GAP YEAR
ABOUT
Students all over the world are taking gap years on a much more regular basis nowadays – as they take some time out from their studies to develop new skills, experience new cultures and meet new people.
This has a multitude of benefits that include bolstering a resume, growing as an individual and of course, having fun!
At Macclesfield FC International Academy, we can provide you with all of this and more with our Gap Year Programme.
Open to anyone over the age of 16, our inspiring offering represents more than just a gap year – it nurtures the skills, knowledge bases and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Unique in its structure, our Gap Year Programme runs from September to May each year and ticks every box in terms of developing you as both a footballer and as a young adult.
A poignant conduit between our Four Week Residency Programme and full-time University Programme, we will provide an evocative taster of what it’s like to study and play football here in England.
There can be no doubt that our Gap Year Programme leads the way globally and gives every student- athlete the opportunity to invest significantly in their future careers whilst also enjoying the time of their lives!


FOOTBALL PROVISION?
Our Gap Year Programme allows all student-athletes to train as professional footballers within an inspirational and professional setting.
You will enjoy a minimum of fourteen hours of contact
time with our renowned UEFA Licensed Coaches each week and exponentially develop your tactical and technical skills to a level that you could only dream of.
In addition to this, you will receive regular Strength and Conditioning sessions led by industry experts
– making sure that your training regime is both effective and targeted to your playing position.
You will also take part in two competitive fixtures per week, as you put all that you have learnt into practice representing Macclesfield FC.
We will compete in an array of competitions that will prove to be both challenging and rewarding.
To catalyse your progression even further, you will be given access to PlayerData’s incredible range of analysis tools that quantify every aspect of your game.
Regular analysis sessions will be held with a range of prestigious Coaches and these will be supported by video-based sessions that are central to improving you as a player.
Finally, you will enjoy position- specific sessions throughout your stay with us. No matter whether you are an agile goalkeeper, powerful defender, tenacious midfielder or hungry striker – we will ensure that you receive the very best coaching throughout the entire Gap Year Programme.
ACCOMMODATION
If you have already been mesmerised by our football offering, then you will be delighted to hear that our accommodation facilities mirror the impeccably high standards of our coaching.
You will reside within the student accommodation at the University of Central Lancashire – which not only provides world-class facilities, but also allows you to become fully acquainted with the buoyant student lifestyle,
As standard, you will receive:
- A fully furnished en-suite bedroom.
- All bills covered – including electricity, heating and WiFi.
- Easy access to state-of-the-art gym and fitness facilities.
- On-site staff to help with any issues or inquiries that you may have – day or night.
- 24-hour security and CCTV provisions.
- Bicycle storage.
You will also gain a unique insight into what it is like to study fora degree qualification here in England.
Not only will you be fully integrated into the student community, but you will also enjoy inspiring taster sessions from leading academic figures centred on the courses that are offered to our full-time student- athletes.

AN INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH CULTURE
Throughout your gap year, you will be introduced to British culture in a way that others could only dream of. Not only will you be training likea full-time professional footballer would and be fully integrated into the student community at UCLan, we also will provide an eclectic range of trips and tours that will undoubtedly cause you to fall in love with our nation.
Included within this will be a trip to St George’s Park – home of the England National Teams.
You will train on the same pitches that England sides do and dine within the same restaurant that the likes of Harry Kane and Leah Williamson enjoy on a regular basis.
And this is just the start.
We will provide an insightful and stimulating introduction to what it is like to live, train and study in England that will undoubtedly whet your appetite for more!