Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching with Foundation Year

Why study this course with LJMU?

The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked first in the North West and top 20 in the world for Sports Science (QS World University Rankings 2025). The course covers the art (coaching methods, planning and delivering) and science (psychology and physiology) of sport coaching. It provides multiple opportunities to gain coaching experience in the UK and potentially abroad. The course applies the latest coaching research in practical sessions, assessments and placements. Graduates have gone on to a wide range of exciting careers in community sport, private or overseas coaching, national governing bodies of sport and sport development.

About your course

Our Sport Coaching degree offers a unique blend of academic theory and practical application, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic world of sports coaching.

About the Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Sport Coaching honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

About BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching

You will learn from experienced staff who are working with elite athletes, coaches, international sports federations and sports organisations. If you are passionate about sport and want a chance to help others achieve their sporting ambitions, a degree in Sport Coaching could be the route for you. Current demand for appropriately qualified coaches is high across a variety of settings (coaching children; participants and athletes). To be a successful coach, however, you need to be self-confident, have strong interpersonal skills and a sense of responsibility, alongside an in-depth professional coaching knowledge. This course will provide you with opportunities to gather this knowledge in areas such as coaching methods, sport psychology, training programmes and planning and delivering sessions.

Course modules

Foundation Year

• Skills and Practice in Sport (20 credits)
• Health and Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Practical Delivery in Sport and Physical Activity (20 credits)
• Behaviours in Sport and Physical Activity (20 credits)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (20 credits)
• Projects in Sport and Nutrition (20 credits)

Year 1

• Research Methods 1 (20 credits)
• Exercise Physiology 1 (20 credits)
• Psychosocial Principles of Sport and Exercise (20 credits)
• Human Movement (20 credits)
• Learning in PE & Sport Contexts (20 credits)
• Professional Practice in Sport Coaching 1 (20 credits)

Year 2

• Research Methods 2 (20 credits)
• Learning in PE & Sport Contexts 2 (20 credits)
• Professional Practice in Sport Coaching 2 (20 credits)
• Effective Coaching in Paralympic and Disability Sport (20 credits)
• Strength and Conditioning for Coaches (20 credits)

Year 3

• Major Project (40 credits)
• Critical Challenges within Coaching (20 credits)
• Applied Placement in Sport Coaching (20 credits)
• Coach Expertise and Effectiveness (20 credits)

Optional modules

• Study Year Abroad - Sport Coaching (120 credits)
• Study Semester Abroad - Sport Coaching (60 credits)
• Exercise Physiology 2 (20 credits)
• Sport and Performance Psychology (20 credits)
• Sport, Physical Education and Society (20 credits)
• Sandwich Year - Sport Coaching (120 credits)
• Strength and Conditioning (20 credits)
• Behaviour change (20 credits)
• Performance Analysis in Sport (20 credits)
• PE Teacher Education (20 credits)
• Interdisciplinary Coaching Science (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

Aligned with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), ensuring you meet industry standards in the professional standard of Assistant Coach and Coach.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Support Assessment

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

Career paths

Once you graduate, you have a wide range of options open to you.

Many of our graduates go on to work as sports coaches with private or overseas coaching service providers, national governing bodies of sport, or in sport development. Others choose to progress onto further study such as teacher training or other postgraduate studies in the field of sport.

Tuition fees and funding

Home: £9,535 per year International: £18,250 per year

Entry requirements

• Grades/points required: CCD-CCC (88-96)
• GCSEs and equivalents: Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/Numeracy
• A levels: CCD-CCC
• BTECs: Extended Diploma: MMM (96)
• Access awards: Pass overall with a minimum of 88 points
• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• OCR Cambridge Technical: Extended Diploma: MMM (96)
• Irish awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• T levels: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• IELTS: 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.