Start dates:
September: UCFB Wembley, UCFB Etihad Campus or Distance (with attendance) at UCFB Wembley, UCFB Etihad Campus or GIS Miami
Course length: One year (full-time) and two year (part-time) options available
Priority Application Deadline:
31 August 2023 for September 2023 entry
Degree overview
This programme will take an in-depth look at the numbers that make the game tick, alongside theoretical and practical coaching disciplines. It will enable students to develop a systematic and in-depth understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights for the advanced study of football coaching and analysis.
This degree is available at UCFB Wembley, London, which the iconic Wembley Stadium at the heart of its campus. What could be more motivating for a future career in the sports industry than walking into the most famous stadium in the world?
This degree is also delivered via Distance (with attendance). Our Distance (with attendance) degrees are delivered by the same leading industry experts who teach our on campus degrees with teaching online via our dedicated Online Hub which can be accessed anytime making this a flexible study option that fits around your existing commitments. Your online study is further consolidated with on campus residential block(s) consisting of in-person teaching, networking and opportunities to meet your academic staff and peers.
This degree is available at UCFB Etihad Campus, Manchester, a state-of-the-art campus devoted to the football industry in the heart of Manchester – one of the world’s most famous footballing cities with a thriving student population.
This degree is also delivered via Distance (with attendance). Our Distance (with attendance) degrees are delivered by the same leading industry experts who teach our on campus degrees with teaching online via our dedicated Online Hub which can be accessed anytime making this a flexible study option that fits around your existing commitments. Your online study is further consolidated with on campus residential block(s) consisting of in-person teaching, networking and opportunities to meet your academic staff and peers.
This degree is delivered via Distance (with attendance) at our GIS Miami campus. Our Distance (with attendance) degrees are delivered by the same leading industry experts who teach our on campus degrees with teaching online via our dedicated Online Hub which can be accessed anytime making this a flexible study option that fits around your existing commitments. Your online study is further consolidated with on campus residential block(s) at GIS Miami consisting of in-person teaching, networking and opportunities to meet your academic staff and peers.
Students on this programme have access to world-leading performance analysis tools from Hudl, the industry-standard software used by athletes, coaches and clubs across the globe.

Degree content
This Masters degree provides an inclusive, current and versatile curriculum of study which reflects the needs of the football industry for Master's students either full or part time. The course looks to support the continuing professional development of football coaches and those working in football or a closely related field.
Students will utilise their advanced knowledge and understanding of football coaching to help them deal with complex issues systematically and creatively, problems, and communicate their conclusions clearly.

My favourite aspect to working in sport is that every day is different. The people that you meet, the players that you meet and the impact you get to have on their journeys, for me it’s really valuable to know that you can look back and think you had an impact on them.
Your Programme Leader
Modules
This module will enable you to develop awareness and understanding of the key fundamentals and principles of football match analysis, integrating theory with practice and sharing knowledge and understanding through discussion and debate. The applied element of football match analysis will allow you to gain experience in and an understanding of match analysis, hardware, software and programmes. You will learn what an analyst requires to function effectively and safely in a variety of situations, developing reflective skills and identifying which theories are most applicable when working in a specific applied performance analysis context. You will learn how to operate contemporary analysis programmes, integrate theory with practice and conduct then deliver performance analysis in the football context.
This module will work on a real-life case study centred around personal coaching contexts, in order to create a fully considered and justified coaching development plan. As practising coaches, you will be expected to draw upon previous knowledge and skills gained and imbed new theoretical knowledge drawn from other modules. You will be required to critically evaluate the core competencies needed to be effective in your coaching contexts. Following this, you will critically analyse your own coaching practice to evaluate levels of coaching effectiveness and the impact you have on performers. A personal development plan will be produced to highlight current gaps in knowledge and/ or skill and how these can be developed in order to become a more effective coach.
This module will teach you how to critically analyse the strategies and tactics of association football exploring the different moments of the game and principles of play. In order to develop advanced tactical knowledge, you will explore different styles and systems of play and associated tactics and strategies. Drawing on your own coaching experience and context. You will explore the efficiency of your coaching practice and subsequently explore any knowledge gaps for further development. The module will help you design your own ‘game model’ of performance and integrate tactical periodisation into the effective planning for team performance encompassing a holistic approach to practice. You will be expected to critically explore the challenges faced in implementing a game model approach within your context.
This module will advance your research methods and critical thinking skills, and support you in applying these to the sports industry and its associated environments. This module will prepare you for research, reflective, and evidence-based development in future employment, as well as for higher study if applicable.
As part of this module, you will have an opportunity for sustained applied research and practice in the form of an applied project. Therefore, this module creates a space for you to apply competencies developed in your modules to date to a real-life football setting, leading to experiential and reflective learning.
You will direct your efforts towards addressing a topical issue in your area of interest. Your applied research project will allow you to showcase your intellectual articulation and knowledge, by undertaking an applied project, emphasising your knowledge of theory and current practice in your area of interest. By completing this project, and presenting your results, you will establish expertise in an area of academic, personal and professional interest, aiming to influence coaching practice.
Together with other modules in the programme portfolio, this module will give you real-world exposure to coaching issues that require investigation from you in the role of an applied researcher. You will gain a thorough practice-based understanding of project design, conduct and action. As result, you will be able to evidence management and leadership of an applied project, and show potential to change and influence coaching operations – something current and future employers will look for in your knowledge, experience and skills portfolio.
Mental health issues can present a number of significant challenges in relation to player care, with the area arguably lacking in support and understanding within the professional environment. This module will define mental health and related common mental disorders in the context of a footballing environment in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the topic and facilitate a more holistic approach in player care roles. The module builds on existing literature as well as drawing on the experiences of current and retired professional footballers to provide a critical structure of mental health issues, experiences, professional support services and other key topics, such as coping strategies, injuries, social support, and identity. This will provide the knowledge and understanding in order to help build strategies and interventions to highlight key areas of development and to provide a more engaging approach to a player’s psychological well-being within the player care system.
This module will explore the process of reflection, its role in the development of knowledge and practical expertise and its subsequent impact on practice. You will examine and critically evaluate the key factors associated with a sound reflective process and what it is to be an effective reflective practitioner. In addition, you will review reflective processes and will develop a model of reflection, informed by a critical evaluation of existing models and current literature in this and other relevant fields.
This module will enable you to develop awareness and analysis of the key fundamentals and principles of football statistics and data, integrating theory with practice and sharing knowledge and understanding through discussion and debate. The applied element of football will allow you to gain experience and develop an understanding of data drawn from both competition and training contexts. You will learn which data is needed to function effectively and safely within a variety of situations, developing reflective skills and identifying which theories are most applicable when working in a specific applied football context. You will learn how to analyse data, integrate theory with practice and work with differing departments within a football club in order to improve practice and performance.
The Global Institute of Sport is an embedded college of the University of East London. All GIS graduates will receive a degree from the University of East London.
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally have a 2:1 classification in a sport related degree. Applicants who hold a sport-related degree classification of 2:2 or below or, a non-sport related degree, or significant professional experience will be considered on a case by case basis and may be required to submit a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate sports coaching and/or sports management experience.
Recognition of Prior Learning Students with relevant previous study at postgraduate level or with extensive experience may be considered eligible for recognition of prior learning.
Admissions procedures prospective students may contact the course leader for further information about the course and guidance as to their suitability for the course. Online and postal applications are accepted, upon which, candidates demonstrating a suitable academic and experiential profile will be invited for interview.
Some candidates may be required to provide a coaching or management portfolio and/or complete a brief assignment in a relevant subject area to demonstrate suitable level of academic writing.
Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries will be asked for an English qualification which tests Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing and will be asked to achieve an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each section) or recognised equivalent.
The course would be ideal for students graduating from BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management and BA (Hons) Sports Business & Coaching.
We have revised our coaching entry requirements for 2021 to account for the difficulty in completing FA coaching qualifications due to COVID-19. Please find our 2021 coaching entry requirements here.
International students
GIS cannot currently sponsor non-EU students’ visas.
You will not need a visa to study in the UK if:
- You are a British citizen
- You are a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland
- You have a visa to stay in the UK for another purpose that allows you to study
If you are still unsure whether you would need a visa to study in the UK, or for more information, please contact admissions@ucfb.com. You can also study one of our Online Master's degrees.
- Strong knowledge in the field of sports coaching or sports management suitable for Masters level academic work
- Evidence of engagement with professional and academic literature/publications relevant to CPD
- Ability to manage self-learning and professional duties where applicable
- Hold FA Level 2 Coaching Certificate
- Evidence of ability to manage work independently
- Proven track record of dealing with complex and multidisciplinary issues relevant to their chosen subject area
To apply for this degree, please click here and follow the instructions to complete your application via our Learner Portal.
Relevant documents for EU, UK and international applications:
- Completed and signed application form;
- Personal statement;
- Copy of transcripts of highest qualification achieved and
- English translations (if applicable);
- One academic and one professional reference and English translation (if applicable);
- Copy of proof of English language level e.g. IELTS (if applicable).
Scholarships
The Global Institute of Sport is proud to offer an extensive suite of scholarships to support outstanding students as they embark on their postgraduate study. From scholarships to aid our elite athletes, to attracting aspiring sports leaders, and scholarships which support inclusivity and diversity within the sporting industry, our scholarships are there to support students who want to make a meaningful difference to the future of the sporting world.
Career prospects
Career prospects include highly sought-after careers within a professional and semi-professional football team such as a coaching, match and performance analyst or operations manager at multidisciplinary teams.
Fees

If you’d like to extend your time with us, we’re pleased to offer all GIS graduates:
- 15% fee tuition discount on all Master's programmes, excluding MSc Sports Directorship
- 15% fee tuition discount on MSc Sports Directorship and CEO of a Sports Organisation
These discounts are open to any UCFB, Buckinghamshire New University and University of East London graduate who has received and accepted an offer to study at postgraduate level with UCFB’s Global Institute of Sport.
- 15% fee tuition discount on all Master's programmes, excluding MSc Sports Directorship
- 15% fee tuition discount on MSc Sports Directorship and CEO of a Sports Organisation
We're pleased to offer all UCFB and GIS business partners 15% fee tuition discount on all Undergraduate, Master's programmes.
For part-time courses the tuition fee will be split accordingly per year i.e 50% in year 1 and 50% in year 2 (for a two year programme) as per below table.
Full-time | Part-time (two years) | ||
Home Students |
International Students |
Home Students |
International Students |
£10,950 | £16,450 | £5,475 | £8,225 |
In some instances, optional activities provided may carry an additional cost for participants (e.g. qualifications with external certification such as FA Coaching Badges). Any additional costs will be provided to students in advance of any such sessions running.