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BSc (Hons)

Business of Football with Foundation Year

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Why study this course

Football business, not football coaching – understand the commercial and strategic forces shaping the modern game and gain a 360 perspective of the world of football

A distinctive specialist degree – combine business knowledge with football industry expertise.

Commercial, community and strategic – explore revenue generation, fan engagement, sustainability, innovation and organisational performance.

Industry-connected learning – apply knowledge to realistic football business challenges.

Course summary

The BSc (Hons) Business of Football examines football as a global business and develops graduates with the commercial, strategic and community-focused capabilities required across the football ecosystem.

The degree moves beyond coaching and sports performance to explore how football organisations generate revenue, engage supporters, manage operations, build partnerships and create sustainable value.

You will examine the business structures surrounding clubs, leagues, governing bodies, commercial partners, broadcasters, community organisations and supporters.

The programme combines business management with specialist football knowledge. You will explore areas including commercial strategy, finance, revenue generation, sponsorship, fan engagement, governance, digital transformation, innovation and community impact.

The course is designed for students who want to turn their interest in football into a professional understanding of the industry and develop the skills needed to contribute to its future.

Please note, this course is currently going through validation.

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Key facts

Award	BSc (Hons)
UCAS code	N89F
Duration	4 Years
Start date	September 2026
Award	Lincoln Bishop University
Institution code	B38

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About this course

Football is a complex global ecosystem. Behind every match is an extensive network of commercial, financial, operational and community activity.

This degree allows you to explore that ecosystem from a business perspective.

You will examine how clubs and other football organisations create and manage value, generate revenue and develop relationships with supporters and commercial partners. You will also explore the challenges facing the industry, including financial sustainability, governance, digital transformation, changing fan expectations and the role of football in communities.

The programme is designed to combine academic learning with practical application. Industry practitioners, visiting professors, football executives, club consultants and other specialists may contribute to the learning experience, providing different perspectives on the business of football.

Football is a global industry with significant economic, cultural and social influence. You will explore the responsibilities of football organisations in areas including governance, ethics, equality, inclusion, community development and sustainability.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an additional framework through which you can consider football's contribution to communities, health and wellbeing, equality, responsible consumption, sustainable cities and wider social development.

The course provides a 360-degree view of football, connecting the local game with the international football industry. You will explore grassroots football, community organisations, professional clubs and the wider global game.

Lincolnshire provides a valuable context for understanding the role football plays in local communities, while your studies will also consider international broadcasting, sponsorship, commercialisation, global fan engagement, player markets and the international football economy.

You will develop transferable business capabilities alongside specialist football knowledge, ensuring your career options are not limited to one part of the football industry.

Scheduled Teaching Hours

Undergraduate programmes consist of 360 HE credits, with each credit equating to 10 hours of learning.

Depending upon the mode of delivery (i.e. face-to-face/in-person, online or a blend of these) and whether your course is full-time or part-time, the delivery of the scheduled hours for the programme will involve taught input, independent study, and where applicable, work-based or placement hours.

Entry requirements

Application for this course is via UCAS, although there is no formal requirement for UCAS points to access the course (normally GCSE English or equivalent is desirable). As part of your application you will have the opportunity to speak with a member of Lincoln Bishop Admissions staff to resolve any questions or queries you may have.

Are you a parent or carer supporting someone starting university? Visit our Parents’ Information page for advice, guidance, and reassurance.

Further information

Click here for key information for all undergraduate students.

Click here for all programme specifications.

The Foundation Year syllabus does not include any specific element of upskilling in English language and you are not entitled to apply for Accredited Prior Learning, AP(C)L into a Foundation Year.

How you will be taught

You will learn through interactive lectures, football business simulations, consultancy projects, industry masterclasses, innovation activities and digital workshops.

Applied learning is central to the degree. You may work on football business challenges involving commercial strategy, fan engagement, sponsorship, operations or community development.

Industry engagement provides opportunities to understand how theoretical concepts translate into professional practice. Guest speakers and specialist contributors can provide insight into different careers and perspectives across the football ecosystem.

The degree is designed to provide opportunities to connect your learning directly with the football industry. You may have the opportunity to undertake a one-week work placement, gaining experience within a football club, sports organisation, commercial environment or related setting.

You will also engage with football business simulations, consultancy projects, industry masterclasses, club-related activities and authentic assessments. These experiences can help you build a portfolio demonstrating your ability to address real football business challenges.

You will also develop broader business capabilities in analysis, communication, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving.

The programme may also include contributions from visiting professors, football executives, club consultants and other industry specialists.

Academic staff

Assessment

Assessment is designed around realistic football business activity.

You may produce commercial strategy reports, sponsorship proposals, football business plans, fan engagement campaigns and consultancy reports. Presentations, digital portfolios and reflective activities will also form part of the assessment experience.

These assessments allow you to demonstrate both specialist football knowledge and broader commercial capability.

The emphasis is on applying knowledge to problems that resemble those faced by organisations within the football industry.

Careers & Further study

Potential careers include club operations manager, commercial manager, sponsorship manager, football business consultant, fan engagement manager, community foundation manager, football analyst, innovation manager and football entrepreneur.

Career opportunities can exist across professional and grassroots clubs, leagues, governing bodies, football charities, community organisations, agencies, commercial partners and technology businesses.

The transferable business skills developed through the degree can also support careers outside football in areas such as commercial management, consultancy, marketing, operations and project management.

Further postgraduate study could include an MBA, MSc Management, sports business, football business or other specialist master's programmes.

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Fees & Funding

A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at Lincoln Bishop we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process. Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step.

Click here to find information about fees, loans and support which will help to make the whole process a little easier to understand.

Undergraduate course applicants should apply via UCAS using the relevant UCAS code. For 2026 entry, the application fee is £28.95, and you can make a maximum of 5 choices.

For 2027/28 entry the UCAS fee is £34.50.

For all applicants, there are full instructions at UCAS to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate. Full details of all tuition fees can be found here.