BTEC National Diploma in Sport (Development, Coaching & Fitness)

BTEC NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN SPORT (Development, Coaching & Fitness)

WHAT IS A BTEC NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN SPORT?
The BTEC Nationals in Sport provide an introduction to the sector for learners looking to build a career in sport, within one of its occupational areas. These areas include careers in exercise and fitness, coaching, sports development and the outdoors. BTEC qualifications in sport are vocational qualifications which fully engage learners. They provide a more practical, real-world approach to learning and skills development alongside a key theoretical background.

BTEC qualifications offer natural progression along a vocational path, from and to academic qualifications and university. This can add immediate value in the workplace or aid progression to BTEC HND/HNC, BTEC Foundation Degree or a university degree programme.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY THE BTEC NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN SPORT?
Year on year the sport sector outperforms the rest of the UK economy; this has been the case since the end of the economic recession of the late 1990s, and researchers predict will continue to be the case for years to come, long after the London Summer Olympics, and Paralympics, of 2012 have been and gone.

The annual contribution of the sport sector to the UK economy is over 8 billion. This sector has more than 36,000 employers creating work for more than 600,000 full-time and part-time employees, and 5 million plus volunteers. A significant proportion of the total volunteer workforce is volunteering in sport, with most of them involved in coaching or activity leadership.

In addition there are a wide range of reasons why you should study this course:

• It is equivalent to 3 A-Levels.
• It is studied full-time for 2 years and is accepted for University entry.
• There are no exams all assignment based
• Three week work experience is compulsory.
• You will have the opportunity to complete various Governing Body Coaching Awards
• You will complete the Community Sports Leader Award
• You will gain a First Aid Certificate

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS
Students should be dedicated and committed to sport, with a view to perhaps following a career path within the sports industry. Students are partly assessed on their practical ability so should therefore be actively involved in participating in sports outside of college. Any sports coaching or leadership awards would be beneficial. It is essential that BTEC students have good organisational skills, time management and enthusiasm in order to be successful on this course.

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT
The full course is made up of eighteen units, seven of which are compulsory and eleven optional. The compulsory core units are as follows:

• The Body in Action
• Health & Safety in Sport
• Training and Fitness for Sport
• Sports Coaching
• Sports Development
• Fitness Testing for Sport and Exercise
• Practical Team Sports*
• Practical Individual Sport

The specialist units include the following:

• Psychology for Sports Performance
• Practical Team Sports
• Practical Individual Sports
• Sport and Society
• Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
• Leadership in Sport
• Exercise, Health and Lifestyle
• Sports injuries
• Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise
• Performance
• Exercise for Specific Groups
• Sport as a Business
• Analysis of Sports Performance
• Sport and Exercise Massage
• Talent Identification and Development in Sport Working with Children in Sport
• Rules, Regulations and Officiating in Sport
• Sports Nutrition
• Work-based Experience in Sport

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
It is a non-exam based course and is assessed throughout the two years by coursework, assignments and practical assessments.

COURSE COMMITMENT
It is very time consuming course which is heavy on coursework. You must be prepared to commit a lot of time outside of lessons to do research and produce high quality work, have high attendance, be organised, highly motivated and have the ability to meet deadlines.

COURSE COSTS
We will provide you with textbooks during your time at college. Prior Pursglove College PE kit is available for sale to BTEC students at the start of every year. It is not compulsory to buy the kit, however, many of our students do. Students are asked to make small contributions towards the Governing Body Coaching Awards which they undertake throughout the year. Please note that the college heavily subsidises these costs for the students.

PROGRESSION ROUTES
On successful completion of a BTEC National qualification, you will be able to progress onto Higher Education for a broad range of sports related degree courses or consider opportunities in employment or training. Some possible career paths might be:

• Sports Development
• Sports Coaching/Management
• Teaching
• Armed Forces
• Physiotherapy /Sports Therapy (if studied alongside A Level Biology - see staff )
• Fitness & Training Industry