“I'd like to express all my gratitude to the lecturers for the knowledge and experience they provided me with.”
BSc (Hons)Football Studies
Apply on UCAS- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
- 4 years with year in industry
- 5 years with foundation and industry years
Why study a football studies degree at Solent University
The course is designed and tailored for those individuals passionate about football, enthusiastic to learn from the game in order to reach their aspirations to work within it...
- Top0in the UK for teaching in sport and exercise science studies, out of 83 institutions (NSS 2024)
- 0%positivity score for assessment and feedback (NSS 2024)
- 0%graduates in high-skilled employment/further study 15 months after graduating (HESA 2023)
- Students studying this course receive over 20 hours of professional coaching and development from the Southampton FC coaching team.
- Solent graduates work for FIFA, the FA, the Premier League, the Football League, and more than 60 professional clubs.
- Our partnership with Southampton FC provides learning experiences and guest lectures delivered by professional coaching, performance and development teams from the football club.
- Sessions are delivered at the multi-million-pound Test Park football centre, which boasts a full-sized all-weather 3G pitch, an FA Step 5 football arena and modern teaching space.
- Practical work experience is at the heart of this course, and students are encouraged to apply their skills within a range of different clubs and in local community settings.
- A booming industry - the European football industry is now valued at between £20–25bn (Deloitte, 2021).
- If you apply for this course with a placement year, you can undertake a year in industry between your second and third years.
Course overview
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 national and international football industry. Students have the opportunity to study a range of contemporary areas within the game, and tailor their study to their own specific interest within football.
The six main strands of study include:
- Coaching.
- Football development.
- Psychology.
- Performance analysis.
- Critical research and study skills.
- Sociology and politics.
Students will be 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.
Gaining practical work experience is at the heart of the course, and students are encouraged to apply the skills learnt as part of their degree within a range of different clubs and in local community settings. Support is offered to students to help them undertake work and gain the experience that matches their future career plans within the game.
Students on this course will also benefit from the University's partnership with Southampton FC, with access to real-world industry experience at the Club as part of the curriculum, including professional coaching and development from Premier League coaching staff. Solent and Saints will also be collaborating on research projects to help influence the future of the game using applied learning gained by students through working with the Club.
The University has provided administrative education for FIFA, the Football Association, the Premier League, the Football League, the National League and more than 60 professional clubs.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Endorsed by:
Course features
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Placement year
If you apply for this course with a placement year, you have the opportunity to undertake a year in industry between your second and third years
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Study abroad
You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course
Who is this course for?
We welcome applications from students from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Graduates from the foundation course are guaranteed direct entry to the degree.
All our students are passionate about football, and we will support your aspirations for a career within the game.
What does this course lead to?
In recent years, students have secured work-based learning opportunities, internships, and full-time employment. We are proud the course has supported our graduates’ achieving roles throughout football in performance and participation in the male and female game. This legacy is evident with students accessing full time positions ranging within:
- Football governance
- County Football associations
- National organisations and teams
- Premier league clubs
- Football league
- National Conference
- Women’s Super League
- Women’s Championship
- European Professional teams
- Major League Soccer
- UEFA
- FIFA
- Football Agent
- Football Media
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
The academic staff on the Football Studies degree possess a wealth of knowledge and experience at all levels of the game. Many are research-active, publishing their peer-reviewed work in a variety of different books and internationally renowned journals. Some have coached at Premier League and Football League clubs, while others have conducted major research reviews that have informed public debate and changed football-related policy. Our staff frequently appear on national and international media channels to provide expert comment and analysis on football-related issues.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Practical sessions are delivered at Solent’s multi-million-pound Test Park football centre, which boasts a full-size all-weather 3G pitch, an FA Step 5 football arena and state-of-the-art built-in teaching space. Students also have access to AnalysisPro/Nacsport video and performance analysis equipment and software.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Coaching in the Foundation Phase
This practically based module aims to teach how to deliver football coaching sessions that are enjoyable, safe and effective as the basis for the forthcoming coaching modules by focusing on the Foundation Phase (ages 9 – 12). Underpinned by coaching pedagogy of key performance components of football including technical, tactical, psychological, physical and social aspects.
Elite Youth Development in Football
The development of youth footballers in professional football club’s academies is a vital part of the Premier League. You will cover core elements of the Elite Player Performance Plan to gain an in-depth understanding of the day to day workings of a Category 1-4 professional football club’s Academy.
Football and Society
This introduces students to the sociological study of football. It does so by introducing students to a number of key sociological concepts as they relate to the game.
Fundamentals of Skill Acquisition
How do we learn new skills? How do athletes take in information from their environment? Learning, developing and executing skills is a crucial part of football performance and this module will explain how these things happen in line with psychological processes.
Principles of Football Development
This will provide an opportunity for students to explore the concepts and theories which underpin football development by engaging in real-world learning experiences which are aligned to the module and assessment.
Research and Study Skills
This module will introduce you to the key 'research and study skills' required to successfully achieve this. You will be challenged to explore your existing ideas and tasked to seek out new information in order to develop your understanding of research and knowledge generation. This module is key to your future studies and will help prepare you for your ‘research journey’ at university.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Essays
- Individual presentations
- Group presentations
- Fieldwork
- Practical activities
- Written exams
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out moreStudy support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
Access Solent provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career in the football industry?
A career in football can be incredibly rewarding, whether you're working at grassroots level, with children and young people, or at the highest level. And it's a booming industry - the European football industry is now valued at between £20–25bn (Deloitte, 2021).
Throughout this degree, you'll have the opportunity to gain real-world experience to help prepare you to hit the ground running in your first graduate role.
The academic staff on the football studies degree possess a wealth of knowledge and experience at all levels of the game. Many are research-active, publishing their peer-reviewed work in a variety of different books and internationally renowned journals. Some have coached at Premier League and Football League clubs, while others have conducted major research reviews that have informed public debate and changed football-related policy. Our staff frequently appear on national and international media channels to provide expert comment and analysis on football-related issues.
The course benefits from extensive industry links which include a recently re-launched relationship with Southampton Football Club. The University has provided administrative education for FIFA, the Football Association, the Premier League, the Football League, the National League and more than 60 professional clubs.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“I'd like to express all my gratitude to the lecturers for the knowledge and experience they provided me with.”
Solent Futures
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Endorsements
Endorsed by:
Further study
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Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 other costs were:
Compulsory costs
- Students must purchase a Solent sports kit. As a package, this will cost approximately £135.
- Students are required to undertake DBS criminal records checks as part of their enrolment. This is compulsory and is payable by the student at a cost of £60. The DBS check is organised by the University.
Optional costs
- Optional discounted professional body endorsement (NGB): Prices vary, please click here to view our courses.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D or equivalent qualification, or a combination of qualifications which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please contact admissions.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please contact admissions.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our 2023 course entry statement document.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
- 4 years with year in industry
- 5 years with foundation and industry years