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Performance Football Coaching (Distance Learning) MSc

Previous degree

2:2

Distance learning available

Yes

Student visa accepted?

No

Duration

1 year (full-time), 2/3 years (part-time)

Performance Football Coaching master's
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 10 for Student ExperienceThe Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 5 for Teaching Quality

Guide athletes to success with our innovative football coaching master’s.

Explore athletic potential with our expert-led Performance Football Coaching master’s. You will balance critical theory and practical skills while covering topics like:

  • skill acquisition
  • contemporary approaches to player development
  • microlevel interactions
  • performance analysis
  • coaching cultures
  • research methods.

Trailblazers in sport

We are internationally celebrated for our sports degrees and were the first university to offer an online football coaching course.

We have also begun to create an excellent reputation within the football industry as a Football Association Women's High-Performance Football Centre.

Designed by industry professionals

Our course content and design are informed by our partners in the football industry, including coaches and coach educators from the English Football Association and European professional clubs.

Learn from experts

Our academics are internationally renowned coaches and football scientists committed to your well-being. Their world-leading research also informs your modules. Our student, Christian, tells us that “staff go above and beyond to deliver a fantastic unique student experience”.

Study around your commitments

We teach our Performance Football Coaching MSc online, allowing you to study around your commitments. This unique flexibility allows you to advance your knowledge and professional experience simultaneously.

Ashley Gumbrell

Lecturer in Football Development and Coaching

Upcoming webinars and events

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Postgraduate events

Join us at a postgraduate event

Course content

Modules

There is a mandatory summer module for non-degree students (those without an undergraduate degree), which will commence in June each year. If you have a previous undergraduate degree, you may also attend if you wish but your attendance is not compulsory.

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2.2 degree or international equivalent, preferably in a sports-related subject.

2:2

Previous degree

Additional requirement information

Applicants must hold, or be working towards, a UEFA B coaching licence or equivalent qualification (such as USSF or AFC) and demonstrate continued commitment to coaching practice.

Non-degree entrance

Applicants without formal degree level qualification but with significant relevant work experience are encouraged to apply. Non-degree entrants will have to take an additional module (Academic Introduction to Professional Development) in the summer before the degree begins.

Please note: the deadline for non-degree entrance will not be able to apply after the summer module begins.

International Requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section.

We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.

Further Information

For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.

Fees & funding

September 2025

Home

£11,340

International

£11,340

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme. Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage

Alumni discount

A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.

Funding

You can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme.

Home and international students may also be eligible for external sources of funding. International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.

For more information, please look at our postgraduate funding page.

How the degree is taught

Contact time - 35%

Independent study - 65%

*Contact time includes 17% of guided learning

Career opportunities

With our Performance Football Coaching master’s, you will develop essential transferrable skills, such as communication, adaptability, and leadership.

Contact our Career Services at careers@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on jobs and postgraduate opportunities.

Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of Performance Football Coaching (Distance Learning) MSc include:

head coachyouth academy coachspecialist technical coachperformance analystdevelopment coordinatorcoach educatorresearcher/scientist

Apply now

September 2024

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We have a range of webinars and events to help you decide whether St Mary's is the place for you.

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Discover what life is like on our London campus.

Open Days

Open Days are a fantastic opportunity for you to meet academic staff. You'll also be able to look around the campus, speak to current students and find out more about services such as Accommodation and Student Wellbeing.