The Football Coaching degree offered by Barnsley FC 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 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%) achieving a 2.1 or better.

Sarah Garside said ‘It has been great to see that applications have been so high this year, this speaks volumes of the quality of the programme on offer and the level of support available from both USW and EFL in the Community. We now aim to ensure that these numbers continue to grow year-on-year, whilst also ensuring the provision is of high quality and learners keep achieving high level grades’. 

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 Barnsley FC Community Trust and 45 other Clubs – with hundreds of students now benefitting.   

Even though the courses are hosted at Football Clubs nationwide, it doesn’t mean that the courses are designed specifically for avid football fans. It can be for anyone with an interest, for example the degree provides students with the ability to gain further qualifications alongside their studies including gaining their coaching badges.

we caught up with two students from different degrees, see what they had to say –

Blake, a 3^rd year student of the Community Football Coaching and Development degree has the following to say ‘I have enjoyed my time on the Foundation Degree, so much that I am now completing the top-up in 24/25’. During Blake’s time with us, he has helped coach on our EFL Development Programme, whilst also assisting on matchdays.

Liam, a 2^nd year Sports Business and Management degree student has been completing a placement at Barnsley FC, during this time, he has worked closely with the first team, helping out on matchdays. Liam said the following ‘I really enjoyed my first year on the Sports Business and Management degree, I have developed a number of new skills, all of which I will continue to use moving forwards. I cannot wait to get started for year 2’.