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BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching

Key information

  • Entry requirements

    Clearing entry requirements

    We’re committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. Over Clearing, we’ll be taking a flexible approach so if you don’t have the advertised grades, you can submit a clearing application and we’ll review and consider your application on an individual basis.

    UCAS pointsA LevelBTEC
    104 - 112BCC - BBCMMM - DMM

    Additional requirements

    GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics

    All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

    If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

    For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

    Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

    UCAS pointsA LevelBTECIB requirement
    104 - 112BCC - BBCDMM104-112  points from a minimum of two HL subjects at H4 or above

    Additional requirements

    GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics

    All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

    If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

    For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

    Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

  • Professional accreditations

    The University of Hertfordshire is in partnership with CIMSPA, and the Sports degree programme(s) will be gaining endorsement against sector professional standards. As a result, students will be able to register with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) whilst studying with us here at Hertfordshire University. A CIMSPA student membership introduces sports-related students to their sector’s chartered professional body and supports them through their studies to develop skills and improve employability, ready for a smooth transition to the workplace, therefore even sports graduates can benefit.

    The specific benefits of having a CIMSPA student membership include:

    • CIMSPA Academy – Access to selected FREE recognised CPD eLearning
    • CIMSPA magazine – Digital access to S&PA Professional
    • S&PA Extra – Monthly digital newsletter counterpart to the CIMSPA magazine
    • Workforce opportunities – Access to graduate work placement, volunteering, internships, and job opportunities
    • Engagement opportunities – Linking to employers with students and providing opportunities through guest lectures
    • CIMSPA Code of Conduct – standards expected of sector professionals
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    • Why choose this course?

    • 2nd in the East of England for Sports Science (2023 Complete University Guide)
    • Master the art and science of sport practice and pedagogy
    • Opportunity to access coaching awards

    If you love sport and want to focus on coaching, this is the course for you. The course has a strong emphasis on practical coaching experiences being applied to the sporting area of your choice. 

    Our sports coaching degree gives you the opportunity to explore coaching theory, research and practice. You’ll focus on contemporary areas of sports coaching study, including coach education, learning and practical skills. You’ll also develop your own specialised coaching knowledge, attributes and abilities through a wide range of theoretical and hands-on experiences. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to shape your own professional development journey and achieve the appropriate vocational coaching qualifications to take your career in the direction you want. We’ll also emphasise the importance of developing your academic and research strengths, improving your confidence, credibility and critical writing skills. 

    You might be thinking about becoming a high-performance coach, a PE teacher, a performance analyst or coach within your local community, or you could be considering starting your own business. Work experience opportunities are integrated into the programme. So whatever career you decide to pursue, work-related experience combined with academic study and a focus on communication skills will enhance your prospects.  

    The University also works closely together with national and international researchers, coaches and athletes, who engage with our facilities and workforce.

    Benefit from our specialist sports facilities  

    You’ll have access to some of the best University sports facilities in the UK. You’ll benefit from our brand new multi-million-pound Institute of Sport Building based at the De-Havilland campus and will be able to join our on-campus Sports Village. Facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a 12m high climbing wall and a 110+ station gym. The gym has both strength and cardio equipment, such as rowing machines, cable stations and a free weights area. Facilities also include match-quality courts, sports halls and new generation astro pitches and so much more. There is also a smaller 24-hour gym on the College Lane campus.   

    Whether you’re interested in sport on a competitive or casual level, there is something for you. There are opportunities for students to take part, compete and represent the University in a wide variety of sports.  We are also one of the few universities with an Active Students and programme. This means we offer free sports and exercise sessions to all our students and staff. This is something you can tap into as a participant or possibly also as a facilitator.   

    What's the course about?

    In your first year, you’ll learn the foundations of sports coaching, aspects related to physical activity and sports development and begin to understand more about the wider sports industry. You’ll also learn about national and international sports business management and sports within a global world. To help you settle into University life, you’ll take a module focused on developing the academic skills you need to be a successful student.    

    Your second year builds on what you learnt in the first year. You’ll study applied sports coaching, leadership and management of sports events and global perspectives of sports development. The module on research methods helps you to understand the principles and methods that underpin coaching-based research. You’ll be able to use this to critique and understand the research done in the areas of sports coaching. It will also come in handy for your final year dissertation. In addition, we also offer optional modules for you to choose from such as process and practice in high-performance sport, sports ethics, and facilities and funding.   

    Work placement/study abroad option*: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or complete a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about, but it will also give your CV a boost. If you would rather go straight to your final year, that’s fine too. You can decide in your second year with us, so there is still plenty of time to think about this.  

    In your final year, you’ll be able to develop your research skills in sports coaching through our research dissertation module and focus on a work experience dissertation within the field of sports coaching. You’ll get a personal supervisor to support you with the research and/or work experience dissertation. Here, you’ll design and undertake your own project on a topic relevant to your area of study, and more importantly it will be aligned to a coaching area that interests you. You’ll also be able to study other modules in the final year, and learn in more depth about advanced sports coaching, enterprise and entrepreneurship, and the behaviour change for physical activity. 

    *Depending on the COVID-19 guidelines and developments.  

    Applying for this course is easy. Simply add us to your UCAS account by using the institution and course code mentioned in ‘Key information’. There is no interview for this course. We’re just interested to hear why you want to study this subject at degree level. 

      For a full list of modules, see the section under ‘What will I study?’    

    One of your campuses is de Havilland 

    You’ll share this campus with students from business, law, sport, and education subjects. The student housing is close to our Sports Village which includes a gym, swimming pool and climbing wall. You can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner in our on-campus restaurant or bar (in the newly built Enterprise Hub) on days you don’t feel like cooking. You can also use the common room to play pool, video games or just to hang out with friends.  Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.

    One of your campuses is College Lane

    This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.

    What will I study?

    Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study.  Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.     

    Modules are assessed in a variety of ways via coursework, debates, presentations, viva and practical. The type of coursework is varied, depending on the module and includes reports, reflections, write up of practicals, portfolios, posters and presentations. 

    • Level 4
      Module Credits Compulsory/optional
      Understanding the Sports Industry 15 Credits Compulsory
      Sport Business Management: National and International Perspectives 15 Credits Compulsory
      Sports as Social and Global Phenomena 15 Credits Compulsory
      Developing an Academic Approach 15 Credits Compulsory
      Foundations of Sports Coaching 30 Credits Compulsory
      Physical Activity and Sport Policy in Practice 30 Credits Compulsory
    • Level 5
      Module Credits Compulsory/optional
      Research Methods for Sports Coaching 15 Credits Compulsory
      Sport Experience Learning 15 Credits Compulsory
      Applied Sports Coaching 30 Credits Compulsory
      Process and Practice in High Performance Sport 15 Credits Optional
      Exploring Sports Ethics 15 Credits Optional
      Leadership and Management of Sports Events 30 Credits Optional
      Global Perspectives of Sports Development 15 Credits Optional
      Facilities and Funding for Active Communities 15 Credits Optional
    • Level 6
      Module Credits Compulsory/optional
      Sports Coaching Experience Dissertation 30 Credits Compulsory
      Sports Coaching Research Dissertation 30 Credits Compulsory
      Advanced Sports Coaching 30 Credits Compulsory
      Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Sports Business Management 15 Credits Optional
      Creating Business Strategies for Sport 15 Credits Optional
      Sandwich Placement - Sport 0 Credits Optional
      Study Abroad - Sport 0 Credits Optional
      Behaviour Change for Physical Activity and Sport 15 Credits Optional
      Insight and Evaluation of Sports Development 15 Credits Optional
    • Study abroad

      An opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

      This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

      If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

      Find out more about Study abroad opportunities

      Please note Erasmus+ funding is only available until May 2023. For students starting their course in September 2022 and wishing to study abroad in 2023-24 or 2024-25, please refer to the Turing Scheme.

    • Work placement

      Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.

      This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

      Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

      If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

      Find out more about work placements

    • What if I need support?

      Throughout your time at the university, you’ll work closely with a personal tutor in order to help develop academic, personal, and vocational skills. This work is supported by the University’s online platform, which provides a location for lecture slides, lecture recordings, module guides, assessment details and discussion forums amongst other things.

      Personal Tutors and Supervisor Support

      From the first year, students are allocated a Personal Tutor and will have frequent meetings throughout the first year (L4) and into the second year (L5) on all degree programmes we offer. In the final year (L6), students will be aligned with a project supervisor who will support them with their dissertation module(s) and provide overarching guidance.

      Academic Support Services (ASU)

      You might also want or need extra support during your time with us. Rest assured, no matter what you study, we have got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you will have access to our Academic Support Services (ASU). You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions and online tutorials. Both our Learning Resources Centres (LRCs) run drop-in study skills sessions.

      Student Wellbeing

      Student Wellbeing is here to support you with any emotional, mental health, disability and health-related issues which you may experience throughout your time at university. All of our services are delivered by trained and experienced staff who take a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that you get the best support possible.

Alumni headshot

Alumni Stories

Annabelle Bullock

Meet Annabelle Bullock, a BUCS gold medalist, who studied Sports Studies alongside her athletic pursuits. As an athlete she competed in target shooting and as a member of the women's Lacrosse team.

Read more stories Find out more about this course
Current job roleEducation Liaison Coordinator
Year of graduation2018 / 2019
Course of studyBSc(Hons) Sports Studies
MA Education
Bella Bullock

University experience and support

The University supported Annabelle by making her one of its sponsored athletes providing her with greater flexibility and access to sporting facilities and opportunities. This helped her develop a broad and transferable set of skills and experience.

Annabelle says, 'Being an athlete and studying was challenging, but the University and my lecturers were so supportive. Being made a sponsored athlete also came with a bunch of perks. All this support and the opportunities that the University provided helped me to build the skills and confidence I needed to be truly successful in my job today.'

Annabelle currently works as one of the Education Liaison Coordinators at Herts. Having established fantastic contacts within the University, her student activities meant she could seamlessly progress into a professional role that complimented many of her skills and interests.

'I always assumed that I would do something within sport, but when it came to my final year in BSc Sport Studies, I had found my passion for Coach Education. During my MA in Education at the University, I discovered another passion for helping others and working with student athletes.'

Opportunities to explore

The University is committed to recognising talent in its students and offering any exciting opportunities that can enrich their studies and further their careers. Annabelle's lecturers' encouraged her to explore her passion for research which inspired her to continue with postgraduate study. Most impressively, the University helped her win its first BUCS gold medal in target shooting, which she says 'felt amazing as I was the only one in the team!'

Annabelle's advice for new and current students is to 'Do things that are out of your comfort zone because the skills and experiences you develop may just be the thing that your employer is looking for. Take all of the opportunities you can. I thought I was going to be an athlete forever, then I discovered coaching. I am very lucky that my first "proper" job is something that I absolutely love but I am still able to continue coaching. This summer I am helping coach a target shooting national team in the biggest junior, under 21, competition in the country.'

Alumni headshot

Alumni Stories

Gavin Beard

Meet Gavin Beard who has taken his love for sports into industry. Since graduating he has worked his way up the career ladder and is now the Head of Marketing for Norwich Football Club.

Read more stories
Current job roleHead of Marketing
Year of graduation2013
Course of studyBSc (Hons) Sports Studies
Gavin Beard

More than a degree

Gavin graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with more than a degree; his university experience helped him to gain valuable insight to several disciplines and allowed him to narrow down his career choices.

He says, 'My degree allowed me to study various disciplines, including coaching, science and business. Having exposure to these different areas helped me understand what I favoured, and it was clear that business (and in particular, marketing) was an area I felt I could forge a career in.'

After successfully completing his degree Gavin began moving up the career ladder, working at many well respected companies such as Coral, BT Sport and currently Norwich City Football Club. Gavin puts a lot of his success down to the degree he studied and the support provided by the university.

He comments, 'The variety of modules and the exposure to different disciplines within my course were extremely useful. This was crucial in helping me determine my path. After year one, I knew I liked marketing, so I worked with the ERASMUS team to find a pathway to help me study this abroad. I then studied business in Valencia for a year and it was an experience I’ll never forget.'

Aspirations for the future

Gavin is still really enjoying his career in leading the Marketing team at Norwich City Football Club. He says, 'It’s an incredibly varied role; one day I could be leading the campaign to promote the new kit, the next it’ll be marketing the Take That gig at Carrow Road!'

Gavin is hopeful for the future and says 'Given my experience, my future roles will continue to be in marketing, hopefully I will help Norwich to become an established Premier League team. Then who knows!'

  • What's next for my career?

    Graduates are equipped for a career in coaching for example high performance coaching, multi sport coaching in schools, specialised coaching support roles, coach education, or establishing their own coaching business. They may also progress into high performance coaching roles with elite level teams and athletes. Many of our students work within educational settings or progress onto teacher training through PGCE or schools direct programmes. Students are also equipped for postgraduate study.

  • View our Alumni profiles
    Annabelle Bullock Gavin Beard
  • Further information - includes assessment method
    Course fact sheets
    BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Download
    Programme specifications
    BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    Optional

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 Yes

    Course length
  • Full Time, 3 Years
  • Part Time, 5 Years
  • Sandwich, 4 Years

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
  • How to apply?

    International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

    Apply through our international/EU application portal

    Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

    Apply using the links below:


    2024

    Start DateEnd DateLink
    21/09/202431/05/2025Apply online (Full Time)
    17/09/202431/05/2025Apply online (Part Time)
    17/09/202431/05/2025Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
    23/09/202431/05/2025Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
  • Fees and funding

    Fees 2023

    UK Students

    Full time
    • £9250 for the 2023/2024 academic year
    Part time
    • £1155 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year

    EU Students

    Full time
    • £14750 for the 2023/2024 academic year
    Part time
    • £1845 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year

    International Students

    Full time
    • £14750 for the 2023/2024 academic year
    Part time
    • £1845 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year

    *Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

    View detailed information about tuition fees

    Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

    Other financial support

    Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

    Living costs / accommodation

    The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

    View detailed information about our accommodation

Apply online through Clearing