Start dates:
September: Distance (with attendance) at UCFB Wembley
Course length: One year (full-time) and two year (part-time) options available
Priority Application Deadline:
31 August 2023 for September 2023 entry
Degree overview
The MSc Player Care in Football has been designed for those who wish to develop a multidisciplinary understanding of elite player care and wellbeing in professional football. Through the programme, students will build a theoretical and practical understanding of player care by engaging with elements of behavioural science, psychology, psychiatry and social sciences with the long-term goal of being able to apply this knowledge at both youth and senior levels.
Delivered by leading experts in the field, students will be exposed to the latest research in the area, as well as a series of real-world scenarios and case studies, developed in conjunction with industry partners.
This degree is delivered via Distance (with attendance) with on campus residential at UCFB Wembley. 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) consisting of in-person teaching, networking and opportunities to meet your academic staff and peers.
This course is supported by the Premier Sports Network
Degree content
Split into a series of core and optional modules and available in full-time or part-time formats, students will spend time defining the concept of player care and examining the challenges evident in elite football environments. They’ll also explore the relationships that exist between elite football and mental health, the crucial transitions or ‘moments’ that comprise a career in elite football, and the specific issues evident in the context of the elite youth game. In the final semester, they’ll also complete an in-depth study of an aspect of player care and wellbeing in football that is of specific interest to them.
Learning and teaching occurs through a range of activities including lectures, seminars, and workshops, that are blended with a range of online activities structured through GIS’ virtual learning environment. Knowledge and understanding is further supported through the integration of guest lectures and field trips where possible.
Teaching locations for this degree include:
- Wembley Stadium
- Arch View House
In addition to our teaching locations, we also use specialist facilities throughout the academic year as well as additional facilities where required.
Modules
Semester One
- Football and Mental Health (30 credits)
- Critical Moments in Football Careers (30 credits)
- Global Sports Leadership (15 credits)
Semester Two
-
Youth Football and Safeguarding (30 credits)
-
Creating a High- Performance Culture (30 credits) Optional
-
Applied Reflective Practice (30 credits) Optional
Semester Three
- Applied Research Project and Placement – (45 credits)
Year One - Semester One
- Football and Mental Health (30 credits)
- Global Sports Leadership (15 credits)
Year One - Semester Two
- Youth Football and Safeguarding (30 credits)
Year One - Semester Three
- Summer/autumn break
Year Two - Semester One
- Critical Moments in Football Careers (30 credits)
Year Two - Semester Two
- Creating a High Performance Culture (30 credits) – option OR
- Applied Reflective Practice (30 credits) - option
Year Two - Semester Three
- Applied Research Project and Placement – (45 credits)
Delivered across all GIS Master’s programmes to provide a foundation of knowledge of leadership and its application in sport, the Global Sports Leadership module provides a global sporting context to underpin each degree specialism.
Covering fundamental leadership principles including culture, performance analysis, diversity and inclusion, leadership styles and innovation within a contemporary sporting context, this module allows students to develop a broad appreciation of the sports industry and become leaders in their field.
A core aspect of the module is to bring in global leaders from the pitch, the boardroom and the industry to enable students to access and reflect on real life and current industry experiences and insight. Many of the sessions will be shared across multiple GIS degree programmes, allowing students to learn from and network with each other throughout the Global Sports Leadership module.
The main educational aims of the course are to:
- Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to support the wellbeing of players in professional football environments.
- Expand students’ capacity to critically analyse theories and concepts that inform various aspects of player care in a football context.
- Create an environment in which students are able to relate knowledge to practice, solve problems creatively, apply new and existing skills, and demonstrate awareness of emerging issues in player care in football.
- Equip students with a range of research skills necessary to design and conduct applied research in a football context.
- Advance students’ capabilities in communicating complex arguments to a range of audiences in the context of player care.
Entry requirements
You will have a Bachelor’s degree with 2:1 classification or an international equivalent. International students that require an IELTS must have an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening, or recognised equivalent). Relevant academic experience in business, marketing or sport is desirable.
Applicants will be expected to participate in and pass an Academic led interview with senior members of the UCFB team, as well as submitting an outstanding personal statement and highly supportive academic and professional references.
Interviews can be held remotely or at our UCFB Wembley campus, successful applicants will be invited to attend one of our interview sessions following a review of their application.
If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria for this programme, or whether you require IELTS results, please email mastersenquiries@ucfb.com with a copy of your most recent CV including nationality, visa status if applicable, and undergraduate degree transcripts. Candidates with a strong CV may qualify for a supplementary admissions interview to support their academic application.
International students
UCFB cannot currently sponsor non-EU students’ visas.
You will not need a visa to study in the UK if:
- You are a British citizen
- You are a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland
- You have a visa to stay in the UK for another purpose that allows you to study
If you are still unsure whether you would need a visa to study in the UK, or for more information, please contact admissions@ucfb.com. You can also study one of our Online Master's degrees.
Priority Application Deadline - 31 August 2023
We strongly encourage you to submit your Masters application well before our 31 August 2023 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.
To apply for this degree, please click here and follow the instructions to complete your application via our Learner Portal.
Relevant documents for EU, UK and international applications:
- Completed and signed application form;
- Personal statement
- Copy of transcripts of highest qualification achieved and English translations (if applicable);
- One academic and one professional reference and English translation (if applicable);
- Copy of proof of English language level e.g. IELTS (if applicable).
Career prospects
As a new and rapidly developing area of football club operations, opportunities to secure employment in player care are growing quickly. Professional football clubs are now recognising the significance of player care as they seek to support the wellbeing of their most prized assets. For those who have graduated from sports coaching, sports science, or sports management degrees, the opportunity to specialise in the area of player care could lead to employment in a range of roles related to player care, player liaison, or player welfare at youth or senior levels. Additionally, the programme has been designed to support those already working in professional football to enhance their employability prospects, potentially leading to advancement in their careers.
Whilst the programme is designed to support both aspiring and existing player care professionals, player care is everybody’s responsibility within the professional game. As such, the programme supports learning for a broad range of additional roles including academy managers, team operations managers, education and welfare officers, and coaches.
Fees
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.
- 15% 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
If you’d like to extend your time with us, we’re pleased to offer all GIS graduates:
- 15% 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
We're pleased to offer all UCFB and GIS business partners 15% fee tuition discount on all Undergraduate, Master's programmes.
Visit our dedicated page about fees and student finance.
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 |
In some instances, optional Employment & Enrichment activities provided by UCFB and GIS 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.
GIS has a range of scholarship options to help with the cost of studying and to encourage students to embrace their time at GIS and graduate with more than just their university degree. Click here to learn more.
