Course overview

The coach is responsible for instructing, training and directing the athlete or the team. Their aim is to develop the players' skills or to achieve a specific goal. But how does the coach know what methods to use? In this innovative degree you will explore the scientific approach to coaching. You will find out what areas of knowledge such as human movement, pedagogy, child development, physiology and psychology can contribute to making coaching methods more effective. Then you will go on to explore how these ideas can be best put into practice.

It is designed to explore the scientific bases of coaching to supplement the craft knowledge gained by a coach. There are numerous areas of study (see module list) to contribute to developing a more effective form of coaching. During the subsequent years on this course you will delve deeper into these contexts and explore how such methods can be put into practice.

This degree has two main aims:

• to provide you with a firm understanding of the theory underpinning the physical education and coaching processes and how such theories can be applied;
• to equip you with communication, organisational, practical, analytical and scientific skills necessary for coaching and teaching sport;

This innovative blend of theory and practice will develop you into a modern scientific coach who is able to coach an array of learners in any age group.

The specific aims of this course are:

• to enable you to address relevant QAA subject benchmark statements and United Kingdom Coaching Certificates (UKCC) qualification guidelines;
• for you to meet local, national and international needs;
• to provide a framework of modules for you for the development of the theory, concepts and practical application of Coaching and Physical Education;
• to provide you with the necessary oral, written, practical and technical skills to operate effectively as Coaching practitioners;
• to provide you with the required knowledge to operate ethically and safely as Coaches;
• to allow you the opportunity to work independently in 'real-life' situations;
• to develop you a range of transferable skills and competences relevant to careers in Coaching sports development and other graduate employment situations;
• to allow you the opportunity to plan, execute, analyse and report on a research project of your own design;
• to provide you with the opportunity to study for professional qualifications (National Governing Body Coaching
• to promote access to and further progression within higher education, research and professional development.

Additional course information

Upon completion of this course you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• a comprehensive knowledge base in selected subject areas that inform Sports Coaching and Physical Education as defined by the relevant QAA Subject benchmark Statements (Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism), the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and UKCC qualification guidance documents.
• cross traditional subject boundaries and use a multi-disciplinary approach to analyse, evaluate and reflect critically on selected Coaching and Physical Education scenarios, drawing, as appropriate, from research and professional contexts.
• your research and problem solving abilities with a critical understanding of methods of acquisition, interpretation and analysis of information appropriate to the study of Coaching and Physical Education and in a way which demonstrates capacity for creative and original thought.
• critically appraising and utilising a number of ethical, theoretical and professional rationales which underpin best practice within Coaching and Physical Education as defined by UKCC.

Module guide

Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

Entry requirements

Two subjects at A Level, or BTEC National (or equivalent), one of which is to be science subject.
Applicants should have a minimum of 180 UCAS tariff points at A Level or an advanced level qualification in a related subject such as National Certificate/Diploma or Access Certificate although the standard offer may be varied. Candidate should possess C grades in GCSE English and mathematics and Science (or equivalent).

Applicants whose first language is not English need to demonstrate proficiency in English with an IELTS score of 6.0.