Course Introduction

Kick-off your future in football: the world's beautiful game. Develop the skills needed for a career in elite football, focusing on individual player development and overall team performance.

With integrated sports-related disciplines, you'll be encouraged to develop the key skills, knowledge and experience required to succeed within the global football industry.

About the course:

Major themes include: performance analysis, talent identification and development, football as a global business, marketing, coaching performance and applied psychology.

Year 1/Level 4 - indicative modules:

Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Business in Football
Introduction to Coaching in Football
Performance Analysis in Football
Introduction to Research Skills
Employability in Football

Year 2/Level 5 - indicative modules:

Applied Psychology
Marketing in Football
Foundation Phase in Football Coaching
Applied Observational Analysis in Football
Reflective Practitioner
Work Placement

Year 3/Level 6 - indicative modules:

Professional Development Portfolio in Football
Coaching for Performance
Talent Identification in Football
Research Project

The final-year project allows students to complete an independent body of research on a related topic of their choice. This requires students to demonstrate their ability to conduct original research, analyse data, and present their findings in a clear and concise manner. Students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme to a real-world issue or trend.

Footballing partners:

Our Sports Academy has close links with Notts County FC, famous as the world's oldest professional league club and one of the 12 'Originals' - founder members of the Football League. This well-established club/college community partnership provides students with exposure to elite players, coaches and facilities.

With competitive football at all levels - from Nottingham Forest in the Premier League to grass roots - Nottingham's a great place to study, play and watch the game.

Useful links:

Course Information

Qualification

Level 6 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Football Studies

Level

Level 6

Entry Requirements

We expect applicants to be working at (or to demonstrate competency at) Level 2 or above in English/literacy and maths/numeracy. We accept GCSE passes in English Language and maths at Grades 9 to 4 (previously A* to C).

Applicants must also have a minimum of 64 UCAS points from study at Level 3:

At least two A Levels at A2
BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma
International Baccalaureate
Access to HE Diploma
T levels

Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff.

Mature applicants not meeting the standard entry criteria but with relevant industry or life experience are very welcome to apply.

Teaching & Assessment

This will be industry-led, using a wide range of innovative and traditional methods, including: assignments, research projects, reports, presentations, work placement opportunities and practical investigations.

Progression

Football graduates will be well-prepared for postgraduate studies and a wide range of careers, bringing vital transferable skills that many potential employers are looking for.

A number of our recent graduates are employed in the football industry in sports science support, player development and community programmes.  Organisations include: Nottingham Forest FC, Notts County FC, Basford United FC, Nottinghamshire FA, Nottingham City Council, UK Sport and Sport England.

Possible opportunities include: football coach, physical performance coach, performance analyst, sport scientist, development officer, exercise/nutritional adviser, welfare officer, community and engagement officer; or in talent identification/recruitment roles in a variety of professional football and wider sporting settings.

Others may seek employment in education, HM Armed Forces, the public services, voluntary sector or in health promotion and wellbeing.

Additional Information

Nottingham College is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards.

You can view the Open University Students Guide 2022 here.

In addition, you can view the OU Validated Award Regulations here.