Member Article

Abbey College Manchester Extends Pioneering Football Programme

Abbey College Manchester has bolstered its unique academic programme for students with a passion for football, extending the course to include an additional training tier to benefit footballers of all levels.

As part of the programme developed by the leading independent college, students have the invaluable opportunity to gain GCSE, A Level, Combined Studies and International Foundation Programme qualifications for entry to university alongside intensive football training which could lead to playing semi-professional, or a similar standard of football in the future. Abbey College Manchester has expanded the course to introduce two separate streams to match students’ football aspirations – ‘Elite’ and ‘Development’.

Ambitious students with aspirations to progress to a professional level or football-related career or showcasing exceptional talent will be enrolled onto the Elite Football Course, suited for a serious footballer with the drive and commitment to train five afternoons per week.

On the Development Football Course, passionate players who wish to improve their skills will benefit from the great release to their studies sport can offer, while aiming to progress to a university course of a different discipline.

Chris Randell, Abbey College Manchester Principal, commented: “Our innovative Academic Studies with Football Training Programme has been hugely successful since launching and an increasing number of students are looking to benefit from this unique opportunity. Whether they are seeking to pursue their sporting ambitions while gaining the best possible education or are keen to reap the benefits offered by sport on providing a break from academic study, the level of training intensity is tailored to the student.”

Over the last two years, graduating students from the programme have progressed to a variety of highly-regarded universities including University of Manchester, University of Nottingham, UCLan, and Loughborough to student programmes such as Economics, Sports Business Management, Accounting and Finance, and Engineering.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Melissa Chawner .