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BA (Hons) - Sport, Coaching and Physical Education

You relish sport’s ability to bring joy and to improve the mind and body. You have a true passion for sport coaching, helping others discover the physical, mental and social wellbeing impacts of sport. Here you can discover a like-minded community of sports enthusiasts.

This sport coaching and physical education degree, accredited by CIMSPA, is designed so you can be supported by our expert lecturers to confidently step into your ideal future career and gain the knowledge to make a difference.

What’s more, our sport courses are ranked 1st in the North West for continuation and 2nd in the North West for Career Prospects (Guardian University Guide 2023 Results).

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Accredited by:

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity

Sport, Coaching and Physical Education cover image

Course Overview

On this course, you'll examine the theory of physical education, sport and coaching science across education, leisure and community sectors. You’ll build on this with a focus on teaching and coaching. A learn-and-do ethos will see teaching complemented by practical sessions whilst experience in schools, clubs and community groups will provide real-world application. Completing 50 hours of work experience throughout this sport coaching degree will prove invaluable for your CV.

You’ll receive the support of industry-sourced professionals and have access to facilities including a sports hall and performance laboratories, Salt Ayre Leisure Centre and Brathay Hall and Estate. You may be eligible for additional qualifications including coaching awards.

Fast-track your job hunt with our industry links, which include professional sport clubs and national governing bodies of sport. You’ll have numerous career options upon graduation including sport coaching, teaching, sport development, performance analysis and event management.

On this course you will...

Gain academic and vocational key skills through both classroom and community engagement projects linked to specific modules.
Be taught in small class sizes which means you get to know your class and tutors well, allowing you to feel supported during your studies.
Gain CIMSPA accreditation boosting your graduate prospects and gain free qualifications recognised by industry during your studies.
Have access to an extensive range of partner organisations in sport including Active Cumbria, Active Lancashire and Golf England facilitating learning opportunities, guest speakers and placements.
Follow the successes of our graduates who have pursued careers in PE teaching, sport development, event management, high-performance coaching and community coaching roles.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationLancaster
Institute Institute of Health
UCAS CodeC604
Delivery StyleIn-Person
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Study Options Integrated Foundation Year
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBA (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysLancaster
All

Minimum entry requirements

104-112

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,535

UK | per year

£14,900

International | per year

Tuition Fees Policy

What our students say

I enjoyed the challenge provided but value the utmost support that was provided throughout the course. I liked that there was the opportunity to work with lecturers who are really passionate about their subject and wanted to make me passionate about their subject too.

Luke Brown, Sport Coaching and Physical Education

Luke always enjoyed sport growing up and didn't consider university until a college teacher recommended our Sport Coaching and Physical Education course to him. Now he's graduated and is on his way to becoming an outstanding Secondary Teacher.

Course Structure

What you will learn

There are three distinctive features of the programme:

Emphasis on experiential learning through its applied and vocational nature. You will study a range of disciplines, delivered with an applied focus on the complex reality which is modern physical education, sport coaching and sport development.

Flexible nature of the delivery of the programme, which utilises a range of learning strategies with an emphasis on the skills and practices involved in physical education, sport coaching and sport development, alongside an understanding of vocational practice.

Strong focus on employability and personal enhancement. You will be provided with the opportunity to achieve a vast range of additional qualifications throughout the entirety of the programme, free of charge.

You will make links with the careers team to discuss your skill development and to help you reflect on how these link to your employability, graduate skills and career development in your chosen future specialism.

Year one

Personal & Professional Development
A grounded, practical introduction to a range of skills to make sense of academic research, including how to find, evaluate and read academic sources.
Developing the Practitioner Toolkit
Explore an underpinning knowledge and understanding of fundamental pedagogical processes within sports coaching and physical education teaching.
Introduction to Sport Development
Explore sport development and the complementary work of the PE profession. The contested purposes of sport development and PE, equality and diversity issues about structure, policy and provision will be addressed.
Introduction to Sport Psychology
You will explore some of the processes that underpin the teaching and learning of skilled movement patterns and examine factors affecting motivation. The concepts covered will be applied to coaching, physical education and physical activity participation.
Principles of Human Movement & Function
Introduction to the basic biomechanical, anatomical and physiological systems, principles and concepts that underpin human movement and function. The areas of anatomy, kinesiology, kinematics and kinetics will be covered along with the parameters that govern movement.
Multi-Skills Development in Physical Education and Sport
Develop knowledge and practical application of multi-skills development in sport and physical education. The concept of physical literacy and the development of fundamental movement and sport-specific skills in young children will be explored.

Year two

Delivering Sport and the Physical Education Curriculum
You'll enhance your understanding of the role of physical education within the national curriculum at each key stage. You'll develop an understanding of the relationship between teaching/coaching and learning and experience a variety of teaching/coaching methods, models and frameworks for learning.
Leadership and Relationships in Sport
The module aims to provide you with an understanding and awareness of the nature of coach behaviour and coach-athlete relationships. Models of leadership and practitioner will be explored using a variety of methods.
Work-Based Learning
A 50-hour vocational placement within an organisation of choice. An opportunity to analyse professional practice and reflect upon real-life experiences.
Investigative Techniques
Prepare to conduct a personal research project in an area of interest aimed at developing professional knowledge and expertise. Consider research methodology, ethics, data analysis and formulating a research question.
Developing Communities through Sport
Develop an insight into the causes of sport and wider social exclusion, and how sport can help promote health improvement, community regeneration, educational attainment and prevent youth offending.
Field Based Conditioning for Sport
This module, which builds on the knowledge gained on the Level 4 Human Movement and Function module, will focus on how to improve the physiological parameters that govern successful sporting performance. You will explore physiological responses to conditioning strategies within a range of sports.

Year three

Independent Investigative Project
Conduct an original research investigation supported by a dissertation supervisor.
Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
Working in a small team, and with the guidance of an industry mentor, you have responsibility for planning, marketing, financing, delivery, and evaluation of a local community event, with specific key performance indicators to achieve.
Club and Coach Development
Develop a critical insight into issues facing community sports clubs and their contributions to local communities. Explore and critically evaluate key coach education concepts including experiential learning, communities of practice and mentoring.
Performance Analysis in Sport
Develop an understanding of assessing technical, tactical, and strategic performances through theory and a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods. This will enable in-depth analysis of performance and appropriate conclusions to be drawn to improve the athletes' performance.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Learning and teaching methods are designed to:

Be student-centred, flexible and modern whilst being challenging and stimulating.
Support your needs at different stages of development.
Be fully supported by, and integrated with, technological approaches such as the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE).
Ensure the link between theory with practice.
Develop you as an independent and self-directed learner, communicating the ethos of reflective learning.
Develop the ability to learn effectively to performing academically, including an in-depth, evidence-based research dissertation.

Modules are delivered with a mixture of formal contact time, directed and blended learning and independent learning. The proportion of the methods used varies with the focus of each module. You will develop your academic skills and become progressively more independent in your learning.

Key knowledge and understanding is acquired through a wide range of teaching methods including:

Lectures
Seminars
Workshops
Problem-solving tasks
Laboratory-based practical work
Practical teaching/coaching sessions
Group work
Observational learning
Research projects
Vocational placement
Private and directed study.

All staff engaged in the development and delivery of this programme are active in continuing professional development. All staff hold, or are active in, subject-specific qualifications and conduct research pertinent to professional practice. Resources and equipment have been replaced and updated to facilitate teaching, learning and assessment activities on relevant practical modules.

How you will be assessed

Modules use formative and summative assessment so you progress through modules build knowledge coherently and logically.

Formative assessments are designed so that feedback on your performance is provided before the submission of the final, summative assessment and will occur regularly to inform your progress and performance. Formative work does not contribute to the final module mark or the credit awarded. Formative tasks and assessments will feature in all modules and provide you with further learning opportunities, alongside skill development, for example, non-graded presentation skills, delivery and reflection.

A variety of assessment methods will be utilised, reflecting the multi-disciplinary nature of this programme and the increasing demand for employment-ready graduates. Assessment methods are specified in each module guide and will include:

Practical presentations
Research reports/written assessments.
Data analysis and interpretation.
Class presentations (individual and group).
Poster presentations and conferences.
Reflective learning *portfolios (placement module).

*Portfolios may be comprised of several pieces of work that together provide evidence of learning and demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes in a variety of modes. For example, written pieces, video recordings of practical activities or presentations, PowerPoint slides and a series of reflections or online discussions, are just some of the ways you may evidence your learning.

Overview

104-112 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table. Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range. Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range.

GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4/C or above. Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths and Adult Literacy and Numeracy are also accepted. A full list of acceptable level 2 qualifications can be found here: Level 2 Acceptable Entry Requirements .

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECK:

If you accept an offer of a place, we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check. Details on the policy can be found here.

If you think you have a criminal conviction You will need to submit a Criminal Record Self Disclosure Form as part of the process. For more information on this and the form itself, please refer to Self-disclosure of criminal record.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

GCSEs: GCSE English Language and Maths at C/4 or above

A-levels: BCC-BBC

T-levels: P (C+) – M. All subjects are accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 15 credits at Distinction & 30 at Merit 

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: C-B

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DMM

Scottish Highers: BBBC-BBBB

Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – B1x3, B2 

Alternative routes: If you don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Integrated Foundation Year.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply) 

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

£9,535 - UK
£14,900 - International

2024-2025:

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Below is the list of books that will need to be purchased for your course. Costs can be reduced considerably by sourcing second-hand copies of books. Core text (£13.50) - Navin, A. (ed.) (2011) Sports coaching: A reference guide for students, coaches and competitors. The Crowood Press. Wiltshire. Access via library - Potrac, P., Gilbert, W. and Denison, J. (2013) Routledge handbook of sports coaching. Routledge. London. Ebook available. Core text (£30)- Nelson, L., Groom, R., and Potrac, P. (2014) Research methods in sports coaching. Routledge. London. Core text (£28) - Armour, K. (2011) Sport pedagogy: an introduction for teaching and coaching. Prentice-Hall. Harlow. Ebook available. Access via library - Houlihan, B. and Green, M. (2013) Routledge handbook of sports development. Routledge. London.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

Sports Kit (optional but recommended items equal approx. £120)

Other

Travel costs for Community based/placement activities (£30 - £50). You will need to undertake a Criminal Background Check as part of their admission to the course at a personal cost of between £50-£60.

Experience Cumbria

Sport students hosting an inclusion in sport event

Student and a lecturer conducting tests in the biomechanics and physiology lab

A student conducting tests on the astroturf

A sport student coaching fellow students

Sport students taking part in an event they organised as part of a module

Controls for the spotlight carousel

Location
Lancaster Campus
Lancaster is the Red Rose heartland, a student haven full of history and culture. With iconic stone architecture, parkland, and a caring community, this is the place to get involved. The campus houses top-quality facilities tailored to the needs of life-savers, world changers, and future leaders.
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BA (Hons) - Sport, Coaching and Physical Education