Coaching and Sport Science, BSc (Hons)

This degree combines study of the rapidly expanding field of sport and exercise science, along with the more vocational area of coaching. You will approach coaching using scientific, evidence based techniques. This will enable you to apply scientific sports principles to improve sports performance while developing vocational expertise.

This course offers a modular route to a full-honours degree combining Sport science with Coaching in a professional qualification. You will study the rapidly expanding field of Sport and Exercise Science along with the more vocational area of coaching.

The course aims to put the coaching on a scientific, evidence-based footing. This will enable you to apply scientific sport principles to coaching and improving sport performance. You will:

• Develop vocationally-related expertise.
• Prepare for a career in sports coaching.

Why choose this course?

You will have access to outstanding facilities, including:

• a British Olympic Association (BOA) approved Environmental Chamber
• a Biomechanics and Performance Analysis Suite.

You will have the unique opportunity to leave the University with numerous coaching qualifications and awards. This is because our Sport and Lifestyle Department offers sports coaching opportunities.

• We also have British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) accredited physiologists and sport psychologists in our Sport Science Academic Team.
• NTU has been designated as a National Performance Centre by England Hockey. This is thanks to our superb sporting facilities, coaching staff and services.

Questions? Just ask NTU
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200

What will I study?

You will develop knowledge and skills of performance and technique analysis through the following modules:

• Physiology
• Psychology
• Biomechanics
• Observational Analysis.

You will also pursue coaching and reflective practice in some depth. There will be a continuing emphasis on research methods in Year Two and Three and you can choose more advanced modules in Psychology, Physiology and Biomechanics to combine with the core coaching modules. You will also have the opportunity to take part in sporting activities and coaching, which will lead to nationally recognised coaching awards.

What will I study?

Year One

• Introduction to Sport and Exercise Physiology
• Foundations in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Principles of Biomechanics
• Principles of Training
• Exploring Coaching Practice
• Introduction to Research

Year Two

• Observational Analysis for Sport
• Training Principles to Practice
• Applying Coaching Theory to Practice
• Developing Professional Practice in Coaching

Choose two modules from:

• Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology
• Practical Applications in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Experimental Biomechanics.

Year Three
This is your optional placement year.

Final Year

• Current Topics in Sports Coaching
• Advanced Coaching Practice
• Sport Project and Dissertation

Choose one module from:

• Strength, Power and Endurance for Sport and Exercise
• Applied Biomechanics.

Choose one further module from:

• Sport and Exercise Nutrition
• Environmental Sports Physiology
• Advanced Topics in Sport and Exercise Psychology.

For further information, download the module descriptions document

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed using a variety of methods including the following.

Coursework 65%

• Assignments
• Dissertation
• Group projects
• Case studies

Practical 9%

• Oral presentations
• Practical competencies tests

Written 26%

• Exams

How will I learn?

You will have around 12 hours of scheduled contact time per week. This will take the form of:

• traditional lectures and seminars
• practical workshops
• external visits.

The remainder of your time will be self-guided independent study.

Practical classes will be taught in our purpose built laboratories in the Erasmus Darwin Building and the new Rosalind Franklin building, which is an ultra modern laboratory on Clifton campus. The majority of lectures and workshops are delivered on Clifton campus in locations such as the Ada Byron King Building and the John Clare Lecture Theatres.

The University has a wide range of sporting and health related facilities across all three campuses. You will have access to:

• sport coaching
• sports injury clinics
• fitness suites
• specialist facilities
• more than 40 sports clubs.

Our Sport, Exercise and Health Physiology Laboratories are fully equipped with specialist facilities. You will find high-quality, dynamic learning environment to cater for different types of exercise testing and physical activity.

Our British Olympic Association (BOA) Approved Environmental Chamber enables us to simulate climates anywhere in the world, from Everest to Egypt. Olympic athletes have used the chamber to acclimatise to extreme competition environments.

Our Biomechanics and Performance Analysis Suite includes isokinetic and isometric dynamometers for assessment of force produced by muscle groups of the body. You will also find a 3D camera motion analysis system.

You will have the opportunity to develop your cooking skills and deliver cook and eat sessions in our Culinary Skills Teaching Kitchen and the Lee Westwood Centre Nutrition Suite.

The School also features IT, Sport Psychology and Management Suites. These are used for analysing following:

• matches
• statistics
• nutrition
• coaching.

You will also have a host of sporting clubs and societies to get involved in.

Visit our Facilities page for more information.