Innovative Distance Learning Football Coaching Degree Launched

St Mary’s University, Twickenham is launching an innovative new distance learning Master’s degree aimed at coaching professionals that develops and applies cutting-edge, evidence-based knowledge and skills in football coaching and performance.

The MSc Performance Football Coaching degree launches in September (subject to validation) with a tailor-made online programme and St Mary’s is the first institution worldwide to offer a distance learning football coaching course of its kind - allowing students to study when and where suits them.

The one-year course is delivered for full-time students, or 2-3 years for part-time students, and allows football coaching professionals worldwide to develop a critical understanding of issues relating to coaching and performance in football and advance their professional practice while working.

The programme content and design is informed by the University’s partners in the football industry, including professional coaches and coach educators from the English FA and clubs across Europe.

Programme Director for the course Dr André Roca said, “We want to provide coaching professionals worldwide wanting to up their game a unique and flexible continuing professional development opportunity. It’s a pleasure to be leading a team of expert coaches and football academics in setting up this pioneering course.”

An induction, which is also available online, is organised on-site to welcome and prepare students for the course while a week on-site in May gives them opportunity to visit Premier League club academies in London, go to a coaching conference and take part in practical sessions and workshops.

Students will also be provided with a GoPro camera to help them complete video-based tasks and a highly-regarded and professional personal tutor to support and guide them through their studies.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of Global Engagement at St Mary’s University and former Head of Human Performance at the Football Association, Prof John Brewer added, “We are delighted to be the first university to launch a distance learning football coaching Master’s and to develop the next batch of aspiring football coaches, not just in the UK but worldwide.”