The island’s college is introducing a course in football studies.

It lasts for two years and will be equivalent to three A-levels.

The BTEC extended diploma is aimed at ’those wishing to develop their footballing talent alongside their academic studies, as well as those who enjoy football and would like to pursue a career in the game within non-playing roles’.

University College Isle of Man has worked with FC Isle of Man to set up the course.

A second new course being introduced at UCM is the dental nursing BTEC.

It focuses on the direct ’chair-side’ work and support required during a range of dental treatments and involves learning through lectures, group work, independent research, practical skills and hands-on experience within the workplace.

The course content will be taught online to students at the Guernsey College of Further Education as well.

Louise Misselke, principal of Guernsey College of Further Education, described the collaboration with UCM as ’a perfect example of how the Crown Dependencies could work together in partnership to support local industry for all of our islands’.

Joanne Richardson, vice principal of UCM, said: ’Prior to launching these new courses, we talked with the relevant stakeholders including FC Isle of Man and dental practitioners, as well as health and social care and sport students to gauge their interest in these courses.

’Their feedback has been very positive, we hope that these qualifications will help raise the current excellent industry standards in dental nursing and sport on the island.’

Anyone interested in finding out more about the new courses can attend an information morning at the college on February 27 from 9.30am to 12.30pm.