
Sports Coaching
Sports Coaching
Sports Coaching
Sports Coaching
Overview
Helping people achieve their potential is one of the most satisfying parts of being a sports coach. This degree is shaped by an established model of coaching adopted by the Football Association and other leading national and international governing bodies. You will develop your key coaching skills by learning to understand your participants and their sport, and how to plan, deliver and review both short and long-term training programmes.
More than half the course delivery and assessment will be practical in nature, and you will have many opportunities to apply ideas from the course during organised placements.
Residentials
As part of your first year, you will have the opportunity to experience activities in a setting associated with your studies. This may include a residential or field trips, which will support your on-campus learning and enhance your future career prospects.
Research Excellence Framework 2014
Research Excellence Framework 2014: 59% of our research submitted was assessed as world leading or internationally excellent.
Our sports courses will prepare you for a wide range of careers. Visit the careers section on each course page to find out more about the future your chosen route could lead you into. Our dedicated Employment Team offers expert advice and a host of resources to help you enhance your employability skills. You can read more about their services on our careers site.
Some of your sessions will be located at Emerald Headingley Stadium - home to Yorkshire County Cricket Club, rugby league giants Leeds Rhinos and rugby union's Yorkshire Carnegie, making it one of the busiest sports venues in the UK. You will also have access to specialist coaching equipment and software. This will allow you to analyse sporting performance and will help you develop the coaching techniques to improve.
Invaluable placement opportunities will give you the chance to put your learning into practice. You could be coaching children from local schools or working on campus assisting our coaches - some of whom work with Olympic athletes. You could also gain experience in the wider sports industry with professional clubs such as Leeds Rhinos and Leeds United, or with local authority and private fitness centres.
During your studies, you could also extend your experience and top-up your credentials with a sport-specific coaching qualification that is UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) endorsed. These will be available at levels one and two. In addition to UKCC programmes, we also offer gym and personal trainer qualifications, which you could take to further boost your CV.
Sport Volunteering Opportunities
We offer a sport volunteering programme for anyone with an interest in sport. If you want to stay ahead of the game and have a competitive advantage in the job market, then sport volunteering is an ideal way to gain extra knowledge and skills on top of your degree. Volunteering is a huge advantage if you want to pursue a career in the sports industry - and it will look great on your CV!Sport and Active Lifestyles
We're passionate about sport and at Leeds Beckett University there's a huge range of sports and activities for you to get involved in, including more than 40 sports clubs. If you'd like to find out more about what we have to offer - including the Carnegie Sports Scholarship Scheme - take a look at the Sport & Active Lifestyles website.We understand that full-time study does not suit everyone. That’s why we offer courses which give you the opportunity to decide where, when and how you can get involved in learning. Studying a distance learning course offers the convenience and flexibility to make education work for you. Whether you’d like to fit your studies around childcare, develop your skills while working or, quite simply, want to learn from the comfort of your own home, we can help you gain a qualification at a time and pace that suits your lifestyle.
Like our students on campus, you will have the same excellent teaching and learning resources, however you’ll find these online instead of in a lecture theatre. Not only are all the modules taught online, but you will also have access to an online community and more than 140,000 books and journals in our online library.
Course Features
- Placements
- Specialist facilities
- Residential experience
- Real-life projects
- Sandwich year
- Study abroad option
- Industry expertise
- Industry links
- Practice based learning
- Network with industry professionals
- 93.9% of students said the course provided opportunities to apply what they learnt*
- Integrated Foundation Year available
- Sport volunteering opportunities
- UK Coaching Certificate qualification available
- Gym and personal trainer qualifications available
- Expert careers service
- 24/7 Library
- University accommodation
- TEF Silver Award
Entry Requirements
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
UCAS Tariff Points:
120 points required. (Minimum 80 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies). Or 112 UCAS points from three A levels (excluding General Studies) or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.Additional Requirements:
GCSEs:
GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C or above (Grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy/Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs.Access to HE Diploma:
Pass overall with a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points.Scottish Awards:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade B at Higher Level.Irish Leaving Certificate:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade C1 or above at Higher Level of which at least 3 must be at B2.SELECTION CRITERIA:
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
International Baccalaureate
26 Points
IELTS:
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
ENHANCED CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS:
Satisfactory enhanced criminal history checks will be required by all applicants prior to acceptance on the course, (processed through the University only). The University is unable to accept DBS checks obtained through another institution (this includes those registered with the DBS Update Service); the checks undertaken by the University are appropriate to the course of study and relevant regulated activity placements. For important information on the UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check process click here.
SELF DECLARATION:
You will be asked to complete this online form as part of the DBS check process. You will be asked to identify on the self-declaration form if you have any cautions/convictions that would not be filtered out on a DBS certificate. For details on filtering, please click here. The form will also ask if you have resided outside of the UK after the age of 16, to establish if an Overseas Police Record check may be required.
Overseas Police Checks/Letter of Good Conduct
The DBS in the UK is currently not able to conduct overseas criminal record checks. International applicants; those without British Citizenship and British Citizens with a significant period of overseas residency of 12 months or more after the age of 16; therefore, require a criminal records check or certificate of good conduct from their home/overseas country(ies) prior to entry on to the course. A UK DBS check will also be required prior to enrolment; the DBS team will send you guidance on how to apply following your offer of a place. The application process and timeframes for Overseas Police checks can differ from country to country and so it is recommended that you start the process as soon as possible after you have been made a conditional/Unconditional offer to ensure you have enough lead in time to obtain the check prior to enrolment. For some countries, an individual can only apply in person and so it is preferable for those applicants still resident in the relevant country, to apply before entering the UK.Mature Applicants:
Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable..
All applicants to our University are required to meet our standard English language requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, for example we accept some Functional Skills Tests.
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
UCAS Tariff Points:
120 points required. (Minimum 80 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies). Or 112 UCAS points from three A levels (excluding General Studies) or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.Additional Requirements:
GCSEs:
GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C or above (Grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy/Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs.Access to HE Diploma:
Pass overall with a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points.Scottish Awards:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade B at Higher Level.Irish Leaving Certificate:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade C1 or above at Higher Level of which at least 3 must be at B2.SELECTION CRITERIA:
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
International Baccalaureate
26 Points
IELTS:
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
ENHANCED CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS:
Satisfactory enhanced criminal history checks will be required by all applicants prior to acceptance on the course, (processed through the University only). The University is unable to accept DBS checks obtained through another institution (this includes those registered with the DBS Update Service); the checks undertaken by the University are appropriate to the course of study and relevant regulated activity placements. For important information on the UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check process click here.
SELF DECLARATION:
You will be asked to complete this online form as part of the DBS check process. You will be asked to identify on the self-declaration form if you have any cautions/convictions that would not be filtered out on a DBS certificate. For details on filtering, please click here. The form will also ask if you have resided outside of the UK after the age of 16, to establish if an Overseas Police Record check may be required.
Overseas Police Checks/Letter of Good Conduct
The DBS in the UK is currently not able to conduct overseas criminal record checks. International applicants; those without British Citizenship and British Citizens with a significant period of overseas residency of 12 months or more after the age of 16; therefore, require a criminal records check or certificate of good conduct from their home/overseas country(ies) prior to entry on to the course. A UK DBS check will also be required prior to enrolment; the DBS team will send you guidance on how to apply following your offer of a place. The application process and timeframes for Overseas Police checks can differ from country to country and so it is recommended that you start the process as soon as possible after you have been made a conditional/Unconditional offer to ensure you have enough lead in time to obtain the check prior to enrolment. For some countries, an individual can only apply in person and so it is preferable for those applicants still resident in the relevant country, to apply before entering the UK.ADDITIONAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.Careers

Careers
MSc Sport Coaching and BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching
I loved sport from a young age and my plan was always to study PE at university. However, I attended an inspirational sports coaching lecture during a visit to Leeds Beckett and decided to follow that route instead. After I finished my undergraduate degree, I knew I wanted to continue my learning so I stayed on for my masters. My studies encouraged me to become a reflective practitioner and helped my confidence to grow so that I was able to go out and get my dream job.
Teaching and learning
Become a well-rounded, independent practitioner of sports coaching with a broad skillset. You will be able to create exciting and engaging physical activity plans to resonate with your participants and to help achieve your long-term coaching objectives.
The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload is indicative and may be subject to change.



Level 4 assessment is broadly an even mix of coursework and practical assessments.
Core Modules
- Practical Coaching Pedagogy
Explore threshold concepts relating to teaching and learning such that you can apply key teaching principles in practice. Furthermore, the module will equip you with the basic understanding and appreciation of reflective practice, so you can begin the process of self-evaluation and development.
- Participant-Centred Curriculum
Gain the requisite knowledge regarding the psycho-motor, physical and psycho-social stages of development characteristics of a broad range of children and young people. This knowledge informs the design and implementation of appropriate and inclusive coaching sessions for children and young people.
- Coaching Contexts
The International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) defines at least four main domains in which a coach may work: performance; talent development; community; children. You will explore these different contexts, the contemporary issues coaches face, and the specific ways in which, for example, broad issues such as inclusion policies may influence on-the-ground practice.
- Research & Personal Development
Undertake the early engagement in and development of self-regulatory, study, research and employability skills. This module also aims to develop your skills and knowledge required in transitioning from school or work life into the life of a university student.
- At the end of year one, you will choose an optional pathway through the remainder of your course, in one of the following three areas:
- Performance & Talent Development
- Youth Sport & Physical Education
- Community Sport & Physical Activity



Level 5 assessment is broadly an even mix of coursework and practical assessments.
Core Modules
- Coaching Pedagogy in Context
Develop a range of teaching tools for the delivery of constructively aligned practices and behaviours that allow for maximum participant engagement towards identified and quantifiable learning objectives.
- Sport Curriculum
Enhance your understanding of the technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social demands of different sport types in order to be able to plan and deliver multiple coaching sessions to participants at specific ages and stages of development.
- Research Methods for Sports Coaching
Build upon the research and study skills already acquired to enable students to be consumers of research for use across your degree. By the end of the module, you will be able to search for and apply relevant literature and/or theory; choose research designs to address research enquiries; analyse and interpret empirical data (qualitative and quantitative); and present research findings in your specific field.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.
Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.



Level 6 assessment is predominantly by coursework with some practical assessments.
Core Modules
- Model-Based Coaching
Prepare yourself for head coaching roles, where you are likely to be tasked with developing, and delivering against, a performance model and long-term plan for a squad, athlete or entire programme. It therefore challenges you to develop a simple 'mental model' of a sport or activity linked to your intended career; to use this as the basis for long-term curriculum design, matched to the needs of specific participant groups; then to demonstrate how this curriculum is delivered to a specific group or athlete in practice.
- Professional Practice
Get the preparation to graduate into employment into your chosen coaching contexts. You will engage in activities to support the development of your professional practice through reflection of your development as a person, student and coach. You will gain an advanced understanding of a range of coaching contexts through engagement with industry via guest speakers and site visits where possible.
- Final Year Project
Be challenged to undertake an extended and largely independent piece of work that demonstrates research skills, critical thinking, and an awareness of ethical methodological approaches to study. You are provided with a choice of project types that reflect the key knowledge, skills and attributes of graduate careers associated with your course (e.g. talent coach, performance analyst, primary PE specialist etc.)



Level 4 assessment is broadly an even mix of coursework and practical assessments.
Core Modules
- Practical Coaching Pedagogy
Explore threshold concepts relating to teaching and learning such that you can apply key teaching principles in practice. Furthermore, the module will equip you with the basic understanding and appreciation of reflective practice, so you can begin the process of self-evaluation and development.
- Participant-Centred Curriculum
Gain the requisite knowledge regarding the psycho-motor, physical and psycho-social stages of development characteristics of a broad range of children and young people. This knowledge informs the design and implementation of appropriate and inclusive coaching sessions for children and young people.
- Coaching Contexts
The International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) defines at least four main domains in which a coach may work: performance; talent development; community; children. You will explore these different contexts, the contemporary issues coaches face, and the specific ways in which, for example, broad issues such as inclusion policies may influence on-the-ground practice.
- Research & Personal Development
Undertake the early engagement in and development of self-regulatory, study, research and employability skills. This module also aims to develop your skills and knowledge required in transitioning from school or work life into the life of a university student.
- At the end of year one, you will choose an optional pathway through the remainder of your course, in one of the following three areas:
- Performance & Talent Development
- Youth Sport & Physical Education
- Community Sport & Physical Activity



Level 5 assessment is broadly an even mix of coursework and practical assessments.
Core Modules
- Coaching Pedagogy in Context
Develop a range of teaching tools for the delivery of constructively aligned practices and behaviours that allow for maximum participant engagement towards identified and quantifiable learning objectives.
- Sport Curriculum
Enhance your understanding of the technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social demands of different sport types in order to be able to plan and deliver multiple coaching sessions to participants at specific ages and stages of development.
- Research Methods for Sports Coaching
Build upon the research and study skills already acquired to enable students to be consumers of research for use across your degree. By the end of the module, you will be able to search for and apply relevant literature and/or theory; choose research designs to address research enquiries; analyse and interpret empirical data (qualitative and quantitative); and present research findings in your specific field.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.
Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.



Level 6 assessment is predominantly by coursework with some practical assessments.
Core Modules
- Model-Based Coaching
Prepare yourself for head coaching roles, where you are likely to be tasked with developing, and delivering against, a performance model and long-term plan for a squad, athlete or entire programme. It therefore challenges you to develop a simple 'mental model' of a sport or activity linked to your intended career; to use this as the basis for long-term curriculum design, matched to the needs of specific participant groups; then to demonstrate how this curriculum is delivered to a specific group or athlete in practice.
- Professional Practice
Get the preparation to graduate into employment into your chosen coaching contexts. You will engage in activities to support the development of your professional practice through reflection of your development as a person, student and coach. You will gain an advanced understanding of a range of coaching contexts through engagement with industry via guest speakers and site visits where possible.
- Final Year Project
Be challenged to undertake an extended and largely independent piece of work that demonstrates research skills, critical thinking, and an awareness of ethical methodological approaches to study. You are provided with a choice of project types that reflect the key knowledge, skills and attributes of graduate careers associated with your course (e.g. talent coach, performance analyst, primary PE specialist etc.)
Fees & funding
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2019/20 is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be given a full tuition fee waiver.Additional course costs
Tuition fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC, laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Course specific
- Use of sports facilities and equipment linked to your studies
Additional costs
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Course-specific optional costs
- Course branded sportswear
(Branded sportswear is available to buy, but it is not compulsory. Prices start at £10, with a complete kit bundle costing £135) - Various coaching qualifications as well as gym and personal trainer awards are available
(Cost will depend on the course chosen) - Sport volunteering opportunities
(Cost will depend on location) - Sports membership
(Access to sport and fitness facilities, including a wide range of fitness classes. Active Beckett PLUS membership costs £90 per year. Other levels of membership are also available)
Other study-related expenses to consider: books (the library stocks books from your module reading list but you may wish to purchase copies for yourself); placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs);student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery; field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations); PC/laptop (provided on campus in social learning spaces and in the library. However, you may prefer to have your own); mobile phone/tablet (to access University online services); academic conferences (travel costs); professional-body membership (where applicable); and graduation (gown hire and guest tickets).
This list is not exhaustive and costs will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental or living costs are also in addition to your course fees.
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2019/20 is £12000. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £3000.Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below: