UCFB is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted at the prestigious Football Business Awards 2016, further recognising the vital role the institution plays in readying individuals for an exciting career in the football and sport industry.

The world-first institution, which delivers degrees in the football, sport and events industries, has been shortlisted in the category Best Business Serving Football.

The awards recognise businesses and individuals across a number of categories who help support the beautiful game off the pitch. The awards also include categories for marketing, hospitality, match day experience and sponsorship.

In the Best Business Serving Football category, judges are looking for sustained excellence of service delivery and product innovation.

In being shortlisted, judges realised UCFB’s innovative approach to higher education in spotting a gap in the market for highly educated and motivated individuals with the knowhow, expertise and aptitude to succeed in the world of football and sport.

They recognised UCFB’s growth in five years from the first campus at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor, to now having three including the iconic Wembley Stadium and the state-of-the-art Etihad Campus in Manchester.

Recognition has also been given to the opportunities students receive to go out and work in the professional sport environment, as well as the chance to network with high profile industry figures.

Sharona Friedman, UCFB’s Chief Marketing Officer, said: “We’re thrilled to be nominated for this fantastic award, and it’s brilliant to be recognised by such established names from the football industry.

“Our students and graduates serve the game from grassroots right through to national governing bodies. So far we’ve placed over 1,000 students in unique work experience roles – and that is before they’ve even graduated – so they are experienced and capable when they step out into the world of work.

“On top of that, 93% of our graduates are in full time work, and two thirds of them work in the sport industry. We’re quite simply the best at what we do.”

Clubs competing for silverware in various categories on the night include Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 3rd November at the Emirates Stadium, London.