Sports Coaching BSc (Hons)



This course equips coaches with the latest technology and advances in understanding in sports coaching

Overview

Our Sports Coaching course will help you to become a modern professional coach with an understanding of how sports science principles apply to athletic performance and helps athletes reach their potential and indeed their goals.

There is a strong emphasis on the practical application of theoretical knowledge. You'll gain the independent study habits, academic and employability skills and deliver volunteer coaching opportunities that will develop your knowledge and skills as and apply them into applied, real life, coaching situations. There is the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of this course.

Science students working in the Biomechanics Lab at Sighthill campus.

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as part-time)

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

C6R4

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Course details

Throughout this course, you will be taught how to measure and assess athletic performance and ability.

The second and third year sees you building on an introduction to the principles of coaching and how to apply these principles in practice.

Your fourth year will see you gaining advanced skills to enhance coaching opportunities.

  • briefcase

    Work placement

    There is an opportunity to do work placements on this course. 

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

  • study abroad

    Study abroad

    Study abroad may be possible. Example institutions include:

    • German Sport University Cologne
    • Deakin University, Australia
    • San Diego State University
    • San Jose State University
    • Victoria University, Australia

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Anatomy & Physiology in Sport & Exercise Science
  • Application of Science to Sport & Exercise
  • Exercise Training
  • Foundations of Sport & Exercise Science
  • Sport Exercise & Wellbeing

  • Skill Acquisition

Year 2

  • Current Issues in Sporting Performance 

  • Introduction to Biomechanics
  • Sport & Health Nutrition
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
  • Principles of Coaching

Year 3

  • Assessment and Conditioning
  • Intermediate Sport Psychology
  • Scientific Communication: Dissertation and Statistics
  • Intermediate Biomechanics
  • Practical Coaching

Year 4

  • Scientific Research Project
  • Scientific Analysis of Human Movement
  • Analysis of Sports Performance
  • Performance Development and Expertise

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Depending on the nature of your placement, a satisfactory Disclosure Check may be required. 


Minimum year 1

SQA Higher

Standard Entry Requirement

BBBC including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or PE or Psychology at Grade C.

National 5 C in Maths (excluding Applications of Maths and Functional Skills Maths) (can accept Lifeskills).

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement

BCCC including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or PE or Psychology at Grade C.

National 5 C in Maths (excluding Applications of Maths and Functional Skills Maths) (can accept Lifeskills)

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies

A Level

BCC including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Psychology or PE.

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Grades H2, H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level including Biology or Chemistry or Physics or PE or Psychology.

Grade O4 at Ordinary Level in Maths. 

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

Minimum grades DM (Distinction, Merit) in a related subject.

A Level grade C

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 including a Science^ at minimum grade 5.

4 points in SL Maths (excluding Maths Studies).

 

T Level 

Grade M

T Level must be completed in a Science subject or A Level Science may be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

Minimum Year 2

SQA Advanced Higher

BBC to include Biology


A Level

BBB to include Biology


HNC

Pass HNC in Sports Coaching with Sports Development with A in the graded unit.


Minimum Year 3

HND

Pass in HND Sports Coaching with Sports Development with Grades AA at SCQF Level 8 in the graded units which must include passes in the following units: Psychology of Sports Coaching OR Psychology of Sports Performance OR Psychology of Sport and Exercise OR Psychology of Exercise AND Sports Mechanics OR Mechanics for the Health and Fitness Professional OR Human Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics in Sport (to include completion of UKCC Level 1 Cert).


English Language Requirements

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland £1,820 £tba
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £tba
Overseas and EU £17,580 tba
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Measuring stretch and speed of movement using computer technology in the Sport Injuries Rehabilitation lab.

Career opportunities include

  • Performance Analyst
  • Schools Activity Coordinators
  • Sports Coaching
  • Strength & Conditioning Instructors
  • Sports Development Officers
Staff and an athlete working with exercise bike in sports science lab