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. 

We know that developing outstanding skills requires hands-on learning – at Hallam you get to learn through teaching, working and doing. You will have numerous opportunities to gain practical experience, working with sports clubs and organisations and honing your abilities at various levels.

You’re taught by experts who are active in research and consulting for elite athletes and organisations, from governing bodies to the Premier League. You will get to work with their expertise, connections, and unmatched networking opportunities with leading sports organisations, as well as engaging in research and consultancy projects.

You learn through:

• Lectures, seminars and workshop 
• A virtual learning environment (VLE) 
• Work-based learning
• Placements
• Field trips 
• Practical activities in both simulated and in-situ environments
• Independent study 
• Research opportunities

Key themes

The course covers theoretical, philosophical and practical aspects of sport development and coaching – across sports, physical activity and the wider professional realm. Not only will you enhance your understanding of coaching and physical activity – you will also study topics like sociology, event management, strategy and policy development.

You will delve into the significance of coaching in sport at all levels – through both classroom learning and practical applied learning. While understanding what it takes to become an effective coach, you will also know where we stand on the global stage, looking at the fusion of UK coaching and international standards. 

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

Christopher Cutforth

Senior Lecturer

Chris joined the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity in 2008. His specialist areas include sport policy, development and management and he leads the Academy's wor … Read more

Applied learning

Work placements 

You will 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 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. 

There’s also a mandatory short placement (minimum of 120 hours) at the end of your second year  – further reinforcing the critical role of work-based learning and preparing you for a successful transition into full-time employment after you graduate. 

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. 

Past students have taken the chance to visit Fiji, working alongside Fijian communities and Fijian youths as part of Think Pacific. 

Field trips 

On field trips you will be able to understand how your learning is applied first-hand to real-world situations, gaining valuable insight into working practice.

Past examples of field trips include visits to Thornbridge Outdoors, which gives students a great chance to get outdoors in the heart of the Peak District.

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. Previous speakers have included guests from:

• Women in Sport
• Yorkshire Sport Foundation
• British Gymnastics
• Youth Sport Trust
• LTA
• Yorkshire Cricket

Networking opportunities 

Your employability is enhanced by the involvement of employers and industry partners – from the real-world projects you complete to the opportunities to build networks at career fairs and workshops. Our ties to various sporting organisations and facilities – both locally and nationally – will give you superb opportunities to gain connections as you prepare for your career.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in: 

• School sport development 
• Charity work 
• Disability sport development 
• Sport event management 
• Community sport 
• Sport-specific coaching 

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for: 

• Governing bodies and federations of sport 
• Local authorities and charities 
• Sport England  
• School sport partnerships  
• Schools and further education colleges  
• Private sector sport, health and fitness organisations   
• Themselves, through self-employment  

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 | Keeping safe on Campus

Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

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Collegiate library

Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

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.

Important notice: The structure for this course is currently being reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment are all likely to change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Once the changes have been confirmed, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Fees and funding

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.

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.