Principles of Coaching and Learning
Applied Football Studies
Salford Business School
Distance Learning
Three year
September 2021
In a nutshell
Aimed at professional football players and those who work or volunteer in football, this three year, online course has been specifically designed for those seeking to develop a greater understanding of the football industry and the role of business management.
This diverse and unique degree combines learning in key areas of the football industry - including leadership, coaching, talent development and psychology - with practical business skills. It is ideal for those thinking about a long term career in sports management.
Created by the University of Salford Business School and Ahead in Sport, with support from Leeds Utd Football Club, BSc Applied Football Studies is the UK's first jointly-developed online degree for the football industry, mixing industry expertise and research within an academic qualification.
The course provides the flexibility to work alongside your current football environment or employment and recognises the significant growth in sports management opportunities beyond just playing the game.
This is a practical course which builds on your football experiences as a player or in a player facing role. You will develop strong skills relating to the business of football and be provided the opportunity to use your passion for the game to support your career progression.
"The expertise of teaching staff with practical experience of football and elite level sport, along with the quality of guest speakers and our exclusive Industry Mentor Initiative, means this programme provides learners with all of the support of a face-to-face teaching experience with the flexibility of online learning." Joel Roberts, Director of Operations, Ahead in Sport
You will:
- Study a programme that has been informed by research and professional practice
- Apply your practical learning in coaching, talent development, leadership and core business skills to your current role
- Learn through a combination of activities, lectures and seminars delivered online
- Be supported to learn by your own football industry mentor as well as through access to tutors from the University of Salford
- Learn from tutors with a practical understanding of football and the wider sports industry
- Develop transferable skills valuable in a career in football management, sports management or business more generally
students accepted
This is for you if...
You are engaged within a football environment
You want to develop your love of football into a future career
You wish to explore the relationship between football and business
All about the course
This course is designed to offer a range of experiences that reflect your role within the game as well as taking advantage of the workplace context in which this programme is delivered. From the start, you will be able to take your learning and apply it directly to your work and your club.
The course is delivered over three years. Both the business and the football modules have been specifically developed to be delivered online for this course. In addition, you will undertake independent study in your own time.
Each term is 12 weeks; there will be an induction week, 10 weeks of teaching and 1 week for assessments. During the term you will study 3 modules; for each module, you will have 5 hours per week of online learning plus up to 10 hours per week applying your learning in your work.
Digital & Business Skills
Introduction to Psychology and Media
Introduction to Football Conditioning
Contemporary Issues in Football
Introduction to Leadership
Football for Development
Talent ID Development
Professional Development
Research Methods
Advanced Coaching Practice
High Performance Culture
Football Governance and Legal Aspects
Managing People in the Football Environment
Football Ambassadors for Sustainability
Sports Coaching : Issues & Ethics
Dissertation/Industry Project
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
SALFORD BUSINESS SCHOOL
Salford Business School is part of the University of Salford. We aim to be the most business-informed, industry-relevant business school in the UK. Industry shapes everything we do, from informing our students’ learning to providing work placements, driving our research and influencing our academic staff.
We want you to gain the best academic and personal experience possible. As a student here, you’ll have access to a range of experiences and opportunities, so you graduate with much more than a degree.
What about after uni?
With this degree, you can choose to continue in your professional career as a player or in a player facing role knowing that you have gained valuable new skills that set you up for a future career within the football industry or in business more generally.
Or you may want to progress straight into different roles within the football industry or the wider sports sector. This course will prepare you for management positions across a variety of areas from those that are management/coaching led to talent management or working in specific areas in sports industries such as public relations or event management.
If you enjoy studying, you could continue to develop yourself with postgraduate courses in the area of sports management, sports marketing or in the arena of health and wellbeing such as sports coaching.
Career Links
This exciting programme is delivered in partnership between Salford Business School and Ahead in Sport, each bringing their distinct areas of expertise – business teaching and football development - to the UK's first jointly delivered online programme. The programme anticipates changes to the UEFA protection of young player rules and welcomes conversations with individuals and with any clubs.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
This programme has been designed for applicants working in a football environment.
You should be prepared to work consistently to meet the standards and the deadlines of the course but the results of your hard work will give you excellent career opportunities for life.
If you are unsure if your role meets the requirements, please email us to discuss further.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0, with no element below 5.5, is proof of this.
Please note: The entry criteria below are related to entry onto this course in the 2021/22 academic year.
Applicants must
- Be engaged within a full time football environment
- Have the equivalent of grade C or above, GCSE Maths and GCSE English
- Have 96 UCAS points or BTEC MMM
GCSE
Maths and English at grade C or grade 4 or above.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
96 points
A level
BCC with a minimum of two A2 passes.
BTEC
DD - National Diploma
MMM - Extended Diploma
Access to HE
104 Points – Pass with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2
International Baccalaureate
Indicatively 30 points for International Baccalaureate Diploma
Scottish Highers
104 points with a minimum of two Advanced Highers.
Irish Leaving Certificate
104 points with a minimum of two Higher Level Subjects.
European Baccalaureate
Pass Diploma with 60% or above
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2021/22 | £9,250per year |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding, or possible industry or educational visits.
All set? Let's apply
This is a closed programme for professional footballers and those working or aspiring to work in the football industry. If you are interested to apply, please email us at AppliedFootballStudies@salford.ac.uk.
Enrolment dates
Salford Business School, Ahead in Sport and Leeds United Football Club are proud to work in partnership to offer the UK's first jointly delivered online programme, BSc Applied Football Studies, aimed at those working or aspiring to work in the football industry.