Sheffield United Community College

Sheffield United Community College provides students an opportunity to gain industry-accredited qualifications while being affiliated to their local professional football club.

Sheffield United Community College offers a variety of bespoke Post-16 and Higher Education qualifications within disciplines such as Sport, Fitness, Business and Esports. Our courses are delivered across a range of purposely selected sites across Sheffield, and led by our team of qualified teachers, support staff and coaches.

Our vocational, work-based qualifications have been developed in collaboration with employers and industry experts to ensure students acquire the skills and qualities required to succeed in their chosen field. A core focus of these qualifications is providing practical work experience, enabling students to develop and apply the skills necessary for direct employment in the industry. This is supported by a strong foundation of academic skills and knowledge, equipping learners to take their first steps in the diverse and ever-evolving fields of sport and digital media.

At Sheffield United Community College, student experience is at the heart of everything we do. Our aim is for students to leave with strong academic achievements, having engaged with a wide range of opportunities, and, most importantly, having had a great time along the way. We believe that student engagement is key to our success, so we work to create an environment and community that students are proud to be a part of.

The opportunities at our college are vast and varied, therefore, please take time to read through what we have available to offer. 

Please read through our college prospectus to find out what life could be like as a student here at the Sheffield United Community College. 

Sheffield United Community College Prospectus (PDF file)

CIMSPA Further Education Partner - The College is proud to be an affiliated CIMSPA Further Education Partner, aligning our education programmes with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, the industry’s leading professional body. This partnership ensures our courses meet nationally recognised professional standards and provides our students with access to CIMSPA membership, sector-specific resources, and enhanced career opportunities across sport, fitness and physical activity. Notably, we are the first education provider outside of mainstream education to achieve this accreditation, reflecting our commitment to high-quality outcomes, rigorous quality assurance and meaningful learner opportunities.

Here at Sheffield United Community College, we pride ourselves on the wrap around care available to all of our students. Our aim is to develop students in all aspects of their lives and not just their academic ability. We want students to leave our college as better people, not just better students.

Every student at the college has access to pastoral support in the form of a Learning Mentor. Our Learning Mentors are friendly, approachable and experienced and are successful in their roles, inspiring and motivating students to become more independent, innovative and responsible learners and be more empowered in solving their own problems.

Working alongside the tutors, the mentors strive to maintain high levels of engagement, participation, attendance, punctuality and attainment. Students are regularly monitored to ensure that they are achieving their target grades, are maximising their learning time and developing their independent learning skills.

The Learning Mentors are also responsible for ensuring students’ welfare and liaising with tutors to support personal and academic development throughout their time at the college. Combined with termly one-to-one progress meetings, students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning in order to ensure they achieve the grades that they deserve. Learning Mentors will work with students to address any potential barriers they may face and strive to build supportive relationships to tailor their support to individual students’ needs.

Progress meetings with students are scheduled termly sessions where educators and students come together to discuss the student’s academic progress, achievements, and areas for improvement. These meetings serve as an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their performance, set goals, and identify strategies for enhancing their learning experience. Through these meetings, the mentors can provide guidance, support, and resources tailored to the individual needs of each student.

Student Wellbeing and Support Services are resources and programmes offered by Sheffield United Community College to support the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our students. These services aim to help students navigate personal, financial, social, and academic challenges while providing students with a network of support. Examples of these services include; Welfare Reviews, Student Shout Service, Student Assistance Programme (SAP) and access to Kooth Mental Health support programmes.

In addition to the above, students will have full access to our partner college’s external student support services which also provide well-being and personal support and financial advice, including travel passes and learner support funds, which can help towards the cost of travel, college kit and materials needed for your course.

Here at Sheffield United Community College we pride ourselves on having a people centred approach. Whether this be people who are employed by the college, studying at the college, or working with us at a college. By investing in our people, we believe students will receive the highest quality service when joining Sheffield United Community College.

From a student support perspective the college employs over 25 staff (20 fulltime) that work across various roles including; Education Tutors, Learning Mentors, Programme Leaders, Enrichment Coaches, Teaching Assistants and Enrichment Support. Operating at a Staff-to-student ratio of 12:1 we believe that our college remains unmatched in this area.

Students will learn from highly qualified staff who are industry experts in their respective fields. Students will benefit from a wide range of local, regional, and national connections available through the community foundations associated partners. The people we work with also make studying with us such a unique opportunity. Having a fantastic relationship with Sheffield United Football Club provides students with the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of staff from the professional football world, first team players included, allowing for real life role models and vocational experience to be gained.

Our courses are currently delivered across three purposely selected sites including; Westfield Leisure United, Handsworth FC and Bramall Lane. Lessons, tutorials and workshops will be delivered on-site within our newly designed learning hubs. Our college venues utilise modern facilities which include fully equipped fitness suites, 4G outdoor pitches, student breakout areas, Esports Suite, Gaming Suite, Podcast room and F1 E-sims Racing Rigs. The student’s bespoke timetables combine their academic and practical study alongside work experience, tutorials sessions, trips and visits, as well as their chosen enrichment pathway.

As part of the learning experience, each student is provided access to their own E-learning platform which includes access to virtual classrooms, email, and cloud storage. During their study programme our students will have numerous opportunities to undertake additional vocational qualifications and workshops designed to help facilitate their personal, and professional development. This includes coaching, leadership, health and fitness qualifications, tutorial sessions, NCS, employability and careers events.

The college provides students with hands-on work experience opportunities that will make their CV stand out from the pile, the confidence to shine in an interview, and the ability to handle themselves when they start at work. This is all part of our comprehensive ‘progressions and careers’ programme which students undertake alongside their core study programme.

To motivate and inspire our students, we have clear guidelines and boundaries, as well as a defined policy that focuses upon positive behaviour. This encourages students to reach their goals and are rewarded for doing so. Students build up weekly points by excelling in the following areas: attendance, punctuality, engagement, meeting deadlines and outstanding contributions. At the end of each month, the top performing students will make it into the Colleges Squad of the Month (SoTM). Students are rewarded with access to our end-of-term trips and activities, Residential trips, European tours and SUFC match tickets. At the end of the academic year all students are invited to the College Awards Evening. This event is an opportunity to recognise and reward achievement, with trophies handed out to those who excel in education and/or enrichment.

Sheffield United Community College delivers its programmes in partnership with The Sheffield College (Sport), York College (Fitness), Barnsley College (Esports) and University of South Wales (Degree).

What you do and what you achieve at Sheffield United Community College will hopefully have a positive impact on the rest of your life, so please make the most of the opportunities available. 

Your Course, Your Choice:

Sheffield United Community College allows for a greater choice and flexibility in how students manage their study programme. Enrichment is a fundamental part of their course, therefore, we wanted this to match up with the student’s passion and career direction. All three pathways are unique in how they are delivered, but all three provide practical activity, competition, educational component, and additional qualifications. Students will get the option to select their desired pathway at the start of their course.

• Football Development Pathway
• Fitness Pathway
• E-Sports Pathway
• Media Pathway

The Football Development Pathway provides both male and female footballers the opportunity to continue their football development, whilst representing Sheffield United Community College in a competitive games and training programme. The pathways allows for individual and team development through a detailed football curriculum with sessions across the week, based around player and team development. The programme provides up to three training sessions per week, in addition to a competitive fixture in which students will represent the colleges at a regional and national level in NFYL & CEFA league and cup competitions.

The college caters for players at all ability levels with a bespoke player development pathway which accommodates players at recreational, performance or sub-elite level. The college provides opportunities for players to either participate for enjoyment and personal fitness, or to engage in competitive play with opportunities and exposure to advance onto higher levels within football. The college's status and reputation has helped establish connections / links with grassroots, semi-professional, and professional football clubs at local, national, and international level.

Our college sites provide state of the art 4G training facilities where the extensive training and games programmes take place. The programme takes a holistic approach to developing players, offering a training experience that supports their technical, tactical, physical, and psycho-social development, aligning with the FA’s 4-corner model. The programme is delivered by UEFA-qualified coaches and is supplemented further by an extensive support team including; physiotherapist, GK coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, matchday media and performance analysts.

As part of this enrichment pathway students will experience the following; preseason conditioning programme, undertake video/match analysis sessions using recorded match footage, compete in showcase games against professional academies, attend performance and recovery workshops, have access to their own physical development gym programme and receive information linked to relevant football exit/progression routes with individualised pathways in place. Once the season concludes, students who select this pathway will have the opportunity to obtain additional coaching qualifications in the form of FA coaching and Leadership awards.

The Fitness Enrichment Pathway is designed for those who want to develop their understanding around fitness training, improve their own physical fitness or for those who wish to pursue a career within the fitness, health or leisure industry. Students enrolled on this programme will take part in daily fitness sessions, which encompass a range of activities such as weightlifting, running (both speed and endurance training), Cross-fit, physical and health testing, and group fitness classes. Students will gain an understanding of training principles and how to apply them in designing effective programmes and sessions. To supplement their practical experience, students will test and apply these training methods on themselves, peers and groups of external clients from different demographics.

Additionally, students will undertake educational workshops on topics such as nutrition, recovery techniques, wellbeing, and lifestyle strategies to optimise health and performance, both for themselves and their clients. Students on the Fitness Enrichment Pathway will have the chance to initiate their professional career in the fitness industry by completing a range of highly subsidised industry-recognised qualifications over a two-year period;

Year 1 Qualifications

• Active IQ Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing
• Active IQ Level 2 in Understanding Nutrition, Performance and Healthy Eating

Year 2 Qualification

• Active IQ Level 2 Award in Circuit Training
• Active IQ Level 2 Award in Instructing Suspended Movement Training
• Active IQ Level 2 Award in Instructing Kettlebells
• Active IQ Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness

The Esports Enrichment Pathway offers students the chance to participate in competitive online gaming through various gaming platforms. Esports is an engaging team-based activity that appeals to a diverse range of young individuals. When practised in moderation and as part of a well-rounded lifestyle, esports serves as a beneficial alternative to passive media consumption, such as watching television or scrolling through social media. Moreover, it has strong connections to computing education, STEM subjects, and the cultivation of business and entrepreneurial skills.

Within this particular pathway, students will represent the college in the British Esports Championship, competing against teams from across the the British Isles. Teams from England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland all represent their colleges in a group/knockout format before crowning an overall champion of Britain. This exciting opportunity offers numerous gaming titles of all genres to allow for gamers of all skill sets. For example games such as; Fortnite, Rocket League, Valorant, Overwatch, FC24, League of Legends, Street Fighter, Apex Legends and many more. Over the past two years, established teams have had the opportunity to travel around the country playing in a variety of live or streamed competitive fixtures. Our aim is to form a formidable but fun group dynamic, ready to challenge all teams across Britain for the championship prizes.

Our flexible three-day timetable allows for training opportunities (scrimmaging) on the systems at midday with specialist coaches, aiming to maximise your practise time with teammates in preparation for the events ahead. Scrimmaging involves playing matches against other sports teams in non competitive fixtures. Whether that be local derbies in Yorkshire, teams across Britain, or internationally against teams in the US, students will gain vital contact time to better their game sense. During these sessions, coaches study the game footage and make a detailed assessment of individual skills and team strategies in order to become competitive on Wednesday’s (matchday). Once the scrimmage session is over, players will meet with coaches to review footage, and provide players with structured drills to focus on, giving a professional gaming environment structure.

In addition to competitive gaming, students will get the opportunity to plan and lead tournaments, design and develop games, get involved with digital marketing and production, as well as utilise a wide range of IT software, application and tools. Included as part of this enrichment pathway students will have the opportunity to undertake additional industry certified qualifications in; mental health awareness, IT development, leadership, nutrition and many more.

The Media Enrichment Pathway is designed for students who want to develop skills in media, journalism, performance analysis and content creation, with a focus on the sport and esports industries. This pathway is also ideal for those seeking a future career in sports media, marketing, performance analysis or broadcasting.

Students enrolled on this programme will engage in practical activities, including:

• Commentating on live fixtures or shoutcasting British Esports.
• Publishing match or game reports and blogs.
• Interviewing students, players, and coaches.
• Creating and managing social media content.
• Participating in the Community Blades Podcast (recording, editing, or delivering content).
• Capturing live-action photography.
• Performance analysis (recording, editing, and delivering match feedback).

This pathway integrates seamlessly with the college’s other enrichment programmes (e.g. College fixtures, Varsity, Blades Podcast), giving students real-world opportunities to apply and refine their skills across various areas. All work completed will be compiled into a personal portfolio, which can strengthen applications for university or employment.

Alongside this pathway, students will have the opportunity to gain an industry-recognised qualification: the Level 3 Certificate in Creative Content & Production. Assessed over the two-year programme, this qualification not only provides additional UCAS points but also equips students with the skills needed for a competitive career in media, performance analysis, and content creation.

Additionally, students will benefit from educational workshops covering topics such as:

• Principles of sports journalism and esports content creation.
• Photography and video editing techniques.
• Presenting skills (confidence, communication and questioning)
• Social media strategies and analytics.
• Performance analysis tools and methods.

Westfield Leisure United (Leisure United Westfield, Sheffield, S20 5FP)

• BTEC Level 3 in Sport, BTEC Level 3 in Fitness & Leisure, BTEC Level 2 in Sport
• Enrichment: Fitness Pathway, Football Enrichment pathway (Development)
• Facilities: two classrooms, student breakout area / canteen, 4G astro and grass pitches, fitness suite including gym and studio

Handsworth FC (Oliver's Mount, Darnall, Sheffield, S9 4PA)

• Education: BTEC Level 3 in Sport
• Enrichment: Football Enrichment pathway (Elite) - Mens & Womens
• Facilities: three classrooms, student breakout area / canteen, 4G astro and grass pitches, S&C gym (Mr D’z Gym)

Bramall Lane (Blades Business Hub, John Street, S2 4QX)

• Education: BTEC Level 3 in Esports, Business and Enterprise, BTEC Level 2 in Esports, Sports Business Management Degree
• Enrichment: Esports Pathway, Media Pathway
• Facilities: two classrooms, two Esports suites, Esports arena, F1 Racing suite, Podcast room, student breakout area / canteen and wellbeing room

Progression Routes

• Higher Education Courses With SUFC (Coaching, Business and Esports Pathways)
• Progression to any National University
• USA Football and Education Scholarships
• Direct Industry Employment
  

Sport Careers

• Sports Coach
• Sports Analyst
• PE Teacher
• Sports Journalist
• Nutritionist
• Sports Media
• Sports Business
• Strength And Conditioning Coach
• Sport Development Officer
• School Games Coordinator
• Personal Trainer / Fitness Instructor
• Sports Physiotherapist

Esports Careers

• Business / Enterprise
• Content Creator / Media
• Broadcast / Production
• Esports Coach / Analyst 
• Esports Tutor
• Event Organiser / Manager / Production
• Games Design / Development
• Human Resources
• IT Roles
• Administration 

Course Success

As a college we are extremely proud of our successes in recent years. Since restructuring in 2018, the college has seen an increase in student numbers of over 200%. We believe this is due to offering a programme like no other within Yorkshire, with a student experience which cannot be matched. However, please do not take our word for it, as we have data and testimonials to support.

As a College, we have achieved outstanding results year upon year. Our academic performance sets us apart from other education providers with a pass rate of 98%, 97%, and 98% across all education qualifications in the past three years respectively. Our results are well above the national averages for both our Sport (80% on or above target grade) and Esport provision (83% on or above target grade) achieved in 2023/24.

Our team takes the utmost pride in providing the best possible environment for our learners and this is represented in our Student Voice feedback surveys where 90% of our students rated their college experience as Good or Outstanding, and 98% would recommend the college to a friend.

93% of our students achieved positive progression, advancing to university, apprenticeships, or employment. Additionally, 31 students from this Year 13 cohort chose to stay with us and complete our Higher Education study programmes.