Degree overview
This programme allows students to learn how to spot and develop talent, as well as lead with authority. You will engage with, and gain an understanding across, areas such as community coaching, academy coaching, semi-professional, professional and overseas coaching.
This course is available with a Foundation year for those who do not meet main entry requirements. Please see ‘Modules’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ sections on this page for further information, including UCAS codes.


Degree content
Taught within the football club environment by our UEFA qualified coaches, some of whom have previously coached at the academies of leading Premier League clubs, this degree qualification provides a unique learning experience and the opportunity to live, learn and develop within the live operations of a professional atmosphere, providing students with access to coaching at clubs across the football pyramid.
This degree provides lifelong learning and education to aspiring young football coaches and managers, as well as being the hub for football industry qualifications. You will receive high quality teaching, learning and coaching provision from professionals with backgrounds in academia and professional football. There may also be the opportunity to participate in vital work experience placements across a number of coaching roles, from grass roots to professional clubs.
We aim to ensure that everyone on our BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management degree will gain the qualifications, skills and expertise needed for the maximum chance of success within the football industry.
Teaching locations for this degree include:
UCFB Wembley
• Wembley Stadium
• The Hive, London
UCFB Etihad Campus
• Etihad Stadium
• Manchester Sports Village, Belle Vue
• UCFB Study Hub @ Piccadilly Place
• Curzon Ashton FC
• FC United of Manchester
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, University Campus of Football Business is an embedded college of the University of East London. All graduates that begin their degrees with UCFB 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 have:
- More overall teaching hours
- Updated, fit for purpose, content
- A strand of academic and research skills to support your learning journey
- A strand of learning to better equip you for the 21st century workplace and enhance your employability opportunities
- More alignment to the needs of local, national and global industry
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.
UCFB degrees fall under three subject benchmark statements – Business and Management (2015); Events, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism (2016); and Psychology (2016). Visit the QAA website to access each of these benchmark statements.

I chose UCFB as 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:
- Skills for Learning
- Mental Wealth
- Research Project
- Contemporary Issues in Sport
- Theory of Coaching
- Introduction to the Principles of Coaching
- An Introduction to Football Coaching
- An Introduction to Football Management
- Industry Competencies (Mental Wealth)
- Football in the Community
- Coaching and Skill Acquisition
- Introduction to Talent Development
- Scouting and Recruitment
- Coaching Within Small Sided Games
- Industry Readiness (Mental Wealth)
- Research Methods
- Managing Teams and Individuals
- The Reflective Coach
- Match Analysis
- Coaching with Tactics and Strategies
- Professional Project
- Industry Engagement (Mental Wealth)
- Working in an Elite Environment
Entry requirements
Applications are welcomed from students with a genuine passion and ambition to work in the football and sports industries.
- UCFB Wembley course code: FCMF
- Institution: U10
- Campus: W
- UCFB Etihad Campus course code: FCMF
- Institution: U10
- Campus: E
The minimum academic requirement for this degree course is 64 UCAS points.
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 Baccalaureate - 30
Applicants will normally have achieved one of the following:
- A Levels with DDE or higher
- A BTEC Extended diploma grade MPP
- A BTEC Diploma grade MM
- A combination of BTEC and A-Level qualifications
Applicants are also expected to hold a GCSE grade C in Maths or English.
To be considered eligible for the programme, applicants must have completed at least two years of post-secondary education or work experience.
Applicants applying without the minimum required UCAS points can still be considered on a case by case basis and may be requested to attend an interview and assessment prior to receiving an offer.
International applicants will be asked to achieve Duolingo 95 or IELTS for UKVI at grade 6.0 overall or above.
Enquiries are encouraged from anybody who does not meet the above criteria but would like to be considered for the programme. Please email admissions@ucfb.com for further advice.
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.
- UCFB Wembley course code: FCM1
- Institution: U10
- Campus: W
- UCFB Etihad Campus course code: FCM1
- Institution: U10
- Campus: E
The minimum academic requirement for this degree course is 112 UCAS points and an FA Level 1 Coaching Award.
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.
Applicants will normally have achieved one of the following:
- A minimum of 2 A Levels including two C grades
- A BTEC Extended diploma grade DMM
- A BTEC Diploma grade D*D*
- A combination of BTEC and A-Level qualifications with at least two C graded A levels or Merit graded BTEC equivalents.
- International applicants will be asked to achieve Duolingo 95 or IELTS for UKVI at grade 6.0 overall or above.
- International Baccalaureate (minimum of 30 points)
An Advanced GNVQ in an appropriate subject at Distinction level - An Access Course: minimum of 60 credits, including at least 45 at Level 3
- An equivalent level 3 qualification
- Must hold FA Level 1 (for more information or to complete your FA Level 1 coaching, please contact your local County FA)
Applicants should have a strong GCSE profile, including English at Grade 4 or Grade C, or equivalent and Maths at Grade 4 or Grade C (specifically for Football Business & Finance, Sports Business & Sports Law and Sports Psychology).
Other equivalent qualifications, including those from your own country, will be considered for entry.
Applicants for whom English is a second language will need a valid Academic IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.0 with no lower than 5.5 in each component for entry on to a degree programme (Level 4).
All qualifications are subject to approval by the UCFB Admissions team, based on UKVI requirements.
We also welcome applications from mature students who may not possess the above qualifications but may have relevant experience.
Applications need to have a strong background of football coaching experience, holding the FA Level 1 as a requirement. Students will require a good understanding of principles of football and will need to synthesise and translate theory and knowledge in a practical setting. Being able to demonstrate is an important attribute to succeed on the course and experience of playing at a professional football academy or semi-professional football club will be an advantage.
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.
Career prospects
Career prospects for graduates of the BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management degree programme at UCFB include football coaching roles, including the ability to rise to senior managerial roles due to the management aspect of the degree.
Over 90% of UCFB graduates are in employment within six months of graduating and almost two-thirds of them work within the global sports industry.
At UCFB 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 three year 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.
Find out more about your career journey at UCFB

The UCFB Global Insight Series is a thought leadership series, exclusively collated and made available for all UCFB on-campus and online students. The UCFB Global Insight Series provides unprecedented access to UCFB’s elite sports network; including interviews with LMA managers and other UCFB guest speakers, and content from UCFB’s Global Sports Summits at New York’s Red Bull Arena, Atlanta’s brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto FC’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The relationship we have with UCFB and their students is a significant one, and something we are delighted with. The students have been a fantastic addition to the team and have all displayed a very professional attitude with a real emphasis on using their time with us to build and develop their knowledge and understanding of our events and the relationships we have with our club partners – many of whom are regarded as the most powerful brands in world football.
She may have recently made her Women’s Super League (WSL) debut and be one of Tottenham Hotspur’s brightest young prospects, but it’s her abilities as a coach that are what drives Elisha Sulola to be an inspiration in her local community.
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Casian Anghel graduated from UCFB's Football Academy this summer in BA (Hons) Football, Coaching and Management. He has since gone on to play professional football for Leganes FC, in Spain.
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Send a message to one of our friendly student ambassadors, or read their blogs to find out more about life at UCFB.
Fees
Visit our dedicated page about fees and student finance.
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 UCFB.
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.
UCFB students may also be asked for an additional contribution fee of £10-20 for trips.
UCFB has a range of scholarship and bursary options to help with the cost of studying and to encourage students to embrace their time at UCFB and graduate with more than just their university degree. Click here to learn more.

New York’s Red Bull Arena, Atlanta’s brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto FC’s BMO Field and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) play host to the Global Institute of Sport study hubs, enabling students and graduates to enhance their knowledge and expertise of the international sports industry.
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At UCFB we are dedicated to maximising the career opportunities of all of our students. This is why we offer unparalleled opportunities beyond the learning environment, enhanced by exclusive partnerships with some of the biggest and most influential names and organisations in world sport.
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