BA (Hons) Sport Development and Coaching with Foundation Year - Full-time

Sport development and coaching is one of the largest sectors of the sport and leisure industry. Sports development and coaching careers involve making sure that people have the chance to take part in sport and ensure that all sections of the community are aware of available activities and where they can go to get involved.

This degree will give you the skills, knowledge and ability to run your own coaching sessions, programmes and sports events. You’ll have the opportunity to develop a range of key employability skills, such as making decisions under pressure, written and oral communication skills, the ability to work with individuals and groups, self-motivation and the ability to motivate others, leadership, teamwork and planning.

Graduates find employment in local authority sport development units, schools, FE colleges, universities, hotels, fitness centres, county sport partnerships, and private sector organisations. You may choose to work with athletes on an individual basis or analyse team performance. Some of the more typical roles include teacher, sports development officer, sports coach, sports activity coordinator, sport events manager and fitness centre manager. Some graduates also go into self-employment by establishing their own coaching business.

If you are interested in teaching, this course allows you to move into primary or secondary education-based courses. Many students also undertake a PGCE and master’s qualification in sport management disciplines, developing specialist skills and experience.

Alternative Career Options
Sports centre management
Active leisure amenities management
Teaching and education
Youth work
Research and analysis
Community engagement
Public health promotion
Public relations/consultancy
Sports promotion and sponsorship
Parks and recreation

Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3.

You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) in any subjects.

You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.

This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable adults and all students must gain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure certificate for a Child Workforce including Child Barred List checks, before starting their studies.

The University of Bolton is seeking endorsement of this course from the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).

Key Features:
Our on-campus facilities are based in the £31 million Bolton One building, including a multi-use gym, climbing wall, swimming pool, fully-equipped sports science laboratories, strength and conditioning suite, rehabilitation suite, and specialist classrooms.
We prefer to keep lecture and practical classes relatively small so that you have plenty of opportunities to ask our friendly, supportive staff for help, as well as benefit from the ideas and support offered by your classmates.
Your final-year work placement gives you the opportunity to put what you have learned into practice, providing valuable hands-on experience. Recently our students have enjoyed placements with Bolton Council, Bolton Arena, GreaterSport (Greater Manchester County Sport Partnership), Bolton Lads and Girls Club, and Bolton Wanderers' FC Community Trust.
You’ll have the chance to gain further applied experience within the university’s vibrant sports culture, volunteering programme and links with community sports programmes.
We’ll support you to develop valuable transferable skills such as communication, independent and group working, research and critical evaluation, and project management that are highly sought after by employers.
The course has a strong vocational underpinning and is designed to ensure you have extensive opportunities to engage in work-based learning, managing live projects and gain real-life experience of the industry, thus developing and enhancing your employability skills.