Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £16,655 per year
Employability
100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Course summary
- Align your learning to your career aspirations in the world of sport coaching
- Apply your practical skills and knowledge to real-life situations
- Learn from expert researchers and coaches across a variety of disciplines
- Strengthen your practice by studying coach education, employment and development
- Unlock your potential to coach in a range of sport and physical activity environments
Explore the principles of sport coaching practice and the scientific foundations that underpin them. You will delve into the complexities of working with diverse individuals and groups – encompassing a wide range of coaching experiences.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Student View
Watch student Sharne Hawksley talk about what it’s like to study on this course.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
This course provides ample opportunities for specialisation – from community and children’s coaching to elite performance. You will learn through teaching, working and doing – developing the skills and knowledge you need for a variety of careers while aligning your learning to your career aspirations.
You are taught by experts who are active in coaching, research and consultation with industry. You benefit from their expertise, connections, and networking opportunities with leading sports organisations.
You learn through:
- Lectures, seminars and workshops
- Practical activities in both simulated and in-situ environments
- Placements
- Work-based learning experiences
- A virtual learning environment (VLE)
- Independent study
Key themes
On this course, you will develop the skills to prepare you for a range of potential careers in sport coaching, whether in performance or participation-focused roles. You will learn the behaviours expected and needed for working in schools, sport governing bodies, and professional or commercial sport and physical activity settings
- Learn how to coach children, adolescents, adults – or all three. Gain the knowledge you need to coach a range of participants, evaluating their progress and adapting your coaching to achieve their goals.
- Apply your knowledge and understanding of coaching theories and concepts across different contexts and populations
- Demonstrate professional inter and intra-personal skills that enable your independent effective delivery
- Articulate a personal and professional philosophy to be an effective practitioner
- Interact with a range of audiences using appropriate forms of communication
- Engage and collaborate with the industry through alumni and professional networks, challenging and championing best practice
The course offers theoretical, philosophical, and practical foundations for sport coaching, covering topics like innovative coaching practice, coach-athlete relationships, physical literacy, and more.
Course support
The course is designed to help you demonstrate your learning outcomes – with authentic assessment activities relating to real-world scenarios, your specific goals and your skills development. Throughout your studies, various individuals will support your learning and target setting – guiding you towards resources for academic, professional and personal development.
These support roles include:
- Course and Module Leaders
- Your Academic Adviser
- Your Student Support Adviser
- Your Employability Adviser
- Central services like counselling, Library and IT
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Chris Platts
Course Leader in Sport CoachingI have recently completed a PhD in Sociology of Sport and Exercise, which examined the education and welfare provisions for young footballers undertaking a scholarsh … Read more
Applied learning
Work placements
There’s a mandatory short placement at the end of your second year. Over a minimum of 120 hours, you will be learning while you work and preparing to progress into employment after you graduate.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements between your second and final years. This gives you further valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Your course is designed to give you the knowledge, skills, confidence, and readiness to secure and succeed on your placements – supported by our careers and employability teams.
Practical Experience
You will develop your learning in applied first-hand, real-world situations, gaining valuable insight into working practice.
Guest lectures
You will hear from specialist industry experts who share context-specific examples of the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need for your career ahead.
For example, we host a unique lecture series entitled ‘That Coaching Life’, where professional coaches from a range of backgrounds are invited to share their experiences of working in industry.
Networking opportunities
By joining this course you become a member of the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity at Sheffield Hallam University. The Academy is a diverse department, which offers you the opportunity to build networks at careers fairs and workshops. The Academy has close links to a large range of organisations and facilities locally, nationally and internationally which will give you superb opportunities to gain connections as you prepare for your career.
Future careers
This course offers a broad range of future paths for you to explore, which you will be introduced to as part of your degree. For example, you will have the chance to collaborate with our enterprise team, both during and after your course, to experience what it is like to establish your own business. Similarly, option modules allow you to tailor your learning towards your career aspirations. Recent students have successfully developed various software and apps related to sports and coaching.
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Professional sports coaching
- Community sport provision
- Coach education and development
- Education
- Health and the physical activity sector
- National governing bodies
- Policy and sport strategy development
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- Professional sport clubs
- Governing bodies and federations of sport
- Schools sport provision
- PE teaching (primary, secondary and further education)
- Coach education environments
- Strength and conditioning
- Further study (masters and PGCE)
- The charity sector
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
You will have access to a range of facilities and equipment to develop your knowledge and skills in the delivery and analysis of coaching. Our sport-specific training facilities and research laboratories include:
- The UK Sports Institute
- The Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park
- A strength and conditioning teaching lab
- A range of physical activity spaces, both indoor and outdoor
- A performance analysis suite, video analysis and motion capture
- Sport psychology consultation rooms
- Access to data collection and analysis software
Learn more about your department
Find out about the Sports and Physical Activity subject area at Sheffield Hallam University.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112-120
From at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications one of which must be in Physical Education, Sport Studies or a Science subject (such as Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology). We do not accept General Studies. For example:
- BBC at A Level including relevant subject(s).
- DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject(s).
- Merit overall from a Health or Science T level qualification.
- A combination of qualifications including relevant subject(s) which may include AS levels or EPQ.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
- Approved Access to HE Diploma in a sport science or science-based course. Normally we require 15 of the level 3 credits to be graded at distinction level with 6 of these distinctions from science units.
You also need to demonstrate an ability to
- study academic subjects at degree level
- debate topics and issues
- draw on conclusions from written material
- study independently as well as a member of a group
- use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods
- successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations
This is normally achieved by completing academic study at level three or above in the last four years.
* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent
- equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom) and explore any issues you may have.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Foundations Of Coaching And Teaching | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Innovative Coaching Practice | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: The Nature And Purpose Of Physical Education And Sport Coaching | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: The Science Of Physical Education And Sport Coaching | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Applied Coaching Interventions | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Coaching And The Scientific Support Process | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Physical Literacy In Context | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Alternative Physical Activities | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Analysis Of Sport And Games | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Event Management For Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Exercise Prescription For The Prevention Of Disease | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sport As A Tool For Social Change | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sports Club Development | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sports Facility Management Simulation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Technology For Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Testing And Analysis In Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Contemporary Issues In Sport Coaching | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Independent Project In Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Approaches To Talent Development | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Coach Education And Development | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Economics And Finance Of Sport | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Entrepreneurship And Innovation For Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Exercise Prescription For Long Term Conditions | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Health Promotion | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Innovative Practical Pedagogy | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Major Sport Events | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Nutrition For Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Performance Analysis Of Sport | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Programming And Prescription Of Training In Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Psychology Of Sport And Exercise | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sport And The Media | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Sport, Brands And Culture | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Sport Data Analytics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sport Injury | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sport Journalism | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Teaching As A Profession | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/2025 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/2024 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £16,655 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Sport and physical activity courses (PDF, 432.5KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
