Sports Coaching Degree BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

The Sport Coaching BSc (Hons) at the University of Northampton develops both practical and theoretical coaching skills. The program emphasizes the importance of coaching style, approaches, and behavior towards athletes, as well as how theoretical knowledge and sport science contribute to long-term athlete development and coach-athlete relationships. Students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to coach at various levels, from participation to performance/elite levels, and the program prepares them for careers in sport coaching roles such as performance coach, community coach, and sport development officer.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The University of Northampton's Sport Coaching BSc (Hons) degree is designed to develop both practical and theoretical coaching skills. The program emphasizes the importance of coaching style, approaches, and behavior towards athletes, as well as how theoretical knowledge and sport science can contribute to long-term athlete development and coach-athlete relationships.

Objectives:

• Develop key skills such as long-term planning, reflective practice, conducting athlete needs analysis, and understanding pedagogy in different sporting environments.
• Foster a holistic approach to athlete development by understanding physiological, technical, psychological, and social factors.
• Equip students with the knowledge and skills to coach at various levels, from participation to performance/elite levels.
• Develop team dynamics, leadership styles, understanding performance environments, and working within multi-disciplinary sports teams.
• Enhance performance analysis skills through notation and analysis, including collecting and analyzing real data with partners like Northampton Saints.

Outline:

Stage 1 (Year 1):

• Sport Pedagogy for Coaching 1 (20 Credits): Introduces the concept of pedagogy in sport teaching and learning, focusing on the coaching process, models for/of coaching, and athlete-centered perspectives.
• Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 Credits): Explores psychological influences on behavior in sport, exercise, physical activity, and coaching contexts.
• The Social Context of Sport and Exercise (20 Credits): Examines how social contexts shape sport and exercise, introducing sociological investigation and contemporary social issues in sport.
• How to be Successful at University (20 Credits): Provides essential academic and employability skills to enhance university success and career readiness.
• Sport Coaching Practice (20 Credits): Develops knowledge and understanding of the coach's role in various sporting contexts, including practical coaching experience across team and individual sports.
• Sport Coaching Science (20 Credits): Introduces the multi-disciplinary nature of sports coaching, covering performance analysis, movement analysis, strength and conditioning concepts, sports physiology, anatomy, and sports injury.

Stage 2 (Year 2):

• Sports Development (20 Credits): Focuses on the roles of sport development in delivering sport in the UK, exploring the changing nature of sports development and its relationship to mass participation and international success.
• Sport Research Methods (20 Credits): Develops knowledge and understanding of research designs, methods, and skills within a subject-based context, emphasizing quantitative and qualitative traditions and applications.
• Fitness Training Methods (20 Credits): Explores the assessment of sport and exercise-specific fitness components, design and monitoring of individual training programs, and different training methods.
• Positive Psychology Coaching (20 Credits): Applies positive psychology concepts (e.g., character strengths, flow, positive relationships) to sport, exercise, coaching, and physical education contexts.
• Performance Analysis and Coaching (20 Credits): Develops strategies for analyzing and quantifying sports performance, including collecting, analyzing, and interpreting real-time data.
• The Developing Athlete (20 Credits): Examines developmental changes in children and adolescents from a multidisciplinary perspective in a sporting context, considering biological, social, and psychological factors.
• Sport Leadership and Team Dynamics (20 Credits): Explores leadership skills, group dynamics, and team cohesion in sport, examining psychological and organizational concepts and evidence-based interventions.
• Applied Practice and Business Skills (20 Credits): Provides experience working within a sport coaching environment, contributing to a sport coaching program or organization, and developing business skills and insights.

Stage 3 (Year 3):

• Applied Sport Psychology (20 Credits): Builds on previous knowledge of sport psychology, focusing on the role of the sport psychologist and applying psychological skills theory to enhance performance and well-being.
• Contemporary Issues in Sport Development (20 Credits): Critically examines contemporary issues in sport development, particularly those impacting the role of the sport development officer, exploring real-world issues in youth, community, and elite sport settings.
• Advanced Fitness Training Methods (20 Credits): Builds on previous knowledge of fitness training methods, focusing on applied training with a strong practical and work experience focus, addressing strength and conditioning training, techniques, and periodised training prescription.
• Applied Practice in Sport (20 Credits): Provides students with the opportunity to put into practice the skills and knowledge acquired in real-life work-based environments and reflect on their development and readiness for employment.
• Creating Performance Coaching Environments (20 Credits): Develops a critical understanding of the coach's role in designing and maintaining optimal performance coaching environments, analyzing and challenging contemporary research on coaching practices in performance settings.
• Performance Analysis Applications (20 Credits): Equips students with the skills and knowledge for collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and applying real-world performance analysis data, grounding the processes and application in current research.
• Coaching Professional Development and Education (20 Credits): Examines the importance of professional development in sports coaching, understanding the bodies and organizations vital to this process, evaluating coach education, mentoring systems, and professional bodies.

Teaching:

• The program utilizes a blend of practical, small-group, and blended learning delivery methods.
• Students gain experience from coaching delivery across a range of team and individual sports.
• The program encourages learning from coach education resources, materials, and individuals associated with National Governing Bodies and key coaching agencies.
• The program has strong links with local and national organizations, clubs, and bodies.

Careers:

• The program prepares students for careers in various sport coaching roles, including:
• Performance Coach
• Community Coach
• Youth Coach
• Sports Development Officer
• Fitness Instructor
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Performance Analyst
• The program also provides a foundation for further study in sport-related fields, such as:
• Sport Psychology
• Sport Management
• Sport Science

Other:

• The program includes a minimum of 120 hours of work-based learning in the second year and the option to complete a further 120 hours in the final year.
• An optional placement year between years 2 and 3 is available.
• The program offers guaranteed paid internships through the Northampton Employment Promise.
• Students receive a HP laptop and software for eligible students.
• The program has placement links with local communities and high-performance sports teams.
• The program utilizes purpose-built laboratories and research facilities.
• The program offers the Northampton Energy Elite Athlete Scholarship.
The assessment methods, specific teaching approaches, and career outcomes may vary depending on the specific program and year of study.

UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 International – Full Time: £15,200

International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200