Referees, Umpires and Other Sports Officials
8AI USED FOR8%moving to48%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSC
STARTING PAY£20,000 - £30,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.
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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE →
Referees, Umpires and Other Sports Officials
Referees and umpires make sure sport is fair. They know the rules inside out, make split-second decisions during matches, and keep the game under control - whether it's a local football game or a big international tournament.
THE DOOR: A easy to E extremely hard, now and in 20 years
This job holds up well against AI
AI is used for very little of what this job actually involves today, and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.
Career progression path
1FIRST STEPJunior Referee/UmpireStart your career by officiating local matches, gaining experience and building your reputation.£20,000 - £30,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level Referee/UmpireOfficiate at regional or national levels, often involved in training junior officials.£30,000 - £40,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Referee/UmpireOversee major tournaments and leagues, recognised as an authority in the sport.£50,000+
The degree route
Real courses in this career's subject, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.
🎓Sport Rehabilitation and ConditioningUniversity of Northampton, the · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£28,000 median
🎓Sport and Exercise ScienceUniversity of Brighton · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£26,000 median
🎓Sport and Exercise SciencesUniversity of Gloucestershire · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£26,000 median
🎓Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation YearBirmingham City University · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£23,000 median
All Sport and Exercise Science courses as cards →
There is more than one way in
You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely. Some employers will take you on here with no formal qualifications at all, if you can show you can do the work.
Recommended UK degrees
Real courses that qualify you for this career, from the same register that priced the degree above.
Sport Rehabilitation and ConditioningUniversity of Northampton, the · DegreeSport and Exercise ScienceUniversity of Brighton · DegreeSport and Exercise SciencesUniversity of Gloucestershire · DegreeAccountancy and SportUniversity of Stirling · DegreeDance and FitnessDancebox Theatre Works · DegreeSport and Exercise Science with Foundation YearBirmingham City University · Degree