Sports Coaching BSc (Hons)

Indulge your passion for sport and physical activity. Gain a deep understanding of sport-related psychology and physiology. Specialise in sports coaching theory and practice, opening up a path to a wide range of sport-related careers.

Register your interest

Learning and teaching in 2021

Overview

This course develops hands-on practical skills as well as academic rigour. During the first year, you’ll be introduced to sport and exercise related psychology, physiology, anatomy, coaching and motor skills. You’ll also be encouraged and supported to obtain National Governing Body Coaching Awards, opening up great opportunities when you graduate.

Why us?

This course is endorsed by The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Our Sport Sciences courses are ranked 15th in the UK (The Guardian University league tables, 2021)
Provides students with the requisite skills and experience to work with sports people of all ages and at all levels
The opportunity to apply to the Elite Bursary Scheme
Our Sports Science courses were ranked 3rd overall in the UK in the 2018 UK Engagement Survey
The University of Sunderland was ranked 12th in the Courses and Lecturers category of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019

Developing your practical experiences in front of groups and individuals is an important component of this course, thus a significant part of it will be based in our multi-million pound sports facility at CitySpace, or with members of the sporting community
91% of our BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2015/16 (based on UK students)
Our Sports Science courses were ranked 3rd in the UK for Assessment and Feedback, 3rd in the UK for Retention and Progression, and 3rd in the UK for Employability in the 2018 UK Engagement Survey

Learning and teaching in 2021

We have developed an effective approach to your course of study, blending face-to-face and online teaching. Sport and Exercise Sciences skills will continue to be taught and practiced in our outstanding Darwin Building laboratories and CitySpace facility. This approach will ensure you develop your practical skills on campus, while theoretical underpinning will be taught online using conference technology (Big Blue Button and Microsoft Teams). We will identify sessions to be completed on campus to allow you to develop your practical skills alongside your peers.

If you have any questions before commencing your studies, please contact your programme leader:

Sports Coaching – Claire Donohue claire.donohue@sunderland.ac.uk
Team Leader – Dr Lisa Board lisa.board@sunderland.ac.uk

Course structure

Our teaching methods are designed to develop both your knowledge and also skills that enhance employability. Methods include small group work, practical activities, workshops, lectures, tutorials, computer-based learning, presentations and independent learning.

There are also on-going assessments for feedback and consolidating your learning. Assessment methods include essays, reports, practical work and presentations.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Academic and Professional Skills (20 credits)
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Anatomy (20 credits)
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Physiology (20 credits)
Introduction to Motor Skills (20 credits)
Introduction to Coaching Leadership (20 credits)
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Research Design and Analysis (20 credits)
Motivating Physical Activity (20 credits)
Physiology of Fitness and Training (20 credits)
Theory and Practice of Sports Coaching (20 credits)
Growth and Child Development (20 credits)

Optional modules (choose one):

Injuries and Rehabilitation (20 credits)
Exercise Testing and Prescription (20 credits)

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules:

Dissertation (20 credits)
Developing Excellence in Sports Coaching (20 credits)
Adaptive Physical Activity (20 credits)
Sport Psychology (20 credits)

Optional modules (choose two):

Sport and Exercise Physiology (20 credits) or Sport and Exercise Nutrition (20 credits)
Strength, Conditioning and Prehabilitation (20 credits) or Exercise for Special Populations (20 credits)

Facilities

Sunderland's outstanding facilities include laboratories with the latest fitness equipment and technology.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement	GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+)

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

If you are offered a place on this course, you must have a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check before it commences. The University will cover the cost of the check and will send you relevant information on how to complete this.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, we also offer this course with an Integrated Foundation Year.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual fee for this course is:

£9,250 if you are from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled
£12,500 if you are an international student

Learn more about settled status, pre-settled status, special discounts, visa requirements and Common Travel Area (CTA) agreements for the Republic of Ireland applicants in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Potential employers for graduates of this course include national sports associations, sports and leisure companies, recreation services, local authorities, health bodies including the NHS, schools and colleges.

During the course, you will be encouraged and supported to obtain National Governing Body Coaching Awards to support future development in the area. This will allow you to develop the skills required to become an effective coach across a range of activities.

Vocational qualifications

We are working towards reaccreditation from the professional development body for the Sport and Physical activity sector in the UK, to award vocational qualifications (related to the health and fitness industry) to students who successfully complete specific modules and additional assessments.

Career options

Job roles include the following (some require further training):

Sports coach/instructor
Sports and exercise psychologist
Fitness centre manager
PE teacher

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing.

Page last updated: 12 January 2021

Sign up to receive emails about your subject area.

Keep me up to date relating to my interest in the University of Sunderland via:

Email

You may unsubscribe at any time.

Using Your Personal Information
The University of Sunderland is collecting this data in order for you to receive information on your chosen subject(s). Your information will be stored securely in our Customer Relationship Management system which is provided by a 3rd party and used only for the administration and provision of this information. Should you choose to opt in to further communications we will also use your information to facilitate other useful marketing information based on your preferences. Further information on how your data is stored and used can be found in our Privacy notice - marketing.

Overview

Why us?

Course structure

Year 1 (national level 4):

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Optional modules (choose one):

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules:

Optional modules (choose two):

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Vocational qualifications

Career options

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Sign up to receive more information