Experience Higher Education Like No Other with Everton Sport Development & Coaching

We are proud to offer a truly unique higher education experience that goes beyond the classroom. The Everton Sport Development & Coaching programme, offering both the Foundation Degree (FdSc) and full BSc (Hons), provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn, grow, and train within the Everton Family. This is more than a degree, it's a gateway to a career in sport development and coaching, where your passion can transform into real-world expertise.

From day one, you will be immersed in a world-class learning environment that balances academic study with hands-on, work-based experience. Recognising the importance of practical learning, the programme allows you to develop your coaching practice both in the UK and abroad. You'll gain invaluable experience working with diverse communities, learning how to motivate and inspire people of all ages and abilities. At Everton, we embrace a Nil Satis, Nisi Optimum - 'Nothing but the best is good enough' approach, ensuring every student has access to the highest quality education, facilities, and opportunities.

Our degree has been developed in close partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, giving you the confidence that your qualification meets the highest academic standards. After two years, you can graduate with a Sport Development & Coaching Foundation Degree (FdSc), or choose to continue into the third year to achieve a full BSc (Hons) in Sport Development & Coaching. This flexible pathway allows you to tailor your studies to your ambitions, whether you wish to enter the workforce early or pursue the full honours degree.

While football is at the heart of our programme, we know that the best coaches are versatile and adaptable. You will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to plan, lead, and deliver sessions across a wide range of sports. Practical placements are a core part of your learning and may include working in primary schools, coaching athletics, netball, and, of course, football. These placements are designed to develop your leadership, communication, and organisational skills, giving you the practical experience that employers value.

For students with a passion for football, we offer a bespoke programme that integrates your academic studies with regular training and competitive fixtures. This unique pathway supports your football development alongside your education, providing opportunities to play at a high level, including in the U23 National Football Youth League. You will benefit from expert coaching, access to elite facilities, and the chance to train alongside some of the most talented young players in the country.

Choosing Everton Sport Development & Coaching means joining a supportive, inspiring, and ambitious community. You will develop not only your technical coaching skills but also essential professional attributes, including teamwork, resilience, and leadership. By the end of the programme, you will leave ready to make an impact in sport development, coaching, and beyond equipped with the experience, qualification, and confidence to succeed in a competitive and rewarding industry.

Take the next step in your sporting journey and discover what it means to learn, train, and grow within the Everton Family.

Meet Our HE Team

Cath Walker

Link Tutor and Dissertation Supervisor

Cath Walker is a senior lecturer in Sport Development. Cath teaches on a number of Sport related programmes and is the link tutor for the Foundation degrees in partnership with Everton Football college
Cath's teaching includes Sport policy, Inclusive sport, Community development, sport sociology and Work based learning. Cath has an MA In Sport management , has published extensively and is currently completing her PhD investigating the Third Sector and its use of Sport based interventions for social and societal outcomes
Cath has over 25 years experience working in Local authority sport development, with National Equity and Sports organisations.

Degrees

2007, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, M.A. Sport Development managment

To view Cath's profile, please click here.

Tom Dickson

Higher Education lead

Tom completed his BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Sport Development undergraduate degree (2011), and MA Sport and Development (2013), whilst studying at Southampton Solent University. He then achieved Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2014) whilst lecturing at Southampton Solent University. He achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2017), and completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher & Professional Education (2017) whilst lecturing at the University of Bolton. Tom's most recent research (and publication) focuses on how sport and physical activity provision affects social isolation and loneliness for older people.

Tom has eight full years of teaching/lecturing experience in Higher Education across the aforementioned institutions; delivering on modules that focus on sport and community development, coaching, physical activity, academic skill development, and professional skill development. He also has two years of teaching/tutoring experience within Further Education and professional football club settings.

Tom has seven years of experience as a sports development practitioner, working for organizations including the Local Authority, County Sports Partnership, and Community Football Trust. Finally, Tom has his UEFA B Licence, FA Youth Award, and 15 years of coaching experience across professional, semi-professional, community, and voluntary settings. These experiences inform much of Tom's teaching across various subject areas and levels.

Applications - How to apply

Ready to take the next step in your sporting journey with Everton Sport Development & Coaching? Applications for our programme are made through UCAS, using the course code SDC1.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible, you'll need:

88 UCAS points or equivalent, or A BTEC Extended Diploma at Merit level

These requirements ensure you have the academic foundation to thrive in our practical, work-focused programme.

Applying is simple and straightforward. You can submit your application via UCAS using the link below:

Apply via UCAS

For more information about the UCAS process and other course options, visit:
www.ucas.com