Course information
Gain real-world coaching experience throughout your degree. Build a diverse portfolio that showcases your expertise, experience, and personal coaching philosophy - giving you a competitive edge when you graduate.
We have strong industry connections and partnerships with local and national sports organisations, offering a wide range of coaching opportunities to enhance your practical experience.
With 10 on-site sports academies, you'll have plenty of chances to put your learning into practice. You’ll also have opportunities to gain hands-on experience with community sports clubs, schools, and physical activity organisations.
Our programme is designed to help you develop your own coaching style. Through a diverse range of modules, you’ll explore coaching theories, concepts, and practical applications, preparing you to work in both community and performance coaching settings.
Accreditation
As a CIMSPA-endorsed degree, our curriculum is underpinned by professional coaching standards, ensuring you graduate ready for a successful career in sports coaching.
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UCAS tariff points | Typical offer is 112 - 128 UCAS tariff points or equivalent including a Biological Science, Sports Studies or PE subject.
-
GCSE | A minimum of 5 GCSE A* to C, (or 9 to 4 where numeric grades are being awarded) or equivalent, to include English Language and Mathematics.
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A-level | Typical offer is BBC-ABB or equivalent. This must include a minimum of two A Levels including one in Biology, Sports Studies or PE subject at grade D or above.
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Vocational award | Typical offer is a DMM-DDM in an Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
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Access | Typical offer is 112-128 UCAS tariff points in an Access to Higher Education Diploma to include a minimum of a pass in Biology, Sports Studies or PE module at Level 3.
-
IB | Typical offer is 112-128 UCAS tariff points in an IB Diploma, to include a minimum of two Highers at H3 or above, including one in Biology, Sports Studies or PE subject.
This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Standard Level S3 if equivalent GCSEs have not been obtained. -
Scottish Highers |Typical offer is 112-128 UCAS tariff points in Scottish Highers. This must include a minimum of one Advanced Higher and one Higher, including one in a Biology, Sports Studies or PE subject.
-
Irish Leaving Certificate | Typical offer is 112-128 UCAS tariff points in the Irish Leaving Certificate. This must include a minimum of two Highers, including one in a Biology, Sports Studies or PE subject at H4 or above. This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Ordinary Level.
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OCR Cambridge Technical | Typical offer is a DMM-DDM in a Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
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T Level | An overall grade of Distinction, to include grade C or above in the Core Component in a Science subject. T Level subjects considered are Animal Care and Management (Science Pathway), Healthcare Science and Science. Health will be considered on an individual basis.
The minimum academic entry requirement for this programme is 80 UCAS tariff or equivalent providing this is combined with relevant experience.
We welcome students with equivalent qualifications. Please contact us to discuss.
We may interview mature applicants and those with non-traditional qualifications to ensure this is the right course for you.
Previous learning towards a university-level qualification or relevant work experience may count as credit for this course.
Please contact us for further information:
Your career
Our course is strongly linked with the local sporting community, providing you with a broad range of opportunities to develop their coaching skills, gain valuable experiences, and developing connections needed for your graduate career.
Work experience
Our performance sports teams offer opportunities for students to gain industry experience ready for their careers. You could get involved with performance analysis, and coaching, as well as management roles. There are also opportunities for you to work with some of our partner sports clubs, schools and organisations. Many students go on to graduate roles with these employers.
Graduate destinations
Our sports coaching graduates work in a range of sport, exercise, and health and wellbeing areas in the performance, school and community sports sectors. Studying sports coaching also develops the skills needed for other graduate careers. Recent graduate destinations have included:
- Football Coach, Paris Saint Germain
- Rugby coach, Play Rugby USA
- Rowing coach, Canterbury Christchurch College
- Head of Sport, private school
- Sport Development lead, Young Gloucestershire
- Performance Analyst, Gloucester Rugby
- Lecturer, Hartpury College
Your support network
You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.
Academic support
You’ll have your own personal tutor while you’re here who will support you to succeed in your studies. You’ll also have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online.
Alongside this, we have a comprehensive bank of online study skills resources to help you make the most of your qualification.
Your learning experiences
You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.
Your career
Each year of your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career. The course is taught in English.
Course information
Overview
Gain real-world coaching experience throughout your degree. Build a diverse portfolio that showcases your expertise, experience, and personal coaching philosophy - giving you a competitive edge when you graduate.
We have strong industry connections and partnerships with local and national sports organisations, offering a wide range of coaching opportunities to enhance your practical experience.
With 10 on-site sports academies, you'll have plenty of chances to put your learning into practice. You’ll also have opportunities to gain hands-on experience with community sports clubs, schools, and physical activity organisations.
Our programme is designed to help you develop your own coaching style. Through a diverse range of modules, you’ll explore coaching theories, concepts, and practical applications, preparing you to work in both community and performance coaching settings.
Accreditation
As a CIMSPA-endorsed degree, our curriculum is underpinned by professional coaching standards, ensuring you graduate ready for a successful career in sports coaching.
Entry requirements
-
UCAS tariff points | Typical offer is 112 - 128 UCAS tariff points or equivalent including a Biological Science, Sports Studies or PE subject.
-
GCSE | A minimum of 5 GCSE A* to C, (or 9 to 4 where numeric grades are being awarded) or equivalent, to include English Language and Mathematics.
-
A-level | Typical offer is BBC-ABB or equivalent. This must include a minimum of two A Levels including one in Biology, Sports Studies or PE subject at grade D or above.
-
Vocational award | Typical offer is a DMM-DDM in an Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
-
Access | Typical offer is 112-128 UCAS tariff points in an Access to Higher Education Diploma to include a minimum of a pass in Biology, Sports Studies or PE module at Level 3.
-
IB | Typical offer is 112-128 UCAS tariff points in an IB Diploma, to include a minimum of two Highers at H3 or above, including one in Biology, Sports Studies or PE subject.
This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Standard Level S3 if equivalent GCSEs have not been obtained. -
Scottish Highers |Typical offer is 112-128 UCAS tariff points in Scottish Highers. This must include a minimum of one Advanced Higher and one Higher, including one in a Biology, Sports Studies or PE subject.
-
Irish Leaving Certificate | Typical offer is 112-128 UCAS tariff points in the Irish Leaving Certificate. This must include a minimum of two Highers, including one in a Biology, Sports Studies or PE subject at H4 or above. This must also include Maths and English Language at a minimum of Ordinary Level.
-
OCR Cambridge Technical | Typical offer is a DMM-DDM in a Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
-
T Level | An overall grade of Distinction, to include grade C or above in the Core Component in a Science subject. T Level subjects considered are Animal Care and Management (Science Pathway), Healthcare Science and Science. Health will be considered on an individual basis.
The minimum academic entry requirement for this programme is 80 UCAS tariff or equivalent providing this is combined with relevant experience.
We welcome students with equivalent qualifications. Please contact us to discuss.
We may interview mature applicants and those with non-traditional qualifications to ensure this is the right course for you.
Previous learning towards a university-level qualification or relevant work experience may count as credit for this course.
Please contact us for further information:
Employability
Your career
Our course is strongly linked with the local sporting community, providing you with a broad range of opportunities to develop their coaching skills, gain valuable experiences, and developing connections needed for your graduate career.
Work experience
Our performance sports teams offer opportunities for students to gain industry experience ready for their careers. You could get involved with performance analysis, and coaching, as well as management roles. There are also opportunities for you to work with some of our partner sports clubs, schools and organisations. Many students go on to graduate roles with these employers.
Graduate destinations
Our sports coaching graduates work in a range of sport, exercise, and health and wellbeing areas in the performance, school and community sports sectors. Studying sports coaching also develops the skills needed for other graduate careers. Recent graduate destinations have included:
- Football Coach, Paris Saint Germain
- Rugby coach, Play Rugby USA
- Rowing coach, Canterbury Christchurch College
- Head of Sport, private school
- Sport Development lead, Young Gloucestershire
- Performance Analyst, Gloucester Rugby
- Lecturer, Hartpury College
How you'll study
Your support network
You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.
Academic support
You’ll have your own personal tutor while you’re here who will support you to succeed in your studies. You’ll also have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online.
Alongside this, we have a comprehensive bank of online study skills resources to help you make the most of your qualification.
Your learning experiences
You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.
Your career
Each year of your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career. The course is taught in English.
Modules
What you'll study
This course provides a comprehensive foundation in sports coaching, covering core topics such as coaching pedagogy, sport science, psychology, and professional development.
You’ll have the opportunity to specialise in either Community Coaching or Performance Coaching, selecting modules that align with your interests and career aspirations. These pathways allow you to tailor your learning experience, whether you're passionate about coaching in community settings or working with high-performance athletes.
Module credits
On successful completion of your modules you’ll gain academic credit that accumulates towards your award. The marks you gain in your second and third years may contribute towards your final degree classification.
Your first year will focus on introducing you to a broad range of topics, providing you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to begin developing your own coaching identity. Alongside your core coaching module, you’ll study physiology, psychology, and sociology topics, as well as developing your academic and professional skills.
Compulsory Modules
Coaching and Teaching Portfolio
Apply coaching theory to practice, evaluating your abilities.
Principles of Strength and Conditioning
Focuses on the basics of performance training, and its physiological effect on the body.
Introduction to Exercise Physiology
Begin to understand the biological systems used during exercise.
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
Understand athlete and exerciser behaviour through key theories in sport and exercise psychology.
Introduction to the Sport and Education Industries
An introduction to industry skill development via an industry facing module, which enables a student to learn through an authentic learning experience with real-world examples. Students will engage in real-world, practical experiences that mirror professional coaching and teaching environments, where they will develop the skills and knowledge to plan, deliver and evaluate high quality teaching and coaching.
Academic Skills for Sport and Exercise Scientists
This module will allow you to develop a range of key academic and professional skills which will be invaluable for success in your studies, and serve as ideal preparation for a future career in sport.
Research and Data Skills in Sport
During this module you will develop a wide range of fundamental research and data analysis skills, ensuring that you are well-prepared to apply these skills across a range of other modules later in your programme and for your future career in sport.
Alongside your core coaching and academic skills modules, in your second year, you’ll start to choose your own path with a choice of optional modules. You could focus on sports business management, sports science, health topics, inclusion, and youth development.
Compulsory Modules
Pedagogy in Action 1
This module provides students with opportunities to analyse how theoretical concepts can inform coaching and teaching by deconstructing examples from practice.
Developing the Professional Profile
This module provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience within a professional setting relevant to their field of study. Placement aims to enhance student employability skills, knowledge and understanding of industry whilst developing their professional identity.
The Sport and Exercise Scientist
Understand research methods and analysis in sport and exercise science required for future applied and research projects.
The Sport and Exercise Researcher
Understand research methods and analysis in sport and exercise science required for future applied and research projects.
Coach Mentoring
This module explores theories and models of coach mentoring to support the development of coaching competencies in sports coaching contexts.
Optional Modules - choose your pathway
Community Coaching Pathway
Community Sport
This module explores community sport's impact on health, inclusion, and economy, applying development principles, policies, and stakeholder engagement to design and evaluate inclusive programmes.
Coaching Children
Both academia and industry consistently emphasise the importance of providing aspiring coaches and teachers with opportunities to apply theory to practice whilst working with a group of children. The module content and assessments are meticulously aligned to ensure that students can translate classroom learning into real-world action. Through a variety of hands-on teaching experiences, students will effectively implement teaching and learning strategies, applying a broad and balanced curriculum to enhance their practical skills and theoretical understanding.
Performance Coaching Pathway
Applied Performance Analysis
Students actively collect, analyse and feedback performance analysis data.
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Learn and apply sport and exercise psychological concepts to improve athlete performance and wellbeing.
Your final year allows you to concentrate the topics that interest you most and will support you best in your future career. One module is dissertation, a substantial research project that enables you to experience being responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on a specialist topic. In addition, you’ll be exposed to contemporary challenges in the subject area, as well as gaining an insight into where current research and coaching practice is focusing.
Compulsory Modules
Applied Coaching Concepts
This module allows experienced Level 6 student coaches to continue to refine their practice and academic skills whilst considering future career aspirations and professional development needs by relating theory to their own distinct coaching practice.
Professional Development in Sport
This module will provide opportunities for students to explore and reflect upon professional development needs of the industry and critically reflect upon their own personal and professional needs to enhance their future employability.
Sport Research Project
Your opportunity to independently research a topic related to your programme of study and develop a range of graduate skills.
Optional Modules
Community Coaching Pathway
Sport for Development
The module looks at the role of coaching and sport as a catalyst for social change, focusing on its impact on athlete outcomes in alternative provision settings.
Contemporary Issues in Sport and Education
This module explores the intersection of contemporary sport policies, inclusive practices, and ethical considerations, while integrating evidence-based teaching and coaching approaches to support professional development and reflective practice in diverse contexts.
Performance Coaching Pathway
Performance Analysis in Practice
Students apply and evaluate the impact of performance analysis techniques within the coaching cycle.
High Performing Teams
Evaluate the leadership and management of sport science support within the performance environment.
Modules
Overview
What you'll study
This course provides a comprehensive foundation in sports coaching, covering core topics such as coaching pedagogy, sport science, psychology, and professional development.
You’ll have the opportunity to specialise in either Community Coaching or Performance Coaching, selecting modules that align with your interests and career aspirations. These pathways allow you to tailor your learning experience, whether you're passionate about coaching in community settings or working with high-performance athletes.
Module credits
On successful completion of your modules you’ll gain academic credit that accumulates towards your award. The marks you gain in your second and third years may contribute towards your final degree classification.
Level four (year one)
Your first year will focus on introducing you to a broad range of topics, providing you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to begin developing your own coaching identity. Alongside your core coaching module, you’ll study physiology, psychology, and sociology topics, as well as developing your academic and professional skills.
Compulsory Modules
Coaching and Teaching Portfolio
Apply coaching theory to practice, evaluating your abilities.
Principles of Strength and Conditioning
Focuses on the basics of performance training, and its physiological effect on the body.
Introduction to Exercise Physiology
Begin to understand the biological systems used during exercise.
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
Understand athlete and exerciser behaviour through key theories in sport and exercise psychology.
Introduction to the Sport and Education Industries
An introduction to industry skill development via an industry facing module, which enables a student to learn through an authentic learning experience with real-world examples. Students will engage in real-world, practical experiences that mirror professional coaching and teaching environments, where they will develop the skills and knowledge to plan, deliver and evaluate high quality teaching and coaching.
Academic Skills for Sport and Exercise Scientists
This module will allow you to develop a range of key academic and professional skills which will be invaluable for success in your studies, and serve as ideal preparation for a future career in sport.
Research and Data Skills in Sport
During this module you will develop a wide range of fundamental research and data analysis skills, ensuring that you are well-prepared to apply these skills across a range of other modules later in your programme and for your future career in sport.
Level five (year two)
Alongside your core coaching and academic skills modules, in your second year, you’ll start to choose your own path with a choice of optional modules. You could focus on sports business management, sports science, health topics, inclusion, and youth development.
Compulsory Modules
Pedagogy in Action 1
This module provides students with opportunities to analyse how theoretical concepts can inform coaching and teaching by deconstructing examples from practice.
Developing the Professional Profile
This module provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience within a professional setting relevant to their field of study. Placement aims to enhance student employability skills, knowledge and understanding of industry whilst developing their professional identity.
The Sport and Exercise Scientist
Understand research methods and analysis in sport and exercise science required for future applied and research projects.
The Sport and Exercise Researcher
Understand research methods and analysis in sport and exercise science required for future applied and research projects.
Coach Mentoring
This module explores theories and models of coach mentoring to support the development of coaching competencies in sports coaching contexts.
Optional Modules - choose your pathway
Community Coaching Pathway
Community Sport
This module explores community sport's impact on health, inclusion, and economy, applying development principles, policies, and stakeholder engagement to design and evaluate inclusive programmes.
Coaching Children
Both academia and industry consistently emphasise the importance of providing aspiring coaches and teachers with opportunities to apply theory to practice whilst working with a group of children. The module content and assessments are meticulously aligned to ensure that students can translate classroom learning into real-world action. Through a variety of hands-on teaching experiences, students will effectively implement teaching and learning strategies, applying a broad and balanced curriculum to enhance their practical skills and theoretical understanding.
Performance Coaching Pathway
Applied Performance Analysis
Students actively collect, analyse and feedback performance analysis data.
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Learn and apply sport and exercise psychological concepts to improve athlete performance and wellbeing.
Level Six (year three)
Your final year allows you to concentrate the topics that interest you most and will support you best in your future career. One module is dissertation, a substantial research project that enables you to experience being responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on a specialist topic. In addition, you’ll be exposed to contemporary challenges in the subject area, as well as gaining an insight into where current research and coaching practice is focusing.
Compulsory Modules
Applied Coaching Concepts
This module allows experienced Level 6 student coaches to continue to refine their practice and academic skills whilst considering future career aspirations and professional development needs by relating theory to their own distinct coaching practice.
Professional Development in Sport
This module will provide opportunities for students to explore and reflect upon professional development needs of the industry and critically reflect upon their own personal and professional needs to enhance their future employability.
Sport Research Project
Your opportunity to independently research a topic related to your programme of study and develop a range of graduate skills.
Optional Modules
Community Coaching Pathway
Sport for Development
The module looks at the role of coaching and sport as a catalyst for social change, focusing on its impact on athlete outcomes in alternative provision settings.
Contemporary Issues in Sport and Education
This module explores the intersection of contemporary sport policies, inclusive practices, and ethical considerations, while integrating evidence-based teaching and coaching approaches to support professional development and reflective practice in diverse contexts.
Performance Coaching Pathway
Performance Analysis in Practice
Students apply and evaluate the impact of performance analysis techniques within the coaching cycle.
High Performing Teams
Evaluate the leadership and management of sport science support within the performance environment.
The modules contain a mixture of scheduled learning – lectures, workshops and practical sessions – alongside independent learning. Students are expected to dedicate at least two to three hours of independent study per contact hour. Your course may also include work placement learning as part of some modules.
| Year | Contact learning | Independent learning | Placement learning |
| Level four (year one) | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| Level five (year two) | 23% | 74% | 3% |
| Level six (year three) | 18% | 82% | 0% |
You will be assessed through a mixture of written exams, practical exams and written assignments. Many of the modules will be marked based on a mixture of assessment types, whilst others will be based solely on one type of assessment. Feedback will be given on-line (electronic and oral), and in some cases face-to-face.
| Year | Written exam | Practical exam | Coursework |
| Level four (year one) | 13% | 34% | 53% |
| Level five (year two) | 0% | 38% | 62% |
| Level six (year three) | 0% | 47% | 53% |
Each year of this course is taught over two semesters, normally consisting of 12 weeks of scheduled teaching and then assessment weeks, with an overview below:
- Scheduled teaching takes place between 8:30 to 20:30 Monday to Friday
- Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities
- Part-time students may need to attend learning activities five days each week, depending on modules selected
- Timetables are available during enrolment week
Please visit our finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.
Below, you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course.
Clothing and footwear
Students have an option to purchase sports kits which can be bought as a bundle for approximately £150. Students are encouraged to engage in various trips and visits as part of the programme. A comprehensive package of non-repayable financial support is available to facilitate engagement with placements and study tours / trips where additional costs are involved.
Performance Sports Academy membership
Find out costs and details for joining one of our performance Sports Academy teams.
Hartpury gym
Find out about costs and details for joining the Hartpury gym.
Accommodation and living costs
Please visit our student accommodation page for details.
Our Resource Library is where you'll find all the essential details about Hartpury University's courses. It includes Programme and Module Specifications, along with Course Information Sheets for every course. You can easily download a complete revision history for each of these, clearly showing the dates changes were made.
Course Information Sheets: These are PDF versions of the course webpages. They provide an overview of the course, what to expect during your studies, and the topics covered.
Programme Specifications: These are detailed, validated documents containing academic specifics for each programme. They include descriptions of the programme, its aims, learning outcomes, year and module structure, as well as teaching, learning, and assessment strategies.
Module Specifications: Each Programme consists of several Modules. Our Module Specifications outline the topics covered and the expected outcomes for students studying each Module.
If you’re playing sport competitively, or you have the talent and drive to do so, you may want to join one of our Sports Academies. Over 200 international athletes have developed their talents with us over the past 10 years. You could be our next success story. We're a semi-professional sports environment offering world-class facilities and professional coaching and support services.
Settle into an accommodation option to suit your taste and budget – at Hartpury University, undergraduate students can choose to live on-campus surrounded by Gloucestershire’s beautiful countryside or off-campus in the heart of Gloucester City centre. Enjoy the best of both worlds.
We can help you understand how it all works, and what you need to do next. Find out everything you need to know about tuition fees, student loans and bursaries and scholarships. In 2021/22, we provided assistance to over 1/3 of our students through bursaries, scholarships and grants, totalling a little under £1million.
CIMSPA-endorsed
This degree programme is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity
TEF Gold
Our undergraduate provision has been awarded Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold in all aspects - Overall, Student Experience, and Student Outcomes.
Teaching quality
Ranked in the top 10 universities for teaching quality (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025).
Graduate employability
97% of our graduates are in employment, further study or other purposeful activity (Graduate Outcomes, 2024).
Academic support
We’re a top 10 university for academic support (NSS 2024, UK universities).
"Being immersed in a high performance environment at Hartpury, both academically and practically, you develop a mindset that allows you to push yourself to perform at a higher level. That ethos and culture has helped me to take the path that I'm on now."
Dan Holloway, Nike Football UK Head Coach
"Being immersed in a high performance environment at Hartpury, both academically and practically, you develop a mindset that allows you to push yourself to perform at a higher level. That ethos and culture has helped me to take the path that I'm on now."
Dan Holloway, Nike Football UK Head Coach
Important information
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are reviewed and developed regularly. Changes or cancellation of courses may be necessary to ensure alignment with emerging employment areas, to comply with accrediting body requirements, revisions to subject benchmark statements or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make necessary changes and will notify all offer-holders of changes as and when they occur.
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Our partners & accreditations
