BSc (Hons) Sport Development and Coaching

Level 1

Fundamentals of Teaching & Coaching
This module aims to provide the learner with a range of practical experiences in a variety of sports and serve as an introduction to fundamental coaching methods and fitness development principles, as applied to a range of sports. It will increase the students’ awareness of pedagogy and provide practical support for other theoretical aspects of level 1 study, such as ‘foundations of sport and exercise science.

Foundations in Sport & Exercise Science
This module aims to examine the structure and function of the human body. It will address the fundamental systems and how they respond and adapt to training. These anatomical components will be applied to the mechanics of human movement, identifying the internal and external forces acting on the human body.

Sport Development Environment
This module aims to introduce students to the structure of, and central issues in, the present sport development environment. It provides an overview of the structure and purpose of sports organisations and describes the hierarchical relationship between the major agencies responsible for delivering sport.

Sociological Issues in Sport
This module aims to introduce students to the field of sociology as applied to the study of sport. In particular, subjects such as the stratification of society (i.e. by ‘race’, sex, religion, class, age, ability etc.) and the sporting experiences of different social groups will be investigated.

Introduction to Scientific Studies
This module aims to develop students’ study skills and introduce them to the underpinning concepts of scientific study and research methods. This module will enable the student to benefit more fully from the higher education learning environment and develop their reflective practice, along with an understanding the philosophy of science as related to scientific study in sport and exercise.

Level 2

Applied Principles of Teaching & Coaching
This module aims to develop the students’ knowledge of pedagogical concepts first experienced at level one and begins to consider the analysis of a variety of individual and team skills. The module further develops the coaching skills and methods learned in year one and enhances the underpinning knowledge required by the coach.

Further Application of Sport & Exercise Science
The module aims to examine three physical domains in which coaching/teaching may occur and addresses key issues within each domain. The areas of sport and exercise physiology will build upon the basic principles and application of anatomy and physiology covered at level one. The use of biomechanics will explore the application of laboratory techniques in the analysis of sporting performance. The area of psychology will build upon the basic principles of motor learning covered in the Skills and Fitness Development unit.

Sport & Social Theory
This module aims to provide students with a formal introduction to social theory and its application to the study of sociological problems in sport. It is intended to build on level 1 modules by looking at a variety of topics in sport from different theoretical perspectives.

Policy & Management in Sport
This module aims to introduce students to some of the central strategies and policies in sport and helps them develop an understanding of, and develop basic skills in, project management.

Advanced Research Methods
This module aims to advance an understanding of research enquiry and will introduce a wide range of methodologies applicable to sport development and coaching research. Enabling independent research activities, the development of analytical skills will be the main focus.

Employability Skills
This module aims to equip students with an assortment of skills, understandings and achievements required for the world of work. Employability skills audits, practise of job applications and CV writing will all provide the base from which effective employability and career strategies will be generated.

Level 3

Critical Issues in Teaching & Coaching
The module aims to provide students with the support and opportunity to apply the coaching knowledge gained at levels one and two in a vocational situation and challenges them to discuss contemporary issues in the coaching and sports pedagogy literature.

Sociological issues in Sports Development
Aims to mobilise the knowledge and skills obtained throughout the sport development context strand of the degree by engaging students in the critical analysis of central issues in sport development. Specifically, the module encourages students to draw on sociological theory to better understand problems of social exclusion in sport and then to use this knowledge to develop practical strategies for creating inclusive schemes and to assist in developing more equitable sports club.

Monitoring & Evaluation of Performance
The aims of the module are to provide the learner with an advanced knowledge, understanding and application of the how a coach can effectively assess, monitor and evaluate sports performance. The module will provide a multidisciplinary approach incorporating aspects of physiology, psychology, biomechanics and sociology.

Adapted Physical Activity
This module aims to provide a theoretical and practical perspective on sporting provision for people with disabilities. Definitions of disability, the emergence and mainstreaming of disability sport and the place of physical education and youth sport will be examined in the context of social inclusion.

Health Evaluation & Development
This module aims to evaluate the benefits of physical activity in relation to specific low risk conditions. The use of health promotion and education will also be analysed with application to ‘real world’ examples and how these are being implemented to increase physical activity participation.

Political Ideology & Economics in Sport
This module will provide students with an understanding of various different political ideologies (e.g. socialism, liberalism and conservatism), how they differ from one another, and their roots in moral and political philosophy (e.g. Marx, Locke and Plato). There will be a focus on economic theory and concepts as they are applied to sport in both public and private provision contexts.

Strategic Management in Sport
The aims of the module are to critically examine how sports organisations, government and corporate entities, including not-for-profit, can use strategic management to enhance and maintain business performance in a competitive modern systematic environment.

Dissertation
This module aims to build upon individual, supervised student activity, which provides an opportunity for an in-depth study of a particular topic relevant to the field of their particular degree and to demonstrate original and critical thought.

Contemporary Issues in Physical Education
Aims to provide students with the opportunity to use their developing skills and knowledge in 'real world' applied settings and to engage students in critical debates about key issues - some theoretical, some practical - in Physical Education. Such include teacher socialisation, policy implementation and the use of innovative curriculum models.

In year one and two all modules are compulsory. At level one the student is provided with foundation and underpinning knowledge in the subject area, including elements of sport performance and coaching, sport and exercise science, sport development and social science and key scientific study skills. At level two the student explores and develops these subject areas to the next level of understanding. Students take a series of electives at level three which can be focused on vocational interests. The student experience, and the teaching style that is adopted, encourages applied and experiential learning.

The BSc (Hons) Sport Development and Coaching is distinctive in that it:

• Develops the practical experience and skills of the individual through a wide range of sport performance activities
• Provides coaching opportunities and qualifications within the programme
• Develops the skills of measuring and evaluating performance in the laboratory and field
• Enables an individual to design and implement training and coaching regimes
• Provides an opportunity for specialist study at level three to match vocational interest.

Facilities include Sports Hall, all weather pitches, two squash courts, a dance studio, fully fitted gym, and the most recent addition being a fantastic Human Performance Centre with state-of-the-art facilities.

The department maintains professional links with all relevant bodies. The University hosts lectures and seminars with external speakers several times a year.

We host the Lincolnshire Coaches Network meetings several times a year, for our support of local sport coaches, involving close working relationships with Lincolnshire Sports Partnership.

The assessment strategy adopted within the BSc (Hons) Sport Development and Coaching programme takes a variety of forms in order to reflect the differing learning outcomes and the levels of different units.

The ability to collect, organise, analyse, interpret will be assessed through a variety of coursework assessments. Written reports, logbooks, poster and oral presentations and portfolios will be used to assess knowledge, understanding and communication skills.

The BSc (Hons) Sport Development and Coaching aims to provide:

• A progressive and multidisciplinary course that qualifies the graduate at honours level in the broad areas of sport, coaching and development
• A wide range of employment opportunities, including sport development, sport leisure and amenity management, coaching and teaching
• Opportunities for students to develop their expertise and abilities in a range of sports and to achieve coaching and related qualifications
• A range of key and general transferable skills to prepare students for sport related and other graduate employment
• Students with the learning skills required to gain higher-level qualifications, including post-graduate qualifications.

280 UCAS tariff points, with GCSE English, Maths and Science subject at C or above.
Ideally candidates will have a science A level and at least one level one coaching qualification.

Students studying an Access course will need to achieve 45 level 3 credits at Merit or above and 15 level two credits.

All courses provide entry into a wide range of careers both in the world of sport coaching, sport management, leisure and areas where health and fitness are emphasized.

Examples include:

• Sports Development
• Coaching Management
• Gym / Fitness Instruction
• Leisure Management
• Research (MSc, PhD)
• P.E. Teacher
• Police / Armed Forces.

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding