BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching
Three years full-time
UCAS code • CX61
Location • Collegiate Campus
Subject area • Sport and active lifestyles
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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.
View a 360 degree of our physiology research laboratory.
View profiles of students on this course
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.
Sheffield Hallam has been involved in London 2012 in many different ways. Find out more about our partnership with LOCOG.
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.
At a glance
Make a career out of unlocking the potential in people through sport, on a course that emphasises the practical elements of the subject and utilises the latest industry technology. You learn from lecturers with industry experience and choose from placements in the UK and abroad. You can further enhance your skills and experience through our coaching volunteering programmes.
Key points
• Develop your ability to coach young people, adults, developing performers and performance athletes.
• Use the latest coaching technology and performance analysis systems.
• Gain industry experience and additional qualifications through a six-week placement and our volunteering and internship schemes.
• Study in our world-class facilities at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield.
What is sport coaching?
The sport coach's role is wide ranging. Coaches help to develop people, and sport is a valuable tool. The well-being of individuals, social issues in the community, and the pride of the nation can all be promoted through sport. Sport coaches, their skills, understanding and knowledge are pivotal to this process. From the promotion of participation in sport to the development of performance, well-educated and experienced sport coaches are key to the process.
This course
Develop your skills for a career as a professional coach and help unlock the potential in young people, adults and performance athletes. You study all aspects of coaching, giving you the confidence and ability to design, deliver and evaluate modern sport coaching activities. Employment prospects as a graduate sport coach are enhanced by the legacy of the Olympics 2012 and the changes in physical education and school sport provision.
You gain from the experience and skills of our lecturers, who are all experienced coaches and have coaching related research and consultancy profiles. A key feature of this course is our well developed local and national partnerships which can support your volunteering and work placement opportunities. You also gain insights from guest lecturers, which in the past have included GB senior and youth coaches in volleyball, hockey and basketball.
Practical elements of the course are delivered at our sport campus, the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield (EISS). The EISS is a world class sports facility and training base for Jessica Ennis and many of Team GB's other top athletes. You also benefit from a strong emphasis on using the latest technology in your coaching, such as performance analysis systems.
Throughout your degree you are encouraged to develop your coaching skills through our successful in-house volunteer programme Ready, Steady, Coach. You can gain further practical experience as a student sport activator, delivering social sport sessions in return for coaching qualifications. Some of the modules you study also have opportunities to achieve coaching awards.
Our annual physical education, sport development and sport coaching student conference is an example of how we provide you with the most current and relevant learning experience. This allows you to meet with current coaching professionals and further develop your knowledge and expertise in the area. It also enables you to examine a range of possible career routes.
In your second year, you take a work placement of six weeks. Many previous students have found placements in schools and other educational organisations. Others have taken opportunities to go further afield, such as to Tanzania delivering coach education, to South African townships coaching football and to the USA to work with the US Kayak team.
Your final year options include more specific and applied coaching modules where you can specialise according to your interests. You learn how to set up your own coaching company and also complete a coaching related research project. Previous project examples include
• talent identification for a football academy coach
• evaluating the success of a community coaching programme
• developing a coaching resource for disabled performers
• the effectiveness of verbal feedback for a club netball coach
Our Centre for Sport and Exercise's internship programme – delivers sports performance services to clients including Team GB, Sheffield Wednesday FC, professional basketball, golf and boxing. Opportunities are available for students to shadow and assist in this work with these and a range of clients.
Key areas of study
Areas of study include • how and what to coach • coaching specific populations • science applied to coaching • technology and coaching • coaching research • FUNdamentals • training and conditioning • Multiskills • the context of sport coaching in the UK • coaching enterprise.
Team GB's boxers delivered a record-breaking haul of five medals, including three golds, at London 2012. The squad prepared for the Olympics at our sport campus, the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. The team's coaches used iBoxer video analysis software, developed by our Centre for Sport Engineering Research, to gain an edge on their opponents.
Find out more about BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching
Related courses
- BSc (Honours) Physical Education and School Sport (Full-time)
- BSc (Honours) Sport Development with Coaching (Full-time)
- BSc (Honours) Sport and Exercise Science (Full-time)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Activity, Health and Exercise Science (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 • written reports • reflective writing • group presentations • practical assessment of sport coaching • presentations • project and resource design • online tests • creating multimedia coaching resources and websites
Students receiving feedback during a practical coaching workshop
Key Information Set 
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!’
Physiology research laboratory
Physiology research lab designed for use by our undergraduate students.
Dominic Hammond
BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching, final year
'I found Sheffield a very student friendly city, which I believe to be very important, especially when trying to settle in at the start of my first year.
'Sheffield Hallam has a very good reputation with high standards, specifically around my field of sport study. After visiting on an open day I thought the set-up of the university was better than all others I had looked at, as well as the quality of the facilities and teaching. Therefore I felt this university was a lot better suited to my personal needs and I found it very easy to settle in and start performing highly.
'From a young age sport has been at the forefront of my life and I knew I wanted to take this through into higher education. This course will give me all the skills I need to progress in the field and find a career in sport. Also there are many directions I can go in after I graduate, for example sport development, teaching or stay with coaching.
'Since I have been at Sheffield Hallam University I have taken part in several voluntary schemes and I have a Safeguarding and Protecting children qualification. I also completed a Tag Rugby coaching award from the Rugby Football Union through Coach Hallam.
'The best thing about my course is the very high standard of teaching in a very professional atmosphere. At the same time lecturers and students understand each other very well making it a very positive and comfortable place to be. My personal highlights include working in a practical, team environment as it includes a lot of communication and innovative thinking. As the course is very specific the group is quite small so we get to know each other and our lecturers better and therefore we can interact and perform better each week.
'I believe the teaching and facilities at Sheffield Hallam University to be some of the best in the country. Specifically the sports facilities are of a very high quality. All of the on campus facilities are constantly being updated with the latest technology to aid students' learning and this is essential when trying to achieve the best we can. Furthermore the University has lecturers from various fields in sport which means they, along with the facilities can encourage and guide students towards our goals.
'I would recommend Sheffield Hallam University. It is a high performing university with a very welcoming atmosphere.'
Meg Jacobs
BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching, third year
'I felt Sheffield Hallam was the place to be as it fitted the criteria for my main three priorities, which were sport, lifestyle and academic studies. I felt immediately on the open day that this is where I want to be
'I chose sport coaching because it can lead to so many opportunities within sport. Coaches play a key role in the success of any athlete and I have so much passion for this area. My dream is to achieve a first class honours degree.
'The practical lectures are by far the best things. You get to take part in sports that you have never experienced before, it's great. The teaching is excellent, the lecturers are so helpful and enthusiastic, they open so many opportunities for you.
'I would definitely recommend anyone to Sheffield. It’s a great student environment.'
Edward Rhodes
BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching
'I chose Sheffield Hallam because I loved the city. It had everything I would need and all within a walking distance. When I first visited it immediately felt like a place I could live.
'The information I was given on the course at the open day was really useful and it convinced me to go! The staff were really welcoming and I just thought I would fit in well there.
'I loved how we were allowed to constantly interact with each to discuss our own ideas and theories, rather than sitting in silence for hours in lectures. Learning about theories and ideas on coaching that other students had, and then trying to challenge these with my own ideas dramatically improved my coaching - just from having these types of conversations.
'I felt I got along really well with all the staff and they were always happy and willing to help whenever I needed it. They were always relaxed so it was easy to build a good relationship with them as well!
'I have always want to coach rugby for a living and so the whole course helped me improve as a coach, but it also helped me with the many additional skills that I may have to use when working, for example organising events or giving presentations.
'I have been working for Northampton Saints, coaching at summer camps over the last few years and then through my university degree I was able to do a six-week placement there working with the Community Department. I was planning on coming back and working for them during the summer whilst looking for a permanent job when I finished uni.
'In that time, however, Premier Rugby had asked every Community Department in the Aviva Premiership to nominate two people that they felt would be suitable for the role in Brazil and Northampton Saints only nominated me. Then I went for an interview and got the job!!
'When I go out to Brazil I will be working in a school trying to promote rugby and increase the popularity of the sport. I’ll also be running a social inclusion project, targeting teenagers from favelas to help get them off the streets and involved in rugby. I am also looking at trying to get involved with the Brazil 7’s side to help them improve, because this whole project is part of the first step for the country to get ready for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
'When I come back I am looking to either continue my career in sport development or get a coaching/director of rugby role at a school. I would also like to get involved with an Academy side as well.
'Before you go to uni, three years seems like a really long time but when you get there the time flies so quickly! My advice is to throw yourself at everything you can and enjoy every moment of it!'
James Scales
BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching, third year
'My goals in sport coaching are to be a leader, and more importantly, a creator. I hope to be an inspiration to the young, talented athletes that I currently coach, and inspire young people not only to become better performers, but better members of society.
'Through role modeling, the actions of good coaches can inspire young people to take coaching as a career path. Whilst progressing with my degree I am making noticeable steps to develop my tennis coaching qualifications and portfolio.
'In the future, I hope to work for the Lawn Tennis Association and eventually become a tour coach'.
Profiles
Dominic Hammond
BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching, final year
Meg Jacobs
BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching, third year
Edward Rhodes
BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching
James Scales
BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching, third year
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.
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'.
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.
