Football Coaching and Performance (Extended Degree) BSc (Hons)
i2i International Soccer Academy
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Football Coaching and Performance (Extended Degree) BSc (Hons)
Overview
Want to coach the next generation of footballers?
Built around the Football Association’s 4 Corner Model, this course aims to equip you with the competencies required to coach players at all stages of development, considering the technical, physical, psychological, and social aspects of performance.
You’ll be challenged to design effective football coaching programmes, evaluate player performance, and build critical thinking skills. Through links with Northumbria Sport and industry partners, you’ll apply theory to hands-on coaching experiences, working with players across different age groups and abilities.
Our research-active staff draw on connections with professional football clubs, including Newcastle United, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough, bringing industry insights into your learning. You'll gain valuable transferable skills while understanding how elite environments develop talent and optimise football performance.
Endorsement: This course is endorsed by England Football Learning (FA Learning).
Want to coach the next generation of footballers?
You’ll be challenged to design effective football coaching programmes, evaluate player performance, and build critical thinking skills. Through links with Northumbria Sport and industry partners, you’ll apply theory to hands-on coaching experiences, working with players across different age groups and abilities.
Our research-active staff draw on connections with professional football clubs, including Newcastle United, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough, bringing industry insights into your learning. You'll gain valuable transferable skills while understanding how elite environments develop talent and optimise football performance.
Endorsement: This course is endorsed by England Football Learning (FA Learning).
Extended Degree
This extended degree provides an alternative route to higher education and supports those who don’t meet the standard entry requirements for an undergraduate degree. It includes a foundation year where you will explore a wide range of specialisms to foster your basic understanding and knowledge of key principles and professions within sports disciplines.
What will I learn in my Foundation Year?
The foundation year of this course will allow you to gain knowledge and competence in key themes within sport. You will learn about the different facets of sport and foster a basic understanding and knowledge of key principles and professions within sports disciplines. You will have the opportunity to work on real-world examples to examine existing sport related projects and case studies, as well as the opportunity to undertake volunteering and experience a range of practical sports.
The foundation year of the course delivered at level 3 which develops your ability to study in Higher Education is not accredited. Subsequent levels and years are accredited and deliver the knowledge, competencies, and skills required to meet the specific course accreditation requirements that relate to the approved accredited award title.
Entry Requirements 2026/27
Standard Entry
We receive a high number of applications with qualifications from the United States. These applicants require a High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.6.
56 to 72 Tariff Points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions and we understand that every applicant’s circumstances can be different, which is why we take a flexible approach when making offers for this course. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our university regardless of personal circumstances or background. Typically, offers range from 56 to 72 UCAS tariff points, but we’ll assess your individual circumstances and potential when reviewing your application
To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent
Additional Requirements:
- Applicants must hold the (FA Level 1) Introduction to Football Coaching
- In addition to the above Level 1 qualification applicants must also complete the “Introduction to First Aid in Football” and “Safeguarding Children" courses
- Applicants must have experience of football coaching – this should be outlined in your personal statement*
*Depending on your level of experience you may be required to have a discussion with a member of academic staff to provide more information. Applicants currently undertaking the introduction to football coaching course are eligible to apply but must hold the qualification at the point of commencing the programme.
Please note: Progression from Year 0 to Year 1 of this programme is subject to a suitable DBS Enhanced Certificate. You will be contacted directly during the first year of the Extended Degree programme (Year 0) to complete this process.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK or the US, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Fees and Funding 2026/27 Entry
UK Fee in Year 1: £28,290
* In relation to fees for UK students: £9,790 is the tuition fee. The remaining fees relate to the International Soccer Academy, and accommodation fees. Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap. *if your course is longer than one year
* Fees subject to annual increases over the course of the period of study. Students will be liable for payment of any/all tuition fees which are not sponsored by their employer or other third party.
International Fee in Year 1:
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.
Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options available for UK and International applicants for 26/27 entry.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
else
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
Football Coaching and Performance (Extended Degree) BSc (Hons)
Features & Benefits:
- FA Framework: Learn through the FA’s 4 Corner Model, the coaching framework used by professional clubs and academies nationwide.
- Added Value: Opportunity to complete additional internationally recognised UEFA coaching qualifications at no additional cost.
- Real-World Learning: At Northumbria, every undergraduate course guarantees real-world experience.
- Research Power: Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria is ranked 5th in the UK for Research Power (REF 2021).
Careers & Employability
Throughout the course, you'll have opportunities to engage with industry professionals, alumni and employers to gain a deeper understanding of football coaching and performance.
You'll build practical coaching expertise alongside transferable skills in communication, leadership, problem-solving, and performance evaluation. These are competencies employers seek across the sector and wider sports industry.
Professional development modules help you reflect on your coaching practice and plan your career path. You'll learn to work in multi-disciplinary teams, analyse performance data, and adapt your approach to different players and contexts.
Soccer Academy
Through our partnership with i2i International Soccer Academy, you can combine your degree with professional soccer development, allowing you to train and compete while studying at Northumbria.
You'll balance academic learning with high-level soccer training, developing both your coaching expertise and playing skills in a professional environment designed for ambitious student-athletes.
Staff
Our members of staff have significant experience in football coaching at both a regional and national level. They combine practical insights gained from their experiences in professional environments, with current research in coaching and performance, giving you a combination of theory and real-world learning. Through sharing their knowledge and expertise, our academics are there to support you academically throughout your course, but also in preparing you for future employability.
Facilities
Based at City Campus, you’ll have access to our purpose-built Sport Central and the Coach Lane Sports Ground, featuring a full-size rubber crumb pitch, expansive grass training pitches and a match pitch with enclosed stands and floodlights for an authentic stadium experience.
Technology Enhanced Learning is embedded throughout the course, with digital tools including Claude for Education and Blackboard eLearning Portal to support you in your studies.
Beyond the classroom, quiet study areas and collaborative working spaces are available at City Campus Library and University Library Digital Commons, open 24/7 during term-time.
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints
