UCFB joins forces with Raheem Sterling Foundation by launching new scholarship

The University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) and The Raheem Sterling Foundation are proud to announce an impactful partnership which includes two scholarships for UCFB students.

The initiative is aimed at empowering and uplifting young people from underrepresented backgrounds, and includes two fully funded scholarships.

Any student on any of UCFB’s sports industry-tailored degree courses at the Wembley Campus or Manchester Campus is eligible to apply for The Raheem Sterling Foundation Scholarships.

The foundation, founded by Arsenal and England footballer Raheem Sterling, “envisions a world where young people will always have the support they need in the pursuit of improving their opportunities, their future careers and their quality of life.”

Taking part in campaigns and projects in such areas as social mobility, leadership, enterprise, employment and education, the foundation is positively changing young lives across the UK.

Now, the organisation has partnered with UCFB to further that progression and support a student taking the next step towards their dream career in football and sport.

The two scholarship places are open to students from Black, African or Caribbean heritage from socio-economically underrepresented backgrounds in Greater London and Greater Manchester.

These scholarships aim to help close the attainment gap for Black British students, support equal access to higher education and increase diversity across the sports industry. 

Students on the scholarship who come from a household with an income of under £40,000 will also automatically be eligible for our Low Income Household Bursary.

Applications for the scholarships are opening in January 2025 via the UCFB website, ahead of the scholarships being awarded for the 2025-26 academic year.

In addition to this scholarship, the new partnership will see UCFB Wembley become the home of The Raheem Sterling Broadcast Academy in London.

The academy is designed to drive diversity, accessibility, and opportunity within the sports and media industries. 

Moving the academy to UCFB Wembley will provide a cutting-edge environment where students passionate about sports broadcasting can develop practical skills, gain hands-on experience, and learn from industry experts.

The Broadcast Academy, established in association with talkSPORT, will deliver its third cohort in 2025, giving students the chance to experience a dynamic, real-world training programme around the inner workings of professional sports broadcasting.  

Brendan Flood, UCFB chairman and founder, said: “Through this partnership with The Raheem Sterling Foundation, we’re committed to breaking down barriers and creating accessible pathways for young talent in sports and media.

“These scholarships and the Broadcast Academy underscore UCFB’s dedication to ensuring that talented individuals from diverse backgrounds have the support and resources they need to succeed.” 

Adding onto that, Raheem Sterling, Premier League and international footballer and founder of The Raheem Sterling Foundation, said: “Education and social mobility are at the heart of what The Raheem Sterling Foundation stands for.

“I’m excited to be working with UCFB to provide scholarships for students from Manchester and London and to launch the third year of the Broadcast Academy in Wembley.

“Together, we’re empowering young people to build meaningful careers within the sports and media industries.” 

To explore the range of undergraduate courses available at UCFB tailored to the sports industry, from sports media, business, coaching and many more fields, click here.

You can also kick off your own career in the football and wider sports industry by viewing a UCFB prospectus here.