Working with everyone from primary pupils to elite performers, you’ll gain practical coaching experience, harness the power of sport for community development and enhance your employability.
Whether you’d like to coach elite/amateur athletes or promote the benefits of sport and exercise to the wider community, this course will put you ahead of the game.
Gain the skills and knowledge for action-packed careers which focus on both performance and participation in sport
Learn how to use sport as a catalyst for change, working with individuals and communities to advance the health and wellbeing agenda
Enhance your employability with exciting voluntary work placement opportunities
Additional sport coaching awards opportunities to add substance to your CV
Make the most of our exceptional sports facilities in our specialist sports centre
Be inspired by our enthusiastic and expert staff who boast a wealth of professional experience in sport coaching and development
The content of this course, and its focus on increasing participation in sport, is aligned to the priorities of global initiatives, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, where 'Good Health and Well-being' is highlighted as a priority
With its emphasis on practical learning, this new course will ensure you graduate as a work-ready, forward-thinking and confident professional
A dynamic combination
We have a strong track record in preparing graduates for successful careers in both sport development and sport coaching. Now, in response to demands from employers, we have brought the coaching and development disciplines together into a single honours degree which will broaden your skills and career scope.
The BA (Hons) will build your expertise in sport coaching and development so that you can make a difference to individuals and society alike. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the technical, physical and psychological development of elite and amateur athletes as well as strategies to increase participation in sport and use it as a vehicle for community wellbeing.
This is a multi-disciplinary programme which covers themes such as pedagogy (how people learn), individual training prescription, performance analysis, effect of sport on society and sports development in practice.
Real world experience
Throughout your course, there will be plenty of opportunities to apply your knowledge. You’ll gain insights into a range of applied settings from group coaching to individual performance development. There will also be opportunities to get involved in projects aimed at increasing sport participation and physical activity within different communities.
Some of our students secure voluntary and paid coaching positions with sports clubs during their studies. Others have arranged summer work placements coaching in the USA.
The ideal learning environment
Our Derby campus is the perfect setting for a stimulating learning experience in sport. Our sports centre includes a main hall, fitness gym with strength and conditioning area, studios, squash and badminton courts, an internal climbing wall, sprint track and sports therapy treatment rooms. You will also have access to specialist equipment such as our 3D motion analysis equipment, sports performance analysis software, and physiological testing equipment.
Take a look at our sports facilities
Our purpose-built Sports Centre provides facilities for playing and studying sport, including a gym, sports hall, climbing wall and 3G pitches.
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 support your personal and academic development, and help you chart your future career direction.
You could take part in specialist 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 take part in university conferences.
Connections that count
Our teaching team has a wealth of professional experience in sports coaching and development together with extensive contacts across the industry. Alongside teaching, our lecturers work as applied practitioners with a range of sports professionals and organisations.
Such partnerships add an extra dimension to your studies, including inspirational guest lectures from professional coaches, elite athletes, sports development specialists and many more leaders in the field.
Human Sciences Research Centre
The Human Sciences Research Centre conducts theoretical and applied research into the prevention and treatment of diseases and into improvements to the quality of life for people of all ages.
This module will focus on the application of skill acquisition theories in the coaching practice. Students will develop an understanding of how principles such as feedback, attentional focus and the environment can inform session design and delivery; with the view to enhancing both athlete learning and performance.
Student’s practical skill development will centre upon their ability to enhance performance through the application of skill acquisition principles. Students will be taught via a variety of lectures and seminars as well practical coaching sessions. The module will also provide students with the opportunity to engage with PDP activities related to the role of the coach within the sporting industry.
Academic and Applied Skills for Sport and Exercise
This module is taught in two parts: Academic skills and research skills. The academic skills component provides students with grounding in the key skills needed to be successful at undergraduate study; including, literature searching, literature review, academic writing, referencing, and presentation skills. The research skills component gives students an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods, including descriptive statistics.
Students will learn how to collect and interpret data using a range of approaches including questionnaires, interviews and experimental methods. The emphasis on the module is to develop student’s confidence in engaging with academic literature including the associated terminology.
Personal Development Planning (PDP) will be embedded into the program with a series of “step-to-success” workshops which will support students in their professional development . Students will be required to engage with the PDP programme by collating hours in a Sport and Exercise based placement in addition to participation in associated activities in an area related to sport.
Most of the delivery will be based on seminar sessions wherein students will be given structured tasks which will be completed individually or in groups. Delivery and assessment will provide students with the opportunity to engage and explore their own area of interest with respect to the associated academic literature.
The role of psychology is an increasingly important and recognised aspect of participation and performance in sport and exercise contexts. This module examines various personality and social-psychological factors that impact upon participation and performance.
The module offers a range of sport and exercise psychology topics focusing on three main areas: 1) Individual participants in sport and exercise, 2) Strategies for performance enhancement, and 3) Groups, group processes, and intergroup relations. For each topic, theories and research evidence are applied to practical examples.
Knowledge of how the different parts of the body function during physical activity is necessary to understand how humans can take part in sport and exercise.
This module examines the basic physiology of the relevant body systems. What these systems consist of, how they function and how they respond to an acute bout of physical activity will be considered. In addition to building core knowledge of sport and exercise physiology, students will acquire a set of core skills in the laboratory. This module underpins the subsequent study of sport, exercise and health, and is therefore important preparation for modules at Levels 5 and 6.
This module introduces students to the process of sports development planning and investigates the links that this has with local and national government policies within the UK.
Students will consider the issues and approaches which are employed in order to develop new and existing sites for sport and recreation purposes. Sport’s evolution is closely associated with patterns of work and leisure, prevailing religious beliefs and class divisions. By understanding the development and formulation of sport policy and its articulation through sport development students will appreciate sport’s position in the 21st century as a driver for social change.
The aim of this module is to introduce and review principles of coaching and leadership. A large component of this module is devoted to work based learning, delivered in the form of practical sessions. Students will therefore be required to demonstrate knowledge and understandings related to underpinning principles and apply them to the coaching context.
This module builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in the level 4 Research and Academic Skills module. The module is designed to prepare students for their dissertation at level 6. Students will conduct a systematic literature review in a topic area related to their degree, in order to develop a coherent research question.
Particular emphasis will be given to developing a robust rationale for the research question proposed based on a critical review of existing literature. Furthermore, students will propose a research methodology based on the rationale developed.
The overall focus of the module is on the process of “doing research”, and this will reflect in the delivery methods used. As such, students will be encouraged to explore the suitability different methodologies with respect to the research question asked. There will be the opportunity within sessions for students to critically review literature, and peer review research proposals. In addition to developing a research rationale and design for a proposed research project, students will undertake a range of in-class assessed qualitative and quantitative data analysis tasks using SPSS, including inferential statistics.
The Steps-to-Success programme will be implemented in this module, in conjunction with the employability and careers office, The focus will be placed on graduate schemes, teacher training, networking, job applications and masters programmes. Students will be required to engage with the Professional Development Planning (PDP) for Sport and Exercise programme by collating hours in a Sport and Exercise based placement in addition to participation in associated activities in an area related to sport.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Develop a coherent research question based on a review of the associated academic literature
Provide a robust rationale for the research question proposed based on academic literature
Develop a suitable research methodology for the proposed research question
Analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data gathered from a range of research methods used in sport and exercise
Demonstrate evidence of Professional Development through engagement with PDP and Sport and Exercise placement
Module content
The module will focus on the following topic areas:
Research proposal writing
Literature (critical) review
Research question rational
Research methodology (quantitative and qualitative)
This module introduces technique analysis and the focuses on the scientific principles which underpin this process. The module will develop student’s understanding of the collection and evaluation of technique analysis data and explore dissemination methods that are representative of real world practice.
To enhance student understanding of the appropriate use of contemporary technologies in sports analysis the module will also focus on the use of field-based methods of time-motion analysis (TMA) and mobile applications.. The module will also examine measurement issues associated with these technologies and the applied nature of this module will provide an opportunity for students to enhance their practical skills.
The aim of this module is to develop knowledge of the process of entrepreneurship and the environment in which the process takes place when developing a small business. It will also enable the student to assess the skills required to make an informed decision when developing their own ventures. Or alternatively, to be more entrepreneurial within existing organisations or as a partner of another organisation. It will also enable them to reflect on the journey within the context of personal development.
This module will focus on the practical application of sport development interventions to improve and enhance community development around aspects such as increasing participation, improving social inclusion, disability participation and health. Students will gain an understanding of how sport can be used as vehicle to address wider issues within the community.
Attention will be paid to how current government agenda affects the delivery of sport at a local, community level and how this affects the design and implementation of a sport development intervention. Students will gain an understanding of how to write and submit a funding bid to gain financial resources for the delivery of a proposed project. As part of the PDP provision, students will also have the opportunity to engage in professional development through applied projects with local sporting organisations and clubs.
This module will focus on developing the student’s understanding of concepts and issues related to models of athlete development with particular attention paid to the notions of ‘long-term athlete development’ and ‘physical literacy’.
Students will gain insight into the social, psychological and physical development of young children and adolescents and how sport development interventions are tailored towards the individual participant in both a participation environment. In addition to the theory covered, students will gain experience in applying the related theory into practical sport development sessions throughout the semester that are designed to meet the needs of young children and adolescents to promote lifelong participation. Focus will be given to the delivery of physical education and sport in youth sport settings in a participation in environment.
The module is designed to give students an understanding of the concepts and practice of training and fitness. It will develop their awareness of training principles, the need for analysis of fitness requirements for specific sports, and the evaluation of sports performance. As part of the PDP provision, students will have the option to work with individual athletes in a “real-world” context.
This module provides a framework for the development of “lifelong learning” skills appropriate to all areas of professional practice; including objective setting, planning, negotiating, implementing, demonstrating and reflecting. The emphasis in this module is on the analysis and evaluation of the work completed within the organisation. This module also gives students an opportunity to relate their academic knowledge to the work environment.
Students need to be aware of the commercial realities and external factors that influence the success of an organisation. This module provides opportunities for students to acquire an understanding of contemporary issues that may impact on industrial and professional practices relevant to a career within their chosen discipline.
During this period of work experience, students can gain a deeper appreciation of the responsibilities arising from both corporate and individual responses to such issues, thus enabling them to relate to the wider world when exploring a personal direction for potential career development.
Contemporary Issues in Sport Management and Development
This module’s aim is to provide students with a critical understanding of contemporary issues, and address current and topical issues, associated with the sports management and sport development sectors, whilst establishing strong links between theory and practice. Its main purpose is to enable students to reflect and appraise the sports management and development industry, in relation to their principles and practices.
The independent studies module provides students with the opportunity to reflect and build upon their subject knowledge and expertise by conducting an in-depth investigation; requiring a systematic and significant application of both acquired research skills and understanding.
The investigation may adopt a variety of frameworks, typically dependent upon a combination of both the discipline and topic in question. The rationale being to avoid limiting the students to the traditional empirical research format; instead empowering them to select an investigatory design that is best suited to the conduct, completion and presentation of the study in focus e.g. an industry report or an individually focused / institutionally targeted case study etc.
Irrespective of the study framework, all work requires students to apply critical scrutiny and analysis to a diversity of appropriate theories, concepts and procedures. Such work will inevitably relate to a field of study deemed appropriate by a specialist in the area. The module offers the opportunity to develop an in-depth critical understanding alongside the refinement of both their subject and research skills.
Students will develop their understanding of kinesiology and its importance in the context of coaching practice and skilled movement. Students will be provided the opportunity to appreciate and evaluate the elemental and pervasive role that human movement plays in athletic function, development and performance enhancement.
The module aims to develop the student’s ability to consider human movement principles, exploring the essence and purpose of movement through both qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. Furthermore students will be exposed to a critical and experiential consideration of the techniques and practices coaches have at their disposal; in addition to the multi-disciplinary approaches and influences that can enhance and manipulate movement characteristics of athletes.
This module builds and implements knowledge and skills acquired in Coaching and Skill Acquisition, Principles and Practice of Training and Sport Performance Analysis.
The module is designed to give students an understanding of the concepts and practice in elite sports development. It will give students an awareness of what is increasingly becoming a significantly specialist branch of sports development.
It considers the way in which elite sports systems require a specifically focused developmental approach that often required the involvement and alignment of a number of key stakeholders in the development process. The module will investigate whether high performance sport is still a natural extension or culmination of the sports development curriculum, which specialist requirements this aspect of sport commonly has and what the role of the coach is within this development structure.
The module will introduce elite sports development as a concept and look at examples in the United Kingdom. The module will look at the social impact on the development of these development programs and analyse the efficacy of a number of programs International elite sports development will also be analyse and comparisons drawn to development programmes in the UK. The module will also look at the driving factors around the development of elite sports development programs and trends related to government intervention.
This module will provide students with an opportunity to develop themselves as practitioners progressing their coaching, teaching and communication skills. In particular students will focus upon their ability to apply pedagogical theory to the planning and delivery of practical coaching sessions with disabled performers; whilst also furthering their commitment to and engagement in the process of reflective practice.
Rather than coach their peers, students will work in groups to plan, deliver and evaluate a number of coaching sessions with participants who exhibit a range of learning, sensory and physical disabilities. The planning, delivery and content of the coaching sessions will be informed by a variety of physical, psychological and sociological theories, concepts and evidence. As part of the PDP provision, students will have the opportunity to engage in the practical delivery of coaching sessions to disability learners.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Open Days
Register your interest for a future Open Day and we'll be in touch as soon as we are able to welcome you on campus.
Delve deeper into the course with our Virtual Open Day, packed with subject and course information to help you make your choice, including tours of facilities, 360° views of award-winning accommodation plus advice and insight from students and academics.
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, interactive tutorials, seminars, and workshops. There will be a significant amount of practical teaching and learning experiences throughout the course, enabling students to develop their practical skills and application of theory to practice. Students will be encouraged to work individually and as part of a group to gain skills relevant to the world of coaching and sport development employment.
The teaching of our courses is informed by the STEPS system (Skilled, Technical, Expert, Professional, Standout) to ensure that our students graduate with a wide range of transferable skills such as:
Academic writing
Sourcing information
Data handling
Scientific analysis
Laboratory and applied skills
Independence
Organisation
Global citizenship
Adaptability
Assessment
Assessments will include a combination of theoretical and practical assignments, such as individual written reports, individual and group presentations, and individual and group practical coaching assessments. This variety will enable learning and assess necessary skills required for future employment. Although there are some exams, a large proportion of the assessment includes of presentations and written assignment. This form of assessment will prepare you for the world of work, where you will be required to write reports and present your findings in both a coaching and sports development career.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
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 - DDM
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.
September 2021 typical entry requirements
Requirement
What we're looking for
UCAS points
120
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 - DDM
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits, with 45 at Level 3
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.
Academic Achievement Scholarship
We’re offering eligible students a £1,000 scholarship to celebrate your hard work and success.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
Part-time students should apply directly to the University.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
If you don’t have a place at uni, have had a change of heart about your course, or maybe your gap year plans are on hold – don’t worry. Register with us today and fast forward to your future.
This course gives you an advantage in an exciting and developing job market. On graduating, you’ll be ideally placed to embark on careers in areas such as talent identification, sport coaching in the UK and abroad, sport development, sport management and health promotion. At a time when sport participation has become part of new initiatives such as GP exercise referral programmes, the career scope is broadening further still.
Our course even includes a module on small business planning – including advice on writing funding bids, marketing and strategic planning – if you’re interested in setting up a sport-related venture of your own.
If you would like to take your knowledge of sport to the next level, this degree also 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 or MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science.
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.
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, excellent 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
Two bound copies of 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.
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