Sport Performance and Coaching BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
Sport Performance & Coaching students using gym equipment and spotting each other

Sports coaching and athlete development is an exciting and rewarding field which includes a range of employment opportunities across the sport and exercise industry.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

4 years sandwich
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

UCAS codes

N089 / N090 / N099

Start date

November 2024
January 2025
March 2025
May 2025
June 2025


Course overview

An engaging, industry-aligned and values-led course, the Sport Performance and Coaching BSc (Hons) aims to provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience required to progress successfully into employment or postgraduate study.

The course has been designed to be broad in scope and is therefore both interdisciplinary and inter-professional. The curriculum aims to enable you to acquire a robust understanding of professional, applied practice in the sport coaching and sport performance sectors.

Why you should study this course

The concept underpinning the course is the building of academic and professional skills for professional practice.

  • In addition to the academic qualification gained, you will be signposted to continuing professional development delivered by key stakeholders such as the Football Association and UK Coaching, as well as established communities of practice, which are embedded into the modules.
  • Practitioners can work with athletes of all skill levels, and across the many coaching positions available in the areas of performance analysis and performance sports.
  • CU Scarborough is part of a complex which includes a modern campus building, a sports village and a football stadium that is home to Scarborough Athletic Football Club. The state-of-the-art sports village hosts two swimming pools, a 60-station gym, fitness studios and a sports hall, in addition to a 3G sports stadium pitch.

What you'll study

The first year introduces you to an overview of sport performance and coaching through the fundamental components of the sector and the professional application within the industry.

Students who successfully complete year one are eligible for an HNC in Sport Performance and Coaching.

Modules

Year two will introduce you to further practical elements of both coaching and strength and conditioning, while exploring an interdisciplinary approach to maximising performance and the importance of research in sport performance and coaching.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur before your final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

During the final year of the course, you will focus on the professional environment. You will spend time on practical application, the high-performance environment and working with specific populations. You will have the opportunity to produce a research project in your chosen field of interest.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course is available as a full-time three year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field2.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. Additional support is available via email and our online learning platform, which is currently Aula.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.


Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from module to module, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, laboratory experiments, tutorial tasks and assessments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Completing a Sport Performance and Coaching degree at CU Scarborough is a transformative experience that opens doors to a world of opportunities. This course goes beyond theory, immersing you in practical, hands-on learning that enhances your skills and knowledge. You'll work closely with experienced academic and industry professionals, gaining invaluable insights and mentorship. The dynamic curriculum equips you with the expertise to optimize athletic performance, inspire teamwork, and lead with confidence. Additionally, CU Scarborough provides a supportive and vibrant community where you can forge lifelong connections with like-minded individuals. As you graduate, you'll possess a competitive edge, ready to excel in various sports-related careers and make a positive impact in the ever-evolving field of sports.

Mathew Butterworth, Head of Academic Studies, 2023
Head and shoulder shot of Mathew Butterworth

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, we offer a number of programmes to help you secure a place. We also recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

All HNC/Degree courses require at least two A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

CU Scarborough welcomes international students from all around the globe. If you are an international student and are interested in applying for a Foundation Year, HNC or Degree course you can do so by completing our online application form.

Once your application form has been processed you will receive the outcome of your application via your given email address.
Please be aware you will need the following information in order to make your application:

  • All academic transcripts
  • Copies of degree/diploma certificates or work reference if employed
  • One academic reference
  • Be trained to English language proficiency level IELTS 6.0
  • Your personal statement
  • Copy of your current passport

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English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 (HNC - year 1/HND - year 2) or 6.5 (Degree/Top Up - year 3).

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

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Tuition Fees

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 per year Not available
EU £7,950 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £18,300 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees3:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Our purpose-built campus building includes a library, IT suites, mock law court, engineering and science labs, cafe and lots of individual and group study spaces. Next to us is Scarborough’s new leisure village. The complex includes an Olympic legacy swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite, all weather pitches and the new Scarborough Athletic football ground.


Careers and opportunities

This course prepares students to pursue a career in high-performance sport as an analyst, sport performance or strength and conditioning coach, sports coach, or one of the many other professional roles aligned to sport performance and coaching.

 The flexible and interdisciplinary nature of this degree will enable you to take your career in a number of directions. You could also choose to progress your expertise with a master’s programme in a related discipline, such as nutrition, sports coaching, or strength and conditioning.


How to apply


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