STUDY OPTIONS

OVERVIEW

STUDY LEVELS

BSc (Hons)

UCAS CODE

C821

DURATION

3 Years

START DATE(S)

Sep / Nov / Jan / Feb / Apr

ENTRY YEAR

2026/27 | 2027/28

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

104

Course Introduction

What Will You Learn?

Get stuck in from day one, learning through an energetic combination of real-life scenarios, projects and fieldwork, as well as hands-on experience with specialist equipment and facilities. A strong focus on practical coaching skills and techniques, informed by coaching science, development and analysis theories, will help you identify strengths and get the best out of individuals and teams of all abilities.

During the three-year Sports Coaching degree, you’ll explore approaches to coaching children and adults across community, development, performance and educational settings. You’ll understand how to identify and support individual needs and talents and learn how to motivate pupils, clients, or athletes towards achieving different goals.

We’ll help get you up to speed on contemporary issues in sport and introduce you to different working environments available to a coach, so you’re warmed up for the varied world of sports coaching.

If you’re looking for a sports coaching degree in Manchester, check out our Sports Coaching degree and unlock your greatness at UA92.

How You Will Study

Course
breakdown

24 weeks of
study per year

4 x 6-week blocks per year

1 subject module per block

Subject Module
Breakdown

250 hours of
study per module

80 hrs face-to-face (32%)

20 hrs Digital Wednesdays (8%)

150 hrs independent study (60%)

Assessment
Breakdown

No traditional
end-of-year exams

Year 1 – 100% coursework

Year 2 – 100% coursework

Year 3 – 100% coursework

Your course modules

Module 1: Introduction to Sports and Exercise Psychology

Sports and exercise psychology helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and motivations affect your sporting performance and/or enjoyment of physical activity. You’ll dive into the world of psychology itself and its position as an evidence-based science. This lays the foundation for understanding how these principles apply to individuals and groups across education, physical activity, health and sport settings.

Module 2: Introduction to Coaching Pedagogy and Practice

This hands-on module is your chance to plan, deliver, and reflect on real coaching sessions, in line with industry standards and supporting frameworks. That’s not all – inclusivity is key, so you’ll learn how to make your coaching sessions welcoming and effective for everyone. You’ll also have an opportunity to discuss and explore different teaching and coaching theories and practices with your peers and qualified practitioners.

Module 3: Developing Active Lifestyles

Motivate and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to embrace a life-long active lifestyle. Learn how to develop activities and programmes that are inclusive, engaging, and promote long-term healthy participation in physical activity and sport. Advocate for the importance of physical activity in promoting individual and community well-being, across a range of ages and in various populations, including those with additional needs.

Module 4: Introduction to Session Design

Learn how to develop effective coaching sessions that are engaging, fun, safe, and ethically suitable for a diverse range of populations. Following a person-centred approach, you will learn to understand your participants needs and their learning processes and development. This will enable you to plan sessions that will maximise the participants development across different settings.

Module 1: Sports and Exercise Psychology

In this module you will dive further into the world of sport and exercise psychology. You’ll level up your understanding by exploring key theoretical concepts in more depth, such as behaviour change. As a result, you’ll be able to help participants identify and address any psychological barriers, across education, physical activity, health, and sport settings, which might be holding them back. They’ll also be opportunity to develop your applied practitioner skills.

Module 2: Science and Practice of Coaching

Learn how to holistically develop your coaching toolbox to meet the needs of different social groups across education, physical activity, health and sport settings. Specifically, you’ll begin to explore how participants biological, psychological and social influences can impact development. You’ll gain an understanding of relevant theories and participant development models in order to cater for individual and group needs. This will enable you to design effective coaching strategies and interventions to help others reach their goals.

Module 3: Analysis of Performance

Coaches use performance analysis to inform their decisions. It helps to understand what’s working and what factors are giving the best results. You’ll learn to become an informed observer, spotting strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. You’ll learn how to use data and visual analysis tools to track progress, identify trends, evidence proposed strategies and present insights back to specific populations and key stakeholders.

Module 4: Professional Development of Coaching 1

This module focuses on career preparedness. You’ll get regular hands-on insights and experiences to help you fine tune your coaching skills, with support and feedback from industry experts. Reflect on how you’ve grown, define your strengths and identify how you want to continue to grow and develop. This self-discovery will help you forge your coaching identity so you are confident and prepared to enter the sports coaching industry or equivalent.

Module 1: Strength and Conditioning

This module is delivered through a number of interactive sessions, where you will develop your strength and conditioning knowledge and apply your skills in line with industry standards. Specifically, you will plan, organise and deliver a range of strength and conditioning (S&C) practices to clients, with lots of opportunities to hone your practitioner skills. This will prepare you for future opportunities, whether that’s in the workplace, research project, independent study, vocational qualifications or post-graduate study in this area.

Module 2: Professional Development of Coaching 2

Continue your professional development in preparation for a career in education, physical activity, health and/or sport coaching settings. In this industry-focused module, you will learn how objective setting and goals will help you to become an employable graduate. You’ll regularly evaluate your own experiences, asking yourself questions like: What kind of impact do I want to make? How can I keep learning and growing throughout my career? As a result, you’ll be able to assess your strengths, interests, and goals more clearly, increasing your likelihood of success and employability. This, combined with regular opportunities to enhance your CV, will help ensure you are well-placed to enter a career path that truly excites you.

Module 3: Contemporary Issues in Sport

Learn how to apply research techniques and real-world experiences to solve problems in your chosen field. Dive into contemporary issues in your area and build your own arguments based on real evidence. You’ll learn to analyse qualitative and quantitative research and use them to back up your theories. You’ll also hone your skills in making clear, persuasive arguments that will inform decision making.

Module 4: Final Project

You will complete a final project to demonstrate your academic experience, knowledge, and skills. This project is an opportunity to apply what you have learned to a real-world problem or challenge.

What is the 92 Programme?

It’s more than a degree, it’s preparation for life.

Alongside your course modules, you will engage with the 92 Programme, which is built into every degree and tailored to each subject area.

Engaging with the 92 Programme is a requirement for all students and will count towards your overall grade.

Through taught sessions, immersive experiences and coaching, you will build confidence, resilience, wellness, self-reflection and professionalism, skills designed to support your future success.

Find out more about how we prepare students for future career success.

Why the 92 Programme is part of your course?

In a recent study*, 78% of employers believe graduates do not arrive in the workplace fully equipped with the skills they need to be work-ready.

Another study conducted by the World Economic Forum** identified ‘10 Skills You Need for the Future of Work’. These skills include:

Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Analytical (critical) thinking
Active learning with a growth mindset
Interpersonal communication skills
Leadership skills
Technology skills

At UA92, we prepare you for life after graduation and equip you with the skills employers value most. You may not realise it, but developing these skills now, will get you set for career success and could land you that dream job in the future.

*CMI Report: Work Ready Graduates

**World Economic Forum: The Future of Jobs Report 2023

How is the 92 Programme assessed?

Assessment takes the form of a Professional Diary, which is a log capturing evidence of your learning, activities and reflections. This can be videos, photos or even audio.

This is supplemented with a reflective account, which links your experiences to your personal growth.

92.2%

Name: Sports Coaching BSc (Hons)
Availability: InStock

said they felt supported with their learning.

NSS Results 2026

UA92 scored higher than all Greater Manchester universities for Academic Support in the National Student Survey 2026.*

*compares UA92’s results against the 4 Universities in Greater Manchester: Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Salford, The University of Greater Manchester and The University of Manchester.

THIS COURSE IS TAUGHT AT...

UA92 Campus, Old Trafford Manchester

The UA92 Campus in Old Trafford Manchester has teaching facilities across our Main Campus building, Old Trafford Stadium (home of Manchester United Football Club) and Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground (home of Lancashire Cricket). All sites are within walking distance of each other and easily accessible by public transport. Inside our Main Campus building there’s a fully equipped Sports Performance Centre, Media Studio and Digital Academy as well as a gym, grab-and-go cafe and social spaces.

Open in maps

Old Trafford Campus and the local community

a red wall showing the text welcome to ua92

View of football pitch at Old Trafford Stadium

Sports Facilities

Multi-Purpose Performance Lab

Our ‘Performance Lab’ is an inclusive space in our Old Trafford Campus that accommodates teaching and research. Students have access to high-spec strength and conditioning equipment, sport science technology and performance analysis apparatus.

Fitness Zone

‘The Fitness Zone’ is the gym-space located in our Old Trafford Campus. The state-of-the-art equipment and weights section includes two Elite Racks, Performance Flooring and a range of Sports Science equipment.

Movement Studio

The ‘Movement Studio’ is a multi-purpose, inclusive space in our Old Trafford campus for students to use outside of their study hours, with exercise classes for everyone and anyone to take part in.

Digital Academy

Our Digital Academy is home to a range of cool tech that sports students can use to enhance their learning, including our Rezzil Virtual Reality equipment and a 360 degree immersive audio and video environment.

Careers in Sports Coaching

What’s next?

With a BSc in Sports Coaching, you’ll be primed and ready to help others to gain confidence, stay motivated and smash their goals. Sports coaches can work in a wide variety of settings, including talent development, community settings, education, local authority via a multi-sport approach, or the fitness and leisure industry.

91%

of graduates are engaged in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.*

FIND OUT MORE

UA92 is above the national average for graduate outcomes. The Graduate Outcomes survey is the biggest annual survey that captures the status of recent graduates who completed their studies at a higher education institution in the UK.

*Graduate Outcomes Survey Results released in 2025. National Average is 88%.

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

We have over 100 industry connections who support our mission to develop career-ready graduates. These partnerships provide you with access to industry-leading expertise, mentorship opportunities and work-place experiences.

Our industry partners play a vital role in shaping both the curriculum you study and your student experience. From delivering guest lectures and masterclasses to providing internships and graduate roles.

Find Out More

Where are they now?

Emily

BA (Hons) Physical Education

Emily went on to do a Masters’ degree in Journalism and is currently teaching English in Suzhou, China and focusing on her music career in her free time. 

“In April, I was invited to the BBC Radio Nottingham studio by Dean Jackson to discuss my song “City Nights.” The confidence I now have to speak on the radio is thanks to the presentation-based assignments at UA92. These experiences prepared me for public speaking, a crucial aspect of my music career. UA92 not only provided me with degree-specific skills but also transferable ones, enhancing my confidence and belief in my abilities.”

Hannah

BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Science

Hannah is a Sports Scientist and founder of VERSUS PERFORMANCE. After studying Sports and Exercise Science at UA92, she completed a master’s degree in Strength and Conditioning and is currently working towards CASES accreditation.

“Before coming to UA92, I had experience in the fitness industry but wanted to move into professional sport. As a mature student, I needed structure, and UA92’s fixed timetable allowed me to organise a busy life around my studies and fully commit. It didn’t feel like a typical university where you’re just another number. The staff actually know you, you can have proper conversations, and as a neurodivergent student, that made a big difference to how I learned and developed.

During my time at UA92, I completed placements in elite football and cricket and, with the support of encouraging staff, brought in my American football team for dissertation testing, producing work that was later published in the International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.

UA92 didn’t just develop my academic knowledge, it shaped who I am. I built lasting friendships and connections within sport and left with a real drive to continue my academic development. Since graduating, I have interned at British Cycling, worked as an assistant biomechanics researcher, presented at conferences, and founded VERSUS PERFORMANCE, where I coach athletes daily across a range of sports. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to fully commit to the experience. UA92 will provide you with amazing opportunities, but it’s up to you to embrace them.”

Keshap

BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Science

Keshap is a Hospitality and Sales Executive at Lancashire Cricket Club, after graduating from UA92 in 2025 with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science.

“My time at UA92 was amazing and was filled with so many different opportunities, such as my internship at Lancashire Cricket within the Commercial Partnerships and Events team. The experience taught me so much about communication and organisation, and I was amazed at just how much happens behind the scenes in a sports club.”

Luke

BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Science

Luke studied Sports and Exercise Science at UA92, graduating in 2024, before starting his Masters in Clinical Science (Cardiac) at Newcastle University. As part of his Masters, he is a Student Cardiac Physiologist on the Scientific Training Programme (STP) at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, where he is training to deliver expert cardiac diagnostic services.

“My time studying Sport and Exercise Science at UA92 played a significant role in preparing me for my current role as a Cardiac Physiologist. The high-quality facilities, alongside the expertise and support of the lecturers and staff, helped me grow both academically and professionally. The strong focus on practical, hands-on learning allowed me to confidently apply theory to real-world and clinical settings, making the transition into healthcare feel natural and well supported”

Naomi

BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching

Naomi is a full-time personal trainer with her own coaching business. She graduated from UA92 in 2025 with a degree in Sports Coaching.

“I was 2025’s recipient of the Greatness Unlocked Award. Originally, I didn’t think Uni was for me. I was very focused on work and wanted to start my career in Sports as soon as possible. However, I decided to apply and stick to it because there was something about UA92’s deliberately different approach that I really liked – and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made! During my time at UA92 I had so many opportunities, such as placements with Manchester Storm, Salford Red Devils and Swinton Rugby club, presenting at the Lancaster International Conference, and even speaking on fitness podcasts.”