The UEFA A Licence is the highest practical coaching qualification available in European football. Delivered through residential modules at St George’s Park—England’s national football centre—this elite programme prepares you to develop players capable of performing at the top level of 11v11 football.
This isn’t a course for everyone. The UEFA A Licence is designed for coaches already working in, or ready to step into, the professional game. You’ll explore modern tactical trends, advanced systems of play, and the England DNA principles alongside fellow coaches who share your ambition to work at the highest levels.
If you’re serious about coaching in the Premier League, EFL, Women’s Super League, or elite academy environments, the UEFA A Licence is your essential next step toward the UEFA Pro Licence.
The UEFA A Licence builds directly on your UEFA B Licence foundation, taking your coaching to an elite level across four key areas.
You’ll master in-possession and out-of-possession principles, learning to implement sophisticated tactical strategies that challenge players at the highest level. The course covers modern trends in elite football, formation flexibility, and how to prepare teams for specific opponents.
Understanding when and how to deploy different systems is crucial at elite level. You’ll explore the tactical rationale behind various formations, how to transition between systems, and how to exploit opposition weaknesses through intelligent team organisation.
The UEFA A Licence integrates the England DNA philosophy throughout, ensuring your coaching aligns with the national vision for player development. You’ll understand how these principles apply in elite environments and how to develop players who can thrive in the modern game.
At this level, coaching is about marginal gains and individual excellence within team structures. You’ll learn advanced techniques for developing players technically, tactically, physically, and psychologically to perform consistently at the top level.
The UEFA A Licence is delivered over 12 months through six residential modules at St George’s Park, each lasting two days.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 months |
| Residential Modules | 6 x 2-day blocks at St George’s Park |
| Online Programme | Pre-module learning before each residential |
| In-Situ Support | FA Coach Developer visits between modules |
| Total Hours | 180+ hours of education |
The course fee includes accommodation, meals, and all learning materials during residential blocks. Between modules, you’ll apply your learning with your own team while receiving support and challenge from an assigned FA Coach Developer.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 months |
| Cost | Approximately £3,645 |
| Prerequisites | UEFA B Licence held for 12+ months |
| Experience Required | 1+ year as head or assistant coach in 11v11 football post-B Licence |
| Working Environment | Must be coaching in professional game or elite youth development |
| Delivery Location | St George’s Park, Burton upon Trent |
| Selection | Competitive application with prioritisation criteria |
The UEFA A Licence has strict eligibility requirements and a competitive selection process. Priority is given to coaches currently working in professional football environments.
For the men’s game, priority goes to:
For the women’s game, priority goes to:
Application requirements:
The UEFA A Licence qualifies you for elite coaching roles across professional football.
Positions you can hold:
Average salaries:
The UEFA A Licence also positions you to apply for the {UEFA Pro Licence}—the mandatory qualification for managing in the Premier League, Champions League, and all top-tier European leagues.
You must hold a UEFA B Licence for at least 12 months before the course starts. You need at least one year’s experience as a head or assistant coach in 11v11 football after gaining your B Licence. You must be actively coaching in an environment where you can be assessed on 11v11 coaching. You cannot be enrolled on another FA Level 4 qualification simultaneously.
The course costs approximately £3,645, which includes residential accommodation, meals during modules, and all learning materials. Limited funding is available compared to lower-level qualifications, though some employers sponsor coaches through the programme. The Costs and Funding page has complete details.
Very competitive. The FA receives high levels of interest each season, and only coaches meeting all prerequisites who are working in priority environments are considered. Meeting the criteria doesn’t guarantee a place. Apply early, ensure your supporting documentation is strong, and have a clear rationale for why you need the qualification now.
The UEFA A Licence is the highest practical coaching qualification, focused on elite player development and advanced tactical coaching. The {UEFA Pro Licence} goes beyond practical coaching to develop leadership, management, and strategic skills required for first team management. The Pro Licence is mandatory for managing in the Premier League and Champions League. You need to hold the A Licence for at least 12 months before applying for Pro.
It’s difficult but not impossible. Priority is given to coaches in professional environments, but coaches working at elite youth level (U16+) or top amateur level may be considered. You must be able to demonstrate that you’re coaching in an 11v11 environment at an appropriate standard to benefit from and apply the course content.
All residential modules take place at St George’s Park, the FA’s national football centre in Burton upon Trent. You’ll need to attend six two-day residential blocks over the 12-month course period. Between residentials, you’ll receive in-situ support visits at your own coaching venue.
The UEFA A Licence is for coaches ready to operate at the highest practical level of the game. If you’ve held your UEFA B Licence for at least 12 months, you’re working in professional football or elite youth development, and you’re ready for the intensity of residential learning at St George’s Park—this is your pathway to elite coaching.
Competition for places is fierce. Apply early and ensure your application demonstrates clear need for the qualification in your current or target role.
