Football Studies

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)

About the course:

Major themes include: performance analysis, talent identification and development, football as a global business, marketing, coaching performance and applied psychology.

Year 1/Level 4 - indicative modules
-Introduction to Psychology
-Introduction to Business in Football
-Introduction to Coaching in Football
-Performance Analysis in Football
-Introduction to Research Skills
-Employability in Football

Year 2/Level 5 - indicative modules
-Applied Psychology
-Marketing in Football
-Foundation Phase in Football Coaching
-Applied Observational Analysis in Football
-Reflective Practitioner
-Work Placement

Year 3/Level 6 - indicative modules
-Professional Development Portfolio in Football
-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 club and one of the 12 'Originals' - founder members of the Football League in 1888. This well-established club/college partnership lies at the heart of our local community and 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.

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. Details for 2025-26 will be advertised once approved by the university regulator – the Office for Students (OfS). Please check our website - www.nottinghamcollege.ac.uk - 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.

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.