sports are the ball’s shape, protective gear, and the number of players on the field.
By being a rugby student-athlete means you will practice and compete for your school’s team. The teams compete against other schools in various leagues and championships specifically for college rugby.
College rugby is a fantastic opportunity for rugby players around the globe. In addition to all the opportunities to develop your rugby skills, it’s a great experience to have played rugby abroad. With college rugby scholarships for international students, you get financial support to cover costs for both studies and everything related to your rugby.
What Does a Rugby Scholarship Cover?
There are universities that offer rugby scholarships throughout the United States. Rugby scholarships in the USA for international students can be either partial or full-ride scholarships:
Full ride scholarships cover all major expenses for the student-athlete, including tuition, room and board, books, supplies, travel, and equipment. These scholarships are awarded to top players. Full rides are competitive but achievable with the right combination of talent and dedication.
Partial scholarships typically cover between 40-70% of the cost of attendance (COA). They can be combined with other forms of financial aid to help reduce overall expenses.
Men’s & Women’s Rugby Scholarships
Men’s rugby scholarships are more common, but women’s rugby scholarships in USA are also available and increasing. While men’s rugby programs generally have a higher number of scholarships, the growth in women’s rugby has led to more opportunities and recognition for female players.
The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) are the two largest governing bodies for college rugby in the U.S. They play a key role in deciding the number of rugby scholarships available per team, which can vary based on the level of competition and the institution’s resources.
Women’s Rugby Scholarships in the USA
Women’s rugby scholarships in the USA are growing in availability as the sport gains more recognition. On average, NCAA women’s college rugby teams offer 6 to 10 scholarships per team. In the NAIA, teams typically provide 6 to 8 women’s rugby scholarships per team.
Men’s Rugby Scholarships in the USA
Men’s rugby scholarships are more common because the sport is well-established as a college sport. On average, NCAA men’s college rugby teams offer 8 to 12 scholarships per team. In NAIA, men’s teams typically offer 6 to 10 scholarships per team.
5 Pro Rugby Players Who are Former University Athletes
College rugby has a level for everyone, thanks to the various divisions, levels, and schools. As a rugby student-athlete, you have the power and opportunity to shape your path. If you’re aiming to go pro, college rugby provides an outstanding foundation and preparation for a professional career. Many successful professional rugby players were once student-athletes, including:
Nate Ebner
Ohio State University
Madison Hughes
Dartmouth College
Carlin Isles
Ashland University
Thretton Palamo
University of Utah
Danny Barrett
University of California, Berkeley
Playing rugby at university is a great preparation for your future goals. Whether you aspire to pursue a career as a professional rugby player or simply want to have time for college rugby while studying towards a bachelor’s degree in America. Colleges that offer rugby scholarships have various levels to fit all ambitions and goals!
Lastly, being a student-athlete does not only let you experience studying and competing abroad but also helps you develop essential life skills. You will build your teamwork, leadership, and time-management skills, which will benefit you both on and off the field.
Thanks to college rugby scholarships you get the financial support to cover the costs of studying as well as the expenses of practicing and competing.
A Day in Life as a Student with a College Rugby Scholarship
Get ready for life as a rugby student-athlete in the USA! Imagine a completely new daily routine that includes rugby training with your coach and team on campus, as well as rugby tournaments across the country. Additionally, your everyday life will be typical of a student: lectures and schoolwork alongside students from all corners of the globe and all the fun activities that come with the American “campus life”!
7:00 AM
After breakfast, you head to the rugby field or gym for your morning practice. As a college rugby player, your mornings will start early to avoid schedule clashes.
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
After practice, you attend your scheduled classes like any other college student. Depending on your schedule, you will spend most of the day on campus. You might have lunch with your teammates in the cafeteria, attend more classes throughout the day, and dedicate time to studies and group projects.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Once the school day is over, it’s time to return to the field or gym for another practice session. This session might focus on team strategies or preparing for upcoming matches. Afterward, you engage in recovery activities such as stretching or ice baths, followed by a nutritious meal to help with muscle repair and overall recovery.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
You have dinner with teammates or friends, often discussing the day’s training and upcoming matches, and unwind from the day’s activities.
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Catch up on any remaining assignments or study for upcoming exams. If your academic work is complete, you might relax by spending time with friends or teammates. Then, get ready for bed to make sure you get enough rest to recover from the day’s activities and be ready for the next day!
Your weekends often mean match days. On game days, you might need to travel with the college team to a different city or even another state, play matches, and participate in post-game analysis with your teammates and coach. If there are no games, you might use the weekend for extra practice, recovery, catching up on studies, or meeting with teammates and friends.
I'm a college coach
Find out more about Keystone Sports and our student athlete recruiting service that allows young athletes to combine education with sports.
COACH
COACH
FAQ: About College Rugby and Rugby Scholarships in the USA
Yes, rugby is a college sport played at many colleges and universities across the U.S., with both men’s and women’s teams. Rugby has a long history in American university sports, and over the past few decades, it has gained more recognition and support. This growth has led to the development of more formal college rugby programmes, competitions and leagues.
Yes, colleges offer rugby scholarships for international students. Scholarships for rugby players can be found at schools with established college rugby programmes. The amount and availability can vary by institution and level of competition, and they also depend on whether the school is governed by the NCAA or NAIA.
Getting recruited for college rugby in America involves several steps, and Keystone Sports is here to guide you through the process. We help UK rugby players like you get discovered by American college coaches, matching you with the right coaches based on your skills and preferences. We also assist in creating a strong rugby player profile and provide support in crafting your outreach and how to make an impactful highlight video. Ready to take the first step? Complete our assessment now and receive a free evaluation of your chances to secure a scholarship from our rugby experts!
Yes, several colleges with women’s rugby scholarships. Men’s rugby is still a bigger college sport, but women’s rugby is gaining more popularity and recognition. You will find women’s rugby scholarships in the USA, especially at schools with established programmes.
Rugby scholarships in America offer incredible opportunities for UK students and students from the rest of the world with rugby ambitions. Take the chance to combine university studies, rugby practice, and grow tremendously on a personal level. Fill out Keystone Sports assessment form to receive a free expert evaluation of your chances to get a rugby scholarship in the USA!
Lewis McKissick
RUGBY placement expert
Curious about university sports, studying in the USA and what it’s like being a student-athlete? Learn more in the articles below:
