Sport Coaching and Physical Education (with integrated foundation year)

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 foundation year will help you on your way to achieving our full degree, accredited by CIMSPA, 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).

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 you will learn

Year one

• Essential University Skills 1

• Essential University Skills 2

• Contemporary Issues and the Media

• Leading and Managing Individuals and Organisations

• Individual Case Study

• Sport in Action

Year two

• Personal & Professional Development

• Developing the Practitioner Toolkit

• Introduction to Sport Development

• Building Effective Relationships

• Principles of Human Movement & Function

• Multi-Skills Development in Physical Education and Sport

• Part 2 Practice Assessment

Year three

• Delivering Sport and the Physical Education Curriculum

• Leadership and Relationships in Sport

• Work-Based Learning

• Investigative Techniques

• Outdoor and Adventurous Activities

• Developing Communities through Sport

Year four

• Independent Investigative Project

• Current Issues in Sport Development and Physical Education

• Managing Community Events

• Club and Coach Development

• Performance Analysis in Sport

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.