Wembley Stadium is to be the new location and second campus for UCFB, an institution devoted to the study of football business and its surrounding industries.

Tuesday morning was the latest step for UCFB, who are also based at Burnley’s Turf Moor home, as their Wembley plans were announced and the first intake of students is scheduled for September 2014.

UCFB Wembley will have a 1500-strong student body within five years of opening and will offer a range of degrees relating to football and sports administration and business, adding to the 350 students already in Burnley.

Around 250-300 initial students will be admitted to BA and BSc degrees in a range of subjects such as finance, international football business, law, sports psychology and stadium events management.

And Philip Wilson, provost and chief executive of UCFB, is looking forward to seeing the next development of the institution.

He said: “We have attracted professional and student interest from across the world and it was always apparent that from our relatively small beginnings at Turf Moor, our institution would quickly develop.

“Wembley Stadium is the natural – and in some respects only – choice for expansion.

“It is a global brand in its own right and the spiritual home, in many ways, of the global game.

“We are delighted to have reached agreement with our partners and look forward to building an institution which has been long overdue in the eyes of many.

“Football is a global industry which impacts on the lives of millions. UCFB is about ensuring we are equipping the future leaders of the game with the right skills to manage it in the best interests of everyone.”

The institution will take over 60,000 square feet of existing space on the first four floors of the stadium’s south west quadrant, consisting of four lecture theatres, 16 seminar rooms, social learning space, a large 350-seated refectory area, library and media suite. A portion of the space will revert to its original purpose on match and special event days.

Students’ lecture theatres and tutorial rooms will overlook the pitch and UCFB will have its own dedicated entrance with several million pounds to be invested ahead of the opening.

Wembley National Stadium Limited Chairman, Melvin Benn, is also looking forward to this latest partnership and the benefit to the game in the long term.

He added: “Wembley National Stadium Limited is excited to commit to this project long term.

“We see this as an exciting opportunity for young people to learn and develop at a Higher Education institution within the most inspired environment of Wembley Stadium, but also further develop their working portfolio by experiencing elements of the business at Wembley.

“The football industry has grown at an incredible rate in the last 20 years and now more than ever it needs to be catered for from a business point of view.

“UCFB allows undergraduates to get an early foothold within this industry and provides not only qualifications but firsthand experience of working in the sports industry.”

The degrees will be validated by UCFB’s academic partner, Buckinghamshire New University and courses have been created for aspiring professionals who wish to work within the football and sports business and its surrounding industries, gaining skills which ensure transferability into other business sectors.

Advisory board members of UCFB include former FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick, Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of the Scottish Premier League, Alastair Campbell, and Gordon Taylor OBE.

PFA Chairman Clarke Carlisle and England Women’s star Sue Smith are also Ambassadors for UCFB. Representatives of The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), Premier League and Football League are active supporters of the higher education institution.

Recruitment for the first intake of students at UCFB Wembley will commence in March 2013 and will be managed through the UCAS system.

Bucks New University are currently the validating educational partner of the UCFB venture.  Moving forward, it is the intention of the Wembley Board to consider a shortlist of several potential higher education institutions and decide on a long-term partner.

For more on UCFB, visit the official Wembley Stadium website