Kika Carvalho | Master's Degree in Football Coaching

Kika Carvalho

Master's Degree in Football Coaching

“Hello, my name is Kika Carvalho and I am a student on the Master's Degree in Football Coaching at Lusófona University - Porto University Centre.

What led me to choose the Master's Degree in Football Coaching was a combination of factors. Football has always been one of my passions, so it felt like a very natural choice.

I also completed my undergraduate degree here at ULusófona, the Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Sport, and after specialising in Football, it sparked a desire in me to continue studying in this area.

Being a player on a Master's Degree in Football Coaching makes me think differently, just as being a master's student while also being a player gives me a different perspective. For example, during classes, when we are presented with practical case studies, I can reflect on what I feel as a player. Likewise, when I am playing, I am no longer thinking solely as a player.

I now consider other perspectives as well, particularly the coach’s perspective, which I am learning about through the master's programme. I believe this has helped me significantly in my development as a player.

Throughout both my master's degree and undergraduate studies, I always felt a great deal of support from the lecturers. They made things much easier for me because, on many occasions, almost every day, I had to leave classes early. The lecturers were very flexible, they did not record absences, and even when we had assessments, if I was unable to submit work on time, they were always very understanding and extended deadlines for me. In that respect, the university was always a great source of support.

The message I would like to leave to students who want to pursue a master's degree in football coaching while combining it with high-performance sport is, above all, to remember that if this is your goal and what you truly want, the effort is worth it and it is possible. Make the most of every moment you have at university. The classes are truly where you gain the most, and if you can attend as many as possible, I believe that is the key to achieving good results.”