Kick-off your future in football: the world's beautiful game. Develop the skills needed for a career in men's and women's 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.
This award is validated by The Open University (OU)
There is no First Year entry in academic year 2026-27. Direct entry is restricted to Years 2 and 3 only, for students with previous study elsewhere in a relevant subject area.
About the course:
Step into the future of football with a course designed for today’s game. Explore tactical trends, rising physical demands, team management, and the power of technology—all shaped by the growing career opportunities in the football industry. Turn your passion into a profession.
Major themes include:
-data and performance analysis
-talent identification and development
-football as a global business
-marketing
-media
-coaching performance
-applied psychology.
Year 2/Level 5 modules
-Applied Psychology
-Media in Football
-Foundation Phase in Football Coaching
-Applied Observational Analysis in Football
-The Reflective Practitioner
-Work Placement
Year 3/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 topic of their choice. Students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme to a real-world issue or trend. This requires students to demonstrate their ability to conduct original research, analyse data, and present their findings clearly and concisely.
Footballing partners:
Our Sports Academy has close links with Notts County FC, famous as the world's oldest professional club and one of the 12 'Originals' - founder members of the Football League. This well-established club/college partnership lies at the heart of our local community, providing 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.
Assessment:
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.
Qualification awarded:
Level 6 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Football Studies - awarded by The Open University (OU).
Bursaries
We want to be accessible to students from any background, so we’ve put together a cash support package of non-repayable bursaries to provide financial help where it’s really needed. Check our website for more details.
Progression and careers:
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. Recent graduates work 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.
Career paths include coaching, performance analysis, sports science, administration, development, nutrition and welfare, community engagement, and talent identification or recruitment across professional football and wider sports settings.
Others may seek employment in education, HM Armed Forces, the public services, voluntary sector or in health promotion and wellbeing.
