And many of those have ended up working within the Foundation itself.
Applications are now open for the BSC Honours degree in Football Coaching, Development and Administration, which is run in conjunction with the University of South Wales and the EFL Trust.
Students hoping to land a place from this September can also apply via the UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service), ahead of the deadline of 6pm on Wednesday, January 25th.
It has proved a successful course for so many reasons, but students particularly relish the blended learning of receiving lectures both online and at Molineux, residentials spent at the University of South Wales and various work placement opportunities across the wide range of projects run by the Foundation.
The Foundation’s Senior Education Officer overseeing the degree programme in liaison with the University lecturers is Bradley Moore, and he certainly knows all about the benefits of the qualification.
Because he actually completed it himself, before progressing through the Foundation to his current role helping those students who are following in his footsteps.
“The beauty of the degree course is that it offers an opportunity to gain an industry-recognised football coaching degree whilst being affiliated to a professional and Premier League football club,” says Brad.
“And it does so via a programme of blended learning, not just through lectures delivered here at Molineux but also the variety of work placements which allows to students to put into practice what they are learning and develop their skills.
“Students are based at Molineux, along with a minimum of spending five days a year at the state-of-the-art coaching and performance development centre at the University of South Wales.
“This is in addition to the opportunities to enhance and enrich their learning experience by supporting a range of projects, within specific roles and activities delivered by the Foundation.
“The qualification has proved really successful in helping people go on and land permanent roles within the Foundation – myself included – or in other areas within the industry such as coaching and teaching.”
Here are some thoughts from some of the current students enrolled at different stages of the degree programme, including a couple who are combining it with full-time roles within the Foundation.
Two of them, Lewis and Mason, have also been recipients of the Ian Millard Award For Outstanding Educational Achievement in honour of the former Foundation trustee and principal of City of Wolverhampton College.
Lewis
I first studied on the Foundation’s BTEC course at the University of Wolverhampton College but am now on the second year of the degree course. I have also been successful in becoming a full time member of staff with the Foundation, as a Youth Engagement Lead. The degree course has been excellent so far, and I feel I have really progressed and developed my confidence. I am learning so much, particularly from being able to work with experienced coaches and professionals. I have got to know so many new people and there is always someone I can go to if need anything, and have got to enjoy some amazing experiences.
Jeevan
I am a third year degree student but am also now a permanent member of staff at the Foundation working as a Schools Officer. During those three years I have been able to experience so many different things and not just football coaching. There are opportunities working with people of all ages across the different departments of health and wellbeing, inclusion and cohesion, and education and skills. Once you have had a taste of everything, you can then narrow it down to what you are really interested in and where your strengths lie. I have also found that the more different activities I have had experience of, the more it has developed me as an individual as well as from the sporting point of view.
Alix
I’m on the second year of the degree course and have learned so much so far. We have been taught across so many different aspects including sports science, coaching and the importance of football in society. The work experience opportunities are so beneficial and include placements in schools and Inclusion & Cohesion projects like Premier League Kicks and Premier League Inspires. I have also been able to work on matchdays as well. It is great to come in and do lectures at such a great stadium and work with such experienced coaches and receive mentoring on a daily basis.
Terell
As a first year student, I have already been on different placements, including at a primary school, and am finding the degree course very interesting. I feel like I am learning more and more each day whether that’s in lectures or going out and delivering activities. Working within the environment of a professional club is great and there are always people around who will go above and beyond in offering support. If anyone has any doubts about studying on the course, I would say just go for it! I had some doubts but they were gone within the first week.
Lewis
The course is a bit different for me because I am a mature student, but I am finding it really beneficial. When I was younger the educational route wasn’t really open to me for different reasons but after building a career, this was something I really wanted to get involved in. When I first saw details of this course and all the opportunities it can provide, I just feel it can give me a really strong platform for the future. I am really enjoying it, particularly the coaching aspect and being around a Premier League club day-in day-out, but also how hands-on it is with so many different opportunities. I have been a Wolves fan since I was a kid, so it is quite surreal to walk through the doors at Molineux for lectures or to access the Foundation.
Mason
I progressed onto the degree course after doing the BTEC where I really enjoyed the coaching side. The chance to go out and get involved in Foundation projects is really important and offers that interaction with other coaches and staff which helps me develop. All the coaches are really nice and talkative and give me a lot of support which helps me grow not only as a coach but also as a person. Seeing other students in the second and third year managing to pick up work within the Foundation is also a real motivation in pushing me towards trying to achieve the same.
- To find out more about the Foundation’s degree programme, click here to show your interest.
