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Overview
Build your skills and knowledge, develop your personal qualities and attitudes, and earn the professional qualifications required to advance your career within the sports coaching industry.
With a large demand expected for coaches in the education sector over the next few years, this foundation degree focuses on key areas, like sport within the community, coaching philosophy, scientific aspects of sports performance, and technical coaching/ performance analysis, to help you stand out. You’ll also explore opportunities like the potential of sports coaching businesses, how to coach the wider population, and the psychology behind sport.
As part of the course, you’ll develop your understanding of core concepts – academically and vocationally - through practical units, including the chance to complete your own research project. You’ll network with key professionals in the industry, build valuable connections, and develop the independent learning skills for a rewarding career - or further, higher-level study - in sports coaching and school sport.
- Location
- Openshaw Campus
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Duration
- 2 years
- Start
- September 2021
Awarding Partner:
Staff profile
You’ll be taught by a team of experienced teachers with a wealth of knowledge and industry experience from the sport sector including dieticians, physiologists, psychologists and strength and conditioning coaches.
Our whole team regularly update their knowledge and skills, with strong links to Manchester Metropolitan University. All staff have, or are working towards a higher-level Master’s qualification.
Our whole team regularly update their knowledge and skills, with strong links to Manchester Metropolitan University. All staff have, or are working towards a higher-level Master’s qualification.
Academic Entry requirements
• Applicants should possess two A levels (an A level in PE would be an advantage), or a BTEC Level 3 in a related area
• 64 UCAS Tariff Points
• If you have vocational qualifications such as the Certificate / Diploma in Personal Training alongside relevant work experience, you’re welcome to apply.
Non-academic entry Requirements
Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) who are able to demonstrate relevant skills or knowledge gained in employment or vocational activity will be considered and may be invited to interview.
What will I be studying?
Year 1: Introduction to Sport Delivery and Coaching Diverse Populations (30 credits)
Year 1: Professional and Academic Development (30 credits)
Year 1: Scientific Aspects of Human Performance (30 credits)
Year 1: Sport Development (30 credits)
Year 2: Developed Coaching and Sport Psychology (30 credits)
Learn how progressive sessions improve skill and tactical ability, and explore the concept and role of psychology within sport.
Year 2: Performance Analysis (30 credits)
Examine the methods used to measure performance for both technical and tactical components of sport, including biomechanics, kinesiology, and notational analysis system
Year 2: Practice Based Research (30 credits)
Develop the essential research skills you need at this level, with a work related activity of your choice. Here you will have the opportunity to link theory into practice and gain essential practical knowledg
Year 2: Sport Enterprise (30 credits)
Get the knowledge to develop a business proposal for a new product or service within the sports coaching industry, and build your understanding of marketing and business elements in the sports organisations.
Reading List
Baechle, T. R. & Earle, R. W. (2016). Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning
Bolton, G.E.J. (2014) Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development
Cassidy, T., Jones, R., & Potrac, P. (2008). Understanding Sports Coaching: The Social, Cultural and Pedagogical Foundations of Coaching Practice
Hemmings, B., & Holder, T. (2009) Applied Sports Psychology: A Case - based Approach
McArdle, W., Katch, F. and Katch, V. (2015). Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy, and Human Performance
McGinnis, P. (2013). Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise
Weinberg, R.S., & Gould, D. (2015). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Bolton, G.E.J. (2014) Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development
Cassidy, T., Jones, R., & Potrac, P. (2008). Understanding Sports Coaching: The Social, Cultural and Pedagogical Foundations of Coaching Practice
Hemmings, B., & Holder, T. (2009) Applied Sports Psychology: A Case - based Approach
McArdle, W., Katch, F. and Katch, V. (2015). Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy, and Human Performance
McGinnis, P. (2013). Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise
Weinberg, R.S., & Gould, D. (2015). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology
How will I be assessed?
The course will be delivered via lectures, seminars, tutorial, practical sessions, guest speakers / visits, independent study. The course is assessed with a variety of methods, both individual and group, including:
• Lab reports
• Essays
• Presentations
• Portfolio submissions
• Examinations
• Practical and research based coursework assignments
• Work-based learning
• Demonstrations
• Practical projects.
• Lab reports
• Essays
• Presentations
• Portfolio submissions
• Examinations
• Practical and research based coursework assignments
• Work-based learning
• Demonstrations
• Practical projects.
What are the careers that this will lead to?
With so many job opportunities in this industry, follow previous students and enjoy a rewarding career:
• Coaching and working within Primary and Secondary schools.
• Coaching within amateur, semi-professional and professional sports clubs.
• As a PE teacher in schools and colleges.
• In Performance analysis.
• In Sport Development Officer Roles.
• Developing a coaching business.
• Coaching and working within Primary and Secondary schools.
• Coaching within amateur, semi-professional and professional sports clubs.
• As a PE teacher in schools and colleges.
• In Performance analysis.
• In Sport Development Officer Roles.
• Developing a coaching business.
Fees, Finance and Funding
There are two main costs you will have whilst studying and if you are a home student studying on a full-time course, you can apply for student finance to cover both of these:
Your tuition fees for each year of your course.
Help with your living costs e.g. rent, food, clothing, course materials, entertainment.
You can find more details, including the actual tuition fee charged on our Fees, Funding and Finance Page.
Learn more
Your tuition fees for each year of your course.
Help with your living costs e.g. rent, food, clothing, course materials, entertainment.
You can find more details, including the actual tuition fee charged on our Fees, Funding and Finance Page.
Course Associated Costs
All of the books required for the course are available either from the library or as e-books. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. You may also need to print assignments and other documents.
Campus printing costs start from 5p per page.
Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop and up to £50 each year for books and printing
If undertaking work experience (which may be paid or unpaid) you may also need to factor in travel costs to your place of work
You will be required to have an enhanced DBS check for this course to ensure you meet both our and industry safeguarding requirements. Please note there will be an additional cost to your course fees to cover Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) checks. Please see the GOV.UK website for DBS costs.
Campus printing costs start from 5p per page.
Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop and up to £50 each year for books and printing
If undertaking work experience (which may be paid or unpaid) you may also need to factor in travel costs to your place of work
You will be required to have an enhanced DBS check for this course to ensure you meet both our and industry safeguarding requirements. Please note there will be an additional cost to your course fees to cover Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) checks. Please see the GOV.UK website for DBS costs.
All students are subject to UCEN Manchester’s Terms and Conditions from the date they accept an offer to study here, full details of which can be found here. The UCEN Manchester Admissions Policy and Procedure can be found here.
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