Elite Rugby Gap Year in Seville, Spain
| FALL: Mid Sept. - Mid Dec., 2026 |
| SPRING: End Jan. - Mid May, 2027 |
| GAP YEAR: Mid Sept., 2026 - May, 2027 |
| ELG: High School Graduate or done with Year 13 (UK) / Born in 2007, 2008, or 2009 |
| RUGBY REQS.: Please see below >> |
| LANG. REQS: No prior knowledge of Spanish is required |
11,995€* See full breakdown >>
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
ACADEMIC CREDIT
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
PROGRAM DATES, COSTS AND DEADLINES
INSURANCE
ACCOMMODATION
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elite rugby gap year program in seville, spain
Spend a semester or year in Seville! Designed for high school grads, this program combines Spanish language courses at SAIIE or courses at the University of Seville (taught in English or Spanish) with high-level rugby training and competition through one of the top tier rugby academies of southern Spain.
Program Includes:
- Placement on Spanish team (Rugby 15).
- Weekly rugby training sessions throughtout the duration of the program
- 3 training sessions per week.
- License to play with Spanish team and compete in Spanish tournament throughout your stay.
Program Requirements
- High School Graduate or done with Year 13 (UK) / Born in 2007, 2008, or 2009.
- Student must be playing rugby on their varsity team back at their high school team or club.
- Students must have their current head rugby coach complete the Coach form
- Must send 2-3 videos of student playing and doing some drills to the program manager, Sean Chipres, to seanrc@saiie.com
- Students must complete the student form.
Please note: female students interested in doing this program, please email the program manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com for more information.
Where Will You Play:
Our students will join one of rugby academy teams (U23 or U18) of El Real Ciencias Rugby Club. Top-level rugby club based in Seville, Andalusia, Spain who currently compete's in Spain's top division, the Division de Honor. Students will join one of their academies teams depending on age and level.
What does the NCAA Rules say:
1. Amateurism Must Be Maintained
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You must not be paid to play rugby.
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You must not sign a professional contract.
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You can play for a club or amateur team in Spain, but:
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No salary.
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No prize money (beyond actual expenses).
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No agents or promotional endorsements.
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Playing for an amateur rugby club in Spain while studying is fine under NCAA rules, if you're not paid.
2. Gap Year Timing
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NCAA gives you a 1-year grace period after high school graduation.
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During that year, you can take time off to travel, work, or play sports as long as you don't enroll full-time in any college.
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You must enroll in college within 12 months after your high school graduation to preserve your eligibility.
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If you graduate high school in June 2025, you can play in Spain during the 2025–2026 academic year and start college in Fall 2026 with no eligibility penalty.
3. Five-Year Clock (Division I)
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Once you enroll full-time at a college, you have five calendar years to complete four seasons of play.
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The clock doesn't start until you enroll in college.
PHOTO GALLERY
Please note: If you have any questions, please contact the Program Manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com
academic programs
University of Seville: Liberal Arts, Business, Spanish Lang. & Culture Program
This program is designed for students from beginner to advanced level of Spanish.
Students will take classes at the University of Seville. Classes are offered in Spanish and English.
Students can choose from a variety of subjects, including:
Please note:
- To participate in the program through the University of Seville students must be 18 years old before the semester is over.
- Must take between a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 courses per semester. Each course consists of 45 class hours.
- Classes are taught from Monday to Thursday, usually on alternating days (Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday) and 2 hours per session.
- Classes will be taught at the University of Seville’s main building.
At the end of the program the student will receive an official certification from the University of Seville with the courses taken.
SAIIE: Intensive Spanish Language Program
This program takes place at the SAIIE center.
Hours per week: 16hrs
Classes: Monday - Thursday
Language levels: Classes are offered at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels
Courses: Morning: Spanish classes (4 hrs/day)
At the end of the course, the student will receive an official certification from SAIIE acknowledging the hours taken
academic credit
It is the students responsibility to obtain credit for the course taken at SAIIE and the University of Seville.
program activities
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program dates, costs and deadlines
Fall Program Dates: Mid Sept - Mid Dec., 2026
Spring Program Dates: Beg. Jan. - Mid. May, 2027
Program Cost: 11,995€ (Semester) / 23,495€ (Academic year)
Program costs includes:
- SAIIE full-time fees and support services before, during, and after the program.
- Airport reception and transfer to Spanish home on arrival date
- On site orientation.
- On site bilingual staff on call 24/7 throughout the term.
- Accommodation in a Spanish home with most meals (breakfast and mid-day meals Monday through Friday and evening meals Sunday through Thursday) and one load of laundry per week throughout the program.
- Program excursions and activities (Weekend excursion, as well as, Cordoba, Ronda, and Italica day excursion).
- Welcome and Farewell meals.
- Spanish Language program fees that includes classes from Mo-Thur (16hrs per week) or University of Seville program fees.
- Athletic program fees.
- SAIIE Transcript at the end of the course certifying the Spanish language course taken.
University of Seville will issue an official certification with the courses taken if participating in their program.
Fall /Spring Out-of-Pocket Costs Include:
- U.S. Passport ($135).
- Mandatory CISI health and medical evacuation insurance.
- Spanish Visa for U.S. citizens (estimated at $160).
- Return airfare from the USA to Spain (estimated at $1,200 - $1600).
- Meals not included with accommodation (estimated at 600€ per sesmester).
- Mandatory International Student Identification Card (ISIC) ($25).
- Transportation to practice (estimated at 100€ per semester).
- Personal Expenses (estimated at 1000€ per semester)
- Trips not included (estimated at 700€ per semester) / An optional weekend trip to Morocco will be offered, as well as, a weekend trip to Portugal.
- Optional cocurricular activities (estimated at 500€ per semester).
- Any costs due to possible quarantine requirements due to COVID-19
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| TERM ABROAD | APPLICATION CYCLE OPENS | APPLICATION DEADLINE |
| Spring 2026 | April 1 | October 1 |
| Academic year 2026/27 | September 15 | April 1 |
| Fall 2026 | September 15 | April 1 |
Missed the deadline? Please contact Sean Chipres, Program Manager, to enquire about late application options.
insurance
Students have to get a health and medical evacuation insurance and we recommend all of our students this company (CISI): https://www.culturalinsurance.com/#cultural-insurance
accommodation
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apply now
To start your application to our program please complete the student form. For more information on the program please contact the Program Manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com