UCFB student on how degree helped her forge a sports business career

A UCFB student has been looking back on her time studying with us, and telling us how her Master’s degree helps her in her role at the Oxfordshire FA.

Georgia Hill, who studied MSc Football Business at our Manchester Campus, now works as football development assistant at the Oxfordshire FA.

With only a prior experience in the sports industry focusing on coaching, Georgia said she wanted to broaden her options within the industry through UCFB.

She said: “I wanted to join UCFB to explore the opportunities within the sports industry further. I wanted to understand the vast array of jobs that are involved in the sports industry that didn’t just centre around coaching.”

She added, talking about her MSc Football Business course: “I chose the programme because of the chance to learn about so many different areas within the industry, from finance to operations and marketing, we got to experience so many different opportunities.”

Alongside her studies at UCFB, Georgia gained some work experience, saying: “I completed some work for Darren Bernstein at Bury AFC with regard to their policy writing and implementation. As they are all volunteers at Bury it was important for me to help out where I could!”

Darren, Georgia’s lecturer, also helped her with her Applied Professional Project. Georgia said: “My project was centred around volunteers at grassroots football clubs, specifically looking at gender stereotyping and the role that plays in a domestic setting.

“I was able to work closely with my supervisor Darren Bernstein through our joint passion for grassroots and the contacts he had really helped in the interview process.

Georgia added: “All of the staff are so knowledgeable and you can tell how much they all care about what they teach and how they can help you in any way possible.

“Darren is just a fantastic lecturer and person through supporting me with my university work, personal matters and supporting me through the interview process for my current role.

“We had constant contact between our lecturers and guidance in every matter. We received support from all the library staff as well which made such a difference as we had multiple spaces we could use to work in.

“The knowledge and advice the lecturers have, having all worked within the industry is invaluable. The sole focus on sports means you can hone in your skills and focus on specific aspects you are interested in.”

When asked about how her Master’s degree will help her in the future, Georgia said: “The Master’s will help massively and has done already to achieve my current role at the Oxfordshire FA working in Football Development.

“I would love to continue working closer to the grassroots side of the game where you see change and growth on a daily basis.”

She finished: “UCFB really was the best decision I made as prior to studying here, I knew I wanted to work in sport but wasn’t sure where, how or what.

“Having constant discussions about the industry and learning about the different departments and opportunities helped so much in that I now have a career I am excited about and can’t wait to keep learning!”