Applications for football and sport degrees hit record high

Football and sports coaching degrees offered by Burton Albion Community Trust have hit a record high in applications this year.  

The University of South Wales (USW) degree programme, run in partnership with EFL in the Community at more than 45 Club Community Organisations across England and Wales, have received a record number of 355 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 a 20 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 per cent) achieving a 2.1 or better.

BACT’s Post-16 co-ordinator, James Billings, said: “All of our courses are designed with an applied industry focus, working with partners in industry to ensure that the curriculum and assessment is designed to support students with the skillset they require to become deployable in the industry.

“We also have a work-based learning integrated into the programme to support students underpinning academic with practical based learning across Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT) and Burton Albion Football Club (BAFC).

“We have a fantastic mentor team which will give students unrivalled support in their academic and practical work to ensure learner progression as an individual and practitioner.” 

The University of South Wales courses are popular with students as it gives them practical experience at a Football 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 and Academic Support Coaches.

USW courses started 10 years ago at three clubs with a handful of students and has significantly grown to be delivered at Burton Albion Community Trust and 45 other Clubs – with hundreds of students now benefitting.   

Connor is an example of how the USW Football Coaching and Development Degree can assist and develop individuals in their coaching journey.

Upon enrolling on to the course, Connor earnt a 16-hour contract at the Burton Albion Community Trust due to his performance in his work-based learning whilst completing the degree.

After completing the course, he gained a full-time contract as a football development coordinator who oversees the organisation and delivery of the football programmes, in particular the Advanced Development Centre, and is also part-time lead coach for the Burton Albion Academy.

Connor said: “Although having many years of coaching experience prior to the course, I felt that the specific online content along with the practical residential’s enabled me to learn new coaching techniques and to work alongside other good coaches.

The degree enabled me to expand my knowledge through academic theory modules and be able to put this into practice through the variety of opportunities available through work-based learning projects.”