This course is delivered by a highly motivated and well-qualified team of academics and practitioners who will support you in developing a critical understanding of key areas in sport coaching and sports development.
You will learn about the fitness aspects of coaching and personal training along with social and contemporary aspects of sport from a UK and global perspective. Additionally, there is an exploration of the issues surrounding physical education is schools today which is especially useful for prospective teachers or coaches working in a school setting.
Led by our team of experienced educators you’ll develop your practical and theoretical competencies in both field and academic settings. This will help you to critically understand and operate within the sport industry setting.
We have a wide range of placement partnerships in place, typically in the sports development, sports coaching, PE teaching and leisure club sectors. You’ll have the flexibility to make your own placement host arrangements, depending on your needs.
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Sport Development
Course content
Throughout the course you will be developing a self-selected piece or work where you will either pursue an area of research of interest to yourself or develop a product that you have identified as needed within the sport industry. For most students this is the highlight of their educational achievements.
You’ll need to undertake a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) screening before going on placement.
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.
Children In Sport And Physical Education
This module will develop your understanding of children's social development through sport and physical education. It will also critically analyse the national curriculum and evaluate the impact of physical education on young people. You will be expected to evaluate your own experiences and analyse the role that PE and school sport is perceived to have in contemporary society.
Module code: SPOR60972
Personal And Professional Development
This flexible module enables you to choose an award relevant topic and type of assignment which is best suited to your current areas of interest and career aspirations. You may choose to conduct a research project where you identify a topic for research, design and conduct an appropriate study, analyse and interpret data you have collected, and write and submit a report in line with the Sport and Exercise format for dissertations. Alternatively, you may conduct a piece of work based on an identified need in Sport and Exercise. This need may emerge as a consequence of voluntary work experience or links with local employers within the field of study related to the award being undertaken. Examples of work in this area might include the production of web resources, guidelines for best practice, evaluation of local government sport policy, audit of coaching practice in a local sports club etc. etc. Aligned with this dissertation/project you will also have to produce a project proposal (including ethical approval and risk assessment when appropriate), which will outline the main background, methods, and evaluation strategies. Finally, based upon your dissertation/project and final year study, work or volunteering experiences, you will undertake a viva to outline how the current module (and other modules and experiences in your final year) has supported your transferable skills and readiness for the world of work.
Module code: SPOR60975
Uk And Global Sport In Development
The module will critically examine sport as a tool for development in both the UK and Global environments. An in-depth knowledge will be gained of domestic sports development and the process and models that underpin the use of sport as a vehicle for promoting and facilitating a wide range of social and welfare needs. Sports development plans will be studied in the context of academic research, enabling an examination of the subject of sports development as well as acquiring key vocational skills. In recent years the use of sport as a social tool has extended to include international development objectives. Critical consideration will be given to the concept and function of global sport in development in selected countries. Research methodologies will be applied to analyse international comparative sports development. Domestic and global government motives for involvement in sport in development will be considered and the aims and effectiveness of contemporary sports development schemes will also be evaluated in the context of organisational structures and policy.
Module code: SPOR60974
Contemporary Issues In Sports Coaching
What issue do coaches face when trying to impact and influence performance and participation? This module will seek to explore the contemporary issues in greater depth, encouraging students to find solutions to the problems. The topics will vary according to topical issues apparent at the time of delivery. The nature of a contemporary issues module means that the current issues in the subject area are fluid and constantly changing, therefore, this module will aim to keep you abreast of these current issues and integrate them into the teaching schedule of the module.
Module code: SPOR60973
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
Applicants must have successfully completed the FdA Sport Development and Coaching or its equivalent within one of the University partner Colleges.
International entry requirements
For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.
Choose your country
Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.
Careers
The purpose of this Award is to produce graduates with critical and in-depth knowledge of current issues relating to sport coaching and development. The Award provides the necessary theoretical underpinning and practical competencies for individuals to work professionally in this developing area.
Students gain employment in a variety of professions from coaching, to teaching and employment in local authority leisure providers. A number of students have demonstrated their enterprise skills by developing their own coaching businesses. These skills were developed as part of their award. The award also seeks to develop a global perspective and recognition of the nature of the global economy.
On completing this award graduates commonly move on to
- PE Teaching Qualifications
- Sport Development Officer
- Facility Management
- Event Management
- Sports Coaching
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
Fees
For the course starting on 14 September 2026 the tuition fees are:
Tuition fees for BA (Hons)-Full-time, top-up
| 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 |
BA (Hons) |
Full-time, top-up |
14 September 2026 |
Apply now
|
Rules and regulations
If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.
Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.
Have you considered?
- Study options
- Full-time, distance learning
- Part-time, distance learning
Optional pathways in
Strength and Conditioning.
- Study options
- Full-time
- Foundation year