Football is the most popular sport in the world, offering a huge range of employment opportunities to those with proper training and a passion for the sport. Whether you are seeking a new career in football or simply wish to progress within your current organisation, this part-time course will help you to develop a critical understanding of the fundamental business principles underpinning the game.

Football represents a unique market with its own economic and cultural makeup. Through exposure to theory and practice at a variety of local, national and international levels you will gain an understanding of how business and management principles can be applied to the football industry, and how it differs from other global industries.

Units cover a range of essential football topics, as well as looking at the political and economic climate in which football clubs are operating. The monitoring and evaluation unit will equip you to assess business performance and create appropriate indicators for measuring project objectives, outcomes and impact within sports. You will begin to explore the challenges of operating in the sporting environment and learn various transferable analytical skills pertaining to the wider sports industry.

The relationships between football, politics and development are also discussed. This includes the creation of football-related opportunities, as well as the role that sport can play in social and educational change. You’ll also get the chance to explore the various employment opportunities available at football clubs. Learning what roles are required and what challenges people in those roles face will help you to plan your career progression and become a well-rounded professional.

Optional units look at management, marketing, business culture and the media. These units help you to specialise in specific areas of the football business (tailoring the course to your own career ambitions) and learn how collaborative engagements with key stakeholders can enhance or create revenue streams.

Solent has provided administrative education for FIFA, the FA, the Premier League, the Football League and more than 60 professional clubs.

What does this course lead to?

Graduates will be well prepared for a range of established and emergent roles within both football and the wider sporting industry. Suitable employment areas include marketing, administration, commercial management, performance analysis, research, business development, partnerships, media relations, events, digital governance and community outreach.

Who is this course for?

Suitable candidates could come from a range of different academic or professional backgrounds. You could be seeking to change career, you could already be working in football, or you could be coming straight from undergraduate studies.

You will normally need to attend classes at the University for one day a week. Classes will be equivalent to three hours for each 30 credit unit studied. You are also expected to undertake considerable independent study in support of your learning.

YOUR FUTURE

The possibilities for career development within the industry remain strong, and the specialist knowledge learnt through the course will help to give you the edge in a competitive job market. Graduates will be well prepared for a range of established and emergent roles. Suitable employment areas include marketing, administration, commercial management, business analysis, research, business development, partnerships management, media relations, events, digital governance and community outreach.

INDUSTRY LINKS

The academic staff on Solent’s football programmes possess a wealth of knowledge and experience at various levels of the game. Their expertise has changed Premier League rules, trained staff from more than 60 professional clubs, and been consulted by the FA Commission.

The University has extensive links in the industry, including a close partnership with Southampton FC. Students have previously benefitted from regular guest lectures delivered by leading figures in the football industry.

The University has provided administrative education for FIFA, the FA, the Premier League, the Football League and more than 60 professional clubs.

PLACEMENTS

You will be encouraged and supported to gain work experience and placements, although this is not a requirement of the course. The course team have partnerships and arrangements with local schools and the Saints Foundation.

If you are currently in a relevant profession, you can use this experience to enhance learning and develop an understanding of the link between theory and practice in the workplace.