Business of Football

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Why study this course

Football is a business – explore the commercial, financial, operational, strategic and community dimensions of the modern game.

Football business, not coaching – focus on the industry that surrounds football rather than primarily on sporting performance.

Industry-focused learning – connect your studies to real football organisations, challenges and opportunities.

A clear progression route – build a foundation for the BSc (Hons) Business of Football.

Course summary

The CertHE Business of Football introduces you to football as a global business and industry.

Football creates value through broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, merchandising, digital engagement, partnerships, community activity and a wide range of commercial operations. This course explores these areas through a business lens.

You will develop an understanding of how football organisations operate, how they generate and manage revenue, how they engage supporters and how they create value for communities.

The course is designed for students who love football but want to understand what happens away from the pitch. It provides an introduction to football business while also developing broader skills in communication, analysis, strategy and commercial thinking.

Industry engagement, masterclasses and applied challenges can help you understand how the concepts you study relate to the real football environment.

Please note, this course is currently going through validation.

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Key facts

Award	CertHE
UCAS code	N89C
Typical offer	64 points
Duration	1 Year
Mode of study	Full time
Start date	September 2026
Award	Lincoln Bishop University
Institution code	B38

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About this course

The CertHE Business of Football introduces you to football as a global business and industry.

You will develop an understanding of how football organisations operate, how they generate and manage revenue, how they engage supporters and how they create value for communities.

Industry engagement, masterclasses and applied challenges can help you understand how the concepts you study relate to the real football environment.

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

Typical offer
UCAS points	64

We welcome A/AS Levels, BTEC qualifications, T Levels, Access to Higher Education Diplomas, International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge Pre-U and the Extended Project Qualification where these meet the required tariff.

Applicants from different educational backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Where applicants do not meet the standard tariff requirement, other evidence of preparedness for higher education may be considered.

International applicants may be considered with equivalent qualifications, subject to country-specific and English language requirements.

No previous football qualification is required. The course is focused on the business and industry of football.

Further information

Click here for key information for all undergraduate students.

Click here for all programme specifications.

In accordance with University conditions, students are entitled to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning, RP(C)L, based on relevant credit at another HE institution or credit Awarded for Experiential Learning, (RP(E)L).

How you will be taught

Teaching combines interactive lectures with football business simulations, consultancy projects, industry masterclasses and digital workshops.

You will explore realistic football business scenarios and consider how clubs and other organisations respond to commercial and strategic challenges.

Industry engagement is an important part of the learning experience. Where opportunities arise, you may work on challenges informed by football organisations or hear from practitioners working within the industry.

You will also have opportunities to engage with football business challenges, industry activities, club-related scenarios and consultancy-style projects. These experiences can help you understand how football organisations operate beyond what happens on the pitch.

Innovation activities will encourage you to think about how football organisations can create new sources of value and respond to changing supporter expectations.

Assessment

Assessment includes commercial strategy reports, sponsorship proposals, football business plans and fan engagement campaigns.

You may also complete consultancy reports, presentations, digital portfolios and reflective activities.

These assessments are designed to develop skills relevant to the football business environment, including commercial analysis, strategic thinking, communication, creativity and stakeholder awareness.

Careers & Further study

Potential career areas include club operations, commercial management, sponsorship, fan engagement, football business consultancy, community foundations, football analysis, innovation and football entrepreneurship.

You could work for professional clubs, non-league organisations, governing bodies, football charities, community foundations, commercial partners, agencies or other organisations operating within the football ecosystem.

The qualification

Support

Studying at Lincoln Bishop is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.

We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.

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

Fees & Funding

A CertHE is a one-year undergraduate qualification, so you will pay one year of undergraduate tuition fees.

There are a range of funding options available to help with the cost of your studies, including student finance support. Our Student Advice team can help you understand your options and guide you through the funding process.

Undergraduate fees for 2027 entry will be confirmed following a UK Government announcement by the Department for Education (DfE), expected in late 2026.