BA (Hons) Sport Development and Coaching with Foundation Year

Why study this subject?

Careers in sport development and coaching can be hugely rewarding. You could find yourself working on important sport policy and anti-social behaviour campaigns one minute, and the next promoting participation opportunities within a number of national organisations.

During this course you’ll practice delivering sport to the community through a number of projects, work-related learning and volunteering opportunities whilst learning about the history, development and structure of the sports industry in the UK.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

By studying this course with us, you’ll have the opportunity to look at athlete development and analysis when spending time in our state-of-the-art Human Performance Laboratory.

As well as the degree qualification, you’ll also have the opportunity to take UKCC coaching certifications and Sports Coach UK awards.

Here at BNU, we always encourage our students to get as much industry experience as possible. Our strong links with industry partners will enable you to seek volunteering and paid work opportunities. This, along with our practical approach to the course, will give you a deeper understanding of the professional environment and type of career that awaits you beyond graduation.

We also pride ourselves on the amazing opportunities we offer our students to start forming their own networks within industry. This means not only will you have access to first-hand accounts from those on the ‘front-line’ while you study, but you’ll also make priceless connections for when the time comes to jump into your first job.

We work with some incredible partners like the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey which is home to several governing bodies in sport, Leap (County Sports Partnership), Stoke Mandeville Hospital (the famous birthplace of the Paralympics), Reading Ladies Football Club and the National League basketball team, London United, to name just a few.

What facilities can I use?

You’ll have the opportunity to blend academic study with a professional sports environment. At our Human Performance, Exercise and Wellbeing Centre, the Human Performance Laboratory features an indoor three-lane running track which incorporates 3D motion-capture technology.

Our incredible facilities help to enhance athletes’ performance through improved technique and assists with injury prevention and rehabilitation. The Human Performance Laboratory is equipped for assessing a range of physiological, biomechanical and psychological parameters.

What will I study?

Through our BA (Hons) Sport Development and Coaching programme, you’ll begin to look at the social and cultural issues that surround sport, as well as those for marketing and funding for sports policies, events and initiatives.

You’ll explore both traditional and advanced technologies in your approach and become well versed in the various tools available in this field. You’ll also spend time studying sports nutrition and performance analysis, as well as the philosophies and various learning styles of coaching.

In your first year, you’ll study modules like Sport Psychology, Sport and Society and an Introduction to Coaching Theory and Practice. In your second and final years, your study will become more focused and you’ll have the opportunity to pick modules that you’re particularly interested in.

Perhaps you’ll choose Sports Operations Management or sport in the context of Diversity and Wellbeing. You could explore Performance Psychology, Strategies in Youth Sports or Funding for Sport.

The options available to you will help you develop your expertise in particular areas and from there you can go on to pick a topic you’re truly passionate about to work on for your final dissertation project - all with the support and guidance of your personal tutor.

How will I be taught and assessed?

This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

This is such an exciting course, having been developed with input from current industry professionals. We consider ourselves to be pioneers in sport-related studies, keeping our finger on the pulse of ongoing changes taking place in the national industry. In combination with our academic expertise, our dedicated teaching staff deliver this outstanding programme in a forward thinking and innovative way.

Through classroom learning you’ll be taught current theory, concepts and research delivered through a blend of lectures, interactive seminars and workshops as well as small group activities and debates.

You’re encouraged to form relationships with external partners on a local, regional, national and international scale. This will allow you to build your network in the longer term and assist with developing your vocational knowledge and understanding of the subject in the shorter term.

We encourage all our students to become independent in their learning as the course progresses. As well as your classroom learning, you’ll have the opportunity to complete coaching qualifications and participate in practical coaching activities.

As the course continues, the depth of learning becomes more complex as you start to form your own journey with your future career in mind. You’ll focus on applied research and community-based learning to put theory into practice.

In your final year, you’ll complete a research-based dissertation, providing you with further opportunity to develop your individual working practice. You’re challenged to plan, design and execute a significant piece of work to reflect your learning across the three-year course.

Placements Plus

BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.

We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.

Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.

Some of the modules in this course require work experience placements and will require you to reflect on your experience as part of your Continued Professional Development (CPD).

Our teaching team is constantly working hard to develop new partnerships and industry links meaning you’ll be able to take advantage of those relationships when looking for a placement.