BSc (Hons) Football Performance Coaching
This is one of our most applied and industry-connected football degrees. You’ll develop as a coach, analyst, or leader, gaining real experience in performance environments. You’ll explore how performance is developed and supported, from academy pathways through to professional and international levels.
Entry requirements
Three A-levels at grades CCC or above
Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above
Or Access 23-45 D/M with min 6D
T level P (C+)
GCSE Grade C or 4 English Language or an acceptable equivalent qualification
Applicants with other qualifications and/or experience will be considered on an individual basis
UCAS points 96
UCAS code FPC1
UCAS institution code P63
Duration Three years full time or up to six years part time
Course Summary
Kick off a career in elite football environments with the BSc (Hons) Football Performance Coaching. Developed in collaboration with Plymouth Argyle FC Academy and Community Trust, this degree is designed to prepare future coaches, analysts, and leaders to thrive in the high-performance game.
From the start, you’ll take a practical, immersive approach to learning. In Year One, you’ll explore core coaching behaviours, develop your technical understanding of skill acquisition, and gain foundational skills in performance analysis and talent identification. You’ll work alongside FA Coach Developers and begin to apply what you learn in real-world coaching environments, supported by embedded FA qualifications and CIMSPA-aligned content.
In Year Two, you’ll refine your applied coaching and analysis practice, focusing on developing players and athletes across diverse performance settings. You’ll explore international perspectives in coach and player development, analyse performance data at an individual level, and apply skill acquisition principles in more complex scenarios. You’ll also undertake a work-based placement with one of our professional partners, tailoring your experience to your career interests in coaching, analysis, or player care.
Course Summary
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Why this course at Marjon?
Delivered in partnership with Plymouth Argyle FC and Community Trust
Gain FA recognised coaching qualifications built into the programme
Learn from FA Coach Developers and performance specialists
Optional Professional Practice Year with global partners including Challenger Sports (USA), Devon FA and Women’s High Performance Centres
Develop cutting-edge skills in performance analysis and coaching innovation
Stand out with CIMSPA-endorsed graduate status aligned to national professional standards
Modules for this course
Course Snapshot
“ "This degree is about coaching with purpose in high-performance football. We blend applied learning, data insight, and real-world practice to help you grow as a coach, analyst, and leader. It’s hands-on, industry-connected, and designed to help you thrive in the modern game from day one."”
1st Year
Starting Strong: Foundations for Coaching and University Success
Game Insights: Performance Analysis in Action
Building Skilful Movers
Coaching, Culture and Society
Coaching in Action: Behaviours that Shape Player Development
Coaching to Develop Players: From Practice to Matchday
2nd Year
Coaching in Action: Developing Your Practice and Pedagogy
Data-Driven Player Development
Scouting and Selecting: Data-Informed Talent ID in Sport
Professional Practice and Industry Experience
Women in Sport: Coaching for Performance and Progression
Athlete Welfare and Wellbeing in Practice
3rd Year
Analysing Coaching in Action
Pathways to Performance: Analysing Talent Development Systems
Power, Identity and Coaching: A Sociological Lens
Insight to Impact: Applied Research in Sport
Scouting and Recruitment: Data-Driven Decision Making
Tactical Insights and Matchday Performance
This course is perfect if you’re curious about
What makes a coaching session truly effective in a high-performance football setting
How data and video analysis can unlock individual and team potential
How to identify talent and support long-term player development in elite systems
How coaches can adapt their behaviours and communication to influence performance
What ethical and cultural challenges coaches face in modern football environments
How to build and lead multidisciplinary teams to support players holistically
What might you become?
This degree prepares you for a range of careers across performance football, player development, and sport education. Graduates may go on to work as:
- Performance Coach in academies, elite clubs, or national governing bodies
- Performance Analyst supporting tactical and player development
- Talent Identification Scout or Recruitment Analyst
- Player Care or Welfare Officer in professional football environments
- Coach Developer or Mentor in formal coach education
- Development Officer or Project Lead for clubs, foundations, or community trusts
- Teacher or Lecturer in coaching, sport science, or PE
- Entrepreneur or Consultant launching your own coaching or analysis service
You’ll also be well-prepared for postgraduate study in coaching, sport performance, or education, and for taking on leadership roles in the ever-evolving football industry.
How you’ll be taught and assessed?
How will you be taught?
You’ll learn through a mix of applied workshops, practical coaching sessions, seminars, and interactive lectures, all grounded in real-world football environments. From your first year, you'll engage in hands-on practice, case studies, and video analysis using platforms like Hudl. Your learning will be supported by FA Coach Developers, experienced lecturers, and industry practitioners.
You’ll also take part in fieldwork and placements with partners like Plymouth Argyle FC and Challenger Sports, giving you authentic experiences that bridge theory and practice. Regular feedback, peer learning, and mentoring will help you reflect on and refine your coaching and analysis throughout the course.
How will you be assessed?
You’ll be assessed through a variety of authentic, industry-relevant tasks designed to reflect real coaching and performance roles. These include:
- Practical coaching sessions
- Performance analysis reports
- Video-based presentations
- Reflective essays and learning journals
- Portfolios of coaching and placement experience
- Research projects and development plans
There are no traditional written exams. Instead, you’ll build a portfolio of evidence and insight that demonstrates your knowledge, coaching ability, and readiness for the professional world.
Lee is as a Senior Lecturer and experienced Coach Developer. He has a wealth of experience in coach education, delivering on the FA Introduction to Coaching Football, UEFA C, UEFA B and National GK Coaching Courses, and supporting high-performance coaches with UK Coaching. Lee has coached in a variety of grassroots and performance settings, including at Bristol City FC Academy, with the FA Women's Talent Programme, and in Disability Talent Hubs. Lee has also been a Non-Executive Director in Regional Governing Bodies and therefore has an excellent understanding of the UK sport sector.
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,535 per annum
Fees for International students: £14,600 per annum
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Additional costs:
- A DBS check
- Marjon sports kit
- Some students opt to fund additional external coach education.
Funding available for this course
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Lecturers
Lee is an experienced Sports Coaching lecturer who has worked in Higher and Further Education. Lee also works for the FA as a coach developer across their coach education programmes and a coach at the Women's High Performance Centre. Lee is a Director at the Somerset FA and the Chairperson of their Inclusion Advisory Group. Lee is a Talent Reporter for the FA's England Girls programme and an Associate Coach Developer for UK Coaching. Lee is also undertaking a Doctorate programme through Loughborough University aiming to reposition the role of Coach Developer towards Learning Designer. Lee is also a Co-Convenor of our CAPE Research and Knowledge Exchange Group.
Aaron is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching & Physical Education and is also the Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Sport Coaching. He teaches predominately across the Sport Coaching & Physical Education degree programmes focusing specifically on practice design, skill acquisition, performance analysis, participation coaching and performance coaching.
Chris has been involved in community football for over 20 years. He oversees the sport science support programme for Plymouth Argyle FC Youth Academy and the operational management for their Centre of Excellence. He helps students to gain volunteering and placement opportunities. He is a Coach Mentor for the FA and as part of the degree programme; students can apply to become part of the FA Young Coach Development Team to develop their theoretical understanding and coaching practice. His other interests include performance analysis, physiological testing and the development of football within the wider community.
Ian is a Lecturer in Sport Coaching and PE, teaching across a range of topics including coach behaviour, coaching philosophy and the coaching process. With experience as an Academy football coach, he holds the UEFA 'B' Licence and FA Youth Award qualifications. Ian's research interests relate to coach learning and coaching behaviours. He completed his PhD, 'Who is a coach? Understanding coach subjectivities in professional youth football', under the supervision of Professor Christopher Cushion at Loughborough University. Ian previously enjoyed a successful career as a professional footballer, making over 250 first team appearances and representing England at Under 18 level.
