A Place to Study Sport Coaching
Develop the knowledge, skills, behaviour and values to become a highly employable expert coach
Experience an engaging and contemporary curriculum that: enriches your university experience with a wide range of extracurricular opportunities provides a key industry recognised qualification (Level 2 Coaching Multiskills) to boost employability offers placement experiences to enhance development and confidence teaches you within industry standard sport science laboratories and how to use the latest technology in sport coaching is delivered by experienced sport coaching practitioners
Course Overview
BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching at the University of Winchester produces practitioners who have mastered the art and science of coaching. Graduates are experts in sport coaching and apply a professional approach to developing individuals within their sport.
This degree inspires students through expert teaching, fantastic facilities that include industry standard sport science laboratories and a nationally recognised track and field stadium, influential guest speakers, and additional coaching courses and qualifications that build experience and knowledge with a focus on student progression and CV development.
BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching has a strong community feel, with small class sizes, in which students will develop positive relationships with their peers and staff will get to know each student as an individual.
Staff work collaboratively with students to help them fulfil their potential through a personalised education that provides the perfect platform to start a career in the sport coaching industry.
Upon graduation, students will have developed a range of transferable employability skills that underpin a range of graduate careers in sport and education. BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching boasts fantastic graduate employability rates.
A University of Winchester sport coaching graduate is an expert practitioner trained to develop individuals within sport. A sport coach graduate understands the importance of developing strong relationships through managing people as well as using the latest technology to promote skill acquisition and learning within the sport environment.
Teaching Team
Dr Steve Smith
Steve is an experienced coach across multiple sports, ages and levels. He has both competed and coached at international level events as well as coached within grassroots sport. His research focus is within the fields of ecological dynamics in skill acquisition and the psychological climates that exist within the sport practice environment.
He has recently gained research funding from an international sport federation and is collaborating with a regional sport governing body to enhance the wellbeing and performance of children within a developmental environment.
Steve’s strong philosophical stance on coaching can be seen in both his research publications and the performance outcomes in competitive sport.
Richard Cheetham MBE
Richard has gained recognition nationally and internationally within coach education and has been an invited speaker for British Cycling, Cycling Ireland, England Handball and the England Cricket Coaches Association and works with the UCI World Cycling Elite Coach Education Programme.
His research, publications and conference presentations have focussed on developing a more holistic approach to coaching as well as encouraging creativity and innovation in practice session design.
The important role of play in sport at all levels of performance and across all ages has been a specific area of research with his work contributing to a regional primary education physical literacy initiative, UK Coaching, Rugby Canada and the University of Winchester Play and Creativity festival.
Students will be taught by an experienced team of expert teachers, researchers and practitioners in sport coaching.
Additional Coaching
Courses and Qualifications to Enhance Student Employability
Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Multi-Skills Development in Sport
This course will qualify you to become an independent multi-skills development coach in sport and physical activity. This qualification is offered to students for free and is recognised by the sport coaching industry as a must have for employment. This course is embedded within semester 2 modules.
Examples of other courses and qualifications
First Aid for Sport
UK Sport Safeguarding and Protecting Children
UK Sport Fundamentals of Movement
LTA Teaching Tennis in Primary Schools
LTA Teaching Tennis in Secondary Schools
Enjoy a mix of expert guest speakers to enhance your learning and development
Modules in Year One
SP1526 - Sport Matters
Overview
This module engages students in contemporary discussions about what matters in sport, culture, and life. In so doing, it considers difficult concepts, fundamental questions, and challenges in sport today.
Assessment
50-item Multiple Choice Exam
SP1525 - Developing Graduate Employability
Skills: Raising Self-Awareness
Overview
In this module, students will consider various graduate careers, the skills needed to undertake such roles, as well as reflecting on the skills they currently possess and how they might ‘bridge’ any gaps.
Assessment
1,200 words Portfolio
SP1503 - Sport Coaching 1
Overview
This module considers the fundamental principles that underpin coaching practice, including leadership, and the need to develop a philosophy of coaching.
Assessment
2,000 words Written Assignment
SP1517 - Sport Coaching 2
Overview
This module considers the multitude of disciplines that inform quality coaching, as well as formal and informal learning sources, all of which inter-relate.
Assessment
2,000 words Written Assignment
SP1515 - Skill Acquisition
Overview
This module explores how sport skills, and motor skills more generally, are developed, with a particular focus on learning environments that impact the skill acquisition process.
Assessment
2,000 words Written Report
SP1512 – Introduction to Research in Sport
Overview
This module introduces the importance of research and explores the different philosophies that underpin scientific research in sport and exercise.
Assessment
2,000 words Portfolio
SP1510 – Sport Physiology for Coaches
Overview
This module will introduce students to the major scientific principles that underpin coaching practice and the importance of applying sport and exercise physiology in the coaching domain.
Assessment
2,000 words Portfolio
SP1511 – Coaching Practice 1
Overview
This module provides an introduction to understanding coaching through recognition of the learning process using open and closed skills.
Assessment
20-minute Practical Skills Assessment
SP1522 – Coaching Practice 2
Overview
This module reflects the dynamic nature of the sports coaching field. It is designed around an awareness that - especially in performance sport - to stand still is to regress, and as such it seeks to explore the edges of the coaching profession
Assessment
20-minute Practical Skills Assessment
Assessment Summary
33% Portfolio
33% Written Assignment
23% Practical Skills Assessment
11% Multiple Choice Exam
Modules in Year Two
SP2501 – Sport Research 1
Overview
This module will introduce the importance of qualitatively focused sport research and the philosophies that underpin such research.
Assessment
2,500 words Written Assignment
SP2509 – Coaching Special Populations
Overview
This module will examine sport, exercise and physical activity as well as game-related and competitive domains such as the Special Olympics and Paralympics
Assessment
2,500 words Portfolio
SP2510 – Sport Mechanics for Coaches
Overview
This module focuses on assessing the performance of individual athletes in coaching settings. It specifically looks to quantify the biomechanical aspects of performance and will develop within students the ability to undertake biomechanical measurements and present these in a way coaches and athletes can use effectively.
Assessment 15-minute Presentation
SP2511 – Coaching Practice 3
Overview
This module will facilitate students’ engagement with and reflection on coaching practice. Specifically, students will prepare for a coaching placement, and then deliver activities and reflect on their own experiences with a view to improving their coaching practice.
Assessment 30-minute Practical Skills Assessment
SP2521 – Sport Research 2
Overview
This module This module will examine the importance of quantitatively focused sport research and the philosophies that underpin such research.
Assessment
1.5 hours Set Exercises
SP2560 – Coaching Placement 1
Overview
This module will facilitate students’ engagement with and reflection on coaching practice. Specifically, students will undertake a coaching placement, during which they will deliver activities and reflect on their own experiences with a view to improve their coaching practice.
Assessment
2,500 words Portfolio
SP2512 – Sport Psychology for Coaches
Overview
This module will take an evidence-based approach to the use of psychology by sports coaches, with a particular focus on helping coaches to understand theories of motivation and how they might help their athletes to learn mental skills.
Assessment
1.5 hours Set Exercises
SP2530 – Performance Analysis in Sport
Overview
This module will teach students how to use industry standard software to undertake performance analysis in sport. Students will apply taught skills to develop, measure and disseminate key performance indicators to enhance team and individual sport performance.
Assessment
2,500 words Report
Assessment Summary
25% Written Assignment
25% Portfolio
25% Set Exercises
12.5% Practical Skills Assessment
12.5% Presentation
Modules in Year Three
SP3500 -
Overview
Dissertation
This module provides students with the opportunity to plan and execute an independent research project that critically investigates a specific area within sport / exercise.
Assessment
8,000 words Dissertation
SP3550
Overview
– Study Abroad
This module offers an intensive period of study in an international learning environment, where students plan, deliver and feedback on a programme of activities.
Assessment
20-minute Presentation
SP3511
– Rehabilitation Biomechanics
Overview
This module will aim to encourage students to draw on their understanding of the concepts learnt at levels four and five to critically evaluate literature and raise an awareness of the contemporary biomechanical and professional techniques used in the rehabilitation of injuries and disabilities.
Assessment
3,000 words Written Assignment
SP3560 –
Overview
Coaching Placement
2
This module aims to critically examine students’ experiences in new coaching environments. This seeks to widen their learning and skill development. Such experiences could include team or individual sports, age groups, clubs or schools, as well as male and female groups.
Assessment 15-minute Presentation & 1,500 words Written Assignment
SP3513
Overview
- Psychology of Injury
This module critically examines the challenges associated with short-term and career-ending injury in sport from a psychological, cultural, and social perspective.
Assessment 20-minutes Presentation
CY3813
Overview
– Outdoor Education
This module will instruct you to take part in outdoor challenges with specific reference to group journeying situations. You will be encouraged during the journey planning stages to make choices about the nature of the learning experience and the level of challenge involved, working with a co-operative approach.
Assessment
2,500 Literature Review
Assessment Summary
70% Written Assignment
30% Presentation
SP3519 – Advanced Sport Physiology for Coaches
Overview
This module will build upon understanding from previous sport and exercise physiology modules to critically evaluate literature and contemporary topics in research. Students will use their practical skills and understanding of physiological parameters to identify and conduct appropriate tests in sport coaching settings.
Assessment
3,000 words Report
SP3520 – Strength and Conditioning Coaching
Overview
This module takes an evidence-based and critical approach to strength and conditioning coaching, with a specialist focus on teaching students a practical and theoretical understanding of weightlifting skills.
Assessment
3,000 words Portfolio
SP3518 – Critical Issues in Sport Coaching
Overview
This module will take a multi-, inter- and crossdisciplinary approach to identifying and dealing with critical, contemporary issues in sport coaching. There will be a heavy emphasis on coaching philosophy, evidence-based practice, and professionalism.
Assessment
3,000 words Written Assignment
Exceptional Learning Environment
In the Department of Sport, Exercise and Health we have exceptional teaching spaces with industry standard sport science equipment.
Sport and Exercise Psychology Laboratory
Sport Biomechanics Laboratory
Sport Physiology Laboratory
Sport Facilities
Multi-Use Games Area
Strength & Conditioning Laboratory
Entry Requirements
104-120 UCAS Tariff Points
Offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of qualifications.
Some of the most common ways to achieve 104 UCAS Tariff Points include:
• 3 A- levels – Grades BCC
• 2 A-levels plus 2 AS – Grades BC + BB
• 2 A-levels plus 1 AS plus Extended Project –Grades BC + B + C
• 1 A-level plus BTEC Diploma – Grades B + MM
• BTEC Extended Diploma – Grades DMM
• Access to HE Diploma – Grades D18 + M21 + P6
• International Baccalaureate – 2 Higher Level Certificates – Grades H4
• T Level – Merit Grade
The QR code below takes you to the UCAS Tariff Calculator where you can assess your likely or actual points total.
In addition to the above, the following GCSEs are required:
• Mathematics and English Language – Grade 4 or C or higher
If English is not your first language, you will most likely need to achieve the following:
• IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components
If you will be over the age of 21 years at the beginning the course, you will be considered a mature student and your offer maybe different.
You can contact our Course Enquires and Applications team on +44 (0) 1962 827234
Alternatively, you can send them a message by following the QR code below:
www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
www.winchester.ac.uk/study/ask-a-question
Tegan Mitchell
BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching Student
“My lecturers have been great. With small class sizes I get to speak to them a lot, which is helpful for my learning and building confidence when I coach. I also know my classmates really well and made friends for life”.
Matt Pritchard
BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching Student
“You get a lot of support and guidance at Winchester. I feel like my coaching has improved so much. I’ve gained some great industry experience and built my CV with additional courses. I’m confident I’ll get a job in coaching when I graduate”.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this booklet, but the University can accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. For the most up-to-date information, please visit:
www.winchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/bsc-hons-sports-coaching © University of Winchester 2023
