Higher education is a commitment to three years or more of hard work towards a qualification that has the opportunity to open doors into a career path and an industry of your choosing. On top of this, it is also a personal development journey with opportunities to socialise with new people from diverse backgrounds.

Studying for a degree is typically a three-year process in which you learn the core foundations of a subject, develop understanding and insight into different areas of the industry and develop your own independence and confidence. Students who are new to higher education often arrive lacking the confidence or skills required to conduct independent research, write reports and interact with industry professionals and many arrive unsure of what they want to achieve from their degree or career.

A Foundation Year may be the option for you if you do not meet the entry requirements for your degree of choice, or if you have qualifications for subjects that differ to the subjects needed. The Foundation Year will enable you to gain the skills for your chosen degree course. The content of the Foundation Year is designed to ensure that you progress directly onto Year 1 of the linked honours degree with confidence. Find out more about our Foundation Year programmes here.

Item 4

Whichever institution you choose and whatever subject you enrol on, the first day of your degree marks the start of a process of learning, development and progress which will help you to learn and develop skills that can stay with you for the rest of your professional life. Your dissertation at the end of the three years gives you an opportunity to conduct independent research, analyse your findings and write up the results, earning you skills which will benefit you in many careers and industries. The certificate at the end of your degree tells your future employers that you have been through a rigorous degree programme and have the ability to learn new ideas and apply them successfully to new situations and concepts.

As well as earning a world recognised qualification, degree study can also offer new life experiences that will broaden your horizons and help make you a more well-rounded individual in your professional and personal life.

Student life should be enjoyed by all. New found freedoms, meeting new people and the chance to find your new ‘home’ for the next three years or more making higher education a fun-filled experience. Of course it goes without saying that you should work hard at your degree and take on every opportunity offered to enhance your experience and reap the benefits following your graduation.

Item 8

A degree on your CV is a sure way to impress employers and will give you bigger choice of jobs upon graduation – the average salary for graduates is 30% higher than for non-graduates aged 25-30. Nationwide, 90% of graduates are in work of further study within six months of graduation. At UCFB, 90% of graduates are in full time work, and almost two thirds of those are specifically within the football and sport industry.

There are plenty of opportunities for people to start or advance their career and studying a degree is not always essential in certain industries. There are however a great deal of benefits from applying yourself to study for three years or more in a subject and it is important that you decide whether or not the opportunities within higher education will benefit you or suit your needs. This is a decision that you should consider carefully and research well.

More advice on higher education and making this important decision can be found at:



Attend a UCFB Open Day

At our Open Days you will meet and hear from our hugely experienced academic team, get the chance to speak to our staff and current students and tour the magnificent surroundings which will be your academic home for three years.

UCFB Undergraduate Open Days
UCFB degree programmes

A world first in higher education, UCFB offers unique university degrees focused on a career in the football and sports industry.

Your degree