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Sport Coaching

Entry requirements


Access to HE Diploma

D:15

Approved Access to HE Diploma in a sport science or science-based course. Normally we require 15 of the level 3 credits to be graded at distinction level with 6 of these distinctions from science units.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents, and Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents.

UCAS Tariff

112-120

From at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications one of which must be in Physical Education, Sport Studies or a Science subject (such as Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology). We do not accept General Studies. For example: BBC at A Level including relevant subject(s), DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject(s), Merit overall from a Health or Science T level qualification, or a combination of qualifications including relevant subject(s) which may include AS levels or EPQ.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Sports coaching

**Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.**

**Course summary**

- Align your learning to your career aspirations in the world of sport coaching

- Apply your practical skills and knowledge to real-life situations

- Learn from expert researchers and coaches across a variety of disciplines

- Strengthen your practice by studying coach education, employment and development

- Unlock your potential to coach in a range of sport and physical activity environments

Explore the principles of sport coaching practice and the scientific foundations that underpin them. You will delve into the complexities of working with diverse individuals and groups – encompassing a wide range of coaching experiences.

**How you learn**

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

This course provides ample opportunities for specialisation – from community and children’s coaching to elite performance. You will learn through teaching, working and doing – developing the skills and knowledge you need for a variety of careers while aligning your learning to your career aspirations.

You are taught by experts who are active in coaching, research and consultation with industry. You benefit from their expertise, connections, and networking opportunities with leading sports organisations.

You learn through:

- Lectures, seminars and workshops

- Practical activities in both simulated and in-situ environments

- Placements

- Work-based learning experiences

- A virtual learning environment (VLE)

- Independent study

**Key themes**

On this course, you will develop the skills to prepare you for a range of potential careers in sport coaching, whether in performance or participation-focused roles. You will learn the behaviours expected and needed for working in schools, sport governing bodies, and professional or commercial sport and physical activity settings

Learn how to coach children, adolescents, adults – or all three. Gain the knowledge you need to coach a range of participants, evaluating their progress and adapting your coaching to achieve their goals.

- Apply your knowledge and understanding of coaching theories and concepts across different contexts and populations

- Demonstrate professional inter and intra-personal skills that enable your independent effective delivery

- Articulate a personal and professional philosophy to be an effective practitioner

- Interact with a range of audiences using appropriate forms of communication

- Engage and collaborate with the industry through alumni and professional networks, challenging and championing best practice

The course offers theoretical, philosophical, and practical foundations for sport coaching, covering topics like innovative coaching practice, coach-athlete relationships, physical literacy, and more.

**Course support**

The course is designed to help you demonstrate your learning outcomes – with authentic assessment activities relating to real-world scenarios, your specific goals and your skills development. Throughout your studies, various individuals will support your learning and target setting – guiding you towards resources for academic, professional and personal development.

These support roles include:

- Course and Module Leaders

- Your Academic Adviser

- Your Student Support Adviser

- Your Employability Adviser

- Central services like counselling, Library and IT

**Work placements**

There’s a mandatory short placement at the end of your second year. Over a minimum of 120 hours, you will be learning while you work.

You will also have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements between your second and final years.

Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

**Year 1**

**Compulsory modules**

- Foundations Of Coaching And Teaching
- Innovative Coaching Practice
- The Nature And Purpose Of Physical Education And Sport Coaching
- The Science Of Physical Education And Sport Coaching

**Year 2**

**Compulsory modules**

- Applied Coaching Interventions
- Coaching And The Scientific Support Process
- Physical Literacy In Context

**Elective modules**

- Alternative Physical Activities
- Analysis Of Sport And Games
- Event Management For Sport And Physical Activity
- Exercise Prescription For The Prevention Of Disease
- Sport As A Tool For Social Change
- Sports Club Development
- Sports Facility Management Simulation
- Technology For Sport And Physical Activity
- Testing And Analysis In Sport And Physical Activity

**Year 3**

**Optional modules**

- Placement Year

**Final year**

**Compulsory modules**

- Contemporary Issues In Sport Coaching
- Independent Project In Sport And Physical Activity

**Elective modules**

- Approaches To Talent Development
- Coach Education And Development
- Economics And Finance Of Sport
- Entrepreneurship And Innovation For Sport And Physical Activity
- Exercise Prescription For Long Term Conditions
- Health Promotion
- Innovative Practical Pedagogy
- Major Sport Events
- Nutrition For Sport And Physical Activity
- Performance Analysis Of Sport
- Programming And Prescription Of Training In Sport And Physical Activity
- Psychology Of Sport And Exercise
- Sport And The Media
- Sport, Brands And Culture
- Sport Data Analytics
- Sport Injury
- Sport Journalism
- Teaching As A Profession

Assessment methods

Coursework, Practical

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£16,655
per year
International
£16,655
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

Extra funding

Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.

The Uni


Course location:

Sheffield Hallam University

Department:

College of Health Wellbeing and Life Sciences

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

72%
Sports coaching

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Sport and exercise sciences

Teaching and learning

78%
Staff make the subject interesting
86%
Staff are good at explaining things
81%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
78%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

76%
Library resources
83%
IT resources
74%
Course specific equipment and facilities
61%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

99%
UK students
1%
International students
84%
Male students
16%
Female students
62%
2:1 or above
13%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
C

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Sport and exercise sciences

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£18,000
med
Average annual salary
98%
med
Employed or in further education
34%
low
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

22%
Sports and fitness occupations
7%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals
7%
Teaching and educational professionals

One of the fastest growing subjects in the country, the number of sports science graduates went from under 3,000 in 2003 to over 10,000 in 2013. Numbers have fallen slightly since 2015, but we still have over 9,000 graduates in the subject. However, the good news is the country's appetite for good health and fitness - and the adaptability of graduates in the subject - means that sports science grads are less likely than average to be out of work. Sports science graduates, not surprisingly, tend to get jobs in sport, fitness and health - coaching and teaching especially - but they're found all over the economy. Management and business are also popular options for graduates from this subject — and sports science graduates are particularly found where drive, determination and physical fitness are an advantage.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Sport and exercise sciences

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£16k

£16k

£23k

£23k

£25k

£25k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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