BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching Degree 2026 www.ucseducation.org
Flexibility, Immersion, Success: Your Degree Path to Sports Coaching Excellence
WELCOME
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Are the habits you have today in line with the dreams you have for tomorrow?
Selecting the next path in a learning journey can be confusing for any student. Our dedicated professional team will help you to make an informed decision that best supports your career aspirations. On behalf of Universal Centre of Sport, I encourage students to find out more about how we can support your career aspirations and look forward to welcoming those who are serious about their future. UCS is an inclusive centre guided by the traditions of industry professionals, that places key emphasis on areas around intellectual curiosity, provision to others and a comprehensive perspective on education. A UCS education grounded in sporting excellence, promotes career preparation and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth in sport and it's associated areas. We are a student-focused learning community that values equality and diversity as well as focusing on the education of the whole person. Here at UCS, we guide the intellectual, ethical and physical development of each of our students. Established in 2014 to serve the growing needs of the sports industry, UCS has become one of the UK's leading providers in Sports Education at Degree Level. In 2026/7, we have campuses across the country as far afield as Manchester and Surrey. UCS has an outstanding track-record of developing excellent graduates, delivering the next generation of the workforce to different sectors of the sports industry. OUR GOALS: At UCS, we are all about getting you to the next level. We strive to better our students through educational experiences both in and out of the classroom. UCS aims to create a haven where students feel safe to tackle challenges and accomplish all goals, whether they are personal or professional. We want to help you to become the best versions of yourself, whilst having fun along the way. Dominic Anderson Director of Performance, Standards & Curriculum
WHY CHOOSE UCS?
Nothing says more about an organisation than it's values. They are key to everything we want all of our students and staff to be. They are the cornerstone of our success and our continued development. All staff and students are encouraged to display these behaviours and set agreed targets to challenge themselves to be the best they can be.
UCS specialises in Undergraduate degree level programmes in the sports industry. Our industry based stepping-stone provides opportunities to develop coaching, employability and management skills necessary to be successful in your chosen career. UCS have been delivering Higher Education Programmes since 2014 and are proud of our students outstanding successes.
OUR VALUES
COLLABORATION EXCELLENCE WELL-BEING INCLUSIVITY INTEGRITY
the ucs way
THE TUTOR TEAM The tutoring team are made up of highly skilled and qualified lecturers and experts in their field that maintain their connections with industry, including coaching and management of high performance sports teams and professional sports clubs. The lectures are complemented by a range of industry-expert guest speakers, emphasising the vocational relevance of this degree programme. ASSESSMENT All UCS courses provide opportunities to test a student's understanding of the subject informally, before the completion of the formal assessments that count towards the final grade. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or 'formative' assessment, for which students receive feedback from their lecturer. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades received do not count towards the final module mark. There is a formal or 'summative' assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include written examinations, essays, reports, portfolios, performances, presentations and a dissertation. Students receive feedback on all formative and summative assessments undertaken through coursework and are encouraged to discuss them with their tutors in order to develop further. TEACHING METHODS UCS offers a flexible blended learning model, combining both in-person and virtual learning. This consists of 80% live, tutor led, online delivery and 20% face to face learning. Each academic year includes three in-person teaching weeks, where students engage directly with academic lecturers. Throughout the rest of the year, students participate in live, virtual sessions remotely. Attendance at these sessions is compulsory, UCS will arrange your travel and accommodation, as required. Options available are discussed during the interview process and during induction week. This flexibility enables students to pursue relevant industry opportunities, while continuing their studies. By integrating academic learning with practical experience, UCS provides a balanced approach to education and career development. REGULATION UCS, as part of the Oxford Virtual Education Group, is a Pearson registered Centre. All UCS provision is awarded by The University of Northampton and as such is regulated by the Office for Students.
THE UCS WAY
THE 3 PATHWAYS Students can identify 1 of 3 'pathways' when joining UCS so that their future career is enhanced by gaining specific opportunities and qualifications that are aligned with their chosen career. Education & Training "Embark on a rewarding journey for aspiring educators! This pathway is tailored for students passionate about shaping young minds. Gain invaluable experience within school and college settings while pursuing Level 3 and Level 4 teaching qualifications. Discover the joy of teaching and mentoring while honing your skills in a supportive environment." Personal Training and Strength & Conditioning Pathway "Fuel your passion for physical development and performance with our immersive pathway. Designed for students eager to excel in the fitness industry, this programme offers hands-on experience. Acquire Level 2 Physical Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training certifications while immersing yourself in practical work experience. Shape bodies and lives while you grow your career." Pro Player Development Pathway "Unleash your football talent while pursuing higher education! Our Pro Player Pathway is tailored for exceptional footballers seeking a unique blend of professional sports and academic excellence. Seamlessly combine playing (or coaching) at professional or semi-professional levels globally with pursuing a BSc degree. Elevate your game on and off the field with this exclusive opportunity."
FEES & FUNDING
SELF FUNDED STUDENTS If you are not eligible for a tuition fee loan, chances are we will be able to accept payment by installment using FlexEd. This is ideal for students who may be doing a second degree, a self-funded course, or may be sponsored by their employer. Please contact an advisor for more information. If you are from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and want to study at a UCS Campus in England, you need to contact your own government to discuss what support is available for tuition and living costs. Channel Islands and Isle of Man students are not eligible for funding from UK government.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Applications for Higher Education courses from International Students can be made online from any country at the UCAS website www.ucas.com.
COSTS For Academic Year 26-27, the following fees apply for UK students: BSc Sports Coaching £9000 Undergraduate students generally have two types of expenses - tuition fees and living costs. Note: For the in-person teaching weeks there will be no upfront accommodation costs but students are liable for upfront travel costs which will be reimbursed to a maximum of £150. You will be required to allocate yourself a budget for meals during this time. Depending on your own personal budget, we suggest an allocation of up to £150 each week which should be sufficient to cover your own subsistence costs. TUITION FEE LOANS UK students don't need to pay fees in advance. Eligible students can apply for a loan to cover tuition fees. If you are from England, this loan is paid directly to the University on your behalf and does not depend on your household income. You only need to start paying the loan back once you earn more than £27,295 per year. LIVING COST LOANS If you are a full-time student from England, you can also apply for a maintenance loan to support you whilst you study. The amount available depends on: Your family income. Where you are living whilst studying. Your entitlement to benefits. The loan is paid into your bank account in three installments at the start of each term. OTHER FUNDING OPTIONS If you don't qualify for student finance, you may be able to apply for a range of other loans, bursaries and grants. The UK Government provides details of various sources of funding which are usually dependant on eligibility. More information can be found here.
KEY FACTS Level: Undergraduate Duration: Full Time: 3 Years Starting: September 2026 Fees UK 26/27: £9000* *Subject to change
OVERVIEW The Sport Coaching BSc (Hons) degree is designed to develop your key coaching skills and behaviours and to understand how our coaching styles and approaches influence our athletes. Our Sport Coaching degree will develop skills such as long-term planning, reflective practice, conducting athlete needs analysis and understanding pedagogy in different sporting environments. For sports coaches to have a holistic approach to their athletes' development, we need to have an understanding of the physiological, technical, psychological and social factors that feed into the long term athlete development, as well as developing performance analysis skills and applying all of our practical coaching skills into the real world, through the UCS network of sports organisations. COURSE DETAILS The coaching process, pedagogy, developing your own coaching philosophy, coaching styles, effective coaching approaches, long term athlete development and comprehensive planning/needs analysis are at the core of our Sport Coaching degree. As well as performance analysis, coaching theory and work placement modules.
sport coaching bsc (hons)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be 96 UCAS points, including a CCC profile for those studying A Levels, a MMM profile for the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma and a DD award for those studying the BTEC Level 3 Diploma. You would need to have studied physical education, sports science or a science related subject at A-Level, BTEC, NCFE or a Level 3 equivalent qualification. All applications for full-time undergraduate courses are completed through UCAS. Scan the QR code, enter your basic details, and our advisor will be in touch to talk you through the rest of the process. GET IN TOUCH For questions about study or admissions, please contact us: Email: info@UCSeducation.org, Tel: 01753 362248 or SCAN QR CODE.
STUDENT FINANCE ENGLAND We encourage you to apply for a full-time loan as soon as possible, even if your place is not yet confirmed. To learn more about loans and how to apply for them, please see the Student Finance England website, or call 0300 100 607. * Please note that the information contained in this brochure is subject to revision.
HOW TO APPLY
SPORT COACHING BSC (HONS) YEAR 1 MODULES
UCS has worked closely with the University of Northampton to select a suite of modules that reflects the needs of the sports coaching industry, such as Analysis, Psychology and Applied Business Practice. UCS has an unrivalled network of local clubs and organisations ready and able to provide you with valuable experience. Please note the modules shown on the next pages, relate to Academic Year 2025/26.
APPLYING YOUR SKILLS To develop your applied skills, work experience is integrated into the degree programme modules in each year that you study with UCS, so you have the opportunities to apply ideas from the course and build the skills that employers look for.
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 Credits) Module code SPO1024 Status: Compulsory The Social Context of Sport and Exercise (20 Credits) Module code SPO1038 Status: Compulsory How to be Successful at University (20 Credits) Module code SPO1039 Status: Compulsory Sport Coaching Science (20 credits) Module code SPO1042 Status: Compulsory Introduction to Motor Learning and Skill Acquisition (20 Credits) Module code SPO1057 Status: Compulsory Sport Coaching Practice (20 credits) Module code SPO1075 Status: Compulsory For more information about unit content and how the assignments are structured, click here.
SPORT COACHING BSC (HONS)
SPORT COACHING BSC (HONS) YEAR 2 MODULES
Sport Research Methods (20 Credits) Module code SPO2018 Status: Compulsory Performance Analysis Techniques (20 credits) Module code SPO2046 Status: Compulsory The Developing Athlete (20 credits) Module code SPO2048 Status: Compulsory Psychology of Sport Performance (20 credits) Module code SPO2057 Status: Compulsory Developing Professional Practice (20 credits) Module code SPO2079 Status: Compulsory Sport Pedagogy in Context (20 Credits) Module code SPO2080 Status: Compulsory For more information about unit content and how the assignments are structured, click here.
SPORT COACHING BSC (HONS) YEAR 3 MODULES
Creating Performance Coaching Environments (20 credits) Module code SPO3044 Status: Compulsory Team and Group Dynamics in Sport (20 credits) Module code SPO3062 Status: Compulsory Performance Analysis Applications (20 Credits) Module code SPO3064 Status: Compulsory Advance Professional Practice (20 credits) Module code SPO3075 Status: Compulsory Dissertation (40 Credits) Module code SPO4001 Status: Compulsory For more information about unit content and how the assignments are structured, click here. Students who do not complete the Honours Degree will be eligible for an Ordinary Degree in the named subject upon successful completion of a minimum of 60 Level 6 credits. These can be from any Level 6 modules.
At UCS, our ethos of embedding your learning in the heart of professional industry allows you to develop these skills and put together a set of skills to help you be successful in your chosen career. Through specific, targeted work experience, we focus on the 3 key employability skills and graduate attributes: The Growth Mindset is key to us at UCS. We believe that all of our staff and students should be open to new ideas and experiences, striving to be better in everything we do. We want students to use the unique opportunities afforded by working and learning in a professional industry environment to develop a growth mindset. To be open to new experiences and accept honest, constructive feedback to grow into successful coaches, managers and leaders. Interpersonal Skills are skills required to work well with other people, helping you to work effectively as a member of a team, meet client and customer expectations and solve problems. The UCS work experience opportunities allow you to develop a range of interpersonal skills, such as, communication skills, team-working, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, problem solving and decision making. Be Reliable and Dependable. This is all about developing personal skills and traits, such as being organised, managing time effectively, being trustworthy, working hard, taking responsibility, asking for help when needed, and using your initiative.
EMPLOYABILITY
WORK EXPERIENCE
At UCS, we believe that education is only part of the equation. Students need to develop the skills required to prepare themselves for the world of work. To this end, all students are expected to participate in a structured and varied schedule of work experience, which ensures they can apply learned theory to real-life sporting environments. The expectation of completing work experience is integrated into the degree programme, with specific modules designed to include assessments directly linked to the experiences gained during relevant work placements. This approach ensures that students can apply practical knowledge from their work experience to their academic studies, allowing them to develop industry-specific skills while meeting academic requirements. The assessments are structured to reflect and evaluate the competencies and insights students acquire in sports specific environments.
Any institution is only as good as it's people. At UCS we are very proud of our alumni and their successes Here we showcase some recent stories:
Ondrej Prielozny - Coach Ondrej is currently employed full time by Oxford City Football Club as a coach. He coaches across the male age groups and within the women's academy too.
Cavan Burns - Footballer & Coach Cavan combined both his high level football ability and his coaching expertise to gain valuable work experience with Dubai City Football Club. He is now a full time coach working for Celtic FC which has allowed him the opportunity to travel to Australia on tour.
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alumni
Habtamu Ayele - Teacher Habs currently works for VLUK as a teacher at The Football Learning Group, as he gained his PGCE after graduation. He is also a coach for Bolton Wanderers FC. He completed his UEFA B and is now working towards his UEFA A.
Sam Spencer - PGCE Student After completing his BSc degree with UCS, Sam has started a PGCE course in Education at Brunel University with ambition to become a teacher.
*All information in this brochure is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to updates or revisions.
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Adam Timson - Football Coach Whilst studying for his degree with us, Adam joined Leicester City FC Women as a volunteer coach. During this time, Adam moved into a part time position with the club.
Ethan Thomas - PE Intern Currently working as a PE intern in Halifax, Ethan is looking to complete a teaching qualification. He is also working towards his RFU refereeing qualification and Level 2 coaching.