September 2024

BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching

Undergraduate, Honours Degree, September 2024

Key Details

  • C610 Course Code
  • 3 Years
  • 96 Typical UCAS Tariff
CIMSPA logo

Are you passionate about sports and aspire to make a meaningful impact in coaching and teaching? Look no further. The BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching degree at Birmingham Newman University is your gateway to a fulfilling and dynamic career in diverse coaching and teaching settings. 

At Birmingham Newman University, we pride ourselves on small class sizes that ensure you receive personalised support from our expert faculty. Our programme is designed not only to teach you the basics but also to refine your coaching skills with individual attention and tailored guidance. You’ll learn to critically reflect on your practical experiences and integrate cutting-edge knowledge from sport science and coaching pedagogy. 

Imagine having access to a Human Performance Lab, an Indoor Sports Hall, a Strength and Conditioning Suite, an Aerobic Conditioning Suite, and a Group Exercise Studio—all within a 100-metre radius. Our dedicated seminar rooms and staff offices are strategically located near sports facilities, ensuring a seamless transition from theoretical learning to practical application. 

Our outdoor 3G pitch offers you the opportunity to practice and implement what you have learned in a real-world setting, preparing you for your future. With our emphasis on small class sizes and personalised support, you’ll be well-equipped to make a significant impact in the world of sport coaching and teaching. 

This BSc Sport Coaching degree is ideal for students interested in coaching, personal training, or teaching children both in and out of school settings. You’ll discover numerous opportunities to enhance your employability in sport coaching, teaching, and careers or further study in performance coaching. 

There are no exams; instead, you’ll have the option to undertake a research-based dissertation or a work-based research project. Additionally, you will develop broad, transferable skills that previous students have found valuable in careers beyond sport. 

Your lecturers are not only highly qualified but also bring extensive real-world experience to the programme. They regularly present at international conferences, collaborate globally, and publish research in top academic journals, ensuring that you learn from experts who are at the forefront of the field.  

During your first year of study, you will start to develop a theoretical understanding of the sub-disciplines of sport coaching (pedagogy, physiology, biomechanics and psychology) and explore the key practical skills in these areas. You will also examine some wider issues related to sport and health and also learn and refine the research and key skills you will require to succeed on your course.

In the second year you will enhance your knowledge and skills of the sub-disciplines that will then lead into interdisciplinary study of distinct topics such as performance analysis and strength and conditioning. There will be an enhanced focus on coaching pedagogy for you to continue to develop your core practitioner teaching and coaching skills. Furthermore, there will be a continued focus on data collection, processing and analysis. You will also get an opportunity to experience industry through your work placement module.

In the final year of the course, you will study an advanced level of the sub-disciplines you want to specialise in and areas you want to learn more about that are contemporary and current. You will also continue to focus on your developing practical application of sports coaching and teaching practice. This will also be the year when you embark on your dissertation which is an independent piece of research. Typically, on this course this involves collecting data on human participants in a variety of settings and producing new knowledge. You will get the opportunity to present this at a conference at Birmingham Newman.

By the end of your course, it is our aim to have produced an individual with a range of knowledge, skills and experiences that creates work ready students for the 21st century.

Typically, 12 hours a week of contact time. 

Assessment is by a combination of online quizzes, presentations, assessed coursework and practical work. The coursework may include a working portfolio, laboratory manuals, reports and essays. The assessment pieces aim to support the development of skills required in employment such as the ability to present and discuss ideas, collaborate with others and write confidently for a variety of purposes. 

As a Birmingham Newman Sport Coaching graduate, you will be well-equipped for a wide range of careers in coaching, teaching, education, sports science and related areas, including positions supporting elite athletes, teams and community-based projects. You could also be making a difference to real everyday lives by providing interventions for the sedentary, obese, elderly and ill. You will be well-prepared to continue your studies at postgraduate level to obtain higher degrees and acquire further specialist skills. In addition, the generic employability skills you will develop over the course of the 3 years will support opportunities to explore a wide range of careers. 

Birmingham Newman University is proud to be the first West Midlands partner of CIMSPA (The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity), a professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector.

CIMSPA works with over 300 partners across the sport and physical activity sector, meaning students can be assured they are working with a university that is contributing, not only to teaching sport but, to developing the professional standards for the industry.

The Sport and Health team at Birmingham Newman University pride themselves on their research. Staff are active in the following areas of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) —Physical Activity and Health, Sport Performance, Mental Skills Training, and Sport in Society.

The team regularly publishes their research in industry journals, and present at international sport, health and physical education conferences. Our ‘Meet The Sport Team’ page details the specific areas of research that the team have been, or currently are involved in.

As a student at Newman, you are taught by research-active staff at the forefront of their discipline. You benefit from our staff’s cutting-edge knowledge in a student-centred University where you are our priority. Our staff expertise, and their links with external agencies will maximise your university experience.

We encourage our students to proactively explore research during their studies. As a science-based discipline, you will be conducting research throughout a range of modules under the supervision of expert staff.

Birmingham Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.

Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.

Dining out

Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).

Entertainment

Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!

Location

Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!

Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?

Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.

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Entry Requirements

You must achieve at least 96 UCAS points including a minimum of CC at A level or equivalent (e.g.MM at BTEC Diploma; MPP at BTEC Extended Diploma) towards the total tariff.

Access Students can achieve the requirements with the following combination of Distinction, Merit and/ or Pass grades at level 3 achieved from a completed Access course. 96 UCAS Points: D21-M3-P21; D18-M9-P18; D15-M15-P15; D12-M21-P12; D9-M27-P9; D6-M33-P6; D3-M39-P3; D0-M45-P0.

The University accepts appropriate T Levels as part of its usual entry requirements.

For applicants who are unsure that they will achieve the above UCAS tariff, Newman University offers BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching with Foundation Year, which enables such applicants to access a university degree via a four year route. Upon successful completion of their foundation year, students will progress to Year 1 of a named degree. Whilst not a condition of entry onto the Foundation Year, students wishing to follow particular named routes with additional entry requirements, will need to meet these requirements before they make the transition from their foundation year to year 1.

International Students
The University is not licenced by the UK Government to sponsor migrant students under the Student route and is therefore unable to accept applications from international students at present.

Applying Direct Option

You can apply direct to Newman University for this course if you have not previously applied to Newman University through UCAS and you are not applying to any other universities.

September 2024 Direct Application Link 

Course Fees

The full-time course fee for September 2024 is £9,250 per year.

The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).

Additional Costs

Optional cost of a Newman Sports branded T-shirt between approximately £25.00 and £55.00 – there is no requirement to purchase this.

Reduced CIMSPA Membership of £5 per year – there is no requirement to purchase this.

Find out more about the other additional costs associated with our undergraduate degrees. 

Modules

These are indicative modules and actual modules will be confirmed once the course has gone through successful validation.

Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes of Module Changes page.

Timetables: find out when information is available to students

  1. This module aims to develop knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, systems and their responses to exercise both acute and chronic from a physiological perspective. You will learn about human anatomy, function, systems in relation to both performance and health. This will include applied work in a laboratory environment to develop proficiency in measurements methods related to exercise physiology.
  2. This module aims to develop knowledge of anatomy and function of the musculo-skeletal system during movement and apply them to exercise performance and injury. Students will also be introduced to biomechanical principles underpinning the practical analysis of human movement, considering the role of analysis in sport and in movement. It will serve to widen the students' knowledge base and will provide a firm basis for working at a higher level in the discipline of sport and exercise biomechanics. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
  3. This module will introduce key pedagogical theories and concepts related to Physical Education and sports coaching. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the role of Physical Education teachers and sports coaches. Throughout the module, there will be opportunities to apply theoretical constructs to practical situations.
  4. The module looks to develop students understanding and knowledge of key training principles that underpin physical preparation for training and injury prevention. Students will develop the theory and practical skills to apply training principles to healthy individuals.
  5. This module offers students an opportunity to be introduced to contemporary and fundamental concepts within sport and exercise psychology. Students will consider the underpinnings of human psychology and how this influences participation and engagement in various physical activity contexts.
  6. This module is focuses on exploring sport, exercise, physical activity and coaching. Introducing and developing the skills you need to be successful in Higher Education. The module will allow you the opportunity to reflect on your skills and development needs, as well as enhancing your knowledge and skills in this area.
  1. This module provides students with theoretical underpinning and practical experience of quantitative and qualitative research methods. It offers the opportunity for students to acquire the necessary skills to conduct independent research in sport, exercise and physical activity.
  2. This year-long module offers learners the opportunity to apply and explore knowledge within a work-based context, through the mode of workplace learning. The placement supervisor in the workplace will negotiate the focus for the learner’s role on placement, with the learner. Students complete 100 hours in the work setting. The learner will reflect critically on different dimensions of the workplace setting .
  3. This module will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of teaching and coaching pedagogy from a theoretical as well as a practical standpoint. It will build on the first year module and will take a theory to practice approach.
  4. The Sport and Society module explores the intricate relationship between sports and various social, cultural, economic, and political dimensions. It provides students with an understanding of how sports reflect and influence societal norms, values, and issues. Sociological theory is used to support students explore contemporary issues.
  5. This module aims to extend the students' knowledge and practical skills in the application of biomechanics to specific sport and exercise activities. The emphasis will be on the application of biomechanics in the assessment, evaluation and improvement of technique in a range of sports. Practical experiences will include the role of biomechanical kinetic and kinematic assessment in the analysis of sport and the application of hand and computerised notation systems to individual and team sports .
  6. This module offers students the opportunity to learn about the determinant of exercise performance and bodily responses to exercise and the implications for health and performance. Students will also learn how exercise metabolism allows for and limits exercise of different durations and intensities. This will lead into the exploration of how nutrition influences exercise metabolism and the implications for exercise performance. Students will also gain practical laboratory experience related to exercise performance, metabolism and nutrition.
  7. This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices involved in sports development. It explores strategies to promote sports participation across various population groups, including youth, adults, and marginalized communities. The module also examines the role of sports in social inclusion, health promotion, and community cohesion.
  8. The module explores the theoretical and practical application of late stage to return to play management of musculoskeletal injuries. This is underpinned by anatomy; advanced physiology and you are expected to critically analyse a variety of strategies in the development of physical performance and the management of late stage to return to play of musculoskeletal injuries.
  9. This module offers students an opportunity to explore some major personality and social-psychological constructs and theories that can be used to explain behaviour and performance in sport and exercise settings. Students will develop an understanding and critical awareness of how specific psychological principles can influence participation, well-being and performance in sport and exercise contexts.
  1. This module builds on prior learning and offers students the opportunity for further development of their skills, knowledge and understanding through conducting an independent research project.  The project is regarded as an important exercise for developing students’ abilities to formulate appropriate research design and procedures, to collect and present in an appropriate and meaningful way, to conduct a critical analysis of relevant literature, and to demonstrate their understanding and application of theoretical principles.  The research focus must be specific to their chosen degree.
  2. This module will further develop students’ knowledge and understanding of coaching pedagogy from a theoretical as well as a practical standpoint. This module will require the application of particular sub-disciplines within coaching science to practical activities. This is intended to provide an opportunity to approach sport problems from an interdisciplinary viewpoint and an opportunity to conduct and present a small scale applied project focusing on an applied sport.
  3. This module provides the students an opportunity to design, plan and host a community sports development event.
  4. This module builds on key areas of sport and exercise biomechanics delivered at level 5. The emphasis is to provide a critical, theoretical and practical understanding of the major applied techniques used in the biomechanical analysis of sporting activity and how these maybe used to improve sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. Students will develop understanding of biomechanical assessment procedures, data analysis, interpretation and laboratory skills with particular emphasis on 3D motion analysis, advanced analysis of force using force platforms and the analysis of muscle activation using electromyography. In addition, the relationship between the biomechanist and coach will be explored. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
  5. This module aims to build on key concepts in exercise training and monitoring from level 5. Students will explore the development of physiological capabilities but also the acute and chronic optimisation of these capabilities. The underpinning science behind preparation for and recovery from performance will be explored in traditional and contemporary contexts alongside introduction and evaluation of contemporary training methodologies.
  6. This module explores the application of psychological profiling and intervention techniques in a variety of sporting situations. It seeks to develop a critical and evidence-based approach in the selection of specific strategies for individuals and groups. It further seeks to provide a basis for appraising and critically evaluating the impact of any intervention strategies employed with reference to their effectiveness, appropriateness, and ethical use.
  7. This module takes a holistic, inter-disciplinary approach to understanding how young people and athletes can be developed in and through sport and Physical Education. Incorporating concepts from sport pedagogy, psychology and talent development literatures, students will be encouraged to understand youth and athletic development from holistic point of view, and across the participation-performance spectrum.