Potential Earnings
£35,385.20
Key details
- Course area
- Sport
- Student type
- University Level
- Course type
-
Part-time University Level course
- Course level
-
Level 6
- Start date
- Monday 21st September 2026
- Location
- Basford 664 Nuthall Road, Nottingham, NG8 6AQ
- Fees
- £4,125.00
- Course code
- Parent course code:C050263 Child course code: Q050264
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.
Level 4 modules:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Fundamentals of Sports Science
- Introduction to Coaching in Football
- Introduction to Performance Analysis
- Introduction to Research Skills
- Employability in Football
Level 5 modules:
- Applied Psychology
- Media in Football
- Foundation Phase in Football Coaching
- Applied Observational Analysis in Football
- The Reflective Practitioner
- Work Placement
Level 6 modules:
- Professional Development Portfolio
- 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.
Timetable (subject to change)
This course is expected to run on one full day per week as well as self-directed study.
Please note: Some classes may be delivered online.
Useful links:
Course information
6 years
Level 6 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Football Studies
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.
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.
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.
Nottingham College is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards.
About the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
The TEF is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS) that aims to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver excellence in the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.
Careers related to this course
Select career:
Sports Players
Average Earnings
£12,108.67
Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
Pathways
Sport, Leisure and Recreation
People in these occupations manage and participate in sporting events, provide physical training and coaching, and coordinate leisure and recreation activities.
Skills
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.
