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This course aims to produce competent, confident and reflective coaches with strong practical application of scientific knowledge. You will experience a range of opportunities to develop your coaching practice, emphasising optimal youth development.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
UCAS codes
C610
Start date
September 2026
The information on this page is for 2025-26 entry and should be used as guidance for 2026-27 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.
Sports coaches can provide support to professional sports teams and national governing bodies developing future sports stars, help build skills and confidence as PE teachers in school settings, or positively impact lifelong participation in physical activity.
The degree is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies for the 2025/26 intake:
The Sports Coaching BSc (Hons) is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). This endorsement reflects a commitment by Coventry University to equip students with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to effectively transition into roles in the sector by aligning courses with professional standards. CIMSPA-endorsed degree programmes are certified as meeting professional standards set by the most highly regarded employers in the sector. Students may also apply for discounted membership of CIMSPA.
The course has lots of practical sessions that help shape the way you would go about coaching. The support you get from the lecturers is really helpful, and it eases the transition process into uni by knowing you can always come to them for help.
Kenny Godwin (Sports Coaching student) 2022
We’re based at Westwood Heath, we’ve been able to coach practically and use the theory that we’ve learnt in the classroom out on the pitches. We’ve got a lot of data analysis equipment, such as the cameras, so we’re really lucky to be here.
Chloe Gillett, Sports Coaching BSc (Hons) current student, 2021
First year modules consist of fundamental practical and theoretical approaches to sports coaching. The coaching process, which includes planning, delivery, reflection, and various academic approaches, will be introduced. In addition, you will gain knowledge of bio-psycho-social, which will help inform a broad understanding of the needs and wants of the individual or group. You will develop your discipline-specific study skills and professional practice. A key aspect is acquiring the necessary skills base and understanding the process of practical coaching in preparation for year two study, where these skills will be developed further. In addition, you will have the opportunity to gain a national governing body coaching qualification.
The module aims to develop personal skills and professional skills in the field of sports coaching. The development of personal skills will support you on your learning journey providing opportunity for reflection, personal development and the improvement of graduate attributes. Study skills will be supported and developed promoting an evidence-based approach to coaching practice. A focus will be placed on developing a range of written, verbal and digital platform skills to enable communication to scientific and non-scientific audiences. You will explore scientific method, research design and how to manage, explore, analyse and interpret different types of information. In addition, the ability to manage your own time effectively in order to balance life, work and university demands will be developed.
Compulsory
The module introduces you to a range of issues that underpin the delivery of a practical coaching session. The module will introduce the coaching process in which the requirements of the participant (Who), the specific demands of the activity (What) and the academic approaches used to structure the learning environment (How), inform decision-making, planning and reflection. You will be introduced to the ‘what’ and sample the range of different sports you may coach. The module will have a focus on the practical delivery of coaching sessions underpinned by theoretical concepts with a focus on developing the core components of the coaching process: planning, delivery and evaluation.
Compulsory
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the exercise physiology that underpins paediatric participant development. More specifically, focus will be placed on understanding the impact of safe and effective training programmes on participant development when considering growth, maturation and training adaptation. You will also be exposed to important contemporary issues for coaches to understand, such as relative age effect, sport-specialisation and the selection hypothesis. You will also be required to perform field-based tests and consider the reliability and validity of such tests.
Compulsory
You will build on your knowledge of ‘what’ they are coaching and begin to develop an understanding of ‘how’ you are coaching. This module will challenge your current understanding of what effective coaching is and how to create an effective learning environment in practice. Through a series of practical sessions and workshops you will be asked to deconstruct and reconstruct the coaching process through exploration and experimentation with pedagogical theory. You will start to understand and develop your own coaching philosophy and gain an understanding of what ‘coaching’ means to you.
Compulsory
The purpose of this module is to support you to explore the psycho-social needs of the participants you work with. The indicative content will provide an evidence base of psychological skills/characteristics, social considerations and most importantly, how this knowledge can be considered and applied within your sports coaching practice. This module will support you to approach sports coaching practice in an empathetic manner, beginning with the participants’ needs in mind ahead of any technical or tactical objectives.
Compulsory
This module introduces you to the principles of motor learning, skill acquisition and sport and exercise psychology in the sport and exercise environment. You will develop knowledge of the structure and function of the brain, how individuals develop motor control, and methods of structuring the environment to maximise learning and performance. There will also be the opportunity to evaluate current research and gain and apply practical skills in laboratory/tutorial settings. The module provides an opportunity for you to develop skills and behaviours that foster graduate attributes such as valuing differences, being agile/adaptable thinkers, motivated contributors and being socially mindful.
Compulsory
Year two modules build on the fundamental knowledge gained in your first year. You will develop competence in the coaching process, with an emphasis on the critical analysis of the pedagogical approaches and scientific principles underpinning practical coaching sessions. You will apply your knowledge to practical scenarios, enabling you to continue developing your professional skills and their application, particularly reflective practice and career management. In addition to this, you will further develop research skills and employability by exploring qualitative and quantitative approaches to research and a mandatory structured work experience module2.
This module will develop and demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and applied practical skills in sports coaching. You will again focus on an experiential approach to learning and be exposed to a range of academic literature which underpins physical literacy within specialist age groups. In addition, you will explore and evaluate a range of current theoretical thinking developed by national and international policies and frameworks for sport and physical activity and how these influence the design of their own practice. The learning environment will be considered in further depth with a particular focus on deliberate practice and deliberate play.
Compulsory
This module focuses on a participant-centred, needs-based approach in which you will evaluate psychological and social theories to inform the practice of sports coaching. You will be exposed to several key psychological and social frameworks allowing you to develop informed and critical approaches to your coaching practice. Key topics such as personal processes, interpersonal processes and motivation will be evaluated with consideration of how they impact on communication skills and the learning of the individual.
Compulsory
You will aim to develop a lifelong engagement in children with sport and physical activity. This module offers a blended range of theory and practical learning designed to give you an in-depth understanding of the National Curriculum for Physical Education and School Sport. You will develop your skills in delivering high-quality PE across a range of activities, including Invasion Games, Net and Wall Games, Striking and Fielding, and Problem-solving activities. You will focus on understanding and exploring the national curriculum and its priorities, including the use of the School Sport Premium Funding and how this is utilised as a vehicle for whole school improvement. You will also explore the benefits that PE and School Sport have to offer in the areas of attainment, cognitive function, behaviour, attendance, health and physical and mental wellbeing.
Compulsory
The module aims to develop employability and a range of graduate skills. You will be required to apply for and undertake a work-based learning experience2 in an appropriate organisation (subject to availability). During the experience employability skills will be developed including professional knowledge, practical leadership/activity facilitative skills and vocational competencies. You will have the opportunity to reflect on the world of work and explore various employment opportunities you may wish to pursue in the future.
Compulsory
This module aims to develop your understanding of the physical development in youth within a sports coaching context. Evidence-based training interventions to improve a range of physical characteristics (speed, strength, power and endurance) will be considered in detail in terms of growth and maturation in young athletes. You will apply this knowledge to design, implement and monitor safe and effective physical development programmes. Further to this, you will examine overtraining, injury prevalence and periodisation strategies and their impact on development.
Compulsory
This module aims to enhance analytical skills allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of research skills related to sports coaching. You will explore qualitative and quantitative approaches to research with focus on critical analysis leading to problem solving and discovery. These skills will enable you to construct appropriate research design to explore novel insights in the field of sports coaching. Furthermore, the application of scientific and non-scientific communication will be developed, supporting you in the dissemination of research.
Compulsory
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 between your second and 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.
This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.
Optional
This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.
Optional
Final year modules focus on contemporary issues, community participation and high-performance pathways to further develop your employability profile.
The knowledge and understanding of the scientific research process developed in the second year of study will be applied to create a research question within a chosen topic area. An independent research study will then be designed and communicated in the form of a critical literature appraisal and portfolio. This assessment will showcase, amongst other things, your ability to seek and identify relevant information, develop research question(s) and make evidence-based informed judgments. These are all key graduate level skills desired by employers as they are often representative of an individual’s ability to perform work-based tasks such as write reports, develop business cases and conduct audits. In addition, this module provides the opportunity for you to evaluate and practice specific skills and methods relevant to your proposed research. You should also gain valuable experience in exploring ethical and health and safety issues, including completing appropriate documentation, surrounding their proposed research.
Compulsory
In this module you will explore contemporary perspectives in sports coaching. The aim of the module is to develop a theoretical knowledge of current perspectives in sport coaching and critically evaluate their influence on, or how they might inform, coaching practice. Topic areas covered will be dependent on current perspectives influencing today's coaching practice. You will be required to disseminate current thinking on contemporary coaching topics to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Compulsory
The purpose of this module is to appraise strategies for sports promotion leading to the creation and critical evaluation of effectiveness of events to promote sports participation and deliver long term solutions to contemporary perspectives in sports. The study of sport participation perspectives including equality of opportunity, community engagement, health and wellbeing and development of identity through sport.
Compulsory
This module examines the requirements of developing professional athletes over the period of their athletic career, in both individual and team sports, in the context of management inputs. The focus is to provide a toolkit of core management competencies, specialist specific knowledge and skills, for you to develop your own management development plan to operate within the industry as a coach or manager of professional athletes or teams.
Compulsory
The module aims to give you a better understanding of the full coaching process, more specifically nested planning, coaching delivery and critical reflection over long-, medium- and short-term durations. In order to do this, you will be required to consider a range of theoretical, evidence-informed practical coaching methods with reference to who they’re coaching, what they are coaching and how they are coaching given the needs of a group of individuals.
Compulsory
Within this module you will conduct, analyse, interpret and communicate, via a scientific research paper and oral presentation, a scientific investigation in a specialised area of sport and/or exercise. You are expected to demonstrate an ability to work independently and show high levels of organisational skills throughout all phases of their work. Once analysed, data must be presented and critically evaluated in light of the current literature. You will reflect critically on day-to-day experiences of conducting research and are expected to behave professionally when interacting with research participants, students and module staff at all times.
Compulsory
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.
The Sports Coaching BSc (Hons) course is delivered in various academic approaches to ensure all learners are catered for. Practical sessions and workshops employ a range of innovative approaches, (e.g. escape rooms, gamification, group projects) to engage and make learning memorable. The personal tutor system and study skills support offered throughout the course supports students in the transition from school or college to university. Finally, the academic staff have years of experience working in the field, bringing to life real-world scenarios.
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. The assessment methods may include:
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and monitors student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Our sandwich degree option allows a full-year work placement, which can be taken abroad, or you can undertake a study year abroad. The university runs several specific schemes to enable overseas study periods or work experience2. Current teaching staff also ensure that they bring their internationally rated research expertise into their teaching practices (staff may be subject to change). You will also have opportunities to challenge yourself in a range of community and academic projects, both locally and globally. These international opportunities may include collaborative online learning with students at established overseas participating universities and field trips2.
Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed2.
The course has a fantastic group of coaches working here to try and develop you. Our aim is to produce competent and exceptional coaches who can go out and work with people in a variety of environments.
Mark Noon, Course Director 2021
The Sports Coaching mission is to develop and enhance the coaches of tomorrow using a variety of pedagogical approaches to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Jonathan Pendlebury, England U18’s (men’s) Head Coach, 2022
Typical entry requirements:
Requirement | What we're looking for |
---|---|
UCAS points | 112 |
A level | BBC to include PE, Biology, Psychology or Sociology. Excludes General Studies. |
BTEC | DMM in the BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in a Biological or Sport Science based subject. Excludes Health and Social Care. |
International Baccalaureate | 30 points to include 5 points in Biology at Higher Level. |
GCSE |
GCSE maths, English and two sciences at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
|
Access to HE | The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits above Merit of which 15 must be at Distinction in Biology or Sport Science related units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above |
Please note that some work placements may require additional health and professional suitability checks including criminal record checking via DBS2. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The university is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.
If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.
Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:
You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.
If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation course. Upon successful completion this should provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.
Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.
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.
For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.
Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year |
Not available |
EU | 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary** 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
International | 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £18,300 per year |
Not available |
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.
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.
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition 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.
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.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
This course is based at Coventry University's main campus, with most of the teaching being delivered at our Westwood Heath facility. Westwood Heath houses both excellent teaching rooms and sports facilities. Some teaching will also be delivered at the Alison Gingell building4.
Our Westwood Heath facility houses modern teaching rooms alongside grass and AstroTurf pitches, where most of your time will be spent. Practical sessions are captured using our state of the art AP Capture camera system and software to enrich the teaching and learning experience.
You will benefit from the outstanding sports and exercise sciences facilities in the purpose-built Alison Gingell building. This includes a sports hall, sport and exercises science laboratories, strength and conditioning suite, gait analysis track, 3D motion capture system and an environmental chamber.
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
The professional experience opportunities2 (subject to availability), along with the content of this course, will enable you to reflect the competencies expected of an advanced level coach or PE teacher.
Practical experiences are embedded into the course and will be facilitated by our established links with local and national sporting organisations, teams and local schools. In addition, the optional sandwich year allows you to enhance your CV by incorporating a full year of work experience in a coaching environment2. This course's exciting and innovative aspect is that the degree aims to complement coach education from national and international governing bodies.
If you are looking to pursue a career in sport coaching, PE teaching, sports development, leisure management and community programmes this could be the course for you.
PGCE courses allow entry to teaching careers and our more specialist sport MSc programmes provide opportunities for graduates to develop skills in a more specific area of study.
Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.
Learn more about Phoenix+Full-time students will be able to apply for this course through UCAS from September 2025. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Complete our contact form
International codes:
HLSU268
For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Complete our contact form
Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
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