Physical Education and Sports Coaching

BA (Hons) (Top-up)

Apply for 2027

Study Physical Education and Sports Coaching at University Centre Leeds

Looking to get into a sports-related career as a coach, sports coordinator or physical education teaching assistant? 

If you’ve got a passion for sports coaching and teaching in the sports sector, our BA (Hons) Top-Up Degree will further refine your skills- to kickstart a career in the fast-paced sports industry. 

Take advantage of our industry-standard facilities, fantastic partnership experiences and meet like-minded individuals. This is your opportunity to deepen your understanding of sports coaching and PE at University Centre Leeds.

  • Starts:
  • Duration: Full-time: 1 year
  • Venue: Mabgate Campus
  • Fee: £9,790 full-time (per academic year for UK students)
     
    International Fee: £14,000 full-time (per academic year) £3,000 Scholarship available
  • UCAS Course Code(s): C619
  • UCAS Institution Code: L21
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Validated By: Luminate Education Group

Entry Requirements

Our typical offer for full-time study is a pass in the second year of a foundation degree or a pass in an HND, in a relevant subject. We consider each application individually on a case-by-case basis, taking into account your qualifications as well as any relevant experience.

Check your qualifications:

  • Foundation Degree: Pass on the second year of a relevant foundation degree.
  • Higher National Diploma (HND): Pass in a relevant subject.

Check your English language requirements:

  • IELTS: If you need to provide an IELTS result, you’ll need 6.0 overall and at least 5.5 in each component.

Applying with work experience, prior learning, or as a mature student?

  • If you’ll be 21 or over when the course starts, we welcome your application if you have substantial experience in a relevant field, even if you don’t meet the academic criteria.
  • You can also apply to have previous qualifications or learning gained through experience recognised through Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

Applying with international qualifications?

  • We assess international qualifications against the entry requirements above.

References, interviews and portfolios

  • You may need to provide a suitable reference. We may invite you to an interview to discuss your suitability or ask for a portfolio of evidence to support your application.

Part-time

  • Students for part time study are required to hold a full level 3 qualification or the equivalent experience in a relevant subject and will need to be working in the sector.

Physical Education and Sport Coaching

On the course, you’ll explore modules in sports business, digital education, philosophy and the opportunity to conduct and manage your own independent research project. You’ll understand what it means to be an effective coach, the importance of technology in coaching and education, and how to address complex business challenges in the sports and education sector.

To prepare you for a career in the sports industry, you’ll benefit from access to our excellent industry partnerships, the opportunity to develop real-world experience through practical placements as well as in-depth theory and applied learning on campus.

You’ll learn and collaborate with similar sports professionals, building your communication skills, creative problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking to make informed judgements and decisions.

This course is validated by Luminate Education Group 

Luminate logo

How to Apply

If you are applying for 2027 entry, you will need to apply through UCAS. 

Apply for 2027 

Applicants from Leeds City College, Leeds Sixth Form College, Harrogate College and Keighley College

Select your college for more information on how to apply and the exclusive benefits available to you.

Leeds City College    Leeds Sixth Form College    Harrogate College    Keighley College

Course Information

Year 3 (Level 6)

You'll build on your existing practical skills, explore more specialised topics and work more independently. Modules include:

  • Independent Research Project (40 credits) – This is your opportunity to undertake an independent research project within an area that interests you. With supervisor support, you will develop a research question, evaluate relevant literature and carry out an investigation. You will analyse, interpret, and communicate your findings and their practical significance.
  • Philosophy of Teaching and Sports Coaching (40 credits) - Gain hands-on industry experience as you blend theory with real-world application of the philosophy of coaching and teaching. You’ll develop experience in coaching diverse groups, explore your own moral and ethical values, as well as asking the question of what it means to be an effective coach and educator.
  • Digital Education Development (20 credits) - Wonder how technology can be used to teach and coach the next generation? Here you’ll learn how. Getting to grips with digital tools will enhance your teaching and coaching practice. In this module you’ll explore the potential use of technology in classroom and practical settings and evaluate the success of technology in sports education.
  • Sports Business and Entrepreneurship (20 credits)  - This module will explore the relationship between business and entrepreneurship and the sport or education sector. You’ll understand how to conduct market research specific to sport, analyse success in business, as well as learning how to create tailored business plans and funding bids, helping you develop essential business skills.

Developing students to become lifelong-learners is central to the learning and teaching strategy for the programme and as such, all the learning and teaching methods across the programme are designed to encourage all students to take an independent approach to learning.

You will develop a range of academic skills such as: presenting, referencing, academic research and writing,  In addition to other classroom or practical delivery based skills required by employers such as communication, planning, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and the use of ICT.

Skills such as time management, leadership, communication and team work will be developed throughout the course and are fundamental to roles such as: a teaching assistant, a community sports coach and after school club coaches.

During your time on the course, you will be assessed through both written and practical assessment. Our assessment methods are tailored to simulate workplace assessment giving you the first-hand experience and skills needed to transition into employment. 

Assessment methods include: 

  • Professional Discussion 
  • Written Research Project Report 
  • Presentations 
  • E-portfolio 
  • Business planning and investment pitch 

Our typical offer for full-time study is a pass in the second year of a foundation degree or a pass in an HND, in a relevant subject. We consider each application individually on a case-by-case basis, taking into account your qualifications as well as any relevant experience.

Check your qualifications:

  • Foundation Degree: Pass on the second year of a relevant foundation degree.
  • Higher National Diploma (HND): Pass in a relevant subject.

Check your English language requirements:

  • IELTS: If you need to provide an IELTS result, you’ll need 6.0 overall and at least 5.5 in each component.

Applying with work experience, prior learning, or as a mature student?

  • If you’ll be 21 or over when the course starts, we welcome your application if you have substantial experience in a relevant field, even if you don’t meet the academic criteria.
  • You can also apply to have previous qualifications or learning gained through experience recognised through Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

Applying with international qualifications?

  • We assess international qualifications against the entry requirements above.

References, interviews and portfolios

  • You may need to provide a suitable reference. We may invite you to an interview to discuss your suitability or ask for a portfolio of evidence to support your application.

Part-time

  • Students for part time study are required to hold a full level 3 qualification or the equivalent experience in a relevant subject and will need to be working in the sector.

You’ll be one of the first to study at our new Mabgate Campus, located close to public transport and the city centre.  

Our facilities are equipped with a specialist sports laboratory including a virtual reality suite, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, as well as a range of sports performance testing equipment. 

Full facilities include: 

  • Sports laboratory with a virtual reality suite 
  • Indoor and outdoor sports facilities 
  • Body monitoring equipment 
  • Virtual Reality equipment 
  • Sports performance testing equipment 
  • Integrated sports performance analysis software 
  • Integrated Virtual Learning software 

Progression from this course may include further study at master’s level, PGCE, or employment in Sports Coaching or Physical Education. 

You may choose to progress into sports coaching, at elite or community level, or focus your skills on physical education in educational settings. 

Successful completion of BA (Hons) Physical Education and Sports Coaching (Top-up) will also allow for progression onto the Post-14 Education and Training (PGCE) - Professional Graduate Certificate in Education programme here at University Centre Leeds.  

For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.

There are no additional costs associated with this course.

 

 

Information for International Students

Applications are now open for 2027!

To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please visit our 'How to apply' page and complete the steps.

You can also apply through UCAS.

For more information please visit our 'How to apply' page.

Course fees for Undergraduates are £14,000 (GBP)

For 2027 Entry: Scholarship available £3,000 (GBP) all courses.

For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.

Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student

International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.

  • 1 hour cultural studies
  • 2 hours academic study skills
  • 2 hours English studies

For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.

Go to International site

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