Home Courses Sport BSc (Hons) Football Coaching and Performance
Football students playing on the astro

Prepare for a career in football coaching and performance

UCAS LogoUCAS Logo
CX62
3 years full-time
Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)

37th

UK University

The Guardian University Guide 2023

7th

in the UK for teaching quality

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022

Top 10

for student satisfaction

Complete University Guide 2023

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Overview

Explore the theories and practicalities of football coaching and performance analysis

Our BSc (Hons) Football Coaching and Performance provides you with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience of contemporary football coaching, as you study the theories, concepts, and practices that underpin team and individual performance.

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) education partner

Examine the theories and concepts that underpin coaching practice

Across this three-year degree, you will build your knowledge and understanding of a range of coaching and performance topics that will you look to apply to your practical work and further your coaching development.

Study a range of topics that include:

  • Skill acquisition
  • Sport and exercise science
  • Football development
  • Sport performance
  • Sports injury recovery and prevention
  • Systems and performance analysis

Develop your own coaching practice

This course provides you with a critical understanding of the concepts and practices that you will use to shape football coaching, as you develop your knowledge of key principles of play, advanced tactical and strategic knowledge, and coaching strategies.

Explore the details of contemporary performance analysis

Throughout your degree, you will learn to understand the key concepts, skills, and techniques associated with performance analysis, and how to use it to support of individuals and teams.

Experience the coaching practices of FC Barcelona

In your second year, you will have the opportunity to travel to Barcelona to explore the delivery practices of coaches from community level through to the world-famous La Masia academy in one of the most famous football cities in the world.

Gain vital experience on coaching placements

In your second year, you will undertake a placement within a local coaching context such as with a club, university, or school, as you gain an insight into the professional world and explore where you are in your own coaching journey.

Learn from expert, experienced, and UEFA-qualified coaches

Our team of coaching specialists includes UEFA ‘A’ licence coaches, UEFA ‘B’ licence coaches, experienced FA coach educators, FA Coach mentors, and applied practitioners within football.

Smaller class sizes for better learning and support

You will learn from our team of experienced and active coaches in smaller classes, which mean our lecturers can really get to know you and how best to support your academic and personal development.

Acquire the skills and knowledge needed for employment in the football industry

The course is designed to ensure that you gain the skills and knowledge required to gain employment in the football industry, both in the UK and internationally.

On this course you will:

  • Use the theories and concepts that underpin contemporary football coaching to develop your own practice.
  • Learn the intricacies of fundamental aspects of football performance both in individuals and as a team.
  • Examine the key concepts, skills, and techniques associated with performance analysis,
  • Gain vital experience on both work placements and trips to the famous La Masia football academy in Barcelona.
  • Feel the support of our team of experienced and expert coaching staff in smaller class sizes.
  • Prepare for your future career within the football industry both in the UK and internationally.

The Course

Develop the core skills needed to improve your practical and coaching competence

Year One

In the first year, you will learn the fundamental theories and practices behind contemporary football coaching, as well as explore some of the core scientific aspects that underpin sporting performance.

Year Two

Your second year explores more advanced topics around football coaching, as well as develops your knowledge and understanding of performance analysis.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in a relevant professional setting and have the option to visit Barcelona to learn more about their coaching practices.

Year Three

In your final year, you will work towards a final research dissertation that acts as the culmination of your learning from throughout your degree.

Alongside this, you will explore more advanced aspects of coaching, performance, and analysis, as you develop a critical understanding of the cultural, political, social and economic landscape of the sport.

Indicative modules

You will study a selection of core and optional modules during your degree. Each module is worth a particular number of credits and is delivered differently depending on the needs of the module.

This list is indicative and subject to future change.

Select a year

Evaluating Sport, Exercise and Health

This module will use a sport, exercise, and health science context to develop study and research skills through practical application.

You will be introduced to simple methods of quantitative research and data analysis together with the rational for those methods.

In addition, you will experience a wide range of learning modalities to develop your study skills including: practical data collection, computer laboratories, group seminars and group and individual tutorials.

Fundamentals of Human Physiology

This module examines how key systems such as the musculoskeletal system, the cardio-vascular system, and the respiratory system affect human performance.

Specific attention is paid to energy metabolism in the context of the exercising human across the breadth of the energy spectrum.

Introduction to Coaching Contexts in Sport

This module discusses the role of different providers for coaching, coach education, and development and identify the impact of political and financial climates as drivers behind the developing opportunities to work within a diverse range of contexts.

The implications of these on the skill set required to be an effective coach within different contexts will be examined along with potential employment opportunities.

Introduction to Skill Acquisition

This module explores the psychological factors that affect the learning and performance of skills in sport.

You are introduced to selected theories of performance and learning and the strengths and weaknesses of these theories are examined.

Research findings will be used to help you make the connections to your responsibilities as sports coaches.

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Sport and exercise contexts provide a fascinating and complex opportunity to investigate the psychology of human affect, cognition, and behaviour.

This module aims to introduce you to diverse areas of psychology in the context of sport performance, exercise, and well-being.

Questioning Sport, Exercise and Health

You will be introduced to study skills for higher education and discover the philosophical underpinnings of research in the sport and health sciences.

You will also be introduced to qualitative research methods.

Understanding Coach Learning and Development in Football

This module enables you to comprehensively develop theories of learning and the current approaches adopted and advocated in respect to coaching Association Football.

The module develops your learning from the ‘Understanding Player Performance in Football’ module by changing the focus from a playing perspective to a coaching perspective.

You will examine different coaching pedagogies and approaches in order to appropriately apply theory to practice in your coaching.

Understanding Player Performance in Football

The module aims to provide you with support to develop comprehensive knowledge of the principles, major strategies, and technical performance factors that underpin Association Football.

You will learn in terms of being ‘players’ of the game so that you are able to gain a playing focus of Association Football.

Applied Football Development

This module allows you understand how to comprehensively develop and examine association football in the realm of youth provision.

You will explore the varying methods used when coaching the young player with a comparison made between academy football and grassroots football.

In addition, you will consider the youth development phase of football as you explore the differences between performance and participation coaching through the provision of a football event.

Applied Professional Project in Football

This module acts as an introduction to the dynamic nature of coaching within its current landscape.

It will provide you with the essential practice led learning element of your programme and enable you to demonstrate your competence and skill as a football practitioner.

Children and Youth Sport

This module aims to give you an overview of a number of issues related to coaching children in sport and/or providing sports opportunities for them.

You will examine the development of the young performer from a multidisciplinary perspective and aims to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge through appropriate assignments.

Developing and Monitoring Physical Performance

This module aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to design interventions for improving both health and skills-related physical fitness.

You will develop the ability to complete a health screening and needs analysis on clients and athletes, establish goals, select appropriate methods of individual physical performance assessments, and design interventions to improve physical performance.

Pedagogy for Activity

This module aims to further your understanding as to the ‘why’ surrounding physical activity through Physical Education.

You will develop your knowledge and personal philosophy as to what you believe you want to deliver, how, and why, in accordance with school and Governmental policies.

Performance Analysis in Sport

This module aims to introduce you to the key concepts, skills, and techniques associated to performance analysis, and outline its place in the scientific support of individuals and teams.

The analysis undertaken could relate to technical, tactical and/or physical aspects of performance, as the use of sports performance analysis is paramount considering the limitations of human memory, such as the volume of event recall and subjectivity.

Project Management

This module introduces you to the essential tools and methodologies for managing an effective project, including the ‘Prince2’ and ‘Agile’ methodologies.

You will explore techniques for change management and version control and have the opportunity to explore project planning and use Project Management software.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a 3,500-word portfolio.

Researching Sport, Exercise & Health

You will further develop your skills in research methods and data analysis, with a broad focus on analysis procedures including the qualitative method of interviewing, and quantitative methods of analysis of variance, correlation, and linear regression.

These methods are commonly used procedures in the sport, exercise, and health sciences, and understanding of these will also provide a solid foundation for understanding more advanced research methods that you may learn in your future work including research projects or postgraduate study.

Sports Injury and Prevention

In this module, you will study basic musculo-skeletal anatomy, including features particularly prone to injury in sport e.g. ligaments; incidence of sport injury.

You will explore common injuries to the body and their methods of occurrence, as well as first aid procedures and injury assessment.

You will also study the role of biomechanics in predisposing factors, psychology, and prevention of injury, as you consider treatment methods, rehabilitation, and real-world case studies.

Working With Individuals

This module focuses on the multi-faceted process of the coach-athlete and teacher-pupil relationship. Drawing on contemporary psychological research which places this relationship at the centre of athlete and pupil development.

This module will explore the sources, nature, and synthesis of sports specific and psychological theory and its application in the development of sporting competence in athletes and pupils.

Analysing Football Development

You will examine selected adaptations of association football in relation to how these adaptations have extended the dominant game.

In particular, the module will focus on specific adaptations including but not exclusive to futsal, forms of disability football, walking football, beach soccer, and the emergence of the female game.

Across all these formats the aim will be to examine how they are different and unique to the traditional and dominant 11v11 game of association football.

Analysis of Systems and Performance in Football

This module develops your critical, analytical, and performance-based analysis of trends and patterns in the development of playing strategies related to Association Football.

You will gain an advanced understanding of the practices, philosophies, and methods of working with players in performance football.

Critical Reflection in Coaching and Mentoring

This module acts as an introduction to the theoretical and practical concepts related to the development and mentoring of coaches, as you critically examine the methods and processes through which coaches learn and develop.

It will embed theories of learning and critically explore philosophies of education as they relate to the development of competent sports coaches.

Exploring Ethical Challenges in Coaching

The increasing access to and globalisation of sport brings with it a wider range of ethical dilemmas for all those involved, including the coach.

This module aims to increase the awareness of how these issues impact on the work of the coach and examine how choices are made using both historic and contemporary examples.

Planning and Monitoring of Training and Performance

This module focuses on planning and monitoring training of athletes and how a programme of physiological support can be used to enhance performance.

You will engage in current literature identifying the physiological demands of the athletes chosen sport, key measures of physical fitness, and how we can enhance them.

An athlete’s ability to focus on training to gain maximal physiological adaptations and relax in competition can represent the difference in making the podium or winning major tournaments.

Research Project

The research project provides an opportunity to apply appropriate knowledge, concepts, and techniques to an in-depth study of a particular question or problem relating to sport, exercise, or healthcare.

This module aims to foster a greater understanding of the processes to undertake a small-scale research project and marks the culmination of your learning experience over your undergraduate programme of study.

Working With Teams

This module focuses on the requirements of effective coaching delivery within groups and teams. It will critically analyse and address the knowledge and skills necessary to work with groups of athletes across key coaching contexts. You will understand how to assess the needs of a group, and the individuals within, and address this in your planning and delivery.

Teaching and Assessment

Innovative teaching methods that focus on practice

Smaller class sizes for better learning

You will build your subject knowledge and practical experience through lectures, workshops, and tutorials in small classes, which means our expert teaching staff really get to know you and what support you need.

Teaching

Our team of principal lecturers ensure innovation, enthusiasm and expertise combine to deliver the excellent standards that give our institution its high reputation.

When you come to Chichester, you will join a community of students and lecturers working in partnership to ensure that your learning experience reflects best practice and embraces the opportunities presented by new, interactive technologies.

Many sessions will require you to have completed some preparatory work and you will also be given structured follow-up work after a session to further progress your learning, often reading or an individual/group task. As you progress through your degree you will be expected to take more and more ownership over your learning and development, directing your study into areas of most interest to you.

Find supportive staff ready to help you reach your goals

Modules are assessed at every stage of the course, offering cumulative assessment of your progress, which means you can monitor your own progress throughout your degree and look to discuss and plan your development with your lecturers throughout the course.

Where appropriate, special arrangements can be made for students with an identified need/needs.

Assessment

Our course includes a mix of assessments to help you develop a wide range of transferable skills.

You will be assessed by a variety of methods, including:

  • Essays
  • Practical assessments
  • Portfolios
  • Examinations
  • Lab reports
  • Oral presentations

Experience

Discover a wide range of sporting facilities that support your learning

Noah

BSc (Hons) Football Coaching and Performance
"This course inspired me to learn and expand as a practitioner in football. The teaching was both relatable and focuses on individual development. Whilst studying, I took advantage of the incredible opportunities to attend study visits at the Barcelona, AC Milan, and Juventus academies. I also got the opportunity to coach in China on a football education training camp."

Utilise our network of professional clubs

The University of Chichester has a long tradition of playing excellence in Association Football and has considerable depth of expertise within this amongst the staff.

The University has an extensive network of relationships with many local professional and semi-professional clubs as well as a growing network of international relationships.

Expansive network of contacts

The University has an extensive network of international relationships with many professional and semi-professional clubs in Europe, North America and Asia.

Placement Opportunities

Utilise our extensive professional networks to support your learning

We consider placements to be integral to your development as a student and are therefore integrated within University-based work.

We can offer our students opportunities to coach with Chichester City FC throughout all age groups through an established link between the club and the University, which will support your applied experience of coaching.

Who finds the placement?

Students are ultimately responsible for finding their own placement, however we have a dedicated placement coordinator who is available to assist students and has a network of contacts.

Where do students find their placements?

Our students are from all over the UK, with the majority from the South and South East of England, with a few students from overseas. Many students find work placements in their hometowns, as well as local opportunities in Sussex.

Will I need to complete any additional documentation?

You will need to ensure you have all the necessary documentation in place before you start your placement.

Some courses will insist that you complete a DBS check on entry to the course and others will require you to complete a check once you have started. Please check that you have completed all necessary documentation before commencing your placement.

Study Abroad

Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad

As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.

Students who have undertaken this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.

You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to help ensure that you can get the best out of your time studying abroad.

Gifted Athlete Support Programme

Supporting athletes with their studies and sporting ambitions

The University’s Gifted Athlete Support Programme (GASP) helps students combine academic study with sport by offering support to compete at the highest level.

Our student athletes will have access to our experts in sport coaching, exercise physiology, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, sport nutrition, sport psychology, sport therapy or physiotherapy and receive:

  • Financial Support*
  • Fitness Suite at the Tudor Hale Centre for Sport
  • Administrative support from SU Sport
  • GASP branded kit

* Level of financial support dependent upon level of achievement in sport

Careers

Acquire the skills and knowledge required to gain employment in the football industry

Our BSc (Hons) Football Coaching and Performance course develops your reflective practice skills, explore ethical considerations, and use evidence-based practice to prepare you to meet the vocational demands of the profession.

On completing a coaching course, you will also be able to enter teacher training, master’s level study or access graduate recruitment schemes.

Many past students have been successful in gaining employment within the football industry in roles such as:

  • Academy directors and coaches
  • Performance analysts
  • Fitness and conditioning specialists
  • Sports therapists
  • Various roles within the community departments of professional football clubs

Other past students have secured football coaching employment overseas.

Further study

You can also progress to other postgraduate level study to continue the development of your knowledge and skills and increase your employability.

University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

Postgraduate pathways

  • PGCE Secondary (Physical Education)
  • MA Sport Pedagogy and Physical Education
  • MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition
  • MSc Sports Coaching
  • MSc Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
  • MSc Sport and Exercise Physiology
  • MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology
  • MSc Sports Performance Analysis
  • MSc Strength and Conditioning
  • Postgraduate Research (PhD)

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£15,840

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Course specific costs

You will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check costing £40 which needs to be paid for before the start of the course.

Entry Requirements

UCAS
96-112
tariff points.
A Levels
BBC - CCC
BTEC
DMM - MMM
GCSEs
C/4
or better in both English Language and Maths.
IELTS
6.0 overall
with no element lower than 5.5

Interviews

You will be asked to attend an interview for this course as part of the application process. The interviews are designed to explore your practical suitability and personal drive to study the course. The interview allows us to begin to build the personalised and individual relationship that we have with all of our students.

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)

You will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply?

Click the ‘Apply now’ button to go to relevant UCAS page.

What are UCAS tariff points?

Many qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The score depends on the qualification, and the grade you achieved.

How do I know what my UCAS tariff points are?

Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.

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