Football Development and Performance

BSc (Hons) Football Development and Performance with Foundation Year

UCAS CODE: FDP4
TARIFF: 32 - 56
  • Study Mode: Full time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Four Years
  • Start Date: September 2022

You can also study this course:

The BSc (Hons) Football Development and Performance programme is ideal for those with a keen interest in community development through football, from grass-roots to performance. You’ll also benefit from placement opportunities, guest speakers and networking chances.
If you aspire to become a qualified football coach, the programme will give you the opportunity to gain recognised coaching awards, such as the FA Level 1 and 2.

 

Award of 11th place overall University of the Year - Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022

Top 5 for Student Satisfaction - NSS 2022 infographic

95% of our graduates in work or study after 15 months after graduation, HESA 2022

Two students standing next to each other talking

Open Days

We understand that when it comes to deciding where you’d like to study, there are a lot of things to consider. Come along to our Open Day and discover why BNU could be the place for you. You can find out more about your course, meet the course team, and get all your questions answered.

aerial view of a woman sat at a table making notes next to her laptop

Application Guide

For everything you need to know about applying, check out our Application Guide. You can find useful information for each stage of your application journey – from before you even apply to what to do if you receive an offer, and everything in between.   

Large group of students dancing in a nightclub at students' union

Students' Union

At BNU, we believe in putting our students first. That’s why we’re the only university in the UK to offer free access to such a diverse and exciting range of activities through our SU – all to enrich your university experience.

Why study this subject?

Over 11 million people play football in the UK (The FA 2015) and it remains the highest participation team sport in the country.  Whilst you could probably name a few of the top Premiership clubs, did you know that there are around 40,000 clubs in total at national, country and local level?

So opportunities abound at football clubs, local authorities, National Governing Bodies, including the FA and county FAs, County Sport Partnerships and education. From football coaching roles, community coaching positions and performance analysts, to football development officers and managers.

You could turn your passion for football into a rewarding and successful career with the right teaching and hands on learning experience.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

We have a strong reputation for delivering vocational sports courses and consider ourselves pioneers in football-related studies. We work closely with our football partners including Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, Wycombe Wanderers Sports and Education Trust and Watford Football Club, so you'll learn both within the University and ‘in the field’.

The course includes a compulsory placement at Level 5, and you'll also have the opportunity for a placement year coaching abroad through our football partnerships which includes some US-based soccer schools.

 

Football player wearing a red number 11 shirt

What facilities can I use?

On this course you'll benefit from having access to the University’s modern, well-equipped human performance laboratory.

Whilst studying with us you'll also use our BucksAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. BucksAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.

What will I study?

The BSc (Hons) Football Development and Performance focuses on the contextual and operational challenges facing the football industry and will help guide you through the process of how to engage with communities in order to contribute to the improvement of people’s lives through football.

You'll be given the opportunity to gain recognised coaching awards, such as the FA Level 1 and FA Level 2, building on your coaching repertoire beyond football. You'll learn how to establish and maintain networks, organise and run sports events and initiatives, and create, implement and evaluate important sporting policy about things like health, social inclusion and crime and anti-social behaviour.

How will I be taught and assessed?

This course is offered as a four-year programme, including the addition of an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

Across the programme you'll benefit from regular contact through lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical sessions. You'll be assessed through a combination of coursework through essays, reports and a portfolio, as well as practical assessments that include individual and group presentations.

Placements Plus

BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.

We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.

Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.

Useful Documents

BSc (Hons) Football Development and Performance Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 32 - 56

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the 3-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a Level 4 course, will be considered for the 4-year programme including a Foundation Year. If you wish to enquire further, please send your query along with any academic evidence or references to admissions@bucks.ac.uk

Find out more about our General Entry Requirements.

 

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Year 1 Modules

Preparing for Success Knowledge and Creativity

Preparing for Success Self‐development and Responsibility

Inquiry and Research Skills

Introduction to Sport Development and Performance

Year 2 Modules

Introduction to Coaching Theory and Practice

Foundations of Sports Research

Understanding Sport Development

Human Anatomy

Human Sciences for Physical Education

Games in Sport and Education

The Global Football Industry

Football and Society

Year 3 Modules

Coaching and Athlete Development

Research in Sport and Exercise

Sport Operations Management

Performance Analysis

Applied Strength and Conditioning

Sports Nutrition

Sport Development Application and Approaches

Working in Sport Development and Coaching

Year 4 Modules

Club Business: Football

Research Dissertation

Professional Development and Employability

Strategies in Youth Sport

Psychology of Youth Sport

Contemporary Coaching Issues

Performance Testing in Football

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2022 - 2023

£9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2022 - 2023

£14,250 per year

The University is unable to accept any new applications from students who require sponsorship for a student visa to start in September 2022. This is due to the overwhelming popularity of our courses and visa processing timeframes.  Applications are still being taken from students who are already in the UK and hold the right to study.

From September 2022, those students living in the UK or Republic of Ireland, and EU nationals with settled status in the UK, will be considered Home students.

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.

You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

Contact our Enquiries Team:

0330 123 2023

advice@bucks.ac.uk

What are my career prospects? 

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

Our BSc (Hons) Football and Development course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities, such as:

  • Football coaching roles
  • Community coaching positions
  • Performance analysts
  • Football development officers and managers
  • Development roles in sports other than football.

Successful graduates could expect to work within football clubs, local authorities (county and district councils), National Governing Bodies (including the FA and county FAs), and County Sport Partnerships. You could also find yourself working within education, in schools, colleges and universities.

Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course.

Course leader

The silhouette of a white head and shoulders of a person against a grey background
Dr Ben Clayton
  • Associate Professor
Read full profile
The silhouette of a white head and shoulders of a person against a grey background
Rich Collins
  • Lecturer
Read full profile
Jade Hewitt staff profile photo
Jade Hewitt
  • Graduate Teaching Associate
Read full profile
Nigel Moore staff profile photo
Nigel Moore
  • Associate Lecturer
Read full profile