Notts County Academy
Nottingham College has a long-standing history of working with Notts County as the education partner for its academy players. Over the years we have enjoyed sharing the success of our alumni, many of whom are now professional players.
On site at Notts County our highly qualified and experienced staff provide the education element to the Academy and Notts County provide all football related activities, including training, regular match fixtures, strength and conditioning and match analysis.
What will I study?
You’ll learn about the broad spectrum of the sports industry and take part in different sports, but most of the knowledge and theory will be applied to the workings of the football industry.
You will study one of the following courses alongside your academy training. If you have not achieved a grade 4/C in GCSE English or Maths we will support you to continue studying them alongside your course.
Alongside your course you will also study enterprise, employability and study skills plus have opportunities to volunteer with younger academy squads.
There’s also close links with a number of Nottinghamshire schools giving you an opportunity to coach and give back to the community.
These qualifications will give you sufficient UCAS points to go to university to study a degree or foundation degree, progression to a US soccer scholarship or equip you with practical skills to enter one of the many careers that exist in the sport, leisure and fitness industry.
Where will I study?
Your course will be based at Meadow Lane Football Stadium, the home of Notts County Football Club. You will train a minimum of 3 days a week and play in regular football fixtures in addition to your course. With qualified teaching, coaching and pastoral support, the balanced programme will allow students to undertake structured academic lessons together with a comprehensive training and football programme.
What is the selection process?
What happens if I am unsuccessful?
We run a huge range of sports courses at Nottingham College and support all of our students to achieve their sporting ambitions. If you are not successful with the football trial you are invited to apply for another course with us, these are based at our Basford Campus.
Academy alumni:
Academy alumni Tyreace Palmer tells us how both his practical experience with the academy and the education provided by Nottingham College helped him score his dream job as a professional footballer.
I found my course really enjoyable. The transition from school to college was big but beneficial on a personal note and this type of learning was something I really embraced because I was studying subjects that I really enjoyed learning about. This type of learning also played to my strengths. I was never someone who enjoyed all academic subjects. Studying a BTEC allowed me to focus on the subject I was most passionate about.
— Tyreace Palmer
Hear from some of our current academy players who are studying with Nottingham College:
I am enjoying being able to balance education with my training at the academy. It’s useful having the opportunity to gain more knowledge in areas such as coaching and the different roles a coach can have – it goes much further than playing on the pitch. My main goal is to get a professional player contract but working towards qualifications will help me with my long-term future.
— Brad McGregor
I have the best of both worlds; the chance at a professional football career but also educational qualifications that open doors. I enjoy learning about the financial side of sport, it’s interesting finding out how sports industries generate income. The academy is a nice environment and everyone is supportive, kind and welcoming.
— Tijan Mbowe
My course covers a lot of bases of different sports and gives a lot of pathways to what you can do after football and it’s a great balance between football and education. It lets me participate in football the best way I can but also work hard on my course too. My goal for the future are to play professional football but beyond that the education side will help me to prepare me for a career beyond football
— Max Cavanagh