PE and Sports Coaching BSc (Hons)

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Primary school coaching session

Available with:

  • Foundation Year

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Course Summary

This course is designed to suit you if you want to work with children, young people, or adults in teaching or coaching. 

We provide a dynamic mix of theory and practical sessions, enabling you to refine and develop your skills and knowledge in this sector. Our staff are experts in their field and will provide contemporary learning experiences to suit your desired outcome, whether coaching in sports or teaching in schools.

This degree has a strong practical emphasis, where you will have multiple opportunities to develop and refine your coaching and teaching skills through engaging directly with children and young people. Through this course, you will focus your learning and development to refine your skills in either teaching or coaching.

You will also develop your knowledge and application of contemporary issues, such as sports pedagogy, policy, and the application of sports science. You will build your knowledge in concepts such as:

  • fundamental movement skills
  • principles and practice in sports coaching and teaching
  • issues in physical education
  • physical activity
  • health, and much more.

Students must undertake a DBS check arranged by the University on enrolment to the course.  

Why You'll Love It

Learning Environment

We will provide you with a nurturing, supportive learning environment where research-informed staff will ensure you achieve. Staff are experienced practitioners engaged in external roles which supplement their subject knowledge. The course will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills consistent with the principles of great coaching unveiled by UK Coaching.

Student playing volleyball

Excellent subject knowledge through practical experience

Potential teachers will expand their knowledge of practical issues within schools and the PE curriculum. Multiple opportunities for future PE specialists will develop your skills in both practical and classroom settings. Potential coaches will develop your understanding of sports coaching by applying key research and academic knowledge to the delivery of coaching sessions. Opportunities to access professional coaching qualifications to enhance employability will be offered.

A female coaching primary school children in PE class.

Vocational Placement Experience

Placements are fundamental to this course. We have excellent connections with local schools, colleges, professional clubs, community settings and School Sport Partnerships. Together with regular coaching opportunities these experiences will provide you with invaluable practical experience to equip you with excellent employability prospects for a successful career working in this sector with young people.

Group of female sport players
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Sports and Exercise Sciences at Chester

What You'll Study

The Physical and Natural Sciences Foundation Year route is an ideal place to begin your journey in academic sciences.

The Foundation Year is designed to give you a strong knowledge and skills base aligned with your chosen four-year degree. Following a solid grounding in scientific principles or behavioural sciences in your first block of teaching, you will study bespoke modules aligned with your discipline. This could involve studying the human body in health and disease and how to encourage healthy and sustainable behaviours, or the biology of terrestrial and marine animals and the impacts of their interactions with humans, or you might focus on the physical sciences and how they can help change the world for the better. Whatever you aspire to, we can offer you a supportive and incremental introduction to your science degree.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

The BSc PE and Sports Coaching course contains core modules at each level of study. The course has a practical nature, where students are given many opportunities to refine, develop, and evaluate their teaching and coaching skills.

At Level 4, students are introduced to fundamental principles that underpin both effective PE teaching and sports coaching. This includes understanding the teaching and coaching process, and how teachers and coaches involve sports science and apply sports science in the content and delivery of sessions.

MODULES

  • Introduction to PE & Sports Coaching (40 Credits) -  This module will introduce you to the theory underpinning effective practice within teaching and sports coaching and develop your skills in the planning, delivery and evaluation of lessons/sessions.
  • Sports Science for Teachers and Coaches (40 Credits) -  This module will provide students with knowledge and understanding of introductory content from relevant sports science sub-disciplines.
  • Principles of PE (20 credits) – This module focusses on the fundamental principles and issues surrounding the teaching of PE in an educational context. It provides you the opportunity to explore, understand and apply the knowledge, skills and concepts underpinning a successful career in this sector.
  • Principles of Sports Coaching (20 credits) - This module is to introduce you to the principles that underpin sports coaching including models and frameworks developed for understanding coaching as a process. You will examine coaching philosophy and the role of the coach, as well as differentiate between participation and performance coaching.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Level 5 builds upon this foundation with more detailed learning that encourages students to develop their skills in a practical setting, catering to different populations. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the application of knowledge in a research context.

MODULES

  • Practical PE & Sports Coaching (40 credits) - This module supports you to develop your fundamental knowledge of the components of teaching and coaching, applying this to different populations e.g. more able, elite, novice performers, people with disabilities.
  • Researching PE and Sports Coaching (40 credits) – This module supports you to develop an awareness of research methods within the areas of PE and sports coaching. You will develop knowledge and practical understanding of research methods which will help you to interpret and critique research findings.
  • Experiential Learning PE & Sports Coaching (40 credits) - This module will provide students with an opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning relative to their selected area of career interest. Focussing upon the needs of the sports coaching, or PE industry, students will develop their understanding of the workplace and the skills required to function effectively within it.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

At Level 6, students will refine and extend their skills, integrating knowledge and experience acquired throughout their studies with a focus on employability characteristics and fulfilling the requirements for their chosen careers.  

The course contains opportunities at both Level 5 and Level 6 for students to work in their chosen teaching or coaching career. Students will also have the option to organise their own work placements in a suitable teaching or coaching environment. 

MODULES

  • Applied PE & Sports Coaching (40 credits) - This module is to allow you to critically evaluate pedagogical theory and apply it to a practical teaching and coaching environment, more specifically in the planning, delivery and evaluation of a programme delivered to primary school children.
  • Professional Practice in PE & Sports Coaching (40 credits) - This module will be a development of the Level 5 Experiential Learning module where you will be expected to develop your knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses relative to your chosen career in PE teaching or sports coaching using the relative industry standards eg QTS or CIMSPA. You will undertake a placement in your chosen sector, completing an audit of current skills and subsequently analysing your strengths, areas for development and career readiness. 
  • Major Project in PE & Sports Coaching (40 credits) - This module enables you to develop the ability to undertake a research project in the area of PE or sports coaching. You will apply your knowledge of PE and sports coaching in a research capacity and develop scientific, analytical and communicative skills.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

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You will be assessed in a variety of ways

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Curriculum developed to match workforce priorities

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This course is designed around in-person study

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There may be some online learning activities

The course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, students study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately 10 and 15 hours per week depending upon the level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is delivered in person, where students can expect to take part in practical sessions, seminars, lectures, workshops, and peer-led seminars. 

Students should expect to spend an average of 25-30 hours per week on independent study, which might include:

  • independent research
  • tutorial time with staff
  • using the University’s library
  • working with peers
  • and preparing work for assessment. 

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in this subject who have all spent time in the careers that students are working towards. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers, speakers, and practical NGB (National Governing Body) course staff. 

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so that students are exposed to the different types of tasks they might encounter in the PE teaching and sports coaching workplace. These will include:

  • coursework in the form of practical teaching
  • planning documents
  • written work (both long and short form e.g. reports, reflections)
  • portfolios
  • and presentations.

We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare students for graduate-level employment. 

Please note that students will incur travel costs to and from work placements at Levels 5 and 6. Work placement modules are mandatory and students are required to participate in order to successfully complete the course. 

The University’s terms and regulations are updated regularly. Any changes to these are notified to students annually upon enrolment. Additionally, at enrolment, students will be directed to the latest version of the Course Specification which details any improvements or changes that have been made to the delivery of the course. 

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

International Baccalaureate

28 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4

Scottish Highers - BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

All successful candidates who receive an offer of a place for this course and choose the University of Chester as their Firm choice will be required to undergo checks with regards to their suitability to practice. 

A couple of months prior to admission to this course, the University will contact you to request that you complete a self-declaration form detailing any relevant convictions or other information that you believe may have an impact upon your ability to undertake work with children or vulnerable adults. You will also receive instructions on how to complete an online application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the University as a registered body, there will be a charge for this.
 
Please note that the University does not accept previous DBS checks from other registered bodies or the update service.
For details about the cost of the DBS and for further information please visit our DBS web pages

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

72 points

GCE A level

72 points overall, including grade D in A level

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP

International Baccalaureate

24 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4

Scottish Highers: CCDD

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall

T Level

T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: MMP

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. 

All successful candidates who receive an offer of a place for this course and choose the University of Chester as their Firm choice will be required to undergo checks with regards to their suitability to practice. 

A couple of months prior to admission to this course, the University will contact you to request that you complete a self-declaration form detailing any relevant convictions or other information that you believe may have an impact upon your ability to undertake work with children or vulnerable adults. You will also receive instructions on how to complete an online application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the University as a registered body, there will be a charge for this.
 
Please note that the University does not accept previous DBS checks from other registered bodies or the update service.
For details about the cost of the DBS and for further information please visit our DBS web pages

 

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Who You'll Learn From

Suzy Twist

Lecturer
Suzy Twist

Paul Humphries

Senior Lecturer
Paul Humphries

Dr Nicola McWhannell

Senior Lecturer
Dr Nicola McWhannell

Jason Clare

Senior Lecturer
Jason Clare

Gareth Williams

Senior Lecturer
Gareth Williams

Where You'll Study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Exton Park is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student. While it is undoubtedly beautiful and packed with history, Chester is also a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping, eating and living with a thriving independent scene.

Modern learning resources and library

We have dedicated resources and IT services across campus, as well as our Seaborne Library; home to an extensive selection of books, e-books and e-journals, as well as bookable multimedia rooms, video conferencing space, 24-hour access computer labs, and The Hub; a comfortable two-floor study zone, suitable for independent and group study.

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Exton Park is home to a number of our central support services, including Disability and Inclusion, Careers and Employability, and Student Support.

Fitness facilities

Exton Park boasts an impressive choice of indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities, which are used for both competitive and recreational sports. Our facilities include a swimming pool, gym, squash, and tennis courts, running track and two floodlit pitches.

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Built in 1847 by former students, the University Chapel offers regular services and a venue to services. The University of Chester also has multi-faith spaces across the campus for prayer or quiet reflection.

Accommodation

Most of our student accommodation is located either on or near Exton Park.

Catering

We have several catering outlets available onsite, offering a wide selection of hot and cold food to students and visitors. Term-time Meal Schemes are also available for those students interested in non-residential catering schemes.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Students have the option of going into:

  • Teaching
  • Coaching
  • Elite sports performance
  • Community-based sports support
  • NGB career
  • Armed services
  • and more.

The BSc PE and Sports Coaching degree will provide you with appropriate academic, technical and professional knowledge, in order for you to enter careers in:

  • PE teaching
  • Sports coaching and instruction
  • Teaching and lecturing
  • and sports development.

Recent graduate destinations from our Division include:

  • Secondary and Primary PE teachers
  • Assistant Academy Manager at Manchester City FC
  • Club Development Officer at Hockey Wales
  • Post-16 Tutor and Football Coach at Everton Football College
  • and Head of Performance Analysis at Wigan Warriors RLFC.

Students have also gone on to gain further qualifications either in teaching or Master's Level study.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extracurricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.