Course description

Gain the skills and knowledge for action-packed careers which focus on both performance and participation in sport.

• Gain a major advantage by taking a foundation year as part of a four-year study programme to achieve your BSc (Hons) qualification
• BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Development with Foundation Year provides an opportunity for individuals who want a change of career or want to explore a new subject
• Enhance your employability with exciting and relevant voluntary work placement opportunities across the sector
• Gain additional sport coaching awards to add substance to your CV
• Be inspired by our enthusiastic and expert staff who boast a wealth of professional experience in sport coaching and personal development across a range of sports and activities, as well as guest lectures from expert coaches in the area
• Make the most of our exceptional sports facilities in our specialist sports centre

With its emphasis on practical learning, this course will ensure you graduate as a work-ready, forward-thinking and confident professional.

Sport Coaching and Development at Derby

Whether you'd like to coach athletes or promote the benefits of sport and coaching to the wider community, this practical course will help you to develop an understanding of the technical, physical and psychological elements that affect participation and development in sport.

You'll gain in-depth knowledge of the profession, ranging from promoting entry-level sport to coaching elite performers. We cover the principles and practices for training, the relationship of coaching and performance analysis, how to use sport as a catalyst for change within communities, as well as gaining an understanding of working with key populations and environments.

The course includes practical experience in real-world settings, from group coaching to individual performance development, ensuring you graduate as a confident and independent professional.

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Engaging opportunities

There are plenty of opportunities to apply your knowledge throughout your course. You’ll gain insights into a range of applied settings from group coaching to individual performance development. Opportunities are also available to get involved in projects aimed at increasing sport participation and physical activity within different communities.

Voluntary and paid coaching positions have been secured by students with sports clubs during their studies. Coaching in the USA has also been arranged as summer work by other students

Fostering personal and sporting potential

Our theory-into-practice philosophy will enhance your coaching knowledge, skills and behaviours. This will provide you with the underpinning principles and practical skills needed to plan, deliver, analyse and evaluate athlete performance. By engaging with such activities you will be prepared to enhance individual and sporting potential.

Themes such as individual training prescription, pedagogy (how people learn), performance analysis, and effect of sport on society and sports development in practice will be covered throughout the programme.

How you will learn

You'll learn through a combination of lectures, interactive tutorials, seminars, and workshops. There will be a significant amount of practical teaching and learning experiences throughout the course, enabling students to develop their practical skills and application of theory to practice. Students will be encouraged to work individually and as part of a group to gain skills relevant to the world of coaching and sport development employment.

Assessment

Assessments will include a combination of theoretical and practical assignments, such as individual written reports, individual and group presentations, and individual and group practical coaching assessments. This variety will enable learning and assess necessary skills required for future employment. Although there are some exams, a large proportion of the assessment includes of presentations and written assignment. This form of assessment will prepare you for the real word in which you will be required to write reports and present the findings in both a coaching and sports development career.