About the course
Sponsored by Bury Town FC
If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving.
This triangular partnership of West Suffolk College, Culford School and Bury Town FC allows the student to submerse themselves in both football and education, at an elite level and is unrivalled in its locality.
The Football Performance and Excellence Programme at Bury Town FC is a unique, exciting course designed to fulfil the interests and needs of students looking to work in the Football/Sport industry and for those who seek a high level training and playing programme alongside their studies.
This inspiring course includes a carefully selected and designed programme of study to include football coaching, performance analysis, dealing with football or sport related injuries, organising football/sports-based events, and many more of the vast selection of career areas in the football industry.
Alongside your studies, you will receive elite football coaching throughout the week from our highly qualified team of coaches and ex-professional players as well as a calendar of fixtures. Our playing programme at Bury Town FC is directly linked with our partners West Suffolk College and Culford school, giving student-players the opportunity to progress through the football pyramid.
The course offers excellent work experience opportunities in the world of Football with many of the regions local clubs, as well as opportunities in schools and well established companies such as Premier Sport. In addition to your core qualification and training/match schedule, students will also have the opportunity to gain industry specific qualifications, such as FA coaching awards as well as take part on a Football Tour each year to various European countries (additional costs to be confirmed).
You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities at Culford School, Bury Town Football Club, as well as West Suffolk College. The course will allow for students to gain the equivalent of 3 A levels which will allow for possible progression onto University, USA Soccer Scholarships or Full Time Employment within the Football/Sports Industry.
Entry requirements
Entry is by interview. Applicants will need a minimum of four GCSE'ss Grade 4 or above, including maths and/or English at Grade 4.
Applicants will need to be motivated and manage their own time. Learners will need to have a mature and responsible outlook as they will be required to work with a high degree of independence for certain aspects of the course..
Any student aged 16 to 19 who does not hold a GCSE A* to C (9 to 4 on the new grading structure) or equivalent qualifications in Maths and English by age 16 will need to continue to study these subjects.
Apply online
The first step is to make an application for the course you are interested in. You will have the opportunity to discuss the programmes and ask any questions you may have at the interview stage.
Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it with the Sports department at West Suffolk College.
How much will it cost?
Days & times
Starting September 2023