Sports Coaching and Development (Top Up)
Consolidate your learning from a Foundation Degree in an associated area and prepare to work in a multitude of coaching, teaching and development roles.
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UCAS Code
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Online
Campus Code
A
International students: £17,600*
UCAS Code
Start Date
September 2026
Location
Online
Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students: £9,535*
International students: £17,200*
Course Overview
Focusing on both the sport and business-related knowledge needed to develop professionals for the sports industry, you will start to specialise your work-based learning experience in line with your career ambitions.
In partnership with
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We are in partnership with the EFL.
Why study this course?
What you'll study
To study this degree, you will need a formalised affiliation with a professional sports club under the formalised affiliation with a Club Community Organisation through EFLitC.
Your lectures will be produced by USW staff, but you will watch these remotely at your club's learning environment.
You will learn how to create engaging, inclusive and effective learning experiences in Physical Education, Health and Wellbeing. You will explore physical literacy, physical activity, healthy eating and emotional wellbeing.
You will explore current challenges in sports coaching and leadership, including safeguarding, ethics, equality, talent development and integrity in sport. You will develop your ability to critically analyse issues and identify evidence-informed solutions.
You will learn how strategic planning and management shape sports development. You will explore policy, decision-making, partnership working, social inclusion and the wider role of sport in society.
You will develop your understanding of effective leadership within sport. You will explore leadership styles, communication, emotional intelligence, strategic planning, organisational change and how to build high-performing teams.
You will apply your knowledge and skills to a real-world project within the sports industry. You will develop your research, problem-solving and critical thinking skills while gaining valuable professional experience and enhancing your employability.
If you choose the on-campus route, you’ll gain direct entry onto Year three of the BSc Sports Coaching and Development course delivered out of our world-class USW Sport Park facility.
You will apply your knowledge and skills to a real-world project within the sports industry. You will develop your research, problem-solving and critical thinking skills while gaining valuable professional experience and enhancing your employability.
You will undertake an independent research project focused on a topic relevant to your subject area. You will develop your research skills by identifying a research question, reviewing relevant literature, collecting and analysing information, and presenting your findings. The module will develop your critical thinking, academic writing and ability to apply research to real-world issues.
You will develop your understanding of effective leadership within sport. You will explore leadership styles, communication, emotional intelligence, strategic planning, organisational change and how to build high-performing teams.
You will explore current challenges in sports coaching and leadership, including safeguarding, ethics, equality, talent development and integrity in sport. You will develop your ability to critically analyse issues and identify evidence-informed solutions.
You will learn how to create engaging, inclusive and effective learning experiences in Physical Education, Health and Wellbeing. You will explore physical literacy, physical activity, healthy eating and emotional wellbeing.
You will gain valuable experience in a professional sports environment, applying your knowledge and skills to real-world situations. You will develop your employability, professional practice and confidence while reflecting on your learning and career development.
You will develop your ability to apply coaching theory and knowledge in practical sporting environments. You will plan, deliver and evaluate coaching sessions while developing your communication, leadership and reflective practice skills.
You will learn how strategic planning and management shape sports development. You will explore policy, decision-making, partnership working, social inclusion and the wider role of sport in society.
You will explore current issues and challenges influencing sports development. You will examine topics such as participation, inclusion, policy and the role of sport in society, developing your ability to critically evaluate issues and consider practical solutions.
We regularly review our courses to keep pace with changing skills and employer needs. If a review leads to significant changes, we’ll contact you to explain what’s changing for the coming year.
Teaching and Assessment
If you choose the Blended Learning route, You will complete work-based learning that is managed by your Club Mentor and supported by USW staff through tutorials and a mentoring programme. It is expected that you will complete between 7 and 14-hours per week of work-based learning.
If you choose the On-Campus route, Most lectures/tutorials will be small groups (around 20-40 students) which provides a more interactive and personal approach. Most modules are studied over the year for 24 weeks (two 12-week terms) but some are delivered more intensively during a term.
As part of the Applied Professional Project module, you’ll complete 140-hours of placement. Within this you’re required to design and manage a project, delivering some form of activities for your placement host. Students can take a work placement with one of our partner organisations such as Wales Golf, StreetGames, Hockey Wales, Welsh Netball and Sport RCT.
We have a brand-new specially designed sporting performance facility that focuses on coaching. Our full-size indoor 3G pitch is built to the Fifa Pro standard.
There are audio and video recording software to support the coach education programme that students will be immersed in during studies. We are the only university in England and Wales to offer this facility.
Our facilities are regularly used by international professional teams, such as the Wales National football team and Cardiff City Football Club, as well as the touring New Zealand, South Africa and Australia rugby squads. This confirms the high quality of our pitches and the versatility of our equipment.
"I learned so much about coaching and development that I could apply in my own work."
Billy Liptrot, Sports Coaching and Development graduate
Entry Requirements
Additional
In addition a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check is required (additional cost applies, no offences are considered spent).
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
How to applyContextual admissions policyAsk us a questionThis course is delivered predominantly online and not available to International Students wishing to reside in the UK on a student VISA as formal affiliation with a UK EFLitC sports club is required.
The successful completion of an appropriate Foundation Degree or equivalent. USW considers all applications on an individual basis which means that we could make offers based on qualifications, personal profile and experience.
Fees and Funding
per year
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment. *Obligatory
per year
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment. *Obligatory
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How to apply
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS
You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time).
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Apply direct
Sports Coaching and Development (Top Up)
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Full-time, 1 years
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September
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Online
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Apply direct
Sports Coaching and Development (Top Up)
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Full-time, 1 years
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September
-
Online
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If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.
Applicants accepted through advanced entry may study a different combination of modules to those advertised, as they will be joining a course already in progress. You will be contacted and advised about these modules once your application has been processed and an offer made.
International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.
Explore our facilities
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