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
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 new £10.8m 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. It complements our existing facilities such as floodlit all-weather pitches and tennis courts. Students will also have access to specialist equipment such as our 3D motion analysis equipment, sports performance analysis software, and physiological testing equipment.
An impressive portfolio of skills
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 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 teaching staff work as applied practitioners with a range of sports professionals and organisations as consultants and advisors utilizing research informed practices ensuring they are at the forefront of their field.
They also have strong links with professional bodies at regional and national levels, such as the British Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences, the Institute for Sports, Parks and Leisure and key sports governing bodies like British Cycling and The Football Association.
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.
You’ll study modules such as:
Stage one
- Research and Academic Skills *
- Sports Coaching and Leadership
- Coaching and Skill Acquisition *
- Fundamentals of Human Performance
- Introduction to Sport Psychology
- Sport Development Past and Present
Stage two
- Research Methods *
- Principles and Practices of Training
- Sport Performance Analysis *
- Community Sport and Physical Activity Development
- Sport Development in Practice *
- Small Business Planning in Sport *
Stage three
- Independent Study
- Advanced Coaching Practice
- Advanced Coaching Theory and Practice *
- Elite Sports Development
- Contemporary Issues in Sport Psychology
* Module includes Personal Development Planning
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.
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 real word in which you will be required to write reports and present the findings in both a coaching and sports development career.
September 2018 typical entry requirements
| UCAS points | 96-112 (up to 16 from AS-levels) |
| Specific requirements at A-level | N/A |
| Specific requirements at GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade C/Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Interview / Audition | N/A |
| Portfolio | N/A |
If you have lived outside of the UK in the past five years (excluding holidays), you will need to provide a current satisfactory Certificate of Good Conduct from the country you were resident in. You will need to submit this at your course induction. Further information can be found on the gov.uk website.
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 2019 typical entry requirements
| UCAS points | 120 (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 |
| 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.
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.
This course gives you an advantage in an exciting and developing job market. Some of our former students have gone on to high-flying careers with organisations such as British Cycling and the Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy.
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.
Alternatively, if you’d like to embark on a career in teaching, you’ll discover 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. Entry to these courses is subject to you meeting initial teacher training entry requirements and DBS clearance.
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.
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.
