Rangers Football Club and Universal Centre of Sport are delighted to announce a new, long-term collaboration within higher education.
This will see students and student athletes able to access university age provision at Ibrox Stadium via UCS Lecturers, and within an inspirational environment, whilst also utilising the club’s other practical facilities to supplement the academic delivery.
Rangers will then provide additional industry work experience for students across areas such as coaching, scouting, match analysis and life as a player/athlete.
Part of the Oxford Virtual Education Group, which has been long established in England for well over a decade, UCS has been providing the same higher education pathway at clubs across the English football pyramid for five years with 250 students and student athletes projected for September 2021.
The group also includes VLUK which provides college age provision to over 1,200 students, Oxford Spires who provide international language schools for overseas students, and many more.
Although Scottish students are already accessing these exciting opportunities with UCS at English campuses, this new partnership with Rangers Football Club represents the very first UCS campus in Scotland and will launch in 2021 around Sport and Exercise Science (Coaching Science) at HNC, HND and BSc.
Gary Gibson, Rangers’ Head of Soccer Academies & International Relations commented: “We are delighted to launch the higher education programme in partnership with Universal Centre of Sport. As part of this course we will provide work experience where the students will shadow our experienced coaching staff.
“We will hold a number of development days for the students and invite key members of staff from coaching, sports science, scouting, match analysis and medical and they will join our monthly webinars with key staff members across the club and gain access to our cutting-edge Rangers Online Academy which will further aid in their development.
“As we continue to expand our programmes domestically & internationally we want to be at the forefront in supporting students who have a desire to succeed in the sporting world and give them the tools necessary to work at all different levels and increase their knowledge & understanding and ultimately set them on the right career pathway.”
Mike Morris, Oxford Virtual Education Group Partnership Director added: "We are very pleased to launch our provision in Scotland with such a high-calibre partner. From speaking with the club over many months we got a real sense for their passion to be involved and provide the best industry experiences and opportunities for students.
“We believe in a universal approach to education, delivering a quality academic provision alongside a strong work/life experience, working with industry and allowing students to maximise their potential and be best prepared for the next steps after graduation.
“Our first campus in Scotland is an exciting step and we are delighted to be taking that step with Rangers Football Club"
Information including a comprehensive Prospectus will be launched in the coming weeks, but in the meantime should you wish to register your interest please email Rangers on; [email protected] or visit www.ucsport.org