Football and sports coaching degrees offered by over 40 professional Football Clubs have hit a record high in applications this year.
The University of South Wales (USW) degree programme, run in partnership with EFL Club Community Organisations across England and Wales, have received a record number of 348 applications for students starting in September 2024, with time still to apply.
Across the courses offered – a Foundation Degree in Community Football Coaching and Development and a Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching and Development and BA Sports Business and Management there has been an 18 per cent increase in applications for this year compared to 2023.
Not only has there been an increase in popularity and demand for the courses from applications but also in the success of students achieving high level grades, with over half (56%) achieving a 2.1 or better.
USW courses started 10 years ago at three Clubs with a handful of students and has significantly grown to be delivered at 46 Clubs – with hundreds of students now benefitting.
Even though the courses are hosted at EFL Football Clubs nationwide, it doesn’t mean that the courses are designed specifically for avid football fans.
Leah is an example of how the USW Foundation Degree allows students to tailor their own learning and provides a pathway to excel at all levels of coaching from football to dance.
With a promotion to School Sports Coordinator with Wigan Athletic Community Trust shortly after she graduated it’s a role she adores.
Leah said:
“I absolutely love working with children, they brighten my day with how enthusiastic they are about PE and sport.”
The USW degree nurtured Will’s confidence and exposed him to real-world working environments with Bristol Rovers Community Trust, and took him out of his comfort zone, allowing him to grow both personally and professionally.
The degree, that provides students with the ability to gain further qualifications alongside their studies including gaining their coaching badges, helped Will to look forward to his future.
“I felt this differed from different educational experiences as I was able to gain work experience whilst studying,” he explained. “I was able to gain qualifications along the way and was able to work on different projects that the Trust offered to find the area of work I enjoyed the most.”
Will has continued with Bristol Rovers Community Trust, where he is now their Head of Inclusion and Degree Mentor.
The University of South Wales courses are popular with students as it gives them practical experience at a Football Club – very often they are fans of that club, whilst allowing for a blended and ‘real world’ learning approach where students have both face-to face and online learning.
Students on the degree programme have numerous points of support, from club mentors to lecturers.
