Coaching in the Community (Football)

Kick-start your career in the most popular sport on the planet through our unique partnership with Stoke City FC.

The Coaching in the Community (Football) foundation degree, studied over a two-year period, will prepare you for working in professional and grassroots environments.

We’ve teamed up with Stoke City FC Community Trust to offer you amazing work experience opportunities which will help strengthen your coaching capabilities. You’ll also take part in activities at the bet365 Stadium, Clayton Wood training ground and The Academy Dome.

And if you show on-the-field talent to a professional level, you could be selected for the Championship club’s Player Pathway programme.

You’ll also have the chance to complete professional coaching qualifications and to ‘top up’ your foundation degree to honours degree level with an extra year of study. It means you will leave us work-ready and with plenty of skills.

In the first year, we will introduce you to industry practice and sport science, including physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, and strength and conditioning. This will give you a grounding in all the essential components to work in football.

You can then tailor your studies to particular interests through optional modules in your second year. You will be taught through a combination of face-to-face sessions and online learning.

Other aspects of the course include coaching diverse groups, such as people with disabilities, and exploring contemporary issues in sport.

As well as the relationship with Stoke City and its Community Trust, we have an extensive network of contacts. It includes other football clubs, sports organisations and schools both nationally and internationally.

You’ll also get to meet and build connections with successful sports professionals through talks from industry experts. Previous speakers have included Manchester United FC Coach, Mike Phelan and Head of Coaching at Brighton and Hove Albion FC, Nick Levett.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdSc Coaching in the Community (Football)

From your first day to your graduation day and beyond, University of Staffordshire will help you build your future career.

Recently named University of the Year (Academic Employability Awards 2026, Graduate Futures Institute), employability is embedded across the student experience.You’ll be involved in real-world projects and activities that develop your professional practice. You’ll also make connections that open doors through employer partnerships and industry mentoring opportunities.

Expect lots of hands-on learning too. You can travel from crime scene to courtroom in simulation spaces – and bring topics to life with AI and VR-powered technology.

You’ll also get personalised support, with your own academic mentor. Staffordshire prides itself on offering an inclusive, welcoming environment. With more than 70 clubs and societies, and a brand new Student Village, there’s a community waiting for you. Click Call University to secure your place at University of Staffordshire today.