Next Gen Manchester FAQ’s

FAQ's

• Can you tell me some information about the programme?

  Next Gen is a fully residential, summer programme geared toward teens ages 14-17 that explores the business of sport and provides a glimpse into what a future career in the sector could look like. Through a series of in-class activities, interactive workshops, and visits, students receive behind-the-scenes access to meet and learn from a range of industry experts and develop their leadership skills and explore career opportunities. 

  We see students from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities who join the programme, and it is well-suited for those who are looking to study sports management or business, want a future career in the sport industry, or those looking to develop their entrepreneurial and leadership skills. 

• What are the Term Dates?

  Week 1: 21 July – 26 July 

  Week 2: 28 July – 2 August 

  Any student attending both weeks would stay with us during the middle weekend, some activities may be organised for those weekend days. 

• What is the age range? Do we offer age exceptions?

  The programme is designed for 14–17-year-old students; case-by-case exceptions could be made for applicants who are 13 but may be approaching 14; if you recently have become 18 and you are interested in this programme, please contact us to discuss your options).  

  All students are mixed during activities, independently of their age, nationality, or gender (except for dorm arrangements). 

• What is the acceptance Rate? Is it competitive? How are applications evaluated?

  Admissions officers seek talented student leaders with diverse interests, ambitions, and writing styles. The committee strives to select critical thinkers who will contribute to a well-rounded, academically engaged community of students. Each application is reviewed holistically and qualified students who have demonstrated a genuine interest in the program as well as a strong academic background will be considered for admission to the program. Our goal is to accept the most qualified students and to ensure we are accepting the right students into the right program. 

• Application: What do I need to Apply?

  Fill out your basic information 

  • Fill in the application form 
  • Pay the £40 application fee 
  • Upload short personal statement (250 words) outlining your interest in the programme and your motivations for joining. 
• What are the Admissions Deadlines?

  If you require an early decision you should apply by February 5th. 

  If you want to apply for Financial Aid, you must submit your Financial Aid application (form separate from your regular application), you must submit by March 11th. 

  Regular application deadline: April 8th. 

  After April 8: accepting applications on a rolling basis while space is available.

• How long can students expect a response after applying?

  Generally, you would hear back from our Admissions team within 2 weeks of submitting your application. 

• What is the cost of the programme?

  Residential Programme: Students live in dorm-like facilities in the city centre. 

  Program Cost (1 week) 

  Tuition + room and board    £2,488 

  Program Cost (2 week) 

  Tuition + room and board    £4,976 

   

  Day Programme (Non-Residential): Students commute to class every day and do not receive room and board. Lunch included. 

   

  Program Cost (1 week) 

  Tuition + lunch only    £1,880 

  Program Cost (2 week) 

  Tuition + lunch only    £3,760 

  Students may enrol for either week or both. 

   

  Please note all prices listed include VAT. 

• What is the refund Policy?

  Please read through the Terms and Conditions for more information.  https://cityfootball-leadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CFLI-Next-Gen-Manchester-TandC.pdf  

• Please can you tell me more about Financial Aid?

  Limited financial assistance is awarded based on a combination of merit and need. To be considered for financial aid, students must submit a completed program application, followed by a financial aid application. The final deadline to be considered for financial aid is March 11, 2024, but we encourage students to apply at the earliest deadline possible. 

• What is the Daily Schedule?

  Activities normally run Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm (with a break for lunch). There are no required evening or weekend academic commitments, although our extra-curricular calendar includes optional social events and activities. 

• What are the classes that are taught?

  Next Gen is organised around the key pillars of sport, business and personal growth. Each day will focus on a theme, from leadership to entrepreneurship, or a deep dive into psychology or branding. Interactive workshops include: 

  E-Sports Session: Meet professional e-sport players and learn how they crafted their skills and careers. Develop your own skills and challenge them and your peers to a match in the e-sports arena. 

  Kit Design: Hear about design, branding, and marketing from the experts at Manchester City and PUMA who create the first-team kits. You’ll then put that learning into action as you design your own sports kit. 

  Social Media Content: Learn how to produce engaging content from the team behind Manchester City’s social media channels. Absorb their knowledge and test your new skills by creating your own social media content for a football club. 

• Where will the classes be taught?

  • University of Salford Campus (Manchester), same location where student dorms are. 
  • On-site visit to different venues throughout the city (e.g. Etihad Stadium, Media City UK, National Football Museum)
• Will non-residential students get the same experience as residential? How many are typically day students vs residential?

  Non-residential students will have the same experience as residential students during core programme hours. They will attend the same sessions, have access to the same professionals and enjoy the same learning experience as their residential peers. However, non-residential students only get lunch provided, and they will miss on the extracurricular evening activities, as well as the added experience of interacting with fellow students in the evening. 

• Examples of evening and weekend activities? Which ones are required?

  There are no required evening or weekend academic commitments, although our extra-curricular calendar includes optional social events and activities, and we encourage students to participate in them to make this summer programme truly an experience of a lifetime. Sport Quizzes, Sport movie nights, table football/table tennis tournaments, local visits to sport venues and sport events (only during the weekend and subject to availability and sporting events summer scheduling) are some examples of the kind of activities our team puts together for the students during the evenings and weekends. 

• Diversity?

  Diversity is one of CFLI’s institutional pillars, and an aspect of the Next Gen programme that truly enriches the student experience. Students will enjoy the programme alongside peers from different socio-economic, cultural and gender backgrounds. 

  Nationality: Over the las two years we have had students attending the programme from over 18 countries, across 5 continents. 

  Gender: On average, 20% of our student population is female. We expect that percentage to keep growing. 

• Location of Dorms?

  Your Manchester accommodation is in the heart of the city within an award-winning, newly built university residence in Salford University Campus.  

  Peel Park Quarter | Salford | Campus Living Villages, University Road, Salford M5 4NJ 

  Students will each have their own lockable room, with en-suite toilet and shower, and access to a kitchen and open plan lounge shared with other Next Gen students. Bedding and towels are provided. You can also make use of the building’s common areas and outdoors social spaces. 

  AMENITIES INCLUDE: • Wi-Fi • 24/7 Reception and Security • CCTV is in operation at all times • Kitchens with open plan lounge/ dining areas • Spacious communal area with large flat screen TV • Laundry facilities • Social entertainment areas 

• Food and Diet Restrictions?

  CFLI provides Residential students with breakfast, lunch and dinner (lunch only for non-residential students), generally in the dining facilities at Salford University Campus. Some meals will take place off campus during site visits and field trips. Students can indicate any allergies or necessary dietary requirements prior to arrival in their programme forms. Families with specific concerns should note contact the Programme Team (info@cityfootball-leadership.com). 

  The area local to your residence has shops and cafes. 

• Is Health Insurance required?

  You are strongly advised to take out private medical insurance, as you will be liable for NHS charges for the treatment you receive in the UK except for in a medical emergency and this is limited. 

  Some countries have a reciprocal agreement with the UK which may entitle you to some free healthcare on the NHS, but you should seek advice from the health authorities in your home country about exactly what treatment will be covered. 

• What Visas are needed to enter the UK for this program?

  Depending on your country of origin, you may require a visa to participate in Next Gen. Generally, the Standard Visitor visa may be the most appropriate visa to use to participate in the programme; however, we strongly encourage international students to contact their country of origin’s embassy/government office to confirm. We also encourage international students to visit the UK Government Visa website for additional details. The Institute can provide letters of verification upon request. 

  If you have any questions regarding entering the UK on a visa, or would like to request a verification letter, please contact City Football Leadership Institute’s Admissions Team at teens@cityfootball-leadership.com. 

• Campus Safety

  Next Gen uses dorms and classrooms at Salford University Campus. All classes and official programme activities are chaperoned by our instructors and programme staff. Campus Security as well as student life staff are present in the halls of residence 24/7 for the duration of the programme. 

  We recommend that students and parents/guardians discuss safety guidelines and expectations prior to their arrival at Next Gen. 

• Special Leave requests

  We do have a system in place to allow students to: 

  • Leave the campus area for a short period (e.g. to the shops nearby) during their free time in the evening, always in pairs or groups, and they have to inform the residential advisor on duty and complete a ‘buddy-system’ form or regular leave request form before doing so, indicating their intended destination, name of their “buddy”, and expected return time, as well as their contact numbers. This request must be approved by a residential advisor. 

  • Leave campus for a more extended period of time, or on their own, or miss classes due to other commitments. In those cases, students must complete a Special Leave Request Form and receive parent/guardian approval. 
• Travel assistance to and from the programme? Travel while students are at the programme?

  Students should make their own transport arrangements to get to the registration location in Peel Park Quarter. The Institute does not monitor student travel before students have arrived to the programme’s registration location or after students have checked out of the programme, nor is the Institute available to solve travel related problems such as cancelled or delayed flights. Families should consider how to manage travel issues of unaccompanied minors. 

  A team will be deployed at Manchester airport approximately 9:30am – 2:30pm on arrival date to welcome and support those arriving to the city by air, but not to organize student’s transfers to the registration location. Details about your travelling plans will be requested on the Programme Form that you will be required to submit once you have been accepted into the programme.  

  All travel related to programmed activities during core hours is covered by CFLI. In occasions, students may want to travel around Manchester during their free time. Manchester is a very walkable city, but they may want to use public transportation options (train, bus and tram). 

  Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) operates Manchester’s public transportation routes, including buses and trams. Its extensive website contains maps, timetables for services, updates on planned closures or delays to the service, information on fares and payment methods and a Journey Planner tool to travel throughout the network. 

  Students should make provisions to cover any personal travel cost outside of core programme hours.

• Arrival Dates and times? 

  One week option – Week 1 – Programme Start Date: Sunday, July 21 

  This is the day you should plan to arrive in Manchester (Peel Park Quarter). 

  Registration and accommodation check-in: 11:00am-3:00pm (BST) 

  Welcome and Orientation: 3:00pm (BST) 

  *These arrival details apply to those registered for the two-week option (Sunday 21 July – Friday 2 August) 

   

  One week option – Week 2 – Programme Start Date: Sunday, July 28 

  This is the day you should plan to arrive in Manchester (Peel Park Quarter). 

  Registration and accommodation check-in: 11:00am-3:00pm (BST) 

  Welcome and Orientation: 3:00pm (BST) 

• Is there an orientation? A Pre-orientation? Information sessions?

  Online pre-departure Q&A drop-in sessions and a pre-departure Orientation sessions with the programme team will take place on: 

  Wednesday, June 5, 6pm BST (Q&A) 

  Wednesday, June 26, 6pm BST (Q&A) 

  Wednesday, July 10, 6pm BST (pre-departure Orientation) 

  Admitted Students will receive a Zoom link from the Programme Team in advance of these sessions. 

  If you were unable to attend your online pre-departure orientation, a recorded version may be made available following the session. 

   

  On-site Welcome and Orientation:  

  Registration and check-in will take place 11:00am- 3:00pm on arrival day so you can familiarise yourself with the area, grab some lunch nearby, settle into your rooms, and meet some of the other students. 

  You should complete your check-in by 3:00pm. Our programme team and residential staff will hold a Welcome Meeting at that time, and will run some activities in the evening. Parents accompanying students on the day are welcome to stay for that welcome meeting only and will be asked to vacate campus after that. 

• Are parents allowed in the dorms?

  Students are accompanied by a member of the residential team when they move in, so we have no problem allowing parents to go with the students and the member of staff if they so desire. 

  Parents accompanying students on arrival day are welcome to stay for the Welcome Session too. The welcome session is not in the dorms, but on a lecture theatre on campus.  

  During the programme, parents or family visits are not allowed.  

• Packing list?

  What to bring: 

  • Clothing: The weather in Manchester is unpredictable and variable, even in summer – so the best packing plan is to pack layers! Light and cool casual summer clothing, jacket, sweatshirt or hoodie, raincoat, sandals, sporty clothing, comfortable walking shoes, pyjamas, a set of nicer, professional clothes.* 
  • Weather gear: sunscreen, sunglasses, raincoat, umbrella, reusable water bottle 
  • Academic supplies: laptop, tablet, notebook or journal; we suggest students bring a laptop/tablet if they have access to it, but our Next Gen programme staff will have some laptops available for students if necessary. 
  • Personal electronics: smart phone, camera, alarm clock, headphones, travel adapters, chargers, etc. – there is a lockable cupboard in each accommodation room to secure valuable items. 
  • Personal items: travel-size toiletries, hair dryer, etc. 
  • Prescription medication for the duration of your programme (if applicable); please note some medications commonly prescribed in other countries may not be readily available in the UK. 
  • Laundry bag 
  • Photo ID/Passport and copy of health insurance details. 
  • Spending money (for souvenirs and incidentals). 
  • *Students should also bring clothing that is smart casual and appropriate for class site visits to offices and workspaces (comfortable, but presentable). Formal and/or semi-formal wear is not necessary (dress clothes, dresses/gowns, suits and ties, dress shoes, sports jackets, etc.). No specific football kit is necessary, but students can bring it if they want for some ad-hoc sport sessions during free time. 

   

  What NOT to bring: 

  • Students may not bring flammable materials, including but not limited to candles, incense, matches, lighters, explosive devices or fireworks. Violators of this policy will be subject to immediate dismissal. 
  • Students are not allowed to bring or possess weapons of any kind, including but not limited to knives, firearms, paintball guns, laser pointers, pepper spray or other dangerous items. Violators of this policy will be subject to immediate dismissal. 
  • Students are not allowed to use or possess tobacco or nicotine products, alcoholic beverages, drugs or unauthorized medications. Violators of this policy will be subject to immediate dismissal. 
  • Students are not allowed to have or operate a car, skateboard, skates or a bicycle on campus. 
  • Students may not bring pets. 
  • Students many not bring drones or any other motorized objects. 
  • We recommend that students not bring any valuables; Next Gen takes no responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen items. 
  • Bedding and towels are provided, so students need not bring sheets, pillows, blankets or towels. However, if students prefer to bring their own bedding, they can. 
• Dress Code?

  The weather in Manchester is unpredictable and variable, even in summer – so the best packing plan is to pack layers! Light and cool casual summer clothing, jacket, sweatshirt or hoodie, raincoat, sandals, sporty clothing, comfortable walking shoes, pyjamas, a set of nicer, professional clothes. 

  Students should also bring clothing that is smart casual and appropriate for class site visits to offices and workspaces (comfortable, but presentable). Formal and/or semi-formal wear is not necessary (dress clothes, dresses/gowns, suits and ties, dress shoes, sports jackets, etc.). No specific football kit is necessary, but students can bring it if they want for some ad-hoc sport sessions during free time. 

• Laundry?

  Laundry facilities are available on site (operated via app). 

• Students evaluation/assessment and Certificate?

  While there is no formal assessment during the programme, students are asked to complete 1-2 assignments per programme, and they receive feedback from the guest lecturers and the programme team in charge of reviewing those submissions to aid their learning.  

  Students receive a certificate of completion during the closing ceremony on the last day of the programme. 

• Is there a way for students to contact each other before the start of the programme?

  Students are given access to Canvas, our online learning platform weeks in advance of the programme. There, students will have access to resources related to the programme, and more importantly, they will be able to talk to each. The programme team sets up and monitor some discussions boards there for students to introduce themselves or even make arrangements to meet at the airport and make their way together to the meeting point on campus. 

   

  Students maintain access to Canvas and all its resources for a month after the end of the programme. 

• How do you ensure girls feel comfortable/supported with being in a program/cohort with potentially mostly male students?

  • The number of female students attending this programme is growing year on year, and we expect that trend to remain. We specially encourage female applicants to join us, and some of our scholarship places are specifically targeted to female students.  
  • This is not a sports programme, it’s an industry exploration programme; the kind of topics we cover are genderless.  
  • The programme aims to be gender balance/neutral in terms of content, and as such, sessions will always touch on the female figure in different sport sectors and have female guest speakers too. Our speakers provide a wonderful opportunity for all program participants to hear from successful women who are working in and leading the sport industry in various capacities. 
  • We do have female staff on site at all times, and female members of the residential life team available 24/7. 
  • We do separate students by gender identity for dorm arrangements. 
  • We set up a class contract during the welcome session on day, where we cover a number of topics, including respect among peers, and sexual harassment. We operate a zero tolerance policy with any type of harassment. 
• Do you offer airport transfers to/from campus on arrival and departure days?

  We do not offer or arrange airport transfers from/to Manchester Airport. We deploy a team to Manchester International airport on arrival day for support of arriving international students, but students/parents should make their own transport arrangements to get to the registration location in Peel Park Quarter (Salford Campus) on arrival day.

   

  Many taxi services offer ‘unaccompanied minors’ or ‘meet and greet’ services, tailored to unaccompanied children under 18, so we suggest contacting a few airport taxi services in advance to enquire about those services (please note that Uber does not allow unaccompanied children under 18 to travel in their cars). All UK taxi drivers are statutorily required to have an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate. Same applies to the end of the programme, when students/parents should arrange for any necessary airport transfers from Pel Park Quarter.

   

  Additionally, in the weeks running up to the programme, we put students in contact with each other through our online learning platform, and in many occasions, they end up making arrangements to travel from/to airports together in small groups if their flights align well enough.

• Can the students stay at the programme residence a night early or stay an extra night at the end of the programme to accommodate travelling arrangements?

  Unfortunately, we cannot offer additional nights at our residence beyond the end of the programme. If the student requires to stay in Manchester an additional night, we recommend you make your own arrangements locally. There are many hotels in the city and near the airport that allow for unaccompanied minors to check in.

To find out more about Next Gen Manchester, click here.