Football Studies BA (Hons)

About the course

If you have a passion for the beautiful game and are keen to work within the industry this broad-based course explores three key areas of football - business coaching and development – to give you exciting options in your future career direction.

Football is one of the most important industries in the UK in terms of interest participation and consumer spending and its rapid growth has created opportunities to become a sports professional in an expanding borderless industry. This course is designed to give you a wide knowledge base starting with more general spheres such as sport and physical activity; sport management; and working in sport as well as an overview of the football industry and contemporary issues in football.

From your second year you can choose specialist units focused on building your knowledge and skills in football coaching; business and management; and football and player development.

Why choose this course?

• Learn through a combination of lectures and seminars field trips and practical experience including on-site events management operations
• Gain recognised awards such as FA Coaching Level 1 and 2.
• Learn from top-class professionals within the field working with governing bodies such as the FA UEFA and FIFA as well as experts from professional football teams
• Benefit from work experience placements linked to elite and sub-elite football and within the University of Bedfordshire Football Academy
• Take advantage of off-site coaching opportunities at local schools
• Benefit from opportunities to volunteer with local Football Associations
• Develop transferable skills such as critical evaluation research and analysis and be able to apply these skills to become a self-directed independent reflexive learner
• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry (see below) gaining experience building your CV and making contacts for the future
• If you need to step up into higher education start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees a place on the degree course

“I was able to learn and challenge myself”

Each year students travel to Club La Santa in Lanzarote to put their practical skills to the test: they help organise and assist with the Volcano Triathlon. One student's response:

“It was a pleasure and honour to have been part of this fantastic event working with elite athletes and gaining skills for life. We were able to interact with over 500 elite athletes and add towards our CV. The event has left me with lifelong memories such as riding a bike for the first time and travel distances of 10K and 25K. A great experience.”