Football Coaching and Performance BSc
Learn from industry professionals and gain valuable experience with this innovative new programme which provides a multi-disciplinary approach to advanced player performance
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Viewing course details for 2025 year of entry
- Code
- C611
- Attendance
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £9,250 (UK) | £16,600 (INT)
- Duration
- 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
- Course Leader
- Laura Figg
- Study mode
- On campus, Online
- Location
- Hendon campus
- Entry Requirements
- 96 UCAS points
- Placement year
- Optional
- School / Department
- Faculty of Science and Technology
Develop your understanding of biomechanical and physiological theories, as well as your psychological skills.
Why choose BSc Football Coaching and Performance?
This course is for driven individuals with a passion for football coaching, who are looking to work in an elite environment, with player development and performance as the main focus of the programme. This course provides you with a well-rounded blend of knowledge and skills to complement your coaching, and improve individual and team player performance.
Being industry led by a professional football club with placement opportunities to enhance learning and employability, the Football Coaching and Performance BSc course combines practical coaching, underpinning theory, and work-based learning within football performance and coaching to allow you to explore a range of roles in a more advanced football coaching setting.
What you will gain
Not only will you gain knowledge and insight from active professionals but students will also achieve their FA Intro to Coaching Football, UEFA C licence and FA National Talent ID and Scouting in Football qualifications at no extra cost. These will put students in good stead for employment upon graduation.
Students will gain experience working in a range of elite settings through guaranteed practical work placements, also enhancing employment prospects.
All students receive free Watford FC kit and will have access to various networking opportunities with industry professionals.
You’ll graduate with scientific, technical, and practical skills in relation to football coaching and performance. The ability to identify and nurture talented players not just physically but mentally and emotionally and a range of experience and knowledge in working with the wider inter-disciplinary team in a professional football environment. This includes strong communication and interpersonal skills and proficient IT capabilities to support football development and coaching practice.
- Opportunities to gain cutting-edge industry experience
- World-class academic facilities, both at Middlesex University and at Watford FC Trust.
- Expert teaching from leading academics in their field
- The opportunity to complete your FA introduction to coaching, UEFA C licence and FA National Talent ID and Scouting qualifications at no extra cost
- The opportunity to network with industry professionals and enhance your employability.
What you will learn
You’ll study the full spectrum of football coaching theories and skills to influence performance from beginner through to UEFA C licence level and beyond. Throughout the course, you’ll explore how to identify and nurture talented players through performance analysis and sport science concepts. In addition, you will identify the principles of player welfare and the role of the coach in ensuring the health and wellbeing of players from grass-roots through to elite level.
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
In year 1, students will have the opportunity to take the FA Introduction to Coaching Football qualification alongside their football coaching module (if they haven’t achieved this already). They will learn the fundamental concepts of coaching football whilst exploring principles of safeguarding and player welfare to ensure the wellbeing of players. Students will also explore key concepts in sport science and how this integrates with coaching football.
Compulsory modules
This module offers students a comprehensive understanding of the essential academic skills necessary for successfully completing their undergraduate degree. They will gain insight into the core theoretical frameworks underpinning research methods and academic writing, demonstrating proficiency in data collection and analysis, literature review, sourcing academic resources, and understanding the components of research, including strengths and weaknesses.
This module provides a broad understanding of learning theories and coaching styles in a variety of football related environments. Students will learn the underlying theoretical concepts of how to plan, deliver, evaluate and modify football coaching sessions, whilst demonstrating the importance of safeguarding and risk assessments.
To introduce key theoretical scientific concepts for sport and exercise physiology, biomechanics and psychology. Students will use problem-solving skills to apply this knowledge to fundamental practical scenarios and develop practice-led learning and co-leadership while working with participants
This module aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding, risk assessments, mental health, and other critical aspects related to player well-being such as managing international player needs, life skills, educational needs and transitioning. By exploring these topics alongside individual player’s protected characteristics, students will learn how to create not only safe but inclusive coaching environments.
This module offers students a comprehensive understanding of the essential academic skills necessary for successfully completing their undergraduate degree. They will gain insight into the core theoretical frameworks underpinning research methods and academic writing, demonstrating proficiency in data collection and analysis, literature review, sourcing academic resources, and understanding the components of research, including strengths and weaknesses.
This module provides a broad understanding of learning theories and coaching styles in a variety of football related environments. Students will learn the underlying theoretical concepts of how to plan, deliver, evaluate and modify football coaching sessions, whilst demonstrating the importance of safeguarding and risk assessments.
To introduce key theoretical scientific concepts for sport and exercise physiology, biomechanics and psychology. Students will use problem-solving skills to apply this knowledge to fundamental practical scenarios and develop practice-led learning and co-leadership while working with participants
This module aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding, risk assessments, mental health, and other critical aspects related to player well-being such as managing international player needs, life skills, educational needs and transitioning. By exploring these topics alongside individual player’s protected characteristics, students will learn how to create not only safe but inclusive coaching environments.
Compulsory modules
This module will provide students with a detailed theoretical knowledge of performance analysis, psychological concepts and practical skills to work as an applied practitioner. Learning to collect, analyse and present relevant performance-related data to understand how performance analysis and psychological skills can be utilised in a range of sporting scenarios and audiences.
This module will provide the students with the skills to analyse a range of academic information, comparing alternative methods and techniques. This will involve them collecting and synthesising this information to inform a subject specific research question. The student will have knowledge of well-established research methods and concepts evidenced by the awareness of inconsistencies, gaps, and limitations within literature.
Students will examine the key principles of identifying talent including scouting, match reports, developing and maintaining relationships, and analysing performance against potential. Building on this, students will examine the player performance pathways at all phases and how the Premier League’s Elite Coaching Plan combined with Elite Player Performance Plans (EPPP) can support players to develop to their full potential. Students will also gain knowledge and understanding of how to effectively create and manage a talent identification and development environment at a professional level.
This module aims to explore more specific and advanced elements of football coaching. Through practical activities students will analyse the performance of others and adapt their communication to different situations. To create an extensive provision of football sessions and coaching materials that examines and encourages progression and development of teaching and coaching skills. Students will also explore and analyse different formations and strategies within the 11v11 format
This module will provide students with a detailed theoretical knowledge of performance analysis, psychological concepts and practical skills to work as an applied practitioner. Learning to collect, analyse and present relevant performance-related data to understand how performance analysis and psychological skills can be utilised in a range of sporting scenarios and audiences.
This module will provide the students with the skills to analyse a range of academic information, comparing alternative methods and techniques. This will involve them collecting and synthesising this information to inform a subject specific research question. The student will have knowledge of well-established research methods and concepts evidenced by the awareness of inconsistencies, gaps, and limitations within literature.
Students will examine the key principles of identifying talent including scouting, match reports, developing and maintaining relationships, and analysing performance against potential. Building on this, students will examine the player performance pathways at all phases and how the Premier League’s Elite Coaching Plan combined with Elite Player Performance Plans (EPPP) can support players to develop to their full potential. Students will also gain knowledge and understanding of how to effectively create and manage a talent identification and development environment at a professional level.
This module aims to explore more specific and advanced elements of football coaching. Through practical activities students will analyse the performance of others and adapt their communication to different situations. To create an extensive provision of football sessions and coaching materials that examines and encourages progression and development of teaching and coaching skills. Students will also explore and analyse different formations and strategies within the 11v11 format
Students will gain an advanced understanding of football science theories and concepts and their application within varying football coaching disciplines. Students will be able to apply and evaluate diagnostic skills in a range of situations relevant to football and be confident in communicating these effectively to players at all ages including EPPP, youth football and open age as well as the wider multi-disciplinary team.
This module aims to develop understanding of monitoring athlete performance and physical and mental wellbeing. Students will learn how to use nutrition to optimise athlete performance and health. Students will apply monitoring techniques and study the psychology of injury and burnout, as well as other mental health issues found in athletes.
This module aims to synthesise existing learning from the students' undergraduate programme, providing an opportunity for students to study independently and investigate a topic in depth. It fosters academic curiosity; requiring students to use an inquiry-based approach, and develop research skills learned in Level 5 Research Methods. Students will select a topic relevant to their degree on which they wish to undertake a substantial in-depth study.
Students will engage in reflective practices, evaluating their working methods and embracing a problem-solving approach to practice and workplace challenges. A mandatory placement module will prompt students to take personal responsibility to pursue short-term (minimum 50 hours) work experiences in relevant Sport and Exercise Science and Sport Rehabilitation environments, overseen by a suitably qualified practitioner, as determined by the module leader.
Optional
This module will develop the students’ employability skills through undertaking a sport industry placement. It will give an appreciation of the organisation and reality of work and the development of the student's ability and personal growth in a chosen occupation, to add weight to applications upon graduation.
This module will develop the students’ employability skills through undertaking a sport industry placement. It will give an appreciation of the organisation and reality of work and the development of the student's ability and personal growth in a chosen occupation, to add weight to applications upon graduation.
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Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. You will learn by attending seminars and practical workshops. Seminars and workshops are a great opportunity to discuss what you have learnt in lectures and through independent study with your peers and tutors. Most seminar groups have approximately 20–30 students. You will need to complete 120 credits per year, which are broken down into modules of 30 credits
A typical weekly break down will see you in classes across two to three days for a total of approximately 12 hours. You will be expected to carry out a further 15-20 hours of independent study each week.
As this is a Joint programme between Middlesex University and Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust, the teaching will be split between the two organisations. You will study both at the Stone X stadium, (Middlesex University) and Cedars Youth & Community centre, (Watford FC CSE Trust). There is a free shuttle bus to take you from Middlesex University main campus down to the Stone X Stadium.
Students will have access to a range of support from the Learning Enhancement Team, Library team, your module tutors, programme leader and academic advisors who can all assist you with your studies in various ways.
Formative assessment will be employed to bridge academic gaps and enhance student achievement. This approach will involve students evaluating themselves, their peers, and academics through writing, quizzes, practical exercises, and oral discussion. All formative assessment will be conducted during scheduled sessions and tailored according to the lesson's content learning objectives, and assessed by which is most appropriate format based on student needs.
There are no exams on this programme. Summative assessments consist of a range of written coursework, practical assessments, presentations and Oral Vivas.
Feedback on assessments is usually provided through Turnitin via our online learning platform.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.
Learn moreStoneX Stadium & Cedars Youth and Community Centre
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Stone X Stadium
The London Sport Institute has a new centre for high tech training at the West Stand, Stone X Stadium in partnership with Saracens Rugby Club. London Sport Institute's facilities in West Stand at Stone X Stadium give you unique access to academy and elite players and coaches.
The space gives you access to advanced technologies to get ahead of the game with spaces including:
- Biomechanics room
- Strength and conditioning training space
- Physiology labs
- Performance analysis specialist room
- Rehabilitation treatment rooms
- New cognition labs and clinic
Your learning experience with London Sport Institute will mirror real life practice with tech for motion capture, force sensing plates in walls and floors, full body scanning, computer analysis and analysis of blood, urine and cortisol.
Cedars Youth & Community Centre
A £4.2 million purpose-built centre including a large classroom (flexible space), Sports Hall, 4G astro-turf pitch, social space, community gym and kitchen facilities which students can use. The centre is also accessible for disabled people. Students will have their practical Coaching and Talent ID modules delivered here as well as theory modules such as player welfare, safeguarding and EDI.
We also have access to Watford FC’s Vicarage Rd stadium where students will be doing some theory sessions in both the player’s lounge and media suite. Students will also have a field trip to Watford FC’s Training Ground.
Student support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Financial support
You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.
We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.
Careers
How can the BSc Football Coaching and Performance support your career?
The range of careers open to Football Coaching and Performance graduates is vast. You could find yourself working in a range of exciting settings.
- Community and grassroots Football
- Private football coaching
- Professional Football Clubs or Academies
- Football Development Centre
- High Performance Sports
- Sport Science
- Health and fitness industry
- Personal training and fitness consultancy
- Weight management & Health promotion
- Personal fitness training
- Sports or physical activity development
- National Governing Bodies
- Teaching in schools or higher education institutions
- Career in sport research
Jobs – specific roles
- Performance Analyst
- Player development coach
- Academy Coach
- Grassroots or community coach
- Talent recruitment (ID and Scouting)
- Technical coach
- Football club manager
- Sport Scientist
- Safeguarding Manager
- Player Welfare officer
- PE Teacher, college lecturer or school games coach
- Community development officer
Careers – key companies
- Professional football club academies
- Community and non-league football clubs
- Club community organisations
- Other Professional sports teams
- University Sports Departments
- Teaching personnel
- Further and Higher Education institutions
- National governing bodies
- Masters and PhD studies.
Graduate job roles
Previous graduates have also found success as lifestyle coaches, sports managers, sports coaches, physical trainers, sports science technicians and sports development officers.
Further study?
This degree is also the ideal basis for specialising at the postgraduate level.
MDXworks
Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.
Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has put us in the top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs Business Money 2023 and a top 10 university for producing CEOs (Novuana, 2023).
MDXcelerator Student Start-Up Support
Want to be your own boss? You'll have the chance to pitch your business to gain mentoring and grants of up to £15,000.
Global network
You’ll study with students from 122 countries who'll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.
Work placement
Placements and work experience will give you excellent opportunities to gain hands-on and real-life experience. You'll complete a minimum of 50 hours of placement within Year 3 of your studies, but we always recommend you do more throughout your time with us and we will support you in doing so.
You'll receive help and support in identifying a suitable placement as well as with applications if required. Guaranteed placement opportunities exist within Watford FC CSE Trust including our player development centre, football education programmes community sessions and camps. Other placement opportunities are available at our local partner clubs and organisations as well as schools, colleges, university sports clubs, local sports development projects, charities and fitness centres.
Placements and internships greatly improve graduate employment prospects, and those who take part achieve excellent academic results through applying their learning in a professional setting.
Entry requirements
At Middlesex, we're proud of how we recognise the potential of future students like you. We make fair and aspirational offers because we want you to aim high, and we’ll support you all the way.
Qualifications
- 96 UCAS Points
- 96 UCAS points including GCSE: Grade 4/C in English & Mathematics
- A-Level
- CCC including a C or above in a Science subject or PE
- BTEC
- MMM at BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in related field DD at BTEC Level 3 Diploma in related subject
- Access requirements
- Overall pass in a related subject: must include 45 credits at level 3, of which all 45 must be at Merit or higher
- Combinations
- A combination of A-Level, BTEC and other accepted qualifications that total 96 UCAS Tariff points including 32 points from a science or PE subject
We’ll always be as flexible as possible and take into consideration any barriers you may have faced in your learning. And, if you don’t quite get the grades you hoped for, we’ll also look at more than your qualifications. Things like your work experience, other achievements and your personal statement.
Our general entry requirements page outlines how we make offers where we have given a range (e.g. CCC in A levels), and how you will be made an offer if you are studying a combination of qualifications (e.g. BTEC and A level). In both cases, we will base this on information you’ve provided on your application.
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DBS Checks
DBS (disclosure and barring service) is required for student placements. These checks will be explained and conducted during the first term. You will need a successful DNS check to participate in placements. Students undertaking placements with Watford FC CSE Trust will be subject to DBS check.
Foundation year
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If you don't meet the entry requirements, why not consider our Foundation Year in Sport course to help you prepare for the full degree? Also, students completing a Foundation Year in Sport & Exercise Science or related subject area will be guaranteed entry to the BSc Football Coaching and Performance.
Mature students (over 21)
We welcome applications from mature candidates, including those without formal qualifications, provided you can demonstrate relevant experience and ability.
Academic credit
If you have a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to join us in year two or three. Find out how you can transfer courses.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements. Find out more about prior learning accreditation.
Interviews
You won’t be required to attend an interview for this course.
Please apply via UCAS using the UCAS code .
Need help with your application? Check out our undergraduate application page.
Fees
The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year:
UK students1
Full-time: £9,250
Part-time: £77 per taught credit
Additional costs
The following study tools are included in your fees:
- Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
- Free e-books and e-journals for key course texts
- Free access to everything on your reading list
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free printing for academic paperwork
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
The following programme-related costs are not included in the fees, and you may be required to purchase these to complete the programme. The costs are approximate and may change due to changes in pricing at the retailer:
- Travel for compulsory and optional visits to Watford FC CSE Trust Football Projects.
- Travel for placements
- Additional books that you may wish to purchase
Further details on specific additional equipment required which is not included in your fees can be requested from the Programme Leader.
The following programme-related costs are included in the fees:
- Full Watford FC kit to wear on placement.
- A free electronic core textbook for every module
- All printing and copying required for your study,
- Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
- Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders.
- FA Introduction to Coaching Football, UEFA C licence and Introduction to Identifying Talent courses*
- Cost of an enhanced DBS check
*Should you not complete any of the FA qualifications, fail the course or withdraw from the programme before completing, you will be eligible to reimburse the full cost of these coaching courses. This is subject to programme leader’s discretion.
Scholarships and bursaries
To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:
- MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
- Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
- Our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.
Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
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Unistats information
Discover Uni provides applicants with Unistats statistics about undergraduate life at Middlesex.
Please select 'see course data' on the following course option to view the full Unistats data for Sport and Exercise Science.
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