Football Development

Developed in collaboration with The Football Association (FA), this course provides an opportunity for existing and aspiring football industry professionals to develop critical understanding and application of the various constituent components of football development at grassroots and elite levels in a variety of industry contexts. This one-year, distance learning course provides you with the understanding and skillset to achieve your desired career in football development.

Degree Overview
The curriculum for this groundbreaking course has been developed by a team of specialists and experienced academic staff, working in collaboration with experts from the Grassroots Football Division within the FA. These individuals bring a wealth of practical experience, having worked extensively in the field as industry specialists.

Degree Content
This course is delivered online via Distance learning. It is ideal for current professionals working in the football or sport industry who want to upskill their experience and knowledge and those wishing to start their journey as a football development practitioner who have commitments meaning they prefer a more flexible mode of delivery instead of a campus-based delivery.

The course covers a range of essential topics, including principles of football development, strategic football development, understanding the business of football development, equality, diversity, inclusion and, safeguarding in football, professional practice via a work placement, and monitoring, evaluation and research in industry.

Placement Opportunities
Placements, internships, and work-based learning provide opportunities for students to gain work experience, develop work-related skills, learn about professional sectors and how your studies can be directly applied in the work environment.

In collaboration with County FAs and other football organisations, the work-based learning module strives for students to showcase the practical application of knowledge and skills acquired in the football development program through a work placement. The placement is designed to offer hands-on and targeted industry experience, ultimately bolstering the future employability prospects of students in the football development sector.

Degree Specifications
University Campus of Football Business is an embedded college of the University of East London. All graduates will receive a degree from the University of East London.

Career Prospects
This course, designed in collaboration with The Football Association (The FA), provides graduates with a viable route into various roles with the football industry. As part of the course curriculum, students will be introduced to work-based learning in a suitable football development organisation placement. This pathway opens doors to careers from grassroots to elite level football development teams.

• Employment into football Development / Sport Development: Potential direct recruitment to FA and County FA vacancies

• Further Study: Accredited Prior Learning for Level 5 undergraduate Study

UCFB Employability & Career Planning Programme
Over 90% of UCFB graduates are in employment within six months of graduating, with 62% of those graduates working within the global sports industry.

At UCFB, your career starts from day one. Alongside your academic studies, our Employability & Career Planning programme supports your development, helping you build the skills, experience and confidence to succeed in the sports industry.

Through a range of tailored opportunities - including best-in-class industry guest speakers, Premier Events, and work-based learning - you’ll gain valuable real-world insight and connections. With ongoing career support and access to placements, you’ll graduate as a well-rounded, career-ready professional.

Course Modules

All six modules are 20 credits in value and are core modules. They are:

• Principles of Football Development

• Applied Football Development

• Understanding the Business of Football Development

• Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Safeguarding in Football Development

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Research in Football Development

• Professional Practice in Football Development (WBL)