ABOUT THE COURSE
Solent University has been at the forefront of football education for nearly two decades, emerging as the UK’s leading supplier of graduates to football clubs and organisations. The industry’s rapid commercial expansion over the past 25 years has created a wide variety of new career pathways for those with the skills and enthusiasm required to succeed.
Throughout the course you’ll be guided by an academic team with experience at all levels of the game. They’ve conducted major research reviews that have changed Premier and Football League regulations; won acclaim from UEFA for their football development work; and produced a number of published works on the subject.
The curriculum offers a rounded business education, with all learning contextualised to the football environment. Modules cover marketing, management, football development, sociology, organisational behaviour and strategic planning. These themes run throughout the three year course, helping you to develop your general business skills alongside knowledge that is specific to the management of football organisations.
In the final year of the course you’ll select an area of specialism. This will help you to better prepare for roles that match your personal ambitions, and will give you the chance to have an in-depth look at a side of the business you find most engaging.
Employability skills are embedded throughout the degree, ensuring that you graduate well prepared to apply for relevant roles. Work experience is a core component of the 'Principles of Football Development' unit, which will see you working on leadership projects within the local football community. There is also a range of work experience and volunteering opportunities available through our network of partner clubs.
YOUR FUTURE
As with any large business, football clubs need staff with a variety of skills. Opportunities exist in marketing, project management, recruitment, administration, accountancy, partnership development and many other areas of business specialism.
Suitable roles for graduates include:
- Football development officer
- Football education officer
- Commercial executive
- Club administrator
- Performance analyst
- Marketing executive
- Business analyst
- Research
INDUSTRY LINKS
The University has provided administrative education for FIFA, the FA, the Premier League, the Football League and more than 60 professional clubs. This has helped us to forge and maintain long-standing relationships that have resulted in work placements, guest speakers and live briefs.
A partnership exists with Southampton FC which provides, among other things, opportunities for students to gain work experience.
A partnership also exists with the League Managers Association, who endorse the degree and provide prizes at graduation. We also run a Certificate of Higher Education in conjunction with this organisation.
We run equality and diversity training nationally in partnership with Kick It Out, football's equality advisory body. You will be able to take this training free of charge.
Football Development units are run in partnership with Hampshire FA, who support the development of unit content, contribute to the teaching on the unit and co-manage the UEFA award-winning Football Leadership Programme.
PLACEMENTS
Employability skills are embedded throughout the degree, ensuring that you graduate well prepared to apply for relevant roles.
Work experience is a core component of the 'Principles of Football Development' unit, which will see you working on leadership projects within the local football community.
There are also work experience and volunteering opportunities available through our network of partner clubs. Past students have found work experience at clubs like Southampton FC, Reading FC and Aldershot Town FC.
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