If you are just beginning your coaching career in Europe, then having a UEFA coaching license is not only essential but also what will allow you to grow in your coaching career. The UEFA coaching license system represents the gold standard for professional football education, as it operates across more than 50 nations in Europe and manages known leagues, including the UEFA Champions League and many others.
For those who are not aware, UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, is the governing body of European football. It’s the sole organisation responsible for managing and organising football competitions, both at the club and international levels, including well-known tournaments such as the European Championship, the UEFA Champions League, the Europa League, and the UEFA Nations League. It oversees 55 national associations across Europe.
So, how to get a UEFA coaching license? Or perhaps you may also ask How long does it take to complete a UEFA license? These are just a few questions that this guide answers, along with many others. This guide answers these questions and more to help you get started with your UEFA coaching license.
What are the different types of UEFA Coaching licenses?
For you to be able to get a UEFA coaching license, you must first undergo the various types of UEFA courses (Diplomas) on offer. UEFA usually awards the Coaching license through a coaching convention formed in 1998 and last updated in 2020, whose main aim is to improve the standard of coaching courses, ensure UEFA offers a clear educational pathway for European football coaches, and link education to employment by practising coaching skills in realistic situations and reiterating the importance of developing a pool of skilled coach educators.
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There are four UEFA Coaching diplomas with four licences at C, B, A, and Pro levels awarded to everybody who has successfully completed the courses at those levels. The coaching courses first start with enrolling in a C, which is usually the lowest, then progressing to a B, A, and finally, the Pro is the pinnacle of the UEFA coaching license. Here is a quick overview of each one of them:
UEFA C Diploma
The Entry-level UEFA course is the C diploma, which is aimed at grassroots coaches and provides them with skills to provide a positive developmental experience that enhances players’ enjoyment, knowledge, and skills.
Important topics covered include child safeguarding, basic first aid, and the importance of promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. All these are covered for a minimum of 60 hours of education, 50 of which are spent studying interactive content and 10 of which are spent on practical or working experience.
The UEFA C licence is priced from £650.
What you can coach: Primarily grassroots and youth football, focusing on introductory and recreational levels.
UEFA B Diploma
For you to get the UEFA B Diploma, you must have a valid UEFA C licence and have completed a minimum of six months’ coaching experience by the B diploma course start date.
The whole coursework for the UEFA B course takes a minimum of 120 hours, with 95 hours spent on studying guided interactive content and 25 hours demonstrating and practicing what you have learned in a club environment.
The UEFA B license teaches participants to use age—and ability-specific coaching techniques to develop players from youth through senior amateur level. The whole UEFA B license costs between €1,500 and €3,000.
What you can coach: Youth teams and senior amateur clubs; suitable for assistant roles at higher levels.
UEFA A Diploma
Having a UEFA A Diploma license puts you just one level away from becoming a pro. It is UEFA’s second-highest coaching qualification, allowing participants to be head coaches of youth teams up to age 18 and reserve teams, especially in second-tier clubs.
Starting at anywhere from €4,000-€7,500, a UEFA A Diploma first requires a valid UEFA B licence and at least one year’s experience as a coach in 11-a-side football.
The UEFA A course requires a total of at least 180 hours, with 140 hours spent studying guided interactive content and 40 hours made up of work experience in a club environment. The whole course lasts for a minimum of over six months.
What you can coach: Head coach of senior teams in lower professional divisions, youth academies up to 18, and reserve sides.
UEFA Pro Diploma
The UEFA Pro Licence is the highest coaching certification available in Europe and generally follows the completion of C, B, and A courses. An applicant must also have completed at least one year of coaching experience as a head coach at the elite youth or senior amateur level or as an assistant coach in professional football.
Compared to other courses we have discussed, offered by UEFA, the pro diploma has the highest number of hours, with 360 hours of education plus study visits. 140 hours will be spent studying theory and practical units off the pitch, with a minimum of 220 hours, including work experience, spent on the pitch.
The UEFA Pro Diploma itself ranges from €10,000 to €13,700. These licenses allow you to manage a top-tier football club in any European championship league and participate in the top-tier UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Conference League.
What you can coach: Head coach of any professional club, including top-tier leagues and UEFA competitions.
To help you understand the costs of different UEFA Coaching Licenses, here is a quick Comparison Table:
| Level | Eligibility Prerequisites | Minimum Hours | Duration | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA C Diploma | None (entry level) | 60 | 6–8 weeks | From £650 |
| UEFA B Diploma | Valid UEFA C + 6 months experience | 120 | Several months | €1,500–€3,000 |
| UEFA A Diploma | Valid UEFA B + 1 year experience | 180 | Over 6 months | €4,000–€7,500 |
| UEFA Pro Diploma | Valid UEFA A + 1 year pro-level experience | 360+ | About 18 months | €10,000–€13,700 |
How to get a UEFA coaching license?
By now, it is clear that obtaining a UEFA coaching license starts with enrolling in one of the UEFA diplomas offered. However, you should know that prior to that, it is a requirement for all the candidates to have met the following eligibility criteria:
- You must possess sufficient spoken and written skills in the official course language
- You must meet the organiser’s admission criteria, which should include an aptitude evaluation
- You must submit all admission documents required by the course organiser
- You must have no criminal record for crimes incompatible with the coaching profession
The application process itself is pretty easy, so long as you have met the requirements, but they vary from one National association (Home country) in Europe to another. By the way, before going further, it is important to know that UEFA coaching licenses are administered by national associations in UEFA’s 55 member countries and are not directly offered in non-member countries like the USA.
To apply, contact your local national football association for course dates, availability, and specific requirements. UEFA courses are delivered in-person only – there are no fully online options.
FAQs
How to get a UEFA coaching license?
To get a UEFA coaching license, you must meet specific entry requirements set by UEFA and its national football associations. I believe that we have discussed all of these in the article.
How long does it take to complete a UEFA license?
The duration depends on the license level. For the UEFA C License, the course lasts about 6-8 weeks or up to 4-5 months, including practice. The UEFA A License course typically spans 12-16 weeks, while the UEFA Pro License course takes about 18 months to complete.
Which UEFA coaching license is the most important?
The UEFA Pro Licence because it is required to manage professional, top-tier football clubs and work in elite European competitions like the UEFA Champions League.
Can you get a UEFA coaching license online?
No, UEFA coaching licenses cannot be obtained fully online. All courses require significant in-person practical sessions, work experience in club environments, and assessments. While some theory may be supported by guided interactive content, the hands-on coaching hours must be completed face-to-face through your national association.
Is a UEFA coaching license available in the USA or outside Europe?
UEFA licenses are only administered through the 55 UEFA member national associations in Europe. Coaches from outside Europe, including the USA, can apply if they travel to a member country and meet the eligibility criteria, but the courses are not offered directly in non-member countries.
