Program Overview

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Sports Coaching (Top Up) BSc (Hons)

Overview

Sports coaches support, inspire and motivate athletes to reimagine what's possible. If you can see yourself helping people fulfil their sporting potential and coaching professional athletes, sports teams, school or community groups, this BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching top-up degree will help you achieve it.

You'll turn your Level 5 qualification – such as an HND or foundation degree in a subject related to sports or business – into a full Bachelor's degree, ready for a career in high performance coaching environments, multi-sport coaching, coach education or within your own sports coaching business.

Key Information

UCAS Code:

C612

Typical Offer:

Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification in a Sport related subject.

Study Mode and Duration:

1 year full-time

Start Date:

September 2025

Course Information

Entry Requirements

• Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification, for example an appropriate HND, foundation degree or Advanced Diploma or 240 credits from year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a Sport related subject.
• Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications, industry professional qualifications, relevant work or life experience and who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree-level studies are welcome and considered on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements:

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

Facilities and Specialist Equipment

Biomechanics Laboratory

Use equipment including force plates, pressure plates and our electromyography system to explore the impact of exercise on the body in this lab, from the limits of human endurance to the effects of chronic health conditions.

Dr Alex Milligan Research Laboratory

A flexible work space featuring a Polhemus motion tracking system for tracking athletes' movement in 3D and a DEXA scanner for measuring body fat.

Sports and Human Performance Testing

Analyse sports performance and environmental physiology, and use some of the best extreme environments facilities in the UK.

Opening 2022: Our £50m sports centre

Train and play in one of the UK's greenest sports centres, including an 8-lane swimming pool, virtual skiing, climbing wall and more.

Gym and classes

Ravelin Sports Centre has all you need for cardio, resistance and weight training, complete with air-conditioning and BT Sport. Membership includes a range of fitness classes too.

Careers and Opportunities

Sports coaches nurture an athlete's physical and psychological health and provide the training conditions needed to achieve and exceed their best.

Integral to competitive sport, coaching is a growing profession responsible for shaping sporting success. With a solid understanding of the principles that underpin modern day sports coaching, you'll be in high demand.

What Areas Can You Work In With a Sports Coaching Top-Up Degree?

When you graduate, you'll be ready to enter a variety of commercial and non-commercial organisations such as:

• National governing bodies
• Professional sports clubs
• The Armed Forces
• Local authorities
• Health and fitness centres
• Charities and not-for-profit organisations
• Schools
• Community centres
• Prisons

You could also go into areas outside of the sports coaching industry in roles such as sports journalism, finance or accounting.

What Jobs Can You Do With a Sports Coaching Top-Up Degree?

Roles you could take on include:

• Community coach coordinator
• Coach educator
• Skills coach
• Strength and conditioning advisor
• PE teacher
• Sport development officer
• Sports marketing executive
• Sports agent
• Stadium manager

Modules

You'll study modules worth a total of 120 credits.

Core Modules

• Advanced Sports Nutrition - 20 credits
• Advanced Strength and Conditioning - 20 credits
• Applications of Performance Analysis in Skill Acquisition - 20 credits
• Motor Learning and Development - 20 credits
• Project - 40 credits

How You'll Spend Your Time

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your degree.

You'll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, tutorials, seminars, and workshops for about 6-8 hours a week. For each 20 credit module, there will be about 33 hours of contact time across the year. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course.

Supporting You

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed.

Types of Support

• Personal tutor
• Learning support tutors
• Academic skills support
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Disability advice and additional support
• Library support

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students: £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
• International students: £16,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

Additional Course Costs

• Accommodation and living costs
• Recommended reading
• General costs
• Final year project
• Fieldwork

Apply

To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

• The UCAS course code: C612
• Our institution code: P80

Apply now through UCAS.

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

• Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
• Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
• Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Other Courses You Might Like

• BSc Hons Sport Management (Top-up)
• BSc Hons Sport and Exercise Science
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