*This degree will be available from September 2021, subject to validation.
Degree available as a full-time (one year) or part-time (two year) option.
Degree overview
The MSc Football Coaching course is designed for those wishing to deepen their understanding of football coaching practices. The programme provides opportunities to engage in different aspects of football coaching including areas such as coaching philosophy, tactics and strategies, reflective practice and analysis of coaching practice. It is ideal for current professionals working within the football industry or those who aspire to work within the professional game.
Degree content
This course is delivered at excellent professional sporting venues similar to those in which students aspire to work. A diverse range of learning and teaching approaches are used as appropriate to each module. Across the course students benefit from regular contact through lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical sessions.
In addition to timetabled classes for each module, students will also attend a weekly personal tutorial session. Some of these tutorial meetings will be conducted in a group, with others conducted one-to-one contact with a tutor. Proactive use of the VLE and mobile technologies engages students with the broader knowledge base upon which the course is built. Integration of theory and practice is consistently emphasised to support authentic learning, wherever possible utilising problem-based approaches, live case studies, client challenges and practical coaching sessions. In addition to the validated curriculum, the Employability & Enrichment team provide students with enrichment activities, careers guidance and signpost work placement opportunities.
Teaching locations for this degree include:
- Wembley Stadium
- The Hive, London
- Hendon FC
- First Way
- Etihad Stadium
- Manchester Sports Village, Belle Vue
- UCFB Study Hub @ Piccadilly Place
- Curzon Ashton FC
In addition to our teaching locations, we also use specialist facilities throughout the academic year as well as additional facilities where required.
From September 2021, Global Institute of Sport is an embedded college of the University of East London. All graduates that begin their degrees with GIS from September 2021 onwards will receive a degree from the University of East London.
Together with the University of East London, we are taking the opportunity to review and reinvigorate our curriculum. While at present we cannot confirm specific details of our new modules before they have been confirmed at a validation event, we are able to confirm that the new curriculum will:
- Be enhanced to align you with the future needs of the global sports industry
- Support you to develop skills that reflect the highest standards required to enter and develop a career within the sports industry
- Provide the knowledge to enable you to develop leadership skills to enhance your future employability
- Enable you to learn and apply knowledge from high profile global industry leaders to enhance your global insight and develop cultural awareness
The structure of the advertised programme may therefore change prior to it beginning in September 2021, however, all applicants will be notified of any such changes prior to enrolment.
I chose to study here it was something different, unique, and an opportunity to gain entry into a career I’ve wanted to pursue for a long time.
Modules
Together with the University of East London, we are taking the opportunity to review and reinvigorate our curriculum. The modules below are planned for delivery on the programme beginning in September 2021, but are still to be confirmed at a validation event beforehand:
- Global Sports Leadership
- Applying Football Principles – Tactics and Strategies
- Philosophy in the Coaching Process
- Analysis of Football Coaching Practice
- Applied Research Project
- Match & Performance Analysis in Football (Option)
- Applied Reflective Practice (Option)
Students will choose one option at the beginning of their course.
The main educational aims of the course are to:
- Provide opportunities for students to solve complex problems related to the football industry.
- Develop students’ ability to be able to think critically and creatively about football coaching.
- Develop systematic knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of coaching and training to enhance football performance.
- Equip students with a range of research skills necessary to design and conduct applied research in a football context.
Entry requirements
The standard entry requirements for the programme are as follows:
Applicants should hold a 2:1 honours degree or a recognised overseas equivalent. Applicants may be accepted with a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) provided that they can otherwise demonstrate a strong profile with 50% or above in their dissertation module. Or have professional qualifications of level 2 and above.
Professional experience and industry qualifications can be assessed for applicants without the standard entry requirements such as UEFA B licence with 10 years or more experience in a professional coaching environment.
Candidates are required to hold a FA Level 1 certificate in coaching football additionally, it would be advantageous for candidates to already hold a FA level 2 or equivalent.
All applicants are provided with information relating to student services, with whom they can make contact, should they require additional support or advice as well as information related to appropriate bursaries and funds.
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 IELTS of 6.0 (5.5) or equivalent.
We have revised our coaching entry requirements for 2021 to account for the difficulty in completing FA coaching qualifications due to COVID-19. Please find our 2021 coaching entry requirements here.
International students
Our access to an International License is currently being reviewed. This means we are unable to accept applications for anyone who requires a student visa to study in the UK as we cannot issue Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Once the review is finalised and we have a definitive outcome, all students who’ve expressed an interest in studying at UCFB and the Global Institute of Sport will be notified.
If you are still unsure whether you would need a visa to study in the UK, or for more information, please contact compliance@ucfb.com.
To apply for this degree, please click here and follow the instructions to complete your application via our Learner Portal.
Career prospects
The multi-faceted world of football requires modern football coaches to have highly developed skills and an in-depth knowledge of the principles of football coaching. The programme has been developed for those who have graduated from coaching or relevant degree programmes or coaches currently coaching within the game who want to develop their knowledge and skill set further or form part of their CPD. The broad, applied elements of this degree provide students with the skills and experience to progress and work either domestically or abroad in a multi-billion-pound global industry. GIS' ability to provide further Employability and Enrichment opportunities engages students in career development allowing students to find their place in the football industry.
At GIS, we are proud that over 92% of our 2017 graduates are in full-time employment within six months and 82% of these graduates work in sport.
UCFB's Global Institute of Sport was also ranked in the top 5 'Best Universities for Employability' in 2021.
At GIS we bridge the gap between education and business, allowing a unique approach to education. We provide two curricula; the academic curriculum which encompasses exams and coursework and the Employability & Enrichment programme – a journey of professional and personal development.
This provides access to best-in-class industry guest speakers, additional qualifications and exceptional opportunities to apply for work experience placements to ensure our students graduate as well-rounded, empowered professionals.
The Global Insight Series is a thought leadership series, exclusively collated and made available for all on-campus and online students. The Global Insight Series provides unprecedented access to GIS’ elite sports network; including interviews with LMA managers and other guest speakers, and content from our Global Sports Summits at Inter Miami CF Stadium Campus, New York’s Red Bull Arena, Atlanta’s brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto FC’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Master’s graduate Amy Lomas worked with Premier League side Norwich City as a Performance Analyst alongside her studies and has gone on to take a role as Leicester City Women’s First Team Analyst upon graduating.
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Upon completing his Master’s degree in 2019, Wesley McGrath is now a coach, scout and analyst for his own company, WM32Football, as well as an Advanced Centre Coach at MK Dons.
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Fees
If you’d like to extend your time with us and study at UCFB's Global Institute of Sport, we’re pleased to offer all UCFB graduates:
- 20% fee tuition discount on all Master's programmes, excluding MSc Sports Directorship
- 15% fee tuition discount on MSc Sports Directorship and CEO of a Sports Organisation
- 25% fee tuition discount on all Professional Qualifications
If you’d like to extend your time with us, we’re pleased to offer all GIS graduates:
- 20% fee tuition discount on all Master's programmes, excluding MSc Sports Directorship
- 15% fee tuition discount on MSc Sports Directorship and CEO of a Sports Organisation
- 50% fee tuition discount on all Professional Qualifications (also available for GIS students)
We're pleased to offer all UCFB and GIS business partners 15% fee tuition discount on all Undergraduate, Master's and Executive Education programmes and 25% off our Professional Qualifications.
The provision of a facility or service including accommodation may be subject to an additional charge (i.e. separate from tuition fees). Where this is the case, we will make this clear in advance and payment for such service shall be made in accordance with any additional contract made between you and the University.
In some instances, optional Employability & Enrichment activities provided by UCFB may carry an additional cost for participants (e.g. qualifications with external certification such as FA Coaching Badges). Any additional costs will be provided to students in advance of any such sessions running.
Students will be required to purchase GIS branded kit for their studies, which costs £120-150. GIS students may also be asked for an additional contribution fee of £10-20 for trips.
For part-time courses the tuition fee will be split accordingly per year i.e 50% in year 1 and 50% in year 2 (for a two year programme) as per below table.
| Full-time (one year) | Part-time (two years) | ||
| Home Students |
International Students |
Home Students |
International Students |
| £10,950 | £16,450 | £5,475 | £8,225 |
On top of Wembley Stadium and Etihad Campus, the Global Institute of Sport utilises a network of global stadium venues. Inter Miami CF Stadium Campus, plus Global Study Hubs at New York’s Red Bull Arena, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto FC’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) allow students to truly immerse themselves in the world of sport.
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