Course length: One year (full-time) and two year (part-time) options available

Degree overview

This programme will take an in-depth look at the numbers that make the game tick, alongside theoretical and practical coaching disciplines. It will enable students to develop a systematic and in-depth understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights for the advanced study of football coaching and analysis.

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Distance (with attendance) option

The face to face block delivery sessions for students starting in September 2024 on a part time degree pathway will take place during the second year of studies for those studying in Miami or the UK. For those studying in Melbourne, this will take place in year one of your part time degree course.

For more information on learning options and teaching locations see below.

Locations, learning options & intake dates
UCFB Manchester

Intake Date: September 2024

This degree is available at UCFB Manchester Campus – one of the world’s most famous footballing cities with a thriving student population.

UCFB Manchester Campus

UCFB Wembley - Distance (with attendance)

Intake Date: September 2024

Residential Dates*: Semester A: 18th-20th November 2024 Semester B: 10th-12th February 2025 & 17th-18th March 2025

Dates applicable for full time students and second year part time students

*These dates are subject to change

This degree is delivered via Distance (with attendance) at our UCFB Wembley Campus. Our Distance (with attendance) degrees are delivered by the same leading industry experts who teach our on campus degrees with teaching online via our dedicated Online Hub which can be accessed anytime making this a flexible study option that fits around your existing commitments. Your online study is further consolidated with on campus residential block(s) in Wembley consisting of in-person teaching, networking and opportunities to meet your academic staff and peers.

UCFB Wembley Campus

GIS Miami - Distance (with attendance)

Intake Date: September 2024

Residential Dates*: Semester A: 1st-3rd November 2024 Semester B: 21st-25th February 2025

Dates applicable for full time students and second year part time students

*These dates are subject to change

This degree is delivered via Distance (with attendance) at our GIS Miami campus. Our Distance (with attendance) degrees are delivered by the same leading industry experts who teach our on campus degrees with teaching online via our dedicated Online Hub which can be accessed anytime making this a flexible study option that fits around your existing commitments. Your online study is further consolidated with on campus residential block(s) at GIS Miami consisting of in-person teaching, networking and opportunities to meet your academic staff and peers.

GIS Miami

GIS Melbourne - Distance (with attendance)

Intake Date: September 2024 & January 2025

Residential Dates*: Semester A: 25th-27th November 2024 Semester B: 27th-31st January 2025

Dates applicable for full time students and first year part time students

*These dates are subject to change

This degree is delivered via Distance (with attendance) at our GIS Melbourne campus. Our Distance (with attendance) degrees are delivered by the same leading industry experts who teach our on campus degrees with teaching online via our dedicated Online Hub which can be accessed anytime making this a flexible study option that fits around your existing commitments. Your online study is further consolidated with on campus residential block(s) at GIS Melbourne consisting of in-person teaching, networking and opportunities to meet your academic staff and peers.

GIS Melbourne

Students on this programme have access to world-leading performance analysis tools from Hudl, the industry-standard software used by athletes, coaches and clubs across the globe.

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Degree content

This Masters degree provides an inclusive, current and versatile curriculum of study which reflects the needs of the football industry for Master's students either full or part time. The course looks to support the continuing professional development of football coaches and those working in football or a closely related field.

Students will utilise their advanced knowledge and understanding of football coaching to help them deal with complex issues systematically and creatively, problems, and communicate their conclusions clearly.

Jemma Entwistle, Blackburn Rovers

My favourite aspect to working in sport is that every day is different. The people that you meet, the players that you meet and the impact you get to have on their journeys, for me it’s really valuable to know that you can look back and think you had an impact on them.

Jemma EntwistleWomen’s Talent Technical Coach - The Football Association

Your Course Leader

Jonothan McPhail
Academic staff Jonothan McPhail Course Leader
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Modules

Degree specification documents and information

The Global Institute of Sport is an embedded college of the University of East London. All GIS graduates will receive a degree from the University of East London.

Click here for the course specification for this degree

Degree modules
Applied Football Match Analysis

This module will enable you to develop awareness and understanding of the key fundamentals and principles of football match analysis, integrating theory with practice and sharing knowledge and understanding through discussion and debate. The applied element of football match analysis will allow you to gain experience in and an understanding of match analysis, hardware, software and programmes. You will learn what an analyst requires to function effectively and safely in a variety of situations, developing reflective skills and identifying which theories are most applicable when working in a specific applied performance analysis context. You will learn how to operate contemporary analysis programmes, integrate theory with practice and conduct then deliver performance analysis in the football context.

Analysis of Football Coaching Practice

This module will work on a real-life case study centred around personal coaching contexts, in order to create a fully considered and justified coaching development plan. As practising coaches, you will be expected to draw upon previous knowledge and skills gained and imbed new theoretical knowledge drawn from other modules. You will be required to critically evaluate the core competencies needed to be effective in your coaching contexts. Following this, you will critically analyse your own coaching practice to evaluate levels of coaching effectiveness and the impact you have on performers. A personal development plan will be produced to highlight current gaps in knowledge and/ or skill and how these can be developed in order to become a more effective coach.

Applying Football Principles: Tactics and Strategies

This module will teach you how to critically analyse the strategies and tactics of association football exploring the different moments of the game and principles of play. In order to develop advanced tactical knowledge, you will explore different styles and systems of play and associated tactics and strategies. Drawing on your own coaching experience and context. You will explore the efficiency of your coaching practice and subsequently explore any knowledge gaps for further development. The module will help you design your own ‘game model’ of performance and integrate tactical periodisation into the effective planning for team performance encompassing a holistic approach to practice. You will be expected to critically explore the challenges faced in implementing a game model approach within your context.

Applied Research Project

This module will advance your research methods and critical thinking skills, and support you in applying these to the sports industry and its associated environments. This module will prepare you for research, reflective, and evidence-based development in future employment, as well as for higher study if applicable.

As part of this module, you will have an opportunity for sustained applied research and practice in the form of an applied project. Therefore, this module creates a space for you to apply competencies developed in your modules to date to a real-life football setting, leading to experiential and reflective learning.

You will direct your efforts towards addressing a topical issue in your area of interest. Your applied research project will allow you to showcase your intellectual articulation and knowledge, by undertaking an applied project, emphasising your knowledge of theory and current practice in your area of interest. By completing this project, and presenting your results, you will establish expertise in an area of academic, personal and professional interest, aiming to influence coaching practice.

Together with other modules in the programme portfolio, this module will give you real-world exposure to coaching issues that require investigation from you in the role of an applied researcher. You will gain a thorough practice-based understanding of project design, conduct and action. As result, you will be able to evidence management and leadership of an applied project, and show potential to change and influence coaching operations – something current and future employers will look for in your knowledge, experience and skills portfolio.

Applied Reflective Practice

This module will explore the process of reflection, its role in the development of knowledge and practical expertise and its subsequent impact on practice. You will examine and critically evaluate the key factors associated with a sound reflective process and what it is to be an effective reflective practitioner. In addition, you will review reflective processes and will develop a model of reflection, informed by a critical evaluation of existing models and current literature in this and other relevant fields.

Football Statistics and Data Analysis

This module will enable you to develop awareness and analysis of the key fundamentals and principles of football statistics and data, integrating theory with practice and sharing knowledge and understanding through discussion and debate. The applied element of football will allow you to gain experience and develop an understanding of data drawn from both competition and training contexts. You will learn which data is needed to function effectively and safely within a variety of situations, developing reflective skills and identifying which theories are most applicable when working in a specific applied football context. You will learn how to analyse data, integrate theory with practice and work with differing departments within a football club in order to improve practice and performance.

Global Sports Leadership

Leadership is a fundamental element of both sport and business operating in a dynamic global arena. On this module you will review and conceptualise different approaches to leadership from both an applied and theoretical perspective to allow you to analyse critical incidents in order to judge organisational leadership performance. You will be able to apply leadership theory to examples from industry professionals who have experience of leading teams in a sporting setting. Cross-cultural leadership underpins many of the behaviours and skills discussed within the leadership framework, alongside diversity and inclusion, strategic leadership, communication and reflection. The module allows you to take responsibility for your own leadership development and effectiveness through the development of an e-portfolio and skills audit, alongside exposure to sports leaders from the global network of partners contributing to the live case studies.

Philosophy in the Coaching Process

This module will explore personal coaching philosophies, the impacts this has on coaching practice and the challenges faced in demonstrating these in current coaching environments. You will examine how your personal coaching philosophies have developed as well as how these are demonstrated in practice. Also, you will propose any areas of personal and professional development needed to be undertaken in the progression of your coaching career.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements
Standard entry requirements
  • Undergraduate degree - minimum 2:2 (ideally a 2:1) or international equivalent
  • For further detailed entry requirements for MSc Football Coaching & Analysis, please click here.
  • English language qualifications: Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries will be asked for an English qualification which tests Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing and will be asked to achieve an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each section) or recognised equivalent.

Offers to applicants currently studying an undergraduate degree will be conditional on them going on to achieve the entry requirements on completion of their degree.

Flexible entry requirements

Applications that do not meet the standard entry requirements but demonstrate relevant education and/or work and/or life experience in the course subject area are welcomed.

Eligibility will be assessed on the basis of the information provided in the application – in particular the personal statement.

For further detailed entry requirements for MSc Football Coaching & Analysis, please click here.

For more information, please contact admissions@ucfb.com.

Applications

We strongly encourage you to submit your Masters application well before our 2 September 2024 priority application deadline (8 January 2024 for courses starting in January) to allow sufficient time for assessment of application, ensure availability on the course and enrolment in time for the beginning of your studies. Applications received after this date will only be considered on a case by case basis.

How to apply

To apply for this degree, please click here and follow the instructions to complete your application via our Learner Portal.

Application Documents
  • Application form
  • Evidence of highest academic and/or professional qualifications
  • Evidence of coaching qualifications, where required.
  • Evidence of relevant experience, where required
  • 500 word personal statement

Applications made through the flexible entry route may require a course leader review. The course leader will determine whether a professional reference or task is required.

Scholarships

The Global Institute of Sport is proud to offer an extensive suite of scholarships to support outstanding students as they embark on their postgraduate study. From scholarships to aid our elite athletes, to attracting aspiring sports leaders, and scholarships which support inclusivity and diversity within the sporting industry, our scholarships are there to support students who want to make a meaningful difference to the future of the sporting world.

Click here to find out more

Career prospects

Career prospects include highly sought-after careers within a professional and semi-professional football team such as a coaching, match and performance analyst or operations manager at multidisciplinary teams. Graduates of the MSc Football Coaching & Analysis Degree have gone on to work in roles for organisations such as:

  • Player Performance Analysis - Manchester City FC
  • Community Coach - Brighton & Hove Albion
  • Football Development Officer - Burnley FC in the Community
  • Academy Lead Coach - Bradford City FC
Football Tournament Analyst at FIFA Benjamin Chevreau

"The fact that this institution is ‘global,’ sets it apart. You have the chance to visit other GIS campuses through the global summits and go to places like Miami, Toronto, and Melbourne. This also allows you to grow your network globally."

Read more
Benjamin Chevreau
First Team Analyst at Watford FC Women’s Team Dene Field

"GIS built on my previous coaching experience and helped strengthen and develop my analysis skills. I have made friends in the industry for life, learnt off those thriving in the game, and gained experiences that have shaped me into who I am today, and where I am on my career path."

Read more
Dene Field

Fees

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Part-time option

For part-time courses the tuition fee will be split accordingly per year i.e 75 credits in year 1 and 105 credits in year 2 (for a two year programme) as per below table.

Course type

Total fee 75  credits 105  credits
UK On campus (Home students) / Distance (with attendance) (residentials in the UK) £11,950.00 £4,979.50 £6,970.50
UK On Campus (International students*) £17,950.00 £7,479.50 £10,470.50
Distance (with attendance) (residentals in the US) $19,950.00 (USD) $8,312.50 $11,637.50
Distance (with attendance) (residentals in Australia) £11,950.00 (Approx $22,950 AUD) £4,979.50 £6,970.50
Distance £11,950.00 £4,979.50 £6,970.50

*International students require a visa to study on campus

Available tuition fee discount
GIS Alumni

If you’d like to extend your time with us, we’re pleased to offer all GIS graduates:

Postgraduate Loyalty Discounts

These discounts are open to any UCFB, Buckinghamshire New University and University of East London graduate who has received and accepted an offer to study at postgraduate level with UCFB’s Global Institute of Sport.

UCFB and GIS business partners

We're pleased to offer all UCFB and GIS business partners 15% fee tuition discount on all Undergraduate, Master's programmes.

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