UCEN Manchester today launched a brand-new degree designed specifically for professional and aspiring football players and those in player-facing support roles.
The BSc(Hons) Football Industry, in partnership with Ahead In Sport and awarding partners Sheffield Hallam University, is a three-year online degree that combines practical learning in all aspects of the football industry with core business and leadership skills. Whilst the degree is delivered online to support learners to fulfil professional commitments, students will also have up to 8 days per year of learning on site, making best use of the significant investments in UCEN Manchester sport science and coaching facilities.
Delivered via UCEN Manchester’s virtual learning environment (VLE), the programme is collaborative in design, development and delivery, working with faculty from UCEN Manchester’s School of Sport, Health and Wellbeing and Ahead in Sport, to provide an outstanding student experience in all modules and skill pathways across the overall programme.
By combining their academic study and existing football commitments effectively, the course will see students develop their love of football into a sustainable and successful future career.
Mark Harris, Vice Dean of UCEN Manchester, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Ahead In Sport to launch this exciting new programme for professionals already working in the game or those who aspire to work in the football industry.
“Guided by our expert tutors, students on this exciting new course will benefit from an innovative and blended curriculum offer, enabling learners to access an academic qualification to support their future career options within football or the wider sport industry.”
The course content reflects the growth of employment opportunities that now exist in the football industry, with topics covered including Talent Identification, High-Performance, Technology in Football and Coaching.
The teaching team on this degree are football, and sport industry, relevant professionals with an unrivalled level of knowledge, best practice and experiences to share and exchange with students.
Students can also look forward to industry insight from those working across all levels of the game, through our Guest Speaker series and Industry Mentor programme.
Joel Roberts, Chief Executive of Ahead in Sport, added: “Designed for players or those in support roles, it’s unique and innovative delivery makes this programme accessible to those seeking to combine studying with their existing football commitments on and off the pitch.
“Informed by research it reflects the demands of the football industry and gives learners an opportunity to develop their passion for the game into a sustainable career.”
The BSc(Hons) Football Industry degree kicks off in September 2023. To find out more, visit https://www.ucenmanchester.ac.
