# Premier League Players Study for Future Roles

> Premier League footballers earn diplomas to prepare for careers beyond playing.
- Title: Premier League Players Study for Future Roles · BBC Sport
- Summary: Premier League footballers earn diplomas to prepare for careers beyond playing. Premier League players complete business courses while active to transition…
- Keywords: pfa, premier league, sporting directors, kiernan dewsbury-hall, taiwo awoniyi, cesar azpilicueta, coventry city, everton, champions league, nigeria, africa cup of nations, sports
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ckq5xp9p1v31o
- Published: 2026-09-30T06:41:14.334+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pfa, premier league, sporting directors, kiernan dewsbury-hall, taiwo awoniyi, cesar azpilicueta, coventry city, everton, champions league, nigeria, africa cup of nations, sports
## PFA Business School Graduates
Premier League footballers complete business diplomas while active in their careers.
## Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Dewsbury-Hall, 28, completed a postgraduate diploma in global football sport directorship.
## Taiwo Awoniyi
Awoniyi, 29, has a degree in business management and another diploma while playing for Coventry City.
## Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta studied on the morning of the 2021 Champions League final to prepare for his role.
## Awoniyi's Education Journey
Awoniyi progressed from the Imperial Soccer Academy to Liverpool after his father's strict educational approach.
## Awoniyi on Football and Education
Awoniyi says footballers have time for study but it is not for everyone.
## Dewsbury-Hall on Footballers' Intelligence
Dewsbury-Hall states footballers are intelligent but some lack the passion for academic pursuits.
## Course Structure
The PFA course runs alongside football careers with sessions scheduled around matches.
## Steve Cook's Return to Education
Cook, a former Bournemouth captain, returns to formal education after his playing career.
## Key takeaway

Premier League players complete business courses while active to transition into leadership roles.