Degree overview

This programme reflects the needs of the football industry by understanding strategies used around the world, relating theory to practice, and gives students the knowledge and skills to work in youth development departments at clubs domestically and overseas. Identifying and developing talent is an imperative facet of the modern game, with more and more clubs vying for the stars of tomorrow as transfer fees continue to break records.

Item 3

Degree content

This programme will provide highly fulfilling learning and education to those who have experience of coaching and currently hold The FA Level 2 football coaching qualification.

Students will receive high quality teaching, learning and coaching provision from professionals with backgrounds in academia, professional football, elite sport and business, and the course will provide an inclusive, current and versatile curriculum of study which reflects the needs of the football industry, evaluating policies and strategies that have been employed nationally and internationally to support youth development.

The majority of classes for this programme will be taught in the state-of-the-art facilities at Belle Vue Sports Village in order to allow a combination of practical and theoretical learning. All UCFB Manchester Campus students have access to the array of first-class UCFB facilities in Manchester.

Teaching locations for this degree include:

UCFB Manchester Campus

UCFB Wembley

In addition to our teaching locations, we also use specialist facilities throughout the academic year as well as additional facilities where required.

Show more
Jemma Entwistle, Blackburn Rovers

The players you meet and the impact you get to have on their journey, for me it’s really valuable to know that you can look back and think you had an impact on them.

Jemma EntwistleUCFB graduate and Female Development Officer at Manchester United Foundation

Modules

First Year
  • Coaching and Skill Acquisition
  • Introduction to Talent Development
  • Industry Competencies (Mental Wealth)
  • Coaching in the Foundation Phase
  • Introduction to Talent Identification
  • Professional Practice
Second Year
  • Coaching Within Small Sided Games
  • International Player Development
  • Industry Readiness (Mental Wealth)
  • Coaching in the Youth Development Phase
  • The Reflective Coach
  • Research Methods
Third Year
  • Coaching with Tactics and Strategies
  • Match Analysis
  • Professional Project
  • Coaching in the Professional Development Phase
  • Industry Engagement (Mental Wealth)
Degree specification documents & information

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.

Click here to download the course specification

Benchmark statements
  • QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Events, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism (2019)

Visit the QAA website to access each of these benchmark statements.

Entry requirements

Requirements overview

The standard entry requirements for the programme are as follows:

Academic entry requirements
  • Applicants will be asked to achieve 112 UCAS points under the UCAS point scheme. Professional experience and industry qualifications can be assessed for applicants without the necessary UCAS points.
  • Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their Maths and English Language GCSE (Grade C/4 or above).
  • Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries will be asked for proof of their English level and are required to have achieved an IELTS of 6.5 (6.0 in each subcomponent) or equivalent.
Coaching entry requirements
  • Applicants are required to have achieved the UEFA C Coaching Qualification (previously named the FA Level 2 Coaching Badge) or 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching (Sport and Physical Activity) and have coaching experience. Other equivalent coaching qualifications can be accepted. Please contact admissions@ucfb.com if this applies to you.
  • Applications should have football coaching experience, holding the UEFA C (or equivalent) as a requirement. BA (Hons) Football Coaching and Talent Development focuses on coaching and developing talent within the professional youth phases in the male and female game. Modules will help to prepare learners to develop a better understanding of identifying and developing young players through the different developmental stages.

Should you have any questions about the entry requirements, please contact admissions@ucfb.com.

Advanced entry

We accept applications with advanced standing via our Advanced Prior Learning (APL) application process. Should you wish to apply for direct entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of one of our undergraduate degree programmes, you will be required to complete an APL application form and provide us with evidence of your previous studies.

Please contact admissions@ucfb.com for further detailed guidance. Please note that should you wish to apply via this process, we strongly encourage you to begin the application process early in the cycle and you will still be required to complete a UCAS application. 

How to apply

All applications for an undergraduate degree programme are submitted via UCAS. To apply, please visit UCAS.com

Career prospects

Career prospects for graduates of the BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Talent Development degree programme include football coaching and scouting roles within professional football academies, allowing students to work across The Foundation Phase, The Youth Development and Professional Development Phase, including the ability to rise to academy leadership roles. Graduates may wish to also consider more traditional business, sport management or leadership roles using transferable skills gained throughout the programme.

The UCFB Employability & Enrichment programme

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

YouTube video
UCFB Award In Football & Sports Leadership
Mental Wealth

Each of our UCFB undergraduate degrees is underpinned by an embedded strand of learning and skills development, including a formalised a short work-placement opportunity, to better equip students for the 21st century workplace and enhance employability opportunities.

This allows students to develop a set of key transferrable skills to ensure they are ready for the modern workplace when they graduate, including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligence, digital proficiency, industry and community connections, and giving back to the community through projects and volunteering.

Every UCFB degree has one Mental Wealth module in each academic year to cover these skills, and our learning outcomes for all modules are closely mapped to these same competencies in order to maximise graduate's industry readiness and career opportunities.

Graduate and Co-founder of The Coaching Edge Jemma Entwistle

During her time as a coaching student, Jemma undertook a number of coaching work placements to bolster her CV and knowledge ahead of graduating. Jemma has now co-founded The Coaching Edge.

Read more
Jemma Entwistle
UCFB student Jawahir Roble

UCFB coaching student Jawahir Roble has been recognised for her significant contributions to the game by being named as one of the ‘ones to watch’ in the prestigious 2019 Football Black List awards.

Read more
Jawahir Roble

Fees

Home students
£9,250 per year
International students
£14,950 per year
Additional information about fees and costs

Visit our dedicated page about fees and student finance.

Additional costs

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.

Scholarships & bursaries

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.

Our UK campuses

UCFB provides an exceptional environment to live and learn in, with state-of-the-art facilities in two inspirational campuses in London and Manchester.

Find out more
Latest news