Sport, Coaching and Physical Education with Foundation Year

Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Sport, Coaching and Physical Education (with integrated foundation year)

Overview

This sport coaching and physical education foundation year will help you on your way to achieving our full degree, accredited by CIMSPA, designed so you can be supported by our expert lecturers to confidently step into your ideal future career and gain the knowledge to make a difference.

Course Overview

If you are passionate about becoming a sport coach but do not have the required qualifications for direct entry, our foundation degree in sport coaching and physical education offers a supportive alternative route into higher education.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Lancaster
• Institute: Institute of Health
• UCAS Code: C605
• Delivery Style: In-Person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 4 Years
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BA (Hons)

Minimum Entry Requirements

• 48 UCAS Tariff points
• GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4/C or above
• Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths and Adult Literacy and Numeracy are also accepted

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK (2025-2026)
• £14,900 - International (2025-2026)

Qualifications

• GCSEs: GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4/C or above
• A-levels: All subjects are accepted for entry to this course
• Access to HE: 45 Credits at Pass
• CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: D
• OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: PPP
• Scottish Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points
• Irish LC Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points
• Other experience: Pearson Level 3 National Diploma MP

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed.

Funding

Fees for the BSc course with an integrated foundation year are as stated. For further information about funding, please visit our Undergraduate funding page.

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example, all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books and Journals

Below is the list of books that will need to be purchased for your course. Costs can be reduced considerably by sourcing second-hand copies of books.

• Core text (£13.50) - Navin, A. (ed.) (2011) Sports coaching: A reference guide for students, coaches and competitors. The Crowood Press. Wiltshire.
• Access via library - Potrac, P., Gilbert, W. and Denison, J. (2013) Routledge handbook of sports coaching. Routledge. London. Ebook available.
• Core text (£30)- Nelson, L., Groom, R., and Potrac, P. (2014) Research methods in sports coaching. Routledge. London.
• Core text (£28) - Armour, K. (2011) Sport pedagogy: an introduction for teaching and coaching. Prentice-Hall. Harlow. Ebook available.
• Access via library - Houlihan, B. and Green, M. (2013) Routledge handbook of sports development. Routledge. London.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

Sports Kit (optional but recommended items equal approx. £120)

Other

Travel costs for Community based/placement activities (£30 - £50). You will need to undertake a Criminal Background Check as part of their admission to the course at a personal cost of between £50-£60.

Course Structure

What you will learn

The first year of this degree allows you to settle into university life and gain the confidence and skills needed to succeed in your degree. You will develop the intellectual, scientific, practical and investigative skills that underpin the inter-disciplinary approach to the study of sport coaching and physical education.

Year one

During the integrated foundation year, you will be taught alongside students from a range of programmes within the Institute of Health. During this time, you will be equipped with the essential skills needed to study at degree level while undertaking challenging and authentic tasks that aim to test your decision-making skills in a sports coaching environment.

• Essential University Skills 1
• Essential University Skills 2
• Contemporary Issues and the Media
• Leading and Managing Individuals and Organisations
• Individual Case Study
• Sport in Action

Year two

• Personal & Professional Development
• Developing the Practitioner Toolkit
• Introduction to Sport Development
• Introduction to Sport Psychology
• Principles of Human Movement & Function
• Multi-Skills Development in Physical Education and Sport

Year three

• Delivering Sport and the Physical Education Curriculum
• Leadership and Relationships in Sport
• Work-Based Learning
• Investigative Techniques
• Developing Communities through Sport
• Field Based Conditioning

Year four

• Independent Investigative Project
• Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
• Club and Coach Development
• Performance Analysis in Sport
• Managing Community Events

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Learning and teaching methods are designed to:

• Be student-centred, flexible and modern whilst being challenging and stimulating.
• Support your needs at different stages of development.
• Be fully supported by, and integrated with, technological approaches such as the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE).
• Ensure the link between theory with practice.
• Develop you as an independent and self-directed learner, communicating the ethos of reflective learning.
• Develop the ability to learn effectively to performing academically, including an in-depth, evidence-based research dissertation.

How you will be assessed

Modules use formative and summative assessment so you progress through modules build knowledge coherently and logically.

• Practical presentations
• Research reports/written assessments.
• Data analysis and interpretation.
• Class presentations (individual and group).
• Poster presentations and conferences.
• Reflective learning *portfolios (placement module).

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This program is a BA (Hons) Sport, Coaching and Physical Education (with integrated foundation year) offered by the University of Cumbria. It is designed for individuals passionate about sport coaching who may not have the required qualifications for direct entry into a full degree program. The program aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a career in sport coaching, teaching, sport development, performance analysis, or event management. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of physical education, sport, and coaching science across various sectors, including education, leisure, and community.

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Outline:

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Year One:

• Essential University Skills 1: Develop academic and professional skills.
• Essential University Skills 2: Build upon the skills developed in Essential University Skills 1.
You will expand your learning in the areas of research, writing structure and reflective learning.
• Contemporary Issues and the Media: Explore a range of contemporary issues through the lens of the media that relates to psychology.
• Leading and Managing Individuals and Organisations: An introduction to the key concepts in leadership and management.
• Individual Case Study:
• Sport in Action: Explore the key theoretical aspects that underpin the study of sport and exercise.

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Year Two:

• Personal & Professional Development: A grounded, practical introduction to a range of skills to make sense of academic research, including how to find, evaluate and read academic sources.
• Developing the Practitioner Toolkit: Explore an underpinning knowledge and understanding of fundamental pedagogical processes within sports coaching and physical education teaching.
• Introduction to Sport Development: Explore sport development and the complementary work of the PE profession.
The contested purposes of sport development and PE, equality and diversity issues about structure, policy and provision will be addressed.
• Introduction to Sport Psychology: You will explore some of the processes that underpin the teaching and learning of skilled movement patterns and examine factors affecting motivation.
The concepts covered will be applied to coaching, physical education and physical activity participation.
• Principles of Human Movement & Function: Introduction to the basic biomechanical, anatomical and physiological systems, principles and concepts that underpin human movement and function.
The areas of anatomy, kinesiology, kinematics and kinetics will be covered along with the parameters that govern movement.
• Multi-Skills Development in Physical Education and Sport: Develop knowledge and practical application of multi-skills development in sport and physical education.
The concept of physical literacy and the development of fundamental movement and sport-specific skills in young children will be explored.

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Year Three:

• Delivering Sport and the Physical Education Curriculum: You'll enhance your understanding of the role of physical education within the national curriculum at each key stage.
You'll develop an understanding of the relationship between teaching/coaching and learning and experience a variety of teaching/coaching methods, models and frameworks for learning.
• Leadership and Relationships in Sport: The module aims to provide you with an understanding and awareness of the nature of coach behaviour and coach-athlete relationships.
Models of leadership and practitioner will be explored using a variety of methods.
• Work-Based Learning: A 50-hour vocational placement within an organisation of choice.
An opportunity to analyse professional practice and reflect upon real-life experiences.
• Investigative Techniques: Prepare to conduct a personal research project in an area of interest aimed at developing professional knowledge and expertise.
Consider research methodology, ethics, data analysis and formulating a research question.
• Developing Communities through Sport: Develop an insight into the causes of sport and wider social exclusion, and how sport can help promote health improvement, community regeneration, educational attainment and prevent youth offending.
• Field Based Conditioning: This module, which builds on the knowledge gained on the Level 4 Principles of Human Movement and Function module, will focus on how to improve the physiological parameters that govern successful sporting performance.
You will explore physiological responses to conditioning strategies within a range of sports.

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Year Four:

• Independent Investigative Project: Conduct an original research investigation supported by a dissertation supervisor.
• Outdoor and Adventurous Activities: Working in a small team, and with the guidance of an industry mentor, you have responsibility for planning, marketing, financing, delivery, and evaluation of a local community event, with specific key performance indicators to achieve.
• Club and Coach Development: Develop a critical insight into issues facing community sports clubs and their contributions to local communities.
Explore and critically evaluate key coach education concepts including experiential learning, communities of practice and mentoring.
• Performance Analysis in Sport: Develop an understanding of assessing technical, tactical, and strategic performances through theory and a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods.
This will enable in-depth analysis of performance and appropriate conclusions to be drawn to improve the athletes' performance.
• Managing Community Events: Working in a small team, and with the guidance of an industry mentor, you have responsibility for planning, marketing, financing, delivery, and evaluation of a local community event, with specific key performance indicators to achieve.

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Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of student learning. These methods include:

• Practical presentations: Demonstrate practical skills and knowledge gained throughout the program.
• Research reports/written assessments: Show evidence of research skills and critical analysis of concepts.
• Data analysis and interpretation: Apply analytical skills to real-world data in sport-related contexts.
• Class presentations (individual and group): Communicate knowledge and ideas effectively to an audience.
• Poster presentations and conferences: Present research findings and engage with peers and professionals.
• Reflective learning portfolios (placement module): Reflect upon practical experiences and demonstrate professional growth.

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Teaching:

The teaching methods emphasize a student-centered, flexible, and modern approach.

• Delivery: Modules are delivered through a combination of formal contact time, directed and blended learning, and independent learning.
• Approaches: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-solving tasks, laboratory-based practical work, practical teaching/coaching sessions, group work, observational learning, research projects, vocational placement, and private and directed study.
• Faculty: All staff engaged in the development and delivery of this program are active in continuing professional development and hold relevant qualifications.

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Careers:

The BA (Hons) Sport, Coaching and Physical Education (with integrated foundation year) equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to pursue a wide range of careers within the sports industry.

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Potential Career Paths:

• Sport Coach: Work with athletes of various ages and abilities, developing their skills and promoting their physical and mental wellbeing.
• Teacher: Teach physical education in schools, incorporating sport and coaching principles into the curriculum.
• Sport Development Officer: Promote and develop sport within communities, focusing on accessibility and participation.
• Performance Analyst: Analyze sporting performances using data and technology to enhance athlete development.
• Event Manager: Plan and manage sporting events, ensuring efficient operations and positive participant experiences.

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Other:

• The program is accredited by CIMSPA, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity.
• Students have access to an extensive range of partner organizations in sport, including Active Cumbria, Active Lancashire, and Golf England.
• The program offers the opportunity to achieve a vast range of additional qualifications free of charge.
• Students have access to facilities, including a sports hall, performance laboratories, Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, and Brathay Hall and Estate.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• UK: £9,250 per year
• International: £13,575 per year