Introduction
About the course
The course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. This degree has been designed to develop suitably trained and qualified graduates to gain rewarding and exciting careers in the football industry. The course focuses on developing the skills, coaching techniques, game analysis, conditioning and sports science knowledge necessary to improve football performance.
The course is closely linked with professional football clubs giving students opportunities to observe and work within the industry. Students will gain vital work experience on and off the field, equipping students for future employment within the football industry in the many roles which now exist in the modern game. The course is based on the contemporary needs of the football industry and encourages students to develop innovative modern ideas, underpinned by traditional values and practices.
Myerscough College graduates have gone on to work in the football industry in a variety of roles, with the following professional clubs as examples: Everton, Liverpool, Chelsea, Preston North End, Burnley, Fleetwood Town, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool, Norwich City, Cardiff City, and Morecambe. Many of our graduates have also progressed to work abroad both short and long term, with many of these types of opportunities shared with our students and graduates. Past opportunities have included work in the following countries: USA, China, Switzerland, Portugal, and Columbia.
We advocate a holistic approach, developing a mixture of essential skills for your future employment in the professional game. The course includes a range of football coaching modules delivered by elite professional football coaches, developing your knowledge of techniques, tactics, strategies, skill acquisition, whilst improving your own performance. Your knowledge of sports science will be advanced, giving you a foundation of knowledge for strength and conditioning, talent identification, and rehabilitation modules. Our outstanding equipment and facilities will provide you with an opportunity to work with analysis equipment, software, cameras, timing gates, all under the guidance of outstanding professional football coaches.
With professional UEFA licensed coaches, and FA tutors delivering this course we can provide a unique and ideal choice for young football players, coaches and anyone hoping to work in the wider football industry. The course delivery is supplemented with outstanding guest lecturers enriching modules. These have previously included international level coaches, ex-professional players, international level futsal coaches, academy managers and staff from the professional game. The experience of tutors will assist in the completion of FA coaching awards, which are essential for employment in the football industry. Tutors provide a blend of academic knowledge, but also a vast amount of experience in the football industry as players and coaches. This blend of academic and practical delivery, make this course unrivalled by other coaching courses available to students. Students are given an opportunity to represent Myerscough in University football and futsal leagues as part of the course.
It should be noted that to succeed on this course it is not a pre-requisite to be a gifted and talented footballer. However, it is important to have an enthusiasm for football and a desire to explore all aspects of the professional industry.
On commencing the course students may be required to complete a CRB check at a cost to the student.
© University Centre Myerscough
Course modules
Year 1
Coaching Principles and Practice
Sports Performance
Introduction to Sport Science
Coaching and Pedagogy
Academic and Professional Skills
Year 2
Coaching for Sport Performance
Research Development
Sports Performance Analysis
Talent Identification and Sport Development
Industry Project
Lifestyle, Recovery and Rehabilitation
Year 3
Sports Industry Consultancy
High-Performance Training for Sport
High-Performance Coaching for Sport
Coaching Specific Sport and Pedagogy
Research (Double) Project
Entry requirements
5 GCSE passes at Grade C (4) or above (including Maths and English or equivalent)
Plus 104 UCAS Tariff points from one or more of the following:
3 A Levels (A2) at C or above
BTEC/C&G Level 3
4 Scottish Highers at C or above
4 Irish Highers at C or above
International Baccalaureate at 24 points
AS Levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.
Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.
All offers may be subject to a successful interview.
Learning and assessments
Students will complete a variety of assessments including the delivery of practical coaching sessions, performance planning and analysis, essays, multimedia presentations, reports, multiple-choice tests, presentations, group work and mini-projects.
Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and workshops.
Students are expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and group presentations form an important part of the course. Students will have access to specialist IT hardware and software, an online learning environment and reference facility.
There is no formal work placement on this course. The Academic and Professional Skills and Industry Project modules will utilise both on and off-site working environments to provide the opportunity for students to develop real practical and technical skills and help prepare them for employment in their chosen subject area.
Professional accreditations
Football Professional, Football Centre of the Excellent coach, Football in the Community coach, Football Development Officer or employment in the wider sports industry – such as Sports Psychology, Sports Marketing, Journalism or Sports Analysis.
The College works closely with Preston North End and The Football Association.
Special requirements
Students are expected to be prepared for practical sessions and are expected to maintain a presentable appearance when representing the college in the community.
Extra Costs:
Additional costs for items that are essential for the course:
Sports Kit £100
Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for the course include:
BUCS membership £60