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Physical Education and Youth Sport Coaching BSc(Hons)

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    Overview

    There is an increasing emphasis on physical education and youth sport coaching to meet a range of agendas, including developing a sporting nation by increasing participation, performance, and an active lifestyle.

    This degree will help you to develop a critical and practical understanding of sport coaching, physical education, sport management and development, sport analysis, and sport science. The course adopts an innovative and flexible approach to the curriculum design, emphasising the need to meet the changing demands of Physical Education and Sport Coaching professions.

    You’ll learn by studying a combination of teaching and coaching pedagogy (how people teach/coach and learn), child development and maturation, performance analysis, safeguarding, and the psychology of coaching.

    Innovative and unique approaches to teaching and coaching will be applied, including the importance of inclusive practice, teaching and coaching styles, and the need for individualisation. You’ll also be taught the skills required to critically reflect on your own delivery.

    Contemporary issues in physical education and coaching will be explored, examining motivations and barriers to participation for children and young people with different abilities and from different backgrounds, focusing on equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.

    Why study Physical Education and Youth Sport Coaching BSc(Hons)

    You’ll explore pedagogical and coaching practice in practical lectures using the sports hall facilities and specialist equipment in our dance studios, fitness suites, and sport science labs. This will support your learning to coach and teach children and young people effectively. You’ll work on a range of projects which can be transferred into employment, and visiting expert practitioners from a range of national, regional, and local teaching and coaching organisations will also share their knowledge and experience with you.

    The course is delivered by a team of highly experienced and enthusiastic Physical Education and Coaching practitioners, committed to ensuring a quality experience that will provide you with the tools to become an effective and employable graduate. You’ll take part in lectures, seminars, practical workshops and work placements, gaining valuable experience in primary and secondary schools and other sport or physical activity settings. In addition, you’ll gain real-world experience through a work placement in your second year.

    Through exploring physical education and youth sport coaching you’ll have opportunities to develop interpersonal qualities that will allow you to apply your knowledge in a variety of sporting career pathways. These include effective communication, presentation skills, critical -reasoning, problem -solving, and reflective practice. The qualities and experiences gained on the course will put you in a strong position to apply for teacher training and postgraduate study.

    Progressing from this course, you may wish to apply for an Initial Teacher Training course leading to Qualified Teacher Status to work as a primary or secondary teacher or pursue further study in other areas, including sports performance, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, sports coaching, or sports development. Alternatively, you could work as a sports coach at recreational and elite level, in sports marketing and hospitality, as a sports performance analyst, or working for organisations including the Youth Sport Trust and Yorkshire Sport Foundation, as well as private sport providers. 

    This course is endorsed by Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA), which enables you to meet industry-recognised standards and gain qualifications within your degree which are recognised by major employers. Whilst studying the course you can also apply for annual student membership of CIMSPA at a cost of just £5 per student (an 83 per cent saving). This provides access to e-learning, work placement, volunteering, job opportunities, and more. On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for CIMSPA graduate membership.

    Entry requirements

    BBC-BCC at A Level .

    112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

    Pass in T Level with grade C or above on core.

    DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

    • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
    • 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

    No specific subjects are required but subjects including Physical Education, Sports Studies, Sport Development and Coaching, Psychology, Health-related or Science subjects (Applied Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry) provide a good foundation for our Sport degrees.

    Applicants will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to commencing the course, because prior convictions may preclude working with young people.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

    Course Detail

    Core modules:

    Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology in Sport and Exercise

    Two branches of science, anatomy and physiology provide the foundation for understanding the body’s parts and functions. You'll be supported to develop an underpinning knowledge and understanding of the human body systems that are of most relevance to sport, exercise and health, as well as homeostatic control and how this relates to the pathophysiology of disease.

    Foundations of Biomechanics for Sport and Exercise

    Biomechanics is the study of the forces acting on and produced by the body. You'll be supported to develop an understanding of the academic and practical skills required of a sport and exercise scientist, providing you with knowledge to interpret biomechanical principles that govern human motion. Biomechanics is one of the key sport and exercise science disciplines recognised by British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

    Foundations of Coaching

    In this module you'll explore the specific roles of the coach in the context of youth sport. You'll be provided with opportunities to develop practical skills including communication and demonstration skills. It will also help you gain an understanding of underpinning principles of coaching including models of youth development, positive youth development through sport, and coaching styles.

    Physical Education and School Sport Pedagogy 1

    This module will explore your understanding of pedagogical approaches in physical education (PE) and school sport and their differences and similarities. You'll investigate the most effective methods for delivering high-quality, student-centred PE, developing healthy, confident and motivated learners. You'll have the opportunity to put theory into practice through practicals, lectures and teaching sessions in schools, reflecting on your own and others’ delivery. You’ll explore innovative ways of teaching that make it comprehensible and exciting. The module will look at the National Curriculum for PE and provide an insight into current issues and initiatives, including what constitutes a high-quality PE lesson.

    Research Methods 1

    This module focuses on establishing an understanding of the research process and developing the academic skills required to progress in higher education and successfully complete the course. You'll examine essential areas such as essay and report writing, referencing and the use of Summon in searching for information. You'll explore concepts of research design and the research process and you'll identify where support can be accessed to enable academic progression. This module will also introduce key concepts in Professional Practice to support future career goals.

    Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport

    This module will raise your awareness of current legislation, policies and procedures which exist to keep children and young people safe in sporting contexts. It emphasises the knowledge, skills and qualities required to work with children, young people as well as National Governing Bodies and other organisations involved in protecting children. You’ll explore broader safeguarding concepts (such as PREVENT in the context of sport).

    Core modules:

    Child Development and Maturation

    Children and adolescents are not simply ‘mini-adults’, thus physiological responses to exercise are different from adults. This module aims to describe, understand and critically evaluate the processes of growth and development in children and adolescents, as well as the potential impact of these on health and performance. You'll explore the physiological function, the benefits and risks, including common injuries of participating in sport and exercise, as well as development models.

    Coaching Youth Sport

    This module helps you gain the knowledge and practical skills required to effectively coach youth sports across various competition levels. You'll explore key coaching principles, holistic coaching practices, ethical considerations and investigate key challenges in youth sport. You'll also examine how climates created by key social agents, for example coaches, parents and peers can impact athletes, along with an understanding of how video analysis can be used to evaluate how you coach.

    Physical Education and School Sport Pedagogy 2

    This module aims to develop your awareness and understanding of the pedagogical social, and cultural foundations of teaching practice. It will assist your understanding of teaching and learning theories and models in PE and school sport, helping you to develop a critical appreciation of their value to lifelong learning and participation. You'll have the opportunity to lead practical sessions for your peers and within various school environments, furthering your knowledge of the National Curriculum for PE at all key stages. The focus is on the child and young person being at the heart of learning, regardless of their learning context.

    Psychology of Coaching

    In this module you'll explore psychological principles of coaching, learning and factors that affect the acquisition, performance and retention of sport skills in novice, expert or elite athletes. It will aid in your understanding of movement skills and help to develop your pedagogic and coaching practice. You'll learn how to profile a performer, whilst developing an understanding of skill acquisition theory and the processes involved in executing, transferring, retaining and learning physical skills. Using these exemplar theoretical and pedagogic principles, you'll also have an opportunity to practice these methods to facilitate your understanding.

    Research Methods 2

    This module will help you further develop the skills and knowledge of research methods you learnt in Year 1, supporting you to produce a more considered research proposal for your final year project. You'll focus on the applications of research methods to different kinds of problems, allowing experiential learning to take place. This will help you to become better equipped to undertake your own research and offer a critique of the research of others.

    Work Placement

    This module provides the opportunity to gain work experience in an industry placement and develop an understanding of the core purpose and management of the organisation. You’ll complete 100 hours on placement where you'll identify, develop and maintain a role as a working member of the team, appreciating the rights and responsibilities of yourself and the organisation.

    Core modules:

    Applied Research

    You'll have the opportunity to develop practical research skills by investigating a specific aspect of sport, exercise or nutrition by reviewing the most up-to-date research literature available. You'll produce a project, which will be individually negotiated with a university appointed supervisor and, in some cases, an employer or work-based supervisor who will provide ongoing support. All research projects will be approved by the University’s School Research and Ethics Panel.

    Applied Youth Sport Coaching

    In this module, you'll critically examine key principles and practices in youth sport. You'll explore young people’s participation across the sports development continuum and critically analyse the role and behaviours of a coach at all levels. The demands of coaching elite youth athletes will be considered from practical and theoretical perspectives. You'll also explore transitional stages affecting participation and progression in youth sport. Key issues for youth athletes will be investigated and the role of the coach in supporting and managing the athlete.

    Contemporary Issues in Physical Education and Youth Sport

    This module explores the role of sport and physical education (PE) within the lives of children and young people. The module evaluates global perspectives and explores issues affecting children and young people in sport and PE. You'll critically appraise some of the most significant themes and issues in contemporary society. From a UK perspective, the module also explores political, social, and economic factors that influence children and young people’s participation. You'll critically examine current issues affecting all levels of participation from foundation to elite, as well as consider how sport and PE may evolve to meet the needs of changes in society.

    Physical Education and School Sport Pedagogy 3

    In this module you’ll focus on developing your own teaching style and philosophy by delivering and reflecting on practical sessions to your peers and in the school environment. You’ll explore and critique different methods of assessment within Physical Education (PE) and how they should be embedded throughout a high-quality curriculum. You’ll also explore the importance of assessment and how it can be used to ensure learners make progress and improve their attainment, and the relationship between schemes, units of work, and lesson planning. You'll also have the opportunity to appraise quantitative and qualitative assessment tools used within PE.

    Project Management

    In this module you'll explore the skills required to lead a project within the Sports, Physical Education and School Sport (PESS) or Health industries. It aims to build on previous knowledge gained from disciplines you have studied, examining sport, physical education (PE) or health project management from conception to evaluation. You'll also understand the importance of applying the theory of the benefits of sport, exercise or PE and school sport to the practical side of developing a community initiative.

    This course has modules making up 360 credits over the 3 Years, with each credit being 10 hours of study (3600 hours in total). An average of approximately* 27% (1346 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutor’s face to face or online in seminars, group- work, practical experience, tutorials, independent study and lectures. The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study. Assessments takes place through a variety of coursework, practice or competency-based learning, and examinations.

    Subject to mode of study. *Based on current core modules.

    Calculated using data from the academic year 2024/25, as of November 2024.

    Teaching

    The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available. Students on a full-time course may have to attend every day of the week. Students who choose to study a full-time course on a part-time basis will generally attend modules at the same time as our full-time students. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.

    Feedback

    Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    Progression

    You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

    Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

    *full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

    Placements

    The course includes a compulsory 100-hour work placement in your second year, in an appropriate environment, helping you to relate theory to practice and develop skills in a real work context. The teaching staff have developed excellent links with local employers and can provide assistance in finding a suitable placement.

    Previous placement providers have included strength and conditioning, professional sports clubs (performance analysis and sport science support), primary and secondary schools, further education colleges, local authority sport development and physical activity units, research assistants, and private physical activity and sport providers. The University also has strong links with local professional sports clubs, so there may be opportunities for you to work with these athletes, for example Huddersfield Town FC and Huddersfield Giants.

    For more information visit our placements page.

    I coached two basketball teams and delivered afterschool activities in local schools on my work placements. They provided the opportunity for me to apply what I have learnt at university to a real-life situation. It also highlighted my strengths and areas I could improve.

    David Jane, Sport and Physical Education

    David Jane, Studied Sport and Physical Education BSc(Hons)

    Shaping the next generation of PE teachers
    Teaching experience in our on-site sports hall
    Coaching the correct technique to athletes
    Observation of a practical coaching session
    Student peer teaching and learning how to instruct
    Practical assessments in the Sports Hall
    Students involved in reflective practice
    Students learning about anatomy

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    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

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    Equal opportunities

    The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

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    Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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