Hatfield-based university teams up with Watford FC

Building on an existing relationship between the organisations, the partnership announced today (Friday, June 28) will see Herts students gain exclusive access to a range of work and educational opportunities at the championship club.

These will include industry days at the club’s Vicarage Road stadium, where the Hatfield-based students will receive insight into what it really takes to operate a professional football club.

Additional work experience and paid work opportunities will also be available, as well as free tickets for matches and a chance to access to the pitch itself during an exclusive play on the pitch session at the end of the season.

Professor Quintin McKellar, vice-chancellor at the university, said: “We are hugely excited to become the official higher education partner of Watford FC, who we’ve had a highly valued relationship with for several years now.

University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield (Image: Archant)

"This is not just an opportunity to support a championship team with the university’s high-quality research and sports science expertise, but will bring a whole host of benefits for our students.

"They will have access to remarkable opportunities with Watford FC that will not only stand out on their CVs, but also chart pathways to careers in professional football.

“We’ll also, of course, all be cheering Watford on when the season kicks off this summer!”

Watford FC is set to work on a number of new degree apprenticeship programmes with the university.

The organisations will also be collaborating on developing a new elite men’s football programme which supports players with alternative pathways after moving away from Watford FC Academy.

The programme will begin in September 2025 and include a number of student placements, mentored and supervised by the club.

Paul O’Brien, Watford’s commercial director, said: "We are incredibly excited to partner with the University of Hertfordshire, and extremely proud to have their logo on the sleeve of the playing kit.

“The partnership however is not just for marketing benefits, we are delighted to have created what we believe will be a holistic partnership, with both parties working in unison to enhance our commitment to innovation, education and community connection

“The partnership will give students and alumni of the University of Hertfordshire the opportunity for work experience, placements and employment, as well as industry days and club staff being available for lectures at UH.

“The collaboration represents a significant step forward in our commitment to innovation, education and community involvement. Together, we can achieve great things both on and off the field.”

Watford FC will compete in the English Football League Championship this season and has previously competed in the Premier League. 

Watford FC’s opening game of the 2024/25 EFL Championship will be on Saturday, August 10 and will be played away at Millwall.