Based at Burton College, you will utilise a range of sporting facilities and activities and will examine sport, teaching and coaching from both an academic and practical perspective.
On this course you will learn via units including – Teaching and Coaching PE (Curriculum Activities and Invasion Games), Skill Acquisition, Physiology, Biomechanics and Nutrition, Research Skills, Sport Psychology, and Youth Sport theory, practice and placement. You will plan and deliver a range of teaching and coaching sessions, examine curriculum, analyse performance and skill learning and develop the academic and employability skills needed in this varied and competitive field. You will be involved with college team sport and enrichment and will work with organisations such as Shrewsbury Football Club.
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdSc Sports Coaching and Physical Education
Course content
This two year programme runs as a Foundation Degree at level four and five and also offers the opportunity to progress directly into level 6 at degree level within the University. The main focus of the course is around the teaching and coaching of sport and related science and theories required to do so.
The course has been devised from well established and recognised units surrounding the coaching and teaching of a wide range of sports and activities. You will learn both the theoretical and practical sides of sports coaching, teaching and related sports science including psychology, skill learning, and physiology. The Foundation Degree is designed to be vocational, giving you real-life experience and involving you in the sports industry
Modules
The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.
Developing Research Skills In Sport And Exercise
You will develop your understanding of planning a research project and developing research questions. You will explore quantitative research methods and analysis, interpret and represent data as well as exploring qualitative research methods. You will then reflect on these approaches following participation in a research project, giving you the opportunity to apply your research knowledge and develop your research skills in a variety of sport employment settings.
Module code: SPOR40983
Fundamentals Of The Psychology In Sport And Exercise
In this module you will be introduced to a number of psychological concepts and theories that have applications in sports settings, selected theoretical approaches to understanding human behaviour within sport and exercise settings will be investigated further. You will examine basic processes underlying participation and performance in sport using a human cognitive model, and explore the application of psychology in elite and sub-elite environments.
Module code: SPOR40984
Academic And Employability Skills In Sport And Exercise
You will attend a series of lectures and interactive student-centred seminars, which will include the appreciation and development of CV writing, study skills, employability skills, self and career management guidance. In particular, you will review the skills and qualities you already possess, with reference to how they relate to those skills and attributes regarded as crucial for research and critical by employers.
Module code: SPOR40981
Coaching And Teaching In Sport
This module aims to provide you with an introduction to the coaching and teaching process and the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in coaching and teaching groups and individuals across a range of sports that are both individual in nature or related to invasion games. Principles of effective planning, organising, reflecting and conducting coaching sessions will be covered and introduced in lectures and further developed in practical sessions. In addition, you will be introduced to risk management issues that affect coaches and coaching sessions.
Module code: SPOR40982
Teaching And Coaching Pe National Curriculum Activities
The Teaching and Coaching PE National Curriculum Activities module will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of three sports that are commonplace in the National Curriculum for PE. Through engaging with practical and theoretical content, you will conduct movement analyses of various techniques within each sport/activity so as to demonstrate and provide an opportunity to resemble typical assessments required in PE teaching and coaching settings.
Module code: SPOR40985
Research And Graduate Employability
This module will require you to build upon your knowledge of research gained in the level 4 Developing Research Skills module. Within this module you will gain knowledge and understanding of research design, data collection methods, and data analysis skills. You will complete further data analysis skills in either quantitative or qualitative analysis as per the area of expertise their programme demands of them. You will be required to apply your research skills by planning, conducting and analysing data for a small research project of qualitative or quantitative design relevant to their programme. You will also start to think about areas of interest for your dissertation which you will undertake in your final year. This will include developing an understanding of how to construct a proposal and one to one meetings with relevant dissertation supervisors
Module code: SPOR50957
Advanced Sport And Exercise Psychology
This module provides an understanding of contemporary topics in sport and exercise psychology focusing broadly on issues arising from the study of individual differences, affective states (e.g., anxiety and mood) and social factors (e.g., leadership and group cohesion). You will be provided with theoretical and research knowledge on a range of contemporary sport and exercise psychology related issues. Practical examples will be provided throughout the module to incorporate theoretical learning within practice. Sport and exercise research methodologies will be explored and critically analysed. The importance of engaging in exercise or physical activity from a broader society perspective will also be outlined.
Module code: SPOR50954
Coaching, Analysis And Skill Acquisition
The module will initially provide detailed knowledge of the acquisition of sports skills theory and how this information can be used to inform football coaches and teachers practice. Utilising academic research to inform practical application, this will enable you to examine the rationale behind current teaching and coaching strategies and explore the theory behind learning sports skills, and ultimately applying these concepts to your football coaching. The module then further aims to develop your knowledge and abilities in coaching and teaching situations. Content will cover coaching and teaching models, styles, strategies and philosophies. Principles of effective teaching and coaching will be considered and in a range of specific contexts, for example, adapting activities to suit individual needs. Various methods of analysing football performance, including observation, GPS tracking, rotational analysis and performance analysis will be examined. Industry standard computer software, such as Dartfish, will be used to support performance analysis and inform the students coaching.
Module code: SPOR50955
Physical Education, Theory, Practice And Placement
The opportunity to work and gain valuable experience within industry is a key fundamental of this module. Reflecting upon your individual skill set will enable you to tailor your placement experience to your own development. This is an excellent opportunity to build knowledge, network, develop contacts and above all else gain experience in-line with your own career aspirations!
Module code: SPOR50956
Location
You will study at Burton and South Derbyshire College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.
Burton and South Derbyshire College is a great place to learn. There’s a real buzz here; inspiring teachers, engaged learners, fantastic state of the art facilities and career-boosting links with leading businesses.
Burton and South Derbyshire College website
Entry requirements
Experience and related qualifications in sport is preferred, but we welcome applications from a range of backgrounds with a range of experience, knowledge and qualifications. Applicants are individually assessed. However, typically an offer would also be based around the attainment of 80 UCAS points.
For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.
Choose your country
Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.
Careers
Upon successful completion of the Foundation degree you can choose to progress directly into level 6 at Staffordshire University to top-up to a full degree. Alternatively, the Foundation Degree will have prepared you for working within the sports industry as a whole and gives you the foundations from which to launch your coaching or teaching career in sport.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
We know that our students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor (or equivalent) at least twice a year to help support you in your studies. You will be taught in high-quality learning spaces throughout your course, and of course will have access to virtual learning environments to enhance your learning opportunities. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.
Assessment
Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module will give you a variety of opportunities to receive informal feedback from your tutor. These may include classroom discussions, discussions in the virtual learning environment, presentations, milestone assessments, and practice assessments. Informal feedback is developmental and any grades you may receive for these do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Feedback
You will normally receive feedback on formal coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats, including one-to-one discussions with your tutor. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.
Staff
Leanne Roe - Course Leader
Year 1
18% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
82% of time in independent study
0% of time in work based learning
Year 2
14% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
72% of time in independent study
15% of time in work based learning
Year 1
75% practical assessments
25% coursework
0% written exams
Year 2
17% practical assessments
83% coursework
0% written exams
Fees
For the course starting on 15 September 2025 the tuition fees are:
Tuition fees for FdSc-Full-time
| Study option |
UK / Channel Islands |
| Full-time |
£6,350 per year of study |
UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.
**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.
Apply
| Location |
Award |
Study option |
Start date |
Apply Link |
| Burton and South Derbyshire College |
FdSc |
Full-time |
15 September 2025 |
Apply now
|
Information from discover uni