University of Warwick teams up with Aston Villa FC to develop new Masters programme

The University of Warwick has announced a partnership with Aston Villa Football Club to develop a new Masters programme in Management.

The new programme, announced on 10 March, aspires to set global standards for how universities and sports clubs can cooperate to drive the professionalisation of the sports industry.

Both the MBA (Masters of Business Administration) and MSc courses are aimed at those looking to pursue or develop their career in the sports industry, and its wider supply chain.

Working together, we are combining Warwick’s outstanding research and teaching with Aston Villa’s sporting prowess to open new opportunities for students, athletes, and our wider community

Prof Andy Lockett, Dean of Warwick Business School

The two organisations have united over a common Midlands identity, supporting local initiatives in academia, research, and development. The agreement also aims to support grassroots football, strengthening the Midlands’ profile as a region for sports excellence.

Francesco Calvo, President of Business Operations at Aston Villa FC, said: “This partnership with the University of Warwick reflects our commitment to creating opportunity and helping shape the future of the sports industry, from operations and analytics to technology, leadership and athlete development.”

Prof Andy Lockett, Dean of Warwick Business School, added: “Working together, we are combining Warwick’s outstanding research and teaching with Aston Villa’s sporting prowess to open new opportunities for students, athletes, and our wider community.”

Warwick Business School’s (WBS) prestigious MBA programme will now feature a new Sports Leadership Pathway, offering the option to work alongside Aston Villa to generate skills in sports business.

The partnership follows several similar deals at other UK universities which have linked sports clubs with academia

WBS holds one of the UK’s highest-ranked online MBA programmes, already rated third globally by the Financial Times and second across UK universities.

The partnership follows several similar deals at other UK universities which have linked sports clubs with academia.

Northumbria University announced its partnership with FC Barcelona in 2022, promising a similar programme to develop the field of sports management, while other partnerships have included ties between Fulham FC and the University of Chichester, Ipswich Town and the University of Suffolk, and Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester United, and Manchester City.