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SPORTS COACHING AND DEVELOPMENT
Level 3
BTEC National Diploma / National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development
Course Level
Level 3
Duration
2 years full-time
Placement
Included in course
Entry
September
Fees
View Fees
100% coursework - no exams are included in this course
Access to a state-of-the-art pitch and more facilities at Avery Fields
The number of employed and self-employed people in sports and fitness in the UK has soared by more than 30% during the past decade. If you are excited by the prospect of forging a career in the sports industry, our Sports Coaching and Development college course will give you the background of knowledge and skills to hit the ground running.
Opening the door to a wide range of rewarding careers, our widely-recognised BTEC course will equip you with the essential skills required for direct entry into a broad range of roles, including performance analyst, fitness trainer, gym instructor and coach. After further higher level study, your future career options could also include becoming a sports therapist, nutritionist or PE teacher.
In addition to your main Level 3 sport course, there are opportunities for you to gain fantastic add-on qualifications in sports coaching, including gym instruction or emergency first aid. You will also experience a variety of sports, enrichment activities and visits to enhance your industry knowledge, as well as having the opportunity to become involved in assisting at a variety of competitions such as the Birmingham School Games.
Why choose this college course?
- WORK PLACEMENT – Give your CV a huge boost by gaining real-life industry experience on a work placement
- ENRICHMENT – Gain additional sporting qualifications and get involved supporting sporting competitions and events or working in local schools
- MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to continue your learning journey after college? This course will allow you to progress onto our range of sport and fitness-related degrees
There are lots of reasons why we think you should study with us, but here are our top 5. View video.
Our facilities
Students on our sports college courses at University College Birmingham have use of our on-campus sports facilities as well as state-of-the-art facilities at Avery Fields, a purpose-built 15-acre site which we share with leading Birmingham rugby club Bournville RFC.
Avery Fields features an all-weather pitch situated alongside two grass pitches and an impressive clubhouse
The clubhouse at Avery Fields includes a function room, modern changing facilities and a physiotherapy suite
Open to the public, our sports injury clinics at Summer Row give students the opportunity to develop their massage skills
You will have use of the FE gym at Summer Row, dedicated for use by our college students
You will also have access to the sports facilities at The Maltings, including the gym and sports hall
Course breakdown
Topics you will study:
Year 1
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching
- Careers in Sport and Active Leisure Industry
- Health, Wellbeing and Sport
- Developing Coaching Skills
BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development
- Careers in Sport and Active Leisure Industry
- Health, Wellbeing and Sport
- Developing Coaching Skills
- Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
- Sport Development
- Organising Events in Sport and Physical Activity
Year 2
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development
- Applied Coaching Skills
- Sport Development
- Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development
- Applied Coaching Skills
- Research Project in Sport
- Sports Psychology
- Nutrition for Physical Performance
- Anatomy and Physiology in Sport
- Sporting injuries
- Functional Sports Massage
- Practical Sports Application
Please note: Units/topics of study are subject to change
You will also have an individual study programme to help you build the skills and experience you need to progress onto higher education or gain employment.
Maths and English
To help you secure your dream career, you will also continue developing your maths and English skills alongside your full-time course. If you haven’t achieved GCSE grade 4/C in English and maths at age 16, you will continue to study these through resits or taking Functional Skills at an appropriate level.
How maths will support your career
- Mathematics is central to an understanding of nutrition and sports formulae
- Fractions are needed in calculating BMI
- When designing fitness programmes, a sound understanding of basic numbers is needed for working out appropriate repetitions and determining increments in weight training
- Measurements are also key in determining and monitoring client heights and weights
How English will support your career
- Good quality speaking and listening skills are needed when communicating with colleagues/sponsors
- Accurate spelling and a wide and specialist vocabulary are key in the presentation of sports services and products
- Customer service requires good English skills in speaking and written communication
- Accurate reading is a vital skill when following instructions
- Secure English is important when preparing a CV or business proposal, advertising/marketing your business or designing a training plan for a client
Entry requirements
Our sport lecturers are looking for students who are committed, enthusiastic and have a desire to succeed in the sports industry, so please contact Admissions if you do not have the specific requirements outlined below.
If you are unsure if your qualification is equivalent or if you wish to check if you meet the entry requirements for this course, please call 0121 214 2919, email feadmissions@ucb.ac.uk or use our live chat.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching
Academic requirements
4 GCSEs consisting of:
- 2 GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C)
- 2 GCSEs at grade 3 (grade D) including English (Language or Literature) or Maths
A minimum of grade 2 or equivalent must be achieved in English (Language or Literature) or Maths where a grade 3 or equivalent has not been achieved.
Supporting documents required
- School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
- If you are a school leaver (over 19), you will be required to provide a reference from a previous education provider or employer in support of your application.
Guaranteed progression option
Students who achieve Sports Coaching and Development and achieve GCSE English (Language or Literature) or Maths at grade 4 (studied alongside the programme) will be permitted to progress onto the Sports Coaching and Development Diploma.
BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development
Academic requirements
- 4 GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C) including English (Language or Literature) or Maths, or equivalent.
Supporting documents required
- School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
- If you are a school leaver (over 19), you will be required to provide a reference from a previous education provider or employer in support of your application.
Guaranteed progression option
Students who achieve 56 UCAS points or more from this qualification will be automatically guaranteed a place on one of our foundation degree courses in our Department of Sport and Nutrition. Students who wish to study other degree courses at University College Birmingham will need to contact feadmissions@ucb.ac.uk for further advice and guidance on suitability.
English and maths
If you do not have a grade 4/C or above in English and maths and you are under 19, you will be required to study these subjects alongside your vocational subject. After enrolment you will complete an assessment with our teaching team so we can ensure you receive appropriate English and maths support.
Applicants over 19 are not required to complete maths and English.
Guaranteed progression
Students who achieve 56 UCAS points or more from this qualification will automatically be guaranteed a place on a degree course at University College Birmingham. Some undergraduate courses require additional entry requirements, so applicants are advised to check entry requirements before applying.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
You will be required to prepare work independently and as part of a team. You will be assessed through coursework, assignments, projects, practical observations and presentations, some of which will involve industry-related visits and external assessment.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Additional qualifications and training
Our course offers opportunities to gain additional qualifications alongside your Level 3 studies, such as:
- Level 2 Gym Instructor
- Emergency First Aid
- Sports coaching
- Safeguarding
Uniform and kit costs
This course requires a uniform and kit costing approximately £50, depending on the items you purchase. (Prices are subject to change each year – exact costs and information on how to order required items will be provided to you prior to enrolment.)
Latest updates
Join the conversation and check out the latest updates from the department of Sport and Nutrition.
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Work placements
Work placements offer a wealth of benefits alongside your studies, helping you put your learning into practice, develop your skills and understanding of the workplace, boost your CV for your chosen career or enhance your UCAS application for higher education. Our Hired employability team can help find the ideal placement for you.
Our Sport Level 3 course requires you to undertake work placement throughout both years of study. Our industry links allow you to benefit from coaching sessions, qualifications and training sessions, as well as opportunities to assist at competitions at the Birmingham School Games, Inclusive Sports Festivals and working in local schools.
Work alongside experts in your sector
A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:
- Alexander Stadium (Birmingham)
- Birmingham Bouldering Centre (Birmingham)
- King's Norton Boys' School (Birmingham)
- Hampton in Arden Tennis Club (Solihull)
- Fairlawns Hotel and Spa (Walsall)
I liked this course because it was a fun and challenging opportunity to learn and appreciate the world of sport. It highlighted the whole sports spectrum and endorsed a suitable career choice, which for me was Sports Therapy. I subsequently moved on to complete a Sports Therapy degree at the University.
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Sports coach (senior, employed by NGBs/professional sports clubs)
Average Salary: £32,500
Fitness instructor
Average Salary: £22,000
Sports professional
Variable
Teaching assistant
Average Salary: £23,000
Amy’s Story
With aspirations to teach, Amy used her college course as a springboard to go to university, something she had never considered before.
Meet your tutors
