Sport Coaching

A Brighton Sport Coaching degree will prepare you to develop a career in areas of sport including professional coaching, social development and community programmes, consultancy and support, personal training and life coaching.

Brighton offers the opportunity to specialise and focus your studies on sport coaching with development, performance or with youth sport and physical education.

The course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) – the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector. CIMSPA endorsement confirms that the course meets industry standards and will provide you with the knowledge and skills that employers have identified as most valuable.

You’ll be part of a community that helps you grow, no matter what your background. The course is packed with opportunities to gain real-world experience, including an optional paid placement year, coaching in the community and field trips, plus hands-on experience throughout your degree in our extensive sport facilities. Our inclusive approach to learning will help you go further; we’ll make sure you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.

Brighton graduates have roles with private, public and professional sports bodies as well as in community coaching. They are now working for organisations including Sussex Cricket, The Lawn Tennis Association and England Hockey.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).

• Sport courses at Brighton have received the 3-star ‘Enhancing’ grade for quality from CIMSPA.

• Option to specialise and graduate with a Sport Coaching award with Development, with Performance or with Youth Sport and Physical Education.

• Placement opportunities give you the chance to gain valuable experience and make industry connections.

• Practical coaching experience throughout your degree.

• Choice of option modules to tailor the course to your interests and career aspirations.

• Learn in our extensive on-site sport facilities.

• Learn with coaching experts and innovative researchers.

• Brighton is 8th in the UK for sport science courses – Guardian University Guide 2025.

Why Brighton is a great place to study Sport Coaching
Brighton is less than an hour from central London, and Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s stadium is right next door to the Falmer campus where you’ll be studying. The city hosts the UK’s third largest marathon and was chosen as a host city for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

Brighton is named one of the best cities on the planet and the third best city in the UK by Time Out.

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll lay the groundwork for a successful coaching career by exploring the science behind human movement, skill acquisition and performance. You’ll develop practical coaching skills through hands-on experience and learn how to apply these across diverse sporting contexts. Alongside this, you’ll examine the structure and governance of sport and begin to understand its social impact, preparing you to coach with confidence and insight.

Core modules
Who Runs Sport?
Science of Movement
Sport, the Body and Society
Fundamentals of Coaching
Practical Application of Coaching
The Scientific Study of Sport and Exercise

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll refine your coaching skills through hands-on practice in real-world environments and explore how to adapt your approach across varied coaching contexts. You’ll also deepen your understanding of contemporary coaching issues, research methods and professional development to prepare for more advanced study and future career opportunities. If you opted to study one of the specialist pathways, you’ll be able to choose options which align to your chosen area.

Core modules
Coaching Contexts and Methodologies
Coaching Professional Practice
Data Analysis and Research Methods
Contemporary Issues in Sport Coaching

Options*
Power and Politics in Sport
Leading and Managing People in Sports Organisations
Primary Physical Education: Theory and practice of teaching KS1 and KS2 PE
Creating a Positive Teaching and Learning Environment
Education Studies 2: Policy and Practice
Sport for Development and Peace
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Performance Assessment and Training Prescription in Strength and Conditioning
Performance Analysis

Optional placement year
An optional placement year gives you the chance to apply your knowledge in industry – testing your skills in real projects, making professional connections and returning to your final year with valuable experience that sets you apart.

Final year
In your final year, you’ll gain advanced coaching experience and critically explore the complex role of the coach across performance, youth and community settings. You’ll also complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice, deepening your expertise and preparing you for a career in sport coaching or further study. You will select option modules to align with your chosen pathway.

Core modules
Coaching Professional Enquiry
Dissertation
Dissertation
Critical Perspectives in Sport Coaching

Options*
Physical Education in the 14–16 curriculum
Education Studies 3: Inclusive Practice
Community Sport Development: Policy and Practice
Primary Physical Education: Active Learning in the Primary Setting
Applied Sport Psychology
Advanced Strength and Conditioning
Advanced Performance Analysis
Critical Social Issues in Sport
Sport Business Entrepreneurship

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.