Premier League Academy Rules, Education and Player Salaries

Many club academies provide education programmes for their young players, helping them combine football development with academic study while working towards useful qualifications.

Clubs take several approaches to this responsibility. Some operate schools within their academy training centres, while others collaborate with nearby institutions or coordinate with a player’s current school to create a suitable balance between lessons and football.

Research published by the University of Essex in 2024 found that only 4% of teenagers enrolled in professional academies eventually compete in top-level football.

Given those odds, clubs throughout the country aim to provide players with alternative career opportunities in case they do not become professional footballers.

Alongside essential subjects such as English, mathematics and science, academies have expanded their courses to cover practical life skills, media training, financial literacy and driving lessons, preparing players for life after academy football.

Simon Ord, Derby County’s former head of education, said clubs have a responsibility through their education and welfare programmes to protect the academic potential of young players.

He argued that it would be unethical to let players neglect their studies during several years at an academy when no club can promise them a professional contract at the end of that period.

Some young footballers manage to achieve excellent results both in the classroom and on the field.

Ord, who has also held a comparable role with England’s youth teams, said he restricted the amount of school time players could miss while completing their GCSEs. He believes strong academic and sporting performances can be achieved together.

He said repeatedly taking players out of school at the age of 16, during such an important academic year, is not the right approach.

Ord acknowledged that exceptional prospects such as Max Dowman and J.J. Gabriel may require different treatment because they are among the most talented players of their generation.

He highlighted Dowman as an example, noting that the youngster completed his GCSEs with Arsenal’s support and earned impressive grades, demonstrating that academic success and elite football development can go hand in hand.