BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching (with Foundation Year)

Master your trade as a sports coach. Put practical learning first, developing your own coaching style through regular opportunities with school children, and young athletes, as well as performance sports men and women on campus.

We're a partner of CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity). That means, everything you’ll learn is taught in line with nationally recognised coaching standards. Graduate industry-ready with the skills you need to be a successful coach.

Key Information

Course Duration: 4 years full-time

UC UCAS Code: CF00

Part or Full Time: Full Time

Level of Study: Foundation Year Degrees

Typical Offer: 32-48 UCAS tariff points or equivalent

Course information

Download Programme Specification

This foundation year pathway provides an alternative route into degree-level study. It’s ideal for those who need to gain subject-specific knowledge and skills in order to progress onto the full BSc Sports Coaching qualification.

Throughout your degree you’ll be encouraged to gain real-world experience. Build a diverse portfolio that you can use to evidence your coaching expertise, experience and philosophy to employers when you graduate.

We’ve got strong links across the sports industry, including with the Football Association and the Rugby Football Union, giving you access to a wide range of coaching opportunities.

With 10 sports academies on site, you won’t be short of opportunities to put what you’re learning into practice. You could also find yourself gaining experience with local sports clubs, and physical activity organisations.

We’ll support you to discover and progress your own coaching philosophy and style. A diverse range of modules will introduce you to differing coaching theories, concepts and practices, aimed at giving you a personal skillset to become an accomplished coach.

Accreditation

As a partner of CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity), our curriculum is underpinned by professional coaching standards.

UCAS tariff points | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points or equivalent including a Biological Science, Sports Studies or PE subject.
GCSE | A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9 to 4, (or A* to C grades if relevant) or equivalent, to include English Language and Mathematics.
A-level | Typical offer is EE-DD or equivalent. This must include a minimum of two A-levels.
Vocational award | Typical offer is a PPP in an Extended Diploma or equivalent.
Access | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points in an Access to Higher Education Diploma to include a minimum of a pass in a Biological Science, Sports Studies or PE module at Level 3 module at Level 3.
IB | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points in an IB Diploma, to include a minimum of one Highers at H3 or above. This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Standard Level S3 if equivalent GCSEs have not been obtained.
Scottish Highers | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points in Scottish Highers. This must include a minimum of one Advanced Higher.
Irish Leaving Certificate | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points in the Irish Leaving Certificate. This must include a minimum of one Highers.

This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Ordinary Level.
OCR Cambridge Technical | Typical offer is a PPP in a Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
T Level | Typical offer is Pass in your T Level overall grade in a relevant subject.

We welcome students with equivalent qualifications. Please contact us to discuss.

We may interview mature applicants and those with non-traditional qualifications to ensure this is the right course for you.

Previous learning towards a university-level qualification or relevant work experience may count as credit for this course.

Please contact us for further information:

Email us

Your career

Our course is strongly linked with the local sporting community, providing you with a broad range of opportunities to develop your coaching skills, gain valuable experiences, and developing connections needed for your graduate career.

Work experience

Our performance sports teams offer opportunities for students to gain industry experience ready for their careers. You could get involved with performance analysis, and coaching, as well as management roles. There are also opportunities for you to work with some of our partner sports clubs, schools and organisations. Many students go on to graduate roles with these employers.

Graduate destinations

Our sports coaching graduates work in a range of sport, exercise, and health and wellbeing areas in the performance, school and community sports sectors. Studying sports coaching also develops the skills needed for other graduate careers. Recent graduate destinations have included:

Football Coach, Paris Saint Germain
Rugby coach, Play Rugby USA
Rowing coach, Canterbury Christchurch College
Head of Sport, private school
Sport Development lead, Young Gloucestershire
Performance Analyst, Gloucester Rugby
Lecturer, Hartpury College

Success Stories

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential, which is why you'll receive a minimum of 15 hours of scheduled teaching time per week in your first year - this is 25% above the UK average.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.

Academic support

You’ll have your own personal tutor while you’re here who will support you to succeed in your studies. You’ll also have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online.

Alongside this, we have a comprehensive bank of online study skills resources to help you make the most of your qualification.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.

Your career

Each year of your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career. The course is taught in English.

Course information

Overview

We’ve got strong links across the sports industry, including with the Football Association and the Rugby Football Union, giving you access to a wide range of coaching opportunities.

Accreditation

As a partner of CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity), our curriculum is underpinned by professional coaching standards.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff points | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points or equivalent including a Biological Science, Sports Studies or PE subject.
GCSE | A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9 to 4, (or A* to C grades if relevant) or equivalent, to include English Language and Mathematics.
A-level | Typical offer is EE-DD or equivalent. This must include a minimum of two A-levels.
Vocational award | Typical offer is a PPP in an Extended Diploma or equivalent.
Access | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points in an Access to Higher Education Diploma to include a minimum of a pass in a Biological Science, Sports Studies or PE module at Level 3 module at Level 3.
IB | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points in an IB Diploma, to include a minimum of one Highers at H3 or above. This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Standard Level S3 if equivalent GCSEs have not been obtained.
Scottish Highers | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points in Scottish Highers. This must include a minimum of one Advanced Higher.
Irish Leaving Certificate | Typical offer is 32-48 UCAS tariff points in the Irish Leaving Certificate. This must include a minimum of one Highers.

This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Ordinary Level.
OCR Cambridge Technical | Typical offer is a PPP in a Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
T Level | Typical offer is Pass in your T Level overall grade in a relevant subject.

We welcome students with equivalent qualifications. Please contact us to discuss.

We may interview mature applicants and those with non-traditional qualifications to ensure this is the right course for you.

Previous learning towards a university-level qualification or relevant work experience may count as credit for this course.

Please contact us for further information:

Employability

Your career

Work experience

Graduate destinations

Football Coach, Paris Saint Germain
Rugby coach, Play Rugby USA
Rowing coach, Canterbury Christchurch College
Head of Sport, private school
Sport Development lead, Young Gloucestershire
Performance Analyst, Gloucester Rugby
Lecturer, Hartpury College

How you'll study

Your support network

Academic support

Alongside this, we have a comprehensive bank of online study skills resources to help you make the most of your qualification.

Your learning experiences

Your career

Modules

What you'll study

This course covers a broad range of fundamental sports topics through core modules, from teaching and coaching, to sports science, and psychology. In addition to these core topics, you’ll have a wide range of optional modules to choose from, allowing you to specialise to suit your interests and career goals.

Module credits

On successful completion of your modules you’ll gain academic credit that accumulates towards your award. The marks you gain in your second and third years may contribute towards your final degree classification.

Your foundation year will provide you with the foundation knowledge and skills in sport, academic skills and general science.

Compulsory Modules

Foundation Skills Development

Gain key skills, including understanding the scientific method, teamwork, research, and effective time management.

Academic Skills in Practice

Develop skills ready for level 4 study through an internship at Hartpury, linked to your.

Reviewing Literature

Develop an understanding and knowledge of literature reviews.

Foundation Biological Principles

Cover fundamental biological aspects, including how organisms function and operate for survival and performance.

Foundation Sports Science

An introduction to central human anatomy and physiology, its adaption to sport training, and factors that impact the performance of athletes.

Your first year will focus on introducing you to a broad range of topics, providing you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to begin developing your own coaching identity. Alongside your core coaching module, you’ll study physiology, psychology, and sociology topics, as well as developing your academic and professional skills.

Compulsory Modules

Coaching and Teaching Portfolio (Theory)

Apply coaching theory to evaluate your own abilities, illustrating your personal development.

The Sport and Exercise Professional

Learn academic and research skills through work with other sports science disciplines.

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Understand athlete behaviour through key theories in sport exercise psychology.

Introduction to the Sport Industry

Investigate how participation is influenced by the structure, leadership and organisation of sport.

Introduction to Exercise Physiology

This module covers the biological systems used during exercise.

Comparative Sports Study

Study how historical and political influences have shaped practices in a chosen sport.

Alongside your core coaching and academic skills modules, in your second year, you’ll start to choose your own path with a choice of optional modules. You could focus on sports business management, sports science, health topics, inclusion, and youth development.

Compulsory Modules

Coaching and Teaching Portfolio (Pedagogy)

This module focuses on developing learning strategies and evaluating your ability to educate others.

Coaching Children

Use study methods and theories of practice to identify their appropriateness for coaching children.

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Understand how multidisciplinary teams work together in sport and exercise. An introduction to research methods and analysis required for future projects.

Optional Modules

Applied Performance Analysis

Students actively collect, analyse and feedback performance analysis data.

Health Related Exercise

Focus on the exercise techniques designed to improve health.

New Venture Creation

This module allows students to the explore the principles and practices faced by entrepreneurs whilst working through the process of developing a new commercial venture. The assessment offers students the chance to engage with their own new business idea and present to both business professionals and academic staff in a ‘dragon’s den’ style pitch.

Sport Psychology

Learn and apply psychological skills to improve athlete performance.

The Inclusive Practitioner

Students will develop an understanding of inclusive practice within sport, physical activity, and physical education.

Youth Physical Development

This module provides students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical application to provide strength and conditioning provision to the youth population for both sporting and health purposes.

Your final year allows you to concentrate the topics that interest you most and will support you best in your future career. One module is dissertation, a substantial research project that enables you to experience being responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on a specialist topic. In addition, you’ll be exposed to contemporary challenges in the subject area, as well as gaining an insight into where current research and coaching practice is focusing.

Compulsory Modules

Sport Research and Knowledge Exchange Project

Independent research and analysis in a related area of your choice.

Coaching and Teaching Portfolio (Reflection)

Critically reflect on your coaching abilities and how you’ve developed throughout the programme.

High Performing Teams

Evaluate the leadership and management of sport science support within the performance environment.

Optional Modules

Contemporary Issues in Sports Education

Studying what we can learn from professional development in other sectors to develop coaching and teaching practice.

Performance Analysis in Practice

Students apply and evaluate the impact of performance analysis techniques within the coaching cycle.

Special Populations

Students will develop a critical understanding of how exercise can be used to improve health within special populations as well as develop and implement an exercise programme for a client of their choice.

Sport and Social Media

This module allows students to explore the growing influence of social media within the sports industry. Students will also analyse athlete social media content and consider their findings within the context of relevant contemporary research.

Sport Psychology in Action

The purpose of this module is to give students a real picture of sport psychology in action by providing the framework from which psychological techniques can be applied to facilitate psychological and performance outcomes.

Modules

Overview

What you'll study

Module credits

Level three foundation year (year one)

Your foundation year will provide you with the foundation knowledge and skills in sport, academic skills and general science.

Compulsory Modules

Foundation Skills Development

Gain key skills, including understanding the scientific method, teamwork, research, and effective time management.

Academic Skills in Practice

Develop skills ready for level 4 study through an internship at Hartpury, linked to your.

Reviewing Literature

Develop an understanding and knowledge of literature reviews.

Foundation Biological Principles

Cover fundamental biological aspects, including how organisms function and operate for survival and performance.

Foundation Sports Science

An introduction to central human anatomy and physiology, its adaption to sport training, and factors that impact the performance of athletes.

Level four (year one)

Compulsory Modules

Coaching and Teaching Portfolio (Theory)

Apply coaching theory to evaluate your own abilities, illustrating your personal development.

The Sport and Exercise Professional

Learn academic and research skills through work with other sports science disciplines.

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Understand athlete behaviour through key theories in sport exercise psychology.

Introduction to the Sport Industry

Investigate how participation is influenced by the structure, leadership and organisation of sport.

Introduction to Exercise Physiology

This module covers the biological systems used during exercise.

Comparative Sports Study

Study how historical and political influences have shaped practices in a chosen sport.

Level five (year two)

Compulsory Modules

Coaching and Teaching Portfolio (Pedagogy)

This module focuses on developing learning strategies and evaluating your ability to educate others.

Coaching Children

Use study methods and theories of practice to identify their appropriateness for coaching children.

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Understand how multidisciplinary teams work together in sport and exercise. An introduction to research methods and analysis required for future projects.

Optional Modules

Applied Performance Analysis

Students actively collect, analyse and feedback performance analysis data.

Health Related Exercise

Focus on the exercise techniques designed to improve health.

New Venture Creation

Sport Psychology

Learn and apply psychological skills to improve athlete performance.

The Inclusive Practitioner

Students will develop an understanding of inclusive practice within sport, physical activity, and physical education.

Youth Physical Development

Level Six (year three)

Compulsory Modules

Sport Research and Knowledge Exchange Project

Independent research and analysis in a related area of your choice.

Coaching and Teaching Portfolio (Reflection)

Critically reflect on your coaching abilities and how you’ve developed throughout the programme.

High Performing Teams

Evaluate the leadership and management of sport science support within the performance environment.

Optional Modules

Contemporary Issues in Sports Education

Studying what we can learn from professional development in other sectors to develop coaching and teaching practice.

Performance Analysis in Practice

Students apply and evaluate the impact of performance analysis techniques within the coaching cycle.

Special Populations

Sport and Social Media

Sport Psychology in Action

The modules contain a mixture of scheduled learning – lectures, workshops and practical sessions – alongside independent learning. Students are expected to dedicate at least two to three hours of independent study per contact hour. Your course may also include work placement learning as part of some modules.

The Foundation Year includes an internship using Hartpury’s on-site facilities and industry links.

Year	Contact learning	Independent learning	Placement learning
Level three (year one)	30%	70%	0%
Level four (year two)	26%	74%	0%
Level five (year three)	24%	76%	0%
Level six (year four)	18%	82%	0%

You will be assessed through a mixture of written exams, practical exams and written assignments. Many of the modules will be marked based on a mixture of assessment types, whilst others will be based solely on one type of assessment. Feedback will be given on-line (electronic and oral), and in some cases face-to-face.

Year	Written exam	Practical exam	Coursework
Level three (year one)	28%	44%	28%
Level four (year two)	13%	56%	31%
Level five (year three)	0%	54%	46%
Level six (year four)	13%	28%	59%

Each year of this course is taught over two semesters, normally consisting of 12 weeks of scheduled teaching and then assessment weeks, with an overview below:

Scheduled teaching takes place between 8:30 to 20:30 Monday to Friday
Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities
Part-time students may need to attend learning activities five days each week, depending on modules selected
Timetables are available during enrolment week

View term dates

Please visit our finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Below, you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course.

Clothing and footwear

Students have an option to purchase sports kits which can be bought as a bundle for approximately £150. Students are encouraged to engage in various trips and visits as part of the programme. A comprehensive package of non-repayable financial support is available to facilitate engagement with placements and study tours / trips where additional costs are involved.

Performance Sports Academy membership

Find out costs and details for joining one of our performance Sports Academy teams.

Hartpury gym

Find out about costs and details for joining the Hartpury gym.

Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.

Fees & Finance

For further details about this course, including the programme specification and module descriptions, please visit our document library.

Resource library

Academies

If you’re playing sport competitively, or you have the talent and drive to do so, you may want to join one of our Sports Academies. Over 200 international athletes have developed their talents with us over the past 10 years. You could be our next success story. We're a semi-professional sports environment offering world-class facilities and professional coaching and support services.

Accommodation

Settle into an accommodation option to suit your taste and budget – at Hartpury University, undergraduate students can choose to live on-campus surrounded by Gloucestershire’s beautiful countryside or off-campus in the heart of Gloucester City centre. Enjoy the best of both worlds.

Finance

We can help you understand how it all works, and what you need to do next. Find out everything you need to know about tuition fees, student loans and bursaries and scholarships. In 2021/22, we provided assistance to over 1/3 of our students through bursaries, scholarships and grants, totalling a little under £1million.

TEF Gold

Our undergraduate provision has been awarded Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold in all aspects - Overall, Student Experience, and Student Outcomes.

Teaching quality

Ranked in the top 10 universities for teaching quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024).

Graduate employability

97% of our graduates are in employment, further study or other purposeful activity (Graduate Outcomes, 2023).

Academic support

We’ve been named as the top university in England for academic support (National Student Survey, 2023).

CIMSPA-endorsed

This degree programme is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity

Become a game changer

World-class sports facilities

Sport facilities

Success stories

Harrison's story

Success Stories

Harrison's story

“The support I received from Hartpury is one of the main reasons the company is up and running today. I had so much support from Simon Spooner and all the ICE team, special thanks to Lucy Scannell and Vicki Crossland. I will always be grateful for the help and funding I received from Hartpury.”

Harrison Lowe

BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching

Dan Holloway Bsc Sports Coaching Graduate

"Being immersed in a high performance environment at Hartpury, both academically and practically, you develop a mindset that allows you to push yourself to perform at a higher level. That ethos and culture has helped me to take the path that I'm on now."

Dan Holloway, Nike Football UK Head Coach

Important information

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are reviewed and developed regularly. Changes or cancellation of courses may be necessary to ensure alignment with emerging employment areas, to comply with accrediting body requirements, revisions to subject benchmark statements or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make necessary changes and will notify all offer-holders of changes as and when they occur.

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Key Information

Course information

Accreditation

Your career

Work experience

Graduate destinations

Your support network

Academic support

Your learning experiences

Your career

Course information

Overview

Accreditation

Entry requirements

Employability

Your career

Work experience

Graduate destinations

How you'll study

Your support network

Academic support

Your learning experiences

Your career

Modules

What you'll study

Module credits

Compulsory Modules

Compulsory Modules

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Modules

Overview

What you'll study

Module credits

Level three foundation year (year one)

Compulsory Modules

Level four (year one)

Compulsory Modules

Level five (year two)

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Level Six (year three)

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Teaching modes

Assessment and Feedback

Timetables

Fees and funding

Further course details

Academies

Accommodation

Finance

TEF Gold

Teaching quality

Graduate employability

Academic support

CIMSPA-endorsed

Become a game changer

World-class sports facilities

Success stories

Harrison's story

Sport matters

Important information

Related courses

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences (with Foundation Year)

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition (with Foundation Year)

BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning (with Foundation Year)

Our partners & accreditations