This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.
Degree overview
Developed in collaboration with The Football Association (FA), this programme provides an opportunity for existing and aspiring football industry professionals to develop critical understanding and application of the various constituent components of football development at grassroots and elite levels in a variety of industry contexts. This one-year, distance learning course provides you with the understanding and skillset to achieve your desired career in football development.
Degree content
The curriculum for this groundbreaking course has been developed by a team of specialists and experienced academic staff, working in collaboration with experts from the Grassroots Football Division within the FA. These individuals bring a wealth of practical experience, having worked extensively in the field as industry specialists.
The course covers a range of essential topics, including principles of football development, strategic football development, understanding the business of football development, equality, diversity, inclusion and, safeguarding in football, professional practice via a work placement, and monitoring, evaluation and research in industry.
This course is delivered online via Distance Learning. It is ideal for current professionals working in the football or sport industry who want to upskill their experience and knowledge and those wishing to start their journey as a football development practitioner who have commitments meaning they prefer a more flexible mode of delivery instead of a campus-based delivery.
Modules
Developed in collaboration with The Football Association, all six modules are 20 credits in value and are core modules.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to explore the concepts and theories which underpin football development by engaging in real-world learning experiences which are aligned to the module and assessment. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of the purpose and delivery of football activities across the local and national landscape of England and the associated challenges faced by agencies, organisations and stakeholders tasked with delivering football at all levels.
This module provides the opportunity to develop a strategic understanding of football development in order to apply the concepts and theories and develop appropriate responses to ‘real world’ football development challenges and issues. Football Development is a growing area of employment for sports graduates, with a range of positions being offered by Local Authorities, professional football clubs and National Governing Bodies (NGBs). Developing an understanding of how concepts and theories can be applied within the industry is therefore key to developing employability in this field. As part of this module, students will have the opportunity to formulate their own approaches and responses to specific targets on current FA strategy.
This module will introduce you to the broader sport business concepts that underpin, impact on and influence grassroots football development. You will also gain understanding of the wider business context that development practitioners operate within, preparing you for future leadership roles in the football development industry
This module is designed to develop your awareness and understanding of fundamental concepts and current challenges relating to equality, diversity, inclusion (E,D&I) and safeguarding in football and their role in football development. You will be introduced to overarching legislation, for example The Equality Act 2010 and Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and will explore how key policy and law impacts on and is implemented in football development.
Evidence based practice in football development is crucial in ensuring long term sustainability, value for money and to gain a full and frank understanding of a variety of interventions, projects and programmes. This module will give you an understanding of the current landscape of M&E in football development and enable you to explore and develop new ideas for research and development. You will learn about the current context for research and evidence in the football development industry, and its place and importance to successful delivery and achievement of strategic goals. You will develop a critical understanding of approaches to M&E in the field and draw upon key areas of theory and practice to develop an analytical framework. You will learn about a variety of M&E and research approaches available to both football development and academic research in this field and consider how to apply and critique them through your own experiences and professional practice.
Graduates with experience of working in the football development industry field have a much higher chance of success in the job market once they leave University. This work-based learning module is designed to enable you to develop as a lifelong learner, allowing you to apply your academic learning and knowledge to ‘real world’ practice thorough a placement in a recognised organisation involved in football development activity (e.g. County FA, Community Club Organisation, Local Council or educational establishment). This will enable you to critically reflect on and improve the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you will put into practice in your professional / working life. Your placement will be supplemented through a series of online learning activities and the guidance of a workplace mentor to support your professional development.
University Campus of Football Business is an embedded college of the University of East London.
Entry requirements
- 96 UCAS tariff points or equivalent non-tariff qualifications
- GCSE Maths and English Language (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent e.g. Functional Skills Level 2
- Applicants must have completed at least two years of post-secondary education or work experience.
- International applicants will be asked to pass the Academic IELTS test with a minimum overall score of 6.0 and no less than 5.5 in each of the four elements
All applications are reviewed on a case by case basis. If your academic achievements do not meet the minimum level required but you have considerable professional experience, please contact admissions@ucfb.com.
Our access to a UK Government Student Visa licence is currently being reviewed. This means we are unable to consider applications from any applicant who would require a student visa to study in the UK as we cannot issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
If you are unsure whether you would need a visa to study in the UK, or for more information, please contact compliance@ucfb.com.
All applications for an undergraduate degree programme are submitted via UCAS. To apply, please visit UCAS.com.
Placement Opportunities
Placements, internships, and work-based learning provide opportunities for students to gain work experience, develop work-related skills, learn about professional sectors and how your studies can be directly applied in the work environment. In collaboration with County FAs and other football organisations, the work-based learning module strives for students to showcase the practical application of knowledge and skills acquired in the football development program through a work placement. The placement is designed to offer hands-on and targeted industry experience, ultimately bolstering the future employability prospects of students in the football development sector.
Progression Routes & Career prospects
This programme, designed in collaboration with The Football Association (The FA), provides graduates with a viable route into various roles with the football industry. As part of the course curriculum, students will be introduced to work-based learning in a suitable football development organisation placement. This pathway opens doors to careers from grassroots to elite level football development teams.
- Employment into football Development / Sport Development: Potential direct recruitment to FA and County FA vacancies
- Further Study: Accredited Prior Learning for Level 5 undergraduate Study
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 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.
