ABOUT THE COURSE
If you’re passionate about football, Solent University’s industry-leading football studies degree can help provide you with the skills you’ll need to thrive in a variety of football roles. Past graduates are now employed in a range of clubs and organisations at all levels of the game.
Solent University has been at the forefront of football education for nearly 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 Southampton, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
This degree provides students with comprehensive knowledge and real-world experience of the football industry. Students have the opportunity to study a range of contemporary themes, as well as tailor their study to areas of specific interest within football.
Endorsed by the League Managers Association, the Professional Football Coaches Association and Kick It Out, the course offers excellent work placement opportunities with professional clubs and organisations.
Students are able to 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.
YOUR FUTURE
You’ll be well placed for a wide range of roles in football, whether you’re interested in development, coaching, scouting, performance analysis or research/education.
Suitable roles for graduates include:
- Football development officer
- Academy Coach
- Club scout
- Performance analyst
- Research/education roles.
INDUSTRY LINKS
The academic staff on the Football Studies degree possess a wealth of knowledge and experience at all levels of the game. They have coached at Premier League and Football League clubs, conducted major research reviews that have changed Premier League and Football League rules and regulations, won European acclaim for their football development work from UEFA and helped national teams prepare for World Cup Finals.
The course benefits from extensive industry links which include a longstanding relationship with Southampton FC. The University has provided administrative education for FIFA, the Football Association, the Premier League, the Football League, the Football Conference and more than 60 professional clubs.
PLACEMENTS
Gaining practical work experience is at the heart of the course. Students are required to take part in a football leadership programme, working on projects in the local football community.
Students are also encouraged to seek optional internship and work-based learning opportunities with professional clubs and organisations. Placement schemes have run in the past with a number of Premier League and Football League clubs, recruiting students from within the University, whilst other students arrange their own placements with support from the course team. The University can also help students to use their coaching skills in the United States and elsewhere during holiday periods.
Third-year students studying the Applied Coaching in Football unit are required to be working with a football club – the University can offer students support in getting in touch with local clubs if they are not already working with one.

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