Overview

Give yourself a basis for coaching

The sports coach has a diverse role, working with elite athletes, guiding teams of young people, or working with community groups to assist the health of the local population.

Someone interested in this role will enjoy working with people of all ages, shapes and sizes to develop their physical and mental health, assisting them in reaching their physical peak – physical education and coaching is what you dream of.

We are one of the UK’s leading universities in sports education. Ranked as the top university in London for Sports Science according to The Complete University Guide (2020), you’ll be taught by expert professionals in top facilities.

Develop sporting and coaching skills

Our philosophy means the scientific approach lies at the heart of this sports course. You’ll learn how to support athletes to reach their peak and perform at the right time while reducing the risk of injury.

We believe in building a portfolio of practical skills, which means a large part of your studies will be spent practising in StoneX Stadium, home of Saracens Rugby Club. (Access will be dependent on social distancing requirements due to Covid-19.) By the end of the course you’ll take part in more than 150 hours of clinical practice, working with a range of athletes across a number of sports.

Upon completion of the course, you’ll be armed with a range of knowledge including coaching, physical education, sports psychology and more. You’ll learn how to assess fitness, well-being and nutrition, as well as the basic effects of pharmacological agents on performance and health.

Course content

What will you study on the BSc Sport and Exercise Science (Physical Education and Coaching)?

At the heart of this course lies the scientific approach to supporting athletes to perform at their peak, while reducing the risk of injury. Alongside this, you will learn how to plan and prepare physical education and coaching sessions in line with national minimum expected standards and strengthen your confidence in implementing a range of teaching, learning and coaching styles. You will explore coaching roles and responsibilities which are essential in successfully leading and supporting people to improve sports performance. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of physiological, psychological and biomechanical theories, and how they can be used to assist performance enhancement.

Careers

How can the BSc Sport and Exercise Science (Physical Education and Coaching) support your career?

While this is the ideal degree for those wanting to work as sports coaches or teachers, the full spectrum of sports science careers will be open to you, including health and fitness club management, fitness consultancy, weight management, health promotion, personal fitness training, corporate health advice, sports or physical activity development, medical sales, and the armed forces. There are career opportunities in teaching and research.

Previous graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of roles such as Graduate Teaching Assistant, Tutor, PE Teacher, Supply Teacher, School Games Organiser, Manager, Sports Coach and Fitness Instructor in organisations including:

• Teaching Personnel
• Middlesex University
• London Metropolitan University
• Twyford CofE School
• Nightingale Academy
• Lee Valley School
• Box Clubber
• Willesden Sports Centre.