Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara sliding on his knees after scoring at Villa Park

Back of the net: Warwick Business School and Aston Villa FC will be running MBA and MSc Management courses together

Two of the region’s most iconic institutions – the University of Warwick and Aston Villa Football Club – have today announced a landmark partnership that will unite world-class education, elite sport, and cutting-edge research.

The collaboration aims to set new standards in how universities and professional sports organisations work together to combine academic excellence and innovation to drive the professionalisation of the sports industry.

The agreement lays the foundations for a globally distinctive MBA and MSc Management programme.

This new partnership and postgraduate programmes will support people wishing to pursue or develop a career in the sports sector and its supply chain.

Andy Lockett, Dean of Warwick Business School and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, said: “The University of Warwick and Aston Villa Football Club are Midlands powerhouses recognised globally for their respective excellence. 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.

“Together we aim to turn passion for sport into professional career opportunities. The University of Warwick’s world-renowned Warwick Business School will provide new MBA and MSc specialisms in Elite Sports Leadership and Management respectively.”

Francesco Calvo, President of Business Operations at Aston Villa FC, said: “Aston Villa has always been more than a football club; we are part of the Midlands community and a club with the ambition of having an impact at every level.

“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. By bringing together the very best of football and education, we hope to inspire and develop the next generation of leaders within the game.”

Warwick Business School’s renowned MBA programme will now feature a new Sports Leadership pathway, offering specialist modules which will use insights from global sport to create the next generation of business leaders in the sector.

Both organisations will continue working together over the coming months to shape the rigorous academic programmes, research activity, and student development opportunities, as well as initiatives designed to support local communities and strengthen the region’s profile as a global centre for sporting excellence, education, and innovation.

Discover more about Warwick Business School’s Master's Courses.