BSc (Honours) Sport Development with Coaching
Three years full-time
UCAS code • C6X3
This course is subject to reapproval
Location • Collegiate Campus
Subject area • Sport and active lifestyles
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Sheffield Hallam has been involved in London 2012 in many different ways. Find out more about our partnership with LOCOG.
Find out more about the partnership between Sheffield Hallam and LOCOG and the resulting opportunities for Sheffield Hallam students.
View profiles of students on this course
View a 360 degree of our physiology research laboratory.
One of our students, Paul Greaves, has been named Elite Coach of the Year at the 2011 South Yorkshire Sports Awards. Read more about his achievements.
The English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS) is our official sport campus, providing students with access to some of the finest sporting facilities in the country. View a 360 degree tour of the EISS.
View profiles of the staff who teach in this subject area.
One of the ways we connect our students with the sports industry is by running an annual sports industry conference. Find out more about the event and watch a video of the 2012 conference.
Find out about our sport and active lifestyles research centres.
Read about the specialist facilities we have available for you to use.
Team Sheffield Hallam is the home of competitive and performance sport at Sheffield Hallam University. Find out more.
Watch a video about sport in Sheffield.
View profiles of students on this course.
At a glance
Gain the experience and skills needed to work in sports development and coaching within a range of sporting organisations. You study in world-class facilities and are taught by a lecturing team that has a wealth of industry and professional coaching experience. These connections with industry allow you to apply for placements and volunteering roles with national and regional sporting organisations.
Key points
• Study on a well-established course with a strong reputation.
• Get support to develop your skills as a volunteer and gain qualifications.
• Enhance your career prospects through placements with major sporting bodies.
• Study in our world-class facilities at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield.
What is sports development with coaching?
Sport development and coaching is the promotion of activities and opportunities to encourage more of the population of all ages to engage in sport and physical activity. Sport development officers and coaches engage with a range of individuals and organisations to either promote sport specific activities from foundation to excellence or use sport and physical activity as a social tool in areas such as of health, crime prevention and social inclusion.
This course
Study for a career in sport development and coaching on a course that has developed a strong reputation in the industry over its 15 year history. Learn how to plan and deliver sport to different groups and communities in the UK, while examining all levels of sport development, from foundation to excellence.
Your studies involve a mix of the theory and practical elements of the subject, where lectures and essay writing are combined with real-world projects. For example, you may work on a coaching placement at a football club or private sports company, or put on a sports event as part of this course.
As a student you have access to the best facilities and expertise. You study practical elements of the course at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS) where top-flight athletes such as Jessica Ennis and the GB boxing team train. Your lecturing team have extensive industry experience at both local and national level, and many are qualified coaches actively working for major national sports bodies.
We give you opportunities to enhance your experience and career prospects from day one, on volunteering programmes such as our Ready, Steady, Coach programme or helping to run the University’s social sport programme. We help you to apply for bursaries to gain professional coaching qualifications in return for volunteering hours. You attend the PE, sport development and coaching (PESDC) student conference and have the opportunity to network with a range of sport industry professionals.
Your studies and volunteering experience in your first year prepare you for a six-week placement in industry. We can offer you experience with major local and national partner organisations, including
• National Governing Bodies such as the Rugby Football Union, England Handball Association, the English Cricket Board
• local authorities such as North East Lincolnshire Council
• County Sport Partnerships such as South Yorkshire Sport
• overseas programmes in Tanzania and South Africa
This is an important opportunity to apply what you have learnt at university in a professional context, add to your CV and impress potential employers.
You can further enhance your professional qualifications with media operations modules linked to volunteering placements at major events. These modules were originally established in partnership with the 2012 London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). The University is currently in negotiations with organising bodies of both Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and Rio de Janerio 2016 Olympics. You benefit from our unique expertise in this area as we were the only University to offer this experience in conjunction with LOCOG.
Key areas of study
Key areas include • the structure of sport • the impact of society and politics on sport • the role of sports clubs • health and physical activity • equity and inclusivity within sport • marketing, finance and workforce development • media skills • enterprise and business simulation • coaching young people and the community.
We had over 40 external speakers at our 2012 PE, Sport Development & Coaching conference, including Chair of UK Sport, Baroness Sue Campbell. It's the only student sport employability conference of its kind in the UK and gives our students the opportunity to learn directly from, and network with, leading figures within the sport industry.
Find out more about BSc (Honours) Sport Development with Coaching
Related courses
- BSc (Honours) Physical Education and School Sport (Full-time)
- BSc (Honours) Sport and Exercise Science (Full-time)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Activity, Health and Exercise Science (Full-time)
- BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching (Full-time)
- BSc (Honours) Sport Business Management (Full-time)
- BA (Honours) Sport, Culture and Society (Full-time)
You apply for this course through UCAS.
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
2013/14 academic year
Typically £11,880 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,880 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
• coursework • examinations • practical assessments such as delivering a coaching session or organising community events • developing media resources
The course has recently been endorsed by Skills Active and is one of only four courses of its kind in the country to have this accreditation.
Key Information Set 
Sheffield Hallam students at London 2012
Sheffield Hallam has been involved in London 2012 in many different ways.
Our sport students study the only press operations modules in the world developed exclusively with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games organisers. As a result of the partnership, over 200 of our sport students have undertook work placements at Olympic Test Events, as part of the Torch Relay team or at the Games themselves.
Describing the initiative, LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton said; 'This is the most significant partnership we have with any educational institution in the country by a long way'. It's fantastic for us because we get terrific people, who are highly motivated and well trained. And what better way for students to be entering the workforce and to be looking for a future career than to have had this kind of experience integrated into your education.
Matt Dixon, a sport development student who worked with the LOCOG press operations team, said: 'I really enjoyed working with LOCOG's press operations team. It was a completely new experience for me to work with such a high-profile organisation. I learned lots of skills from the team here, and it was incredible to be a part of London 2012 through my university course.'
Josh, trackside at the Olympics
Fellow student Shereen Hutton, who worked as a flash quote reporter at the Olympic stadium throughout the Games, said, 'I had such an amazing time, I loved every minute of it! The whole experience seemed to fly by and it felt surreal to me. I was speaking to sporting heroes like Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Usain Bolt on a daily basis, and I managed to get quotes from them even though I was quite star struck from being in their presence!'
Josh Saydraouten, who also worked trackside at the main stadium, added, ''Being a Games Maker at the London 2012 Olympic Games was a fantastic experience, and will be great for my CV. My personal highlight was when Sanya Richards Ross [winner of the women’s 400m and 4x400m relay gold for the USA] spoke to me in the broadcast zone'.
Lynsey Appleby - course (2:02)
BSc (Hons) Sport Development with Coaching student Lynsey Appleby talks about her course and studying the media operations modules that have been developed in partnership with LOCOG, the organising committee of London 2012.
Lynsey Appleby - internship (2:34)
Lynsey Appleby talks about her internship in the press operations team at LOCOG, the organising committee of London 2012.
Jayne Pearce - internship (1:10)
Jayne Pearce, head of press operations at LOCOG, talks about Lynsey’s internship and the skills she has developed.
Jayne Pearce - partnership (1:37)
Jayne Pearce, head of press operations at LOCOG, talks about the partnership between Sheffield Hallam and LOCOG and the resulting opportunities for Sheffield Hallam students.
Russell Swannack (2:07)
Russell Swannack (coordinator and university liaison, olympic and paralympic news service, LOCOG) gives an overview of the ‘media operations’ modules which have been developed in partnership between Sheffield Hallam and LOCOG, the organising committee of London 2012.
LOCOG chief executive (4:21)
Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) heaped praise upon Sheffield Hallam University during a special visit to the University in September 2011, in which he talked about the 'significant partnership' between the University and LOCOG.
Sophie Johnson
BSc (Hons) Sport Development with Coaching
'My experience studying at Sheffield Hallam has been great. This is due to the support of lecturers, meeting new people and the opportunities I have been given during my course. Throughout my three years at Sheffield Hallam, I was fortunate to be taught at the best facilities, which include the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. I have also had very helpful and fantastic lecturers and great support from the Sheffield Hallam University staff.
'The highlight of the Sports Development with Coaching course for me was having the opportunity to go to South Africa for three months representing Sheffield Hallam and The Premier League through one of my modules, 'Learning at Work'. It was the best three months I have had and was made possible because of the partnerships that Sheffield Hallam University have. The lecturers were very keen on contacting me to hear about the different activities and my experience throughout my time there.
'Also, Sheffield Hallam University was in partnership with LOCOG - London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games. Due to this, sports students were able to be fast tracked into amazing voluntary positions at the games and I was fortunate to be volunteering in the aquatics centre assisting world-class athletes in the mixed zone.
'The course has given me the confidence, knowledge and experience to help me in the future in the sporting industry. This is due to working in groups, presentations, realistic assessments for example, strategic planning - creating a three year plan which is used in the sports development role.
'The lecturers have given sports students throughout the three years the best opportunities to volunteer in different areas to build our experience and knowledge, for example, volunteering in schools, working alongside School Sport Partnerships/Country Sport Partnerships to build relationships with contacts that can create future employment.
'My role for the Football Foundation of South Africa was to be a netball coach for three months. I also worked alongside other sport coaches and volunteers visiting the schools, Masakhane and Blompark, to coach football as well as playing activities, games depending on the age group.
'I spent every morning each day, in the office completing reports and updates on events, matches and Dibanisa programme. This programme is offered to different teams amongst the football foundation to educate children on the environment and different species on land and in the ocean. This is a fantastic project as the children get to learn and visit new destinations within their local area. I was also setting up events and promotions for different sports events for example, Youth Day – 16th June. This was to create the event, poster, promotions, access cards, refreshments. This was a great task as the event went well with a large amount of people attending to celebrate youth.
` My previous experience of coaching through the university and volunteering in schools has given me the skills to be an effective leader and a role model to the participants I was coaching.This experience, and the modules on the course, taught me to be a professional, confident and supportive advisor.
'Overall, my three month experience living in Gansbaai has been a life changing experience. I have learnt a lot about myself as a person as well as developing myself in different aspects, for example, coaching, interacting with different cultures and languages. I have interacted with individuals in townships and taught them skills in netball, activities that can be sustainable for the future to use in sessions.
'The Football Foundation in South Africa is an amazing organisation to be involved in and I feel privileged that I have been involved in such a great project. I have been involved in interventions and visits from organisations worldwide, for example, the Premier League academy in England, New Zealand netball, Breaking Barriers, HIV/Aids prevention schemes, holiday programmes, Youth Day, visit from Santos football team.
'The main skills I have learnt are • confidence • public speaking • greater knowledge of sports and organisations • planning strategically and to work effectively in a team. These were all through modules at Sheffield Hallam for the three years I have studied here and the support from the lecturers and staff at the university to bring the best out of my potential.
'My experience throughout my studies has been amazing, I have been fortunate to be given the experiences I have had, for example, coaching in South Africa, working at the Olympics 2012 Games, working at the National Disabled Championships held at Ponds Forge, creating contacts with school sport partnerships, country sport partnerships and with employees at national sporting organisations. This will help me when I graduate to be successful within the sporting industry as the skills I have learnt at university are life-skills for different job positions.
'I would definitely recommend this course to any individual who is looking for a career in sports as the Sports Development with Coaching course gives you the skills and knowledge to go into many different roles when you graduate such as, sports development officer, PE teacher, school sport co-ordinator, sports coach, sports management, sports business. The modules on the course cover a wide range of academic theory and the experience you need to be successful in the sporting industry.
'Sheffield Hallam University is a fantastic university to be part of because the university will give you the best and most valuable opportunities they can to suit your profession. The support and enthusiasm of staff is amazing and you can always guarantee to get the service you need.
'The city as a whole is great to meet new people and there are always events and opportunities to get involved in to get the best out of your potential.'
Adam Hughes
BSc (Hons) Sport Development with Coaching, 2008 graduate, speaking in 2010
Adam graduated in 2008 in sport development with coaching. He capitalised on his second year placement with the Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Club and is now the community manager for the eagles.
'My journey started whilst studying at Sheffield Hallam when I was required to complete a six week work placement. As I come from St Helens (a passionate rugby town) and am a keen rugby player, I applied to the Sheffield Eagles which also appealed to me as I wanted to stay in Sheffield. As I was already a qualified level 2 rugby coach, I got involved in the local schools coaching programme and then continued in a voluntary capacity during the rest of my time at University.
'I based my dissertation on the school to club links which is an imperative part of the Eagles’ community programme. The work from my dissertation was adapted and funding was approved, which I managed from the initial funding bid through to completion. As a result, along with the casual coaching I undertook within schools, I was given a trial year as community manager.
'I am currently working on various projects for the club, including the sports match world cup project which involves 46 primary schools playing in tag rugby competitions and The National Sports Foundation Project which aims to increase the participation in rugby league.
'Highlights from my career and University days include the Eagles winning community club of the year 2009 and Sheffield Hallam winning the midlands league.
'I feel that the assignments given to me at Sheffield Hallam were very relevant to the sports industry and the assignments have been applicable to my working life. Organising events is a key component to my job role and the module on delivering an event was an invaluable experience for me.
'In the future I am planning to gain the level three in coaching which would enable me to coach a team at championship level. i am also looking at completing my Certificate in Education so I can teach and lecture on the Eagles full-time academy programme.'
Profiles
Sophie Johnson
BSc (Hons) Sport Development with Coaching
Adam Hughes
BSc (Hons) Sport Development with Coaching, 2008 graduate, speaking in 2010
Physiology research laboratory
Physiology research lab designed for use by our undergraduate students.
Award winning student coaches GB trampolinist to gold medal
Paul with Bryony Page at the final World Cup of the year in Bulgaria.
Award winning BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching student Paul Greaves enjoyed another successful year in 2012, gaining further industry recognition and coaching GB trampolinist Bryony Page to gold at the final World Cup of the year in Bulgaria.
In 2011 Paul became the first ever trampoline coach from South Yorkshire to be selected as GB coach for the Senior World Championships. He was also named Elite Coach of the Year at the South Yorkshire Sports Awards, alongside fellow award winners Jessica Ennis and Nick Matthew.
In early 2012 Paul’s focus switched to the European Championships where he coached Phil Jackson to 8th place in the Junior European Boys section. Paul’s top senior athlete, Bryony Page, was unfortunately ruled out of the Europeans through an injury that also put pay to her hopes of qualifying for the London Olympics.
Despite this setback, Paul and Bryony were invited to join Team GB at the Athletes Village during the Games as part of the BOA’s Olympic Ambition Programme. An experience Paul described as a unique opportunity to meet and learn from many of Team GB’s top athletes.
Bryony returned to fitness in time to claim a gold medal in the final World Cup event of 2012, held in Bulgaria in October, securing a personal best score in the process. Bryony said, ‘We have been working really hard on my new routine and it’s been going excellent in training so to then produce it in a World Cup final felt so good, I’m really proud.’
Another personal high of 2012 for Paul was being awarded the title of Master Coach by British Gymnastics for coaching athletes to top international success.
Paul attributes much of his coaching success to his studies at Sheffield Hallam:
‘Studying Sport Coaching at Hallam massively progressed my coaching methods and indeed the ethos within how my programmes operated. Being part of this degree enabled me to learn not only from staff but indeed from other students from varied sporting backgrounds and utilizing their expertise and experiences. Due to the accelerated success of my gymnasts I had to reduce my education to part time as I spent more time out of the UK than I did in it, making studying extremely difficult. With the support from staff such as Tessa Borg and Janet Vickers they have made it possible for me to continue my studies as well as follow my dream of producing world class athletes, I really do have a lot to thank them for.’
Paul also continues to work to increase participation in his sport locally. He established the Abbey Flyers Trampoline Club ten years ago as a small after school club. The club now operates in several different venues and has 250 members.
‘My future plans are to launch Sheffield’s first Trampoline Gymnastics facility and develop a regional structure that will increase participation levels within my sport as well as filtering through any potential stars of the future. As well as this I have already started work on the push for Rio 2016!’
The English Institute of Sport Sheffield
The English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS) is our official sport campus, providing students with access to some of the finest sporting facilities in the country to support and enhance your learning experience. You have the opportunity to learn in an environment where leading names from the world of sport are also based, including a number of Team GB's Olympic medal winners such as Jess Ennis and the GB Boxing squads.
The practical elements of our sport courses are taught at the EISS and the facility is also home to our student athletes and sport teams across a range of sports.
Staff profiles
Visit the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity website to view profiles of the staff who teach in this subject area.
2012 PE, sport development and coaching conferenc (4:21)
One of the ways we connect our students with the sports industry is by running an annual sports industry conference.
In 2012, our PE, Sport Development and Coaching conference was the first major sports industry conference of Olympic year. It was attended by over 500 of our sports students and a host of key figures from across the industry, including Chair of UK Sport, Baroness Sue Campbell.
It's the only student sport employability conference of it's kind in the UK, and it gives our students the opportunity to learn directly from, and network with, industry professionals.
Sport and active lifestyles research
In addition to our sport courses, the university's Academy of Sport and Physical Activity is home to three internationally renowned sports research centres, producing world-class research in sport performance, economics and engineering. Our sports research is ranked fourth in the UK.
The Centre for Sport and Exercise Science boasts one of the largest physical activity and sport-related portfolios of research expertise in the UK. It focuses on physical activity, wellbeing and performance enhancement.
The centre worked closely with GB Volleyball and GB Table Tennis as they prepared for London 2012.
The Sport Industry Research Centre applies economic techniques to generate new knowledge and insight about the sport and leisure industries.
Recent projects have included measuring the impact of the 2012 Olympics on the UK's sporting economy as well as other major sporting events.
The Centre for Sports Engineering Research focuses on developing fundamental understanding of the complex sporting environment and the creation of new innovative technologies.
The Centre enjoys an international reputation and works with a wide range of government agencies, ruling bodies of sport, and commercial companies. Activities include applied research, R&D consultancy services, project management, public engagement and delivering our MSc Sports Engineering course.
The centre is one of only four University Innovation Partners to UK Sport, and provided technical support to a number of Olympic teams in the run-up to London 2012, including GB Boxing, GB Diving and British Cycling.
Sport facilities
Collegiate Hall
Collegiate Hall houses some of the finest sport science laboratories in the UK, featuring the latest equipment and technology for evaluating performance in sport and exercise. This includes
• environment chamber
• physiology laboratories
• biomechanics laboratory
• strength and conditioning laboratory
• physical activity laboratory
• computer rooms and video analysis technology
• isokinetic dynamometry
• psychology suite
English Institute of Sport Sheffield
The English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS) is our official sport campus, providing students with access to some of the finest sporting facilities in the country to support and enhance your learning experience. You have the opportunity to learn in an environment where leading names from the world of sport are also based, including a number of Team GB's Olympic medal winners such as Jess Ennis and the GB Boxing squads.
The practical elements of our sport courses are taught at the EISS and the facility is also home to our student athletes and sport teams across a range of sports.
General sports and fitness facilities
The university's Collegiate campus is also home to a wide range of sport and fitness facilities, including a strength and conditioning suite, regularly used by professional athletes.
Sheffield Hallam Active offers a comprehensive sport, health and fitness service to all students - including on campus gyms, sports halls, and an extensive weekly programme of fitness classes and sport sessions.
Sheffield as a city also offers fantastic sport facilities. Sheffield was the UK's first national city of sport and regularly hosts major sporting events at venues such as Ponds Forge, Don Valley Stadium and Sheffield Arena.
Team Sheffield Hallam
Team Sheffield Hallam is the home of competitive and performance sport at Sheffield Hallam University.
Team Sheffield Hallam offers you the chance to play in university sport leagues and tournaments, as well our annual Varsity competition.
And if you're a student competing at a high level in your sport, we'll give you all the support you need through our Performance Athlete Support Programme - including scholarships of up to £6,000 per year.
The programme is designed to support talented student athletes, allowing you to balance your university life and achieve your sporting potential.
If it's non-competitive sport, health and fitness you are interested in, Sheffield Hallam Active offers an extensive range of sport and fitness activities on campus at great prices.
City of Sport 2012 (1:36)
Sport
Watch a video about sport in Sheffield.
Ellie Faulkner
BSc (Honours) Sport Development with Coaching
'I chose to study at Sheffield Hallam as I found that they had the course I wanted to study and it was easier than moving away with my training facilities also being in Sheffield.
'I've really enjoyed my University experience up to now. I've got to know a lot of people who are also studying the same as me, I can also relate to them in a sporting sense.
'I would definitely recommend Sheffield as a base for elite athletes to study, it's really convenient for me as it is close to where I train, and it is also a really nice place with nice people.
'The city and university facilities are the best they can be allowing the sports courses to create their degree with the equipment and space they may need.
'Competing in the 2012 Olympics was amazing. I can't really put into words what it was like but knowing you work for four years for something which is two weeks long is an experience you just don't want to forget.'
Profiles
Ellie Faulkner
BSc (Honours) Sport Development with Coaching
