Passionate about sport and keen to study a sport degree that can lead to a career in teaching? This exciting new course is for you.
- Develop both practical and academic skills relating to sport coaching, teaching and education
- Gain the knowledge you need to progress to teacher training opportunities such as a PGCE
- Build practical experience by working with sports clubs, schools and/or community groups
- Make the most the facilities within our exceptional sports centre
- Be inspired by our enthusiastic and expert staff who boast a wealth of professional experience in the sport and educational arenas
Our course combines both the art and science of sport and education. It is specially designed for students who have an interest in sport coaching as a form of education.
Broaden your perspectives
While traditional sport coaching degrees focus mainly on the physical training of athletes, this new course takes an interdisciplinary perspective and explores the broader relationships between the disciplines of sport and education.
Our approach is to look at the importance of the sport coach as an educator. You’ll gain an insight into the principles of learning and how they can be applied in both teaching and coaching practice within a range of different educational settings. We offer you a thorough grounding in contemporary theory, drawing on disciplines such as educational psychology and human development. This gives you an excellent head start if you want to progress to teacher training.
Real world experience
We have devised this course in consultation with key stakeholders from both the sports industry and the education sector so that it matches employers’ needs. You’ll engage with our extensive professional networks, including opportunities for work experience, coaching practice and industry-backed research.
Throughout your studies you’ll have the chance to put theory into practice. We have strong links with sports clubs, schools, colleges, community organisations and local authorities to help you deepen your understanding of the educational aspects of sport and the variety of career roles you could pursue. You’ll get involved in delivering sport sessions to groups of different ages and abilities.
Outstanding facilities
Our new £10.8m Sports Centre features bespoke equipment - we have invested in cutting-edge resources for our sports students, including a well-equipped sport and exercise physiology laboratory and a separate biomechanics laboratory containing the latest equipment for testing and measuring the parameters of health and fitness. In addition, we use a range of computer software packages for statistical and movement analysis.
During your studies, you can also take full advantage of all the facilities at the new Sports Centre, which boasts a main hall, fitness gym, studios, squash and badminton courts, an internal climbing wall, sprint track, changing rooms, treatment rooms and a café.
Build your portfolio of skills
Beyond the core content of your degree, we help you develop important transferable skills and intellectual abilities that will take you far. Our Steps to Success programme runs alongside the course to promote your personal and academic development and help you chart your future career direction.
You could take part in additional training to add further professional qualifications to your CV, including coaching badges and other awards given by the national governing bodies for specific sports.
To help you prepare for study at postgraduate level, you will also gain experience of academic research, conduct an independent investigation into a topic of your choice, and have the opportunity to present at a conference run by the University.
A team to motivate you
You’ll learn from highly qualified experts who boast a wealth of professional experience – tutors who themselves combine education and sport every day in their work.
We also call on our extensive contacts across the sector to add an extra dimension to your studies through inspirational guest lectures. You’ll hear from professional coaches, elite athletes, education specialists and many more leaders in the field.
You’ll study core modules in Sport and Education, to provide you with a fundamental understanding and the practical skills and experiences to work within a sport and education environment. You will develop research and professional skills throughout the programme, which will enable you to pursue postgraduate study and employment.
You'll study modules such as:
Stage one
- Academic and Applied Skills for Sport and Exercise * - Taught in two parts, providing the academic skills required for undergraduate study and the research skills needed to facilitate independent research
- Teaching Learning and Curriculum - Provides insights into how and why the current school curriculum provision in the statutory years has developed over the last three decades
- Psychology and Education Understanding Teaching and Learning - This module is concerned with the contribution psychology has made to the education sector
- Sports Coaching and Leadership - The aim of this module is to introduce and review principles of coaching and leadership
- Coaching and Skill Acquisition * - This module will focus on the application of skill acquisition theories in the coaching practice
- Principles of Sport and Exercise Physiology - Examines various personality and social-psychological factors that impact upon participation and performance
Stage two
- Research Methods for Sport and Exercise * - Study a variety of research techniques including quantitative and qualitative methods of enquiry
- The Learning Coach: The Learning Approach - Provides students with a sound understanding of sport coaching principles in the context of learning
- Individual Differences and Learning - Explores the psychology of individual differences and will consider two concerns in this area, namely intelligence and personality
- Principles and Practices of Training - Designed to give students an understanding of the concepts and practice of training and fitness
- Sports Performance Analysis * - Aims to develop awareness of the interdisciplinary nature of sports analysis including physiological, biomechanical and psychological perspectives
You'll also choose one from the following optional modules:
- Community Sport and Physical Activity Development - The module focuses on developing the student’s understanding of concepts and issues related to models of athlete development
- Small Business Planning in Sport * - Develops knowledge of the process of entrepreneurship and the environment in which the process takes place when developing a small business
Industrial Placement Year (optional)
This course offers an ‘Industrial Placement Year’ giving you the opportunity to enhance your practical skills by putting theory into practice, network in your industry and stand-out in the graduate job market. The placement year takes place in your third year, once completed, you would return to University to complete your final year of studies.
- Applied Professional Practice
- Contemporary Issues in Professional Practice
Stage three
- Independent Study for Sport and Exercise- Provides students with the opportunity to reflect and build upon their subject knowledge and expertise by conducting an in-depth investigation
- Understanding and Managing the Behaviour of Learners - Provides an opportunity for students to examine theoretical and professional perspectives on managing the behaviours of learners
- Contemporary Debates in Education and Lifelong Learning
- Adaptive Coaching Theory and Practice * - Provides students with an opportunity to develop themselves as practitioners progressing their coaching, teaching and communication skills
You'll also choose one from the following optional modules:
- Advanced Coaching Practice - Aims to develop the student’s ability to consider human movement principles, exploring the essence and purpose of movement
- Applied Sport Psychology - This module will provide students with a critical awareness of contemporary issues in sport psychology
* Module includes Personal Development Planning
This course is delivered using a variety of traditional and contemporary teaching and learning methods. These include lectures, tutorials, and practicals, as well as innovative approaches using information technology. A student-centred approach is adopted throughout and considerable emphasis is put on experiential learning, as well as the practical application of underpinning principles.
Assessment
A variety of assessment methods are used during the course, which include essays, written and practical exams, reports, portfolios, and presentations. In addition to final module assessments, students will receive feedback on their performance throughout the course enabling learning and progression.
September 2019 typical entry requirements
| UCAS points | 112 (up to 16 from AS-levels) |
| Specific requirements at A-level | No specific subject requirements |
| Specific requirements at GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade C/Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| IELTS | 6.0 (with 5.5 in each skills area) |
| Interview / Audition | N/A |
| Portfolio | N/A |
Alternative entry qualifications:
- BTEC - DMM
- Access to HE Diploma - 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Dist: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied. More information.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
You’ll discover a wide range of career opportunities when you graduate from this course – whether you decide to pursue your ambitions in sport coaching, in education or both.
You could also consider roles in broader areas such as physical activity co-ordination, sport and health development, fitness and recreation management, and health promotion – all areas where there is a strong demand for talented and forward-thinking new recruits.
If you want to take your knowledge of sport to the next level, this degree acts as a gateway to postgraduate education, with opportunities for you to progress to masters level courses such as our innovative MRes Sport and Exercise programme.
Alternatively, if you’d like to embark on a career in teaching, our course is the ideal preparation too. There are multiple progression routes for trainee teachers at the University of Derby, including our PGCE Primary, PGCE Secondary (School Direct) with Qualified Teacher Status or PGCE Post-14 (Education and Training) programmes, all of which are based at the Derby Campus. Entry to these courses is subject to you meeting initial teacher training entry requirements and DBS clearance.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Download programme specification
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, state-of-the-art facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Included in your fees
- To welcome you to our team, you’ll receive a University of Derby, Sport and Exercise Science t-shirt
- If a DBS check is needed for the purposes of a module or programme related work placement, this is included in your fee if done via the University
- We will contribute to or pay the full cost of additional qualifications which are arranged by us. For other additional qualifications you’re interested in, we may contribute to or fund these but this is at the Sport department’s discretion
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- If not already owned, appropriate clothing for practical sessions such as tracksuit bottoms and trainers - approximate cost is £50-£100
- Two bound copies of your Independent Study (dissertation) - approximate cost is £12
- Travel to placements - cost varies depending on your placement venue of choice
Optional costs not included in your fees
- You may wish to purchase optional textbooks or e-books to support your studies - costs for these are dependent on your choice
- To support your studies, you may want to invest in additional qualifications such as pitch-side first aid and safeguarding - costs will vary depending on your choice
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
