UCFB announces further expansion in Manchester
UCFB, the higher education provider launched by property developer Brendan Flood, is to expand its Manchester footprint as the popularity of its university degrees at its Etihad Stadium campus continues to rise.
The ambition to expand the university’s offering in Manchester comes after the football educator got the green light for an £80m expansion of its facilities around its Wembley Stadium base in London last month.
UCFB which stands for University College of Football Business, delivers university courses in the football business and related industries.
UCFB founder Brendan Flood said: “UCFB is going from strength to strength and as such expanding our footprint in Manchester is an essential next step to cater for the demand that we are receiving from both students and the football industry for our degree programmes.
“Year-on-year growth in student applications continues to be phenomenal at UCFB Etihad Campus.
“The popularity of our football degree programmes and exceptional learning environment at Etihad Stadium and beyond is clear, so accommodating for future growth within the city is our top priority.
“UCFB has embraced being part of Manchester and is showing its commitment to the region through our intention to grow our facilities in the future, which will be important for young people as they look to progress and reinforce Manchester’s position as a global sporting hub and education city.”
Flood, a director of Burnley Football Club, described the ambition to expand UCFB’s footprint in the city – where students study degrees including BA (Hons) Football Business & Media, BA (Hons) Football Business & Finance and MA Football Coaching & Analysis – as integral to helping UCFB achieve its aim of growing an influential cohort of alumni working throughout the football industry worldwide.
“After launching UCFB less than seven years ago in Burnley with a cohort of 60 students, we have since become the largest football educator in the world – with almost 2,000 UK students.
“Given our offer within the marketplace there’s no reason why our ambition of reaching 15,000 students won’t materialise.”
Flood said that the £80m expansion at its Wembley campus will boast an additional 680 student beds and 50,000 sq ft extra academic and commercial office space.
“We are able to expand at Wembley and will soon do the same in the city of Manchester because we are a knowledgeable team of intelligent professionals that know how to deliver,” said Flood.
Paying tribute to Manchester and its growing student population, Flood said: “When it comes to Manchester, credit must go to Manchester City Council for its leadership qualities and creating a location where national and international bodies reside.
“We want to discover the talent in each person, open students’ minds into the possibilities of going beyond their comfort zone, so they can become great practitioners in the industry and great entrepreneurs around the world.”
