BA (Hons) - Sport, Coaching and Physical Education (with integrated foundation year)
If you’re passionate about sport, physical education, and helping others reach their full potential, our Sport, Coaching and Physical Education with Integrated Foundation Year course will give you the knowledge and practical experience to turn that passion into a rewarding career.
Your journey begins with an introductory foundation year, designed to develop your skills, confidence, and core knowledge in a supportive environment. This year helps you build strong academic foundations and practical skills, ensuring you’re fully prepared to progress smoothly into the undergraduate degree.
You'll then explore the theory of physical education, sport and coaching, pedagogy across the education, leisure, and community sectors. Building on this foundation, you’ll focus on teaching, coaching and sport development, with full support from
our experienced academic team throughout your studies.
Your learning goes far beyond the classroom. You’ll take part in practical sessions in our sports hall and performance laboratories, as well as the stunning landscapes of the Lake District. You’ll also complete approximately 50 hours of work experience in schools, clubs, and community groups. Our strong partnerships with the sports industry, including professional clubs and national governing bodies, provide valuable opportunities to work with young people in a range of settings.
Employability is at the heart of the degree. You’ll have the chance to complete a range of additional qualifications, at no extra cost, that are highly valued by employers and will help you stand out in the competitive sports sector.
If you are interested in this course, you can apply for a University of Cumbria International College 4-year degree programme.Apply here
Course Overview
If you are passionate about becoming a sport coach but do not have the required qualifications for direct entry, our foundation degree in sport coaching and physical education offers a supportive alternative route into higher education.
You’ll examine the theory of physical education, sport and coaching science across education, leisure and community sectors. 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 will prove invaluable for your CV. With numerous career options upon graduation including sport coaching, teaching, sport development, performance analysis and event management.
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.
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.
- Reach the right level for progressing onto the full sport coaching and physical education degree programme, building a solid foundation of skills from which to expand upon.
What our students say
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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.
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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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Attend an Open Day at Cumbria
An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.
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