Football Studies with Placement

Solent University has been at the forefront of football education for over two decades and our Football Studies degree has emerged as the leading supplier of graduates to the football industry. Graduates have gone on to careers at Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Women's Super League teams, Major League Soccer, and European and other international clubs.

This degree provides students with comprehensive knowledge and real-world experience across the local, national, and international football industry. Students explore a range of contemporary areas within the game and develop a critical understanding of football in relation to its continued growth and evolution.

Football underpins all teaching, with modules spanning development, coaching, performance analysis, recruitment, psychology, innovation, technology, data, player care, research, and the future game - areas shaped and informed by graduates who now lead in these roles across football. Gaining advanced knowledge of key football issues, undertaking research to influence those issues, and playing an active role in shaping the future of the game are central to the ethos of the course.

Students benefit from the opportunity to tap into the University’s extensive network of contacts in the game. Regular lectures from guest speakers - including former Premier League and international players, managers, academy directors, leading club chairmen, media professionals, match officials and England national team staff - enable students to learn from and interact with professionals who have first-hand, high-level experience within the game.

Gaining practical work experience is at the heart of the course, and students are encouraged to apply the skills learnt as part of their degree within a range of different clubs and in local community settings. Support is offered to students to help them undertake work and gain the experience that matches their future career plans within the game.

Students on this course will also benefit from the University's partnership with Southampton FC, with access to real-world industry experience at the Club as part of the curriculum, including professional coaching and development from the Club's coaching staff. Solent and Saints will also be collaborating on research projects to help influence the future of the game using applied learning gained by students through working with the Club.

If you’re looking to study our football studies degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the sport foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the sport foundation year.

This course also offers the option of a placement year. A placement year allows you to put what you've learned in your first and second years into practice in the workplace, gaining valuable real-world work experience before you graduate. Our course and placements teams will help you find the perfect industry placement in your chosen field.

What does this course lead to?
Graduates of Solent’s Football Studies degree go on to shape the game at every level, from local clubs to the international stage. Our alumni work in football governance, county associations, national teams, and major leagues such as the Premier League, Football League, National League, Women’s Super League, and Women’s Championship. They also take roles with European professional clubs, Major League Soccer, UEFA, FIFA, football agencies, player care, and representation, influencing the game both on and off the pitch. Whether driving strategy, developing talent, or shaping the future of the game, our graduates are equipped to turn their passion for football into impactful, rewarding careers.

YEAR ONE
CORE MODULES

Studying Football
Psychology in Football
Coaching Football for Participation
Performance Analysis in Football

YEAR TWO
CORE MODULES

Coaching Football for Specialisation
Strategic Football Development
Fitness in Football
Talent Identification and Recruitment

PLACEMENT YEAR

FINAL YEAR
CORE MODULES

International Football for Development
Coaching Football for Performance
Future Game
Research and Practice in Football

You may be assessed at the end of each block by:
Essays
Individual presentations
Group presentations
Fieldwork
Practical activities
Assignments
Live briefs
Poster presentations
As part of this course, you will study one module at a time, giving you the chance to build a deeper understanding and see the results of your hard work more quickly. With regular assessments and feedback, rather than exams all at once, you’ll also benefit from improved focus, and a more manageable workload.