As part of the Complementary Curriculum you will have the opportunity to undertake additional qualifications to enhance your professional capabilities and portfolio, such as FA Coaching Awards, First Aid and sports leadership awards. Access to purpose built strength facilities will facilitate the practical coaching and fitness elements of the programme. Work placement opportunities will exist with local football clubs, local schools and community initiatives and in your final year you will undertake a research project which will build upon your academic and practical capabilities and experience.

Degree Content

The sport industry is forever expanding and continues to have an impact on people’s lives, whether in terms of health, fitness, participation, excellence or just for enjoyment. The Olympic Legacy has brought the role of sport in society to the fore and its impact on public health, widening inclusion and regeneration is widely recognised. Furthermore, in the last decade, the UK government has introduced a number of social policy strategies to harness the potential of sport in developing and maintaining community development and social cohesion. These range from initiatives to raise aspirations in areas of deprivation and social immobility, to the improvement of health and wellbeing through education and physical activity across all ages.

You will gain an extensive understanding of the ideologies, paradigms, concepts and theoretical fundamentals of sport including sports development, anatomy and physiology, sports psychology, and the infrastructure of sport, enterprise and research skills.

Graduate opportunities can involve working for football clubs, local sports clubs, national governing bodies, private organisations or progression to a teaching qualification.

Read the benchmark statement for this course

* Subject to validation.

First Year

  • Understanding Sport Business
  • Theory of Coaching
  • Sport in Society
  • Understanding Sport Infrastructure
  • Sport & Volunteering in the Community

Second Year

  • Community Sports Leadership
  • Sports and International Development
  • Research Methods for Business
  • Work Placement – Experiential Learning

Third Year

  • Leadership & Management
  • Sports Strategy & Policy
  • Research Project
  • Elective

* Modules listed above may vary depending on changes to the syllabus.

Applications are welcomed from students with a genuine passion and ambition to work in the football and sports industries.

The minimum academic requirement for this degree course is a 240-280 UCAS Tariff point score.

Other minimum requirements

Applicants will normally have achieved one of the following:

  • A minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent
  • International Baccalaureate (minimum of 24 points)
  • A National Diploma or Certificate in an appropriate subject at Distinction level
  • An Advanced GNVQ in an appropriate subject at Distinction level
  • An Access Course: minimum of 60 credits, including at least 45 at Level 3
  • An equivalent level 3 qualification

Applicants should have a strong GCSE profile, including English at Grade C, or equivalent and Maths at Grade C (specifically for Football Business & Finance, Sports Business & Sports Law and Sports Business & Psychology).

Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered. Applicants for whom English is a second language should have achieved IELTS 6 or equivalent for entry into Level 4.

We also welcome applications from mature students who may not possess the above qualifications but may have relevant experience.

All applicants will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in their preferred area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with the subject through the academic programme and our complementary curriculum involving high profile guest speakers, master classes and short course opportunities.

Entry with advanced standing

Students are normally expected to start at Level 4, but can be admitted to any level of the course which is considered suitable, after portfolio review and interview, using the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). Under this arrangement, a student may apply to have previous academic credits or other learning or experience taken into consideration. Such applications are considered by the Faculty CATS committee and must be supported by the Academic Department.

The UCFB Bursary

A limited number of bursaries are available for eligible fully enrolled UK students who are progressing to UCFB from a partner college/sixth form, and can be used towards studying costs.

The UCFB bursary amount is not paid to the student directly but is allocated for payment towards studying costs for eligible students.

The UCFB Scholarship Award

A limited number of scholarships will be available for 2015. Information will be announced soon. Contact us on 0843 208 2222 or mail scholarships@ucfb.com to register your interest.