Sport Coaching

UCAS code: C610

Here's what University of Northampton says about its Sport Coaching course.

Ranked 2nd for Satisfied with Teaching and 4th for Satisfied with Feedback Satisfied for Sports Science - Data taken from the 2026 Guardian University Guide, Sport Science Subject table filted by Teaching or Feedback

This degree is designed to develop your key coaching skills to understand participants and their sport, and how to plan, deliver and review both short and long-term training programmes. Coaching is a very broad subject so we have designed the degree with lots of options for you in the second and third year of study so you can specialise in the area that most interests you. So for example, you can focus on coaching and performance analysis, or coaching children or the psychology of coaching or coaching and PE. In effect with our programme you can design your coaching degree to meet your career aspirations.

Modules on offer include applied coaching, performance analysis, skill acquisition, coaching special populations as well underpinning sport disciplines modules such as physiology, fitness training and sport and society.

To develop your applied skills, you complete a minimum of 120 hours of work-based learning in your second year and have the option to complete a further 120 hours in your final year as part of your studies. So you have many opportunities to apply ideas from the course and build the skills that employers look for.

UON’s Sport and Exercise Sciences subject area was ranked 3rd based on overall student positivity out of all universities in England, according to the latest 2025 National Student Survey (NSS)*

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

• At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026**.

• Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop*** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

The Northampton Employment Promise

In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

? Calculations are based on Office for Students (OfS) data from the average positivity score across all NSS questions for this subject area across all modes and levels at UK Universities ?? eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information ??? eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information

STAGE 1 • Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (compulsory) • The Social Context of Sport and Exercise (compulsory) • How to be successful at University (compulsory) • Sport Coaching Practice(compulsory) • Sport Coaching Science (compulsory) • Introduction to Motor Learning and Skill Aquisition (compulsory)

STAGE 2 • Sport Research Methods (compulsory) • Developing Professional Practice (compulsory) • Sport Pedagogy in Context (compulsory) • Performance Analysis Techniques (compulsory) • The Developing Athlete (compulsory) • Fitness Training Methods (designated) • Psychology of Sport Perforamnce (designated)

OPTIONAL PLACEMENT YEAR • Sport Optional Placement Year (designated)

STAGE 3 • Dissertation (compulsory) • Creating Performance Coaching Environments (compulsory) • Performance Analysis Applications (compulsory) • Team and Group Dynamics in Sport (compulsory) • Social and Welfare Issues in Sport (designated) • Advanced Professional Practice (designated)

Module information is quoted for 2025 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.