Sports Coaching and Development
Gain an industry-recognised qualification while working directly with professional clubs, developing practical coaching skills, leadership abilities, and a portfolio of real-world experience that makes an immediate impact in community sport.
How to apply Register for open day Chat to us/filters:format(webp)/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/03-courses/sport/foundation-sports-coaching-and-development.jpg)
UCAS Code
C607
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
48
UCAS Code
C607
Start Date
September 2026
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
48
Fees
Home students: £9,535*
International students: £17,200*
Course Overview
Learn through work-based placements, weekly guided study, and residential sessions.
In partnership with
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We are in partnership with the EFL.
Why study this course?
What you'll study
Gain practical coaching and community sport experience, refine your skills, embrace challenges, earn awards, and cultivate the drive, confidence, and adaptability to motivate others and create meaningful community impact.
Step into sports coaching with purpose. Explore inclusive practice, plan impactful sessions, and grow reflective confidence while applying learning in real settings that shape safe, people-centred coaches.
Gain real-world experience in sport through supported workplace learning. Apply academic knowledge, build professional and reflective skills, and gain clear insight into career pathways within the sports industry.
Develop the knowledge and skills to promote active, healthy lifestyles. Study PE, physical literacy, and wellbeing through practical, inclusive learning, preparing you for careers in education, sport, and health.
Discover the power of sport to shape communities and transform lives. Learn development models, policies, and pathways, tackle real-world challenges, and build the skills to create positive impact in the sports industry.
Lead, deliver, and innovate in sport and wellbeing programs, apply your skills in real settings, and build the confidence and drive to create real community impact.
During this module you will develop inclusive, confident, and reflective coaching skills. Explore athlete development, training planning, and real-world challenges while learning to create safe, welcoming, and equitable environments for all participants.
Advance your leadership in sport by applying theory to real organisational settings. Explore governance, team dynamics, and ethical decision-making while developing research skills and shaping your professional identity.
Learn to design, deliver, and evaluate lessons that promote equity, mental health, and wellbeing, while developing leadership, digital, and professional skills for education and sport careers.
Building on first-year foundations, this module explores sport as a tool for global social change. Analyse programmes, lead initiatives, and develop ethical, professional skills to create meaningful impact locally and internationally.
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
You’ll learn by working in a professional football club while studying online. Most of your learning happens at the club, with short periods at the university to meet, reflect, and work with others.
Each week, you’ll take on real projects, solve challenges, and put your learning into action, building the skills and confidence to succeed in the world of sport.
You’ll develop your skills through practical tasks, portfolios, case studies, and real-world challenges like performance appraisals, project presentations, and collaborative projects. Regular feedback from peers, club mentors, and EFLitC staff helps you see your progress and shape your learning. Online tasks and self-assessment give you space to explore, set goals, and take ownership of your development, building the confidence, curiosity, and skills you need to make an impact in the football industry.
You will be based at professional football club, gaining weekly experience in coaching, sport development, and community engagement. This will help you develop the skills and understanding needed to progress in your career.
Students benefit from USW’s state-of-the-art facilities during Residential Visits and, when at their partner clubs, have access to a range of industry-standard facilities, combining hands-on learning with community building. Interactive tasks, digital tools, and a Club Mentor support growth in coaching, reflection, and personal development.
Course Leader
Chris Emsley
Meet Chris Emsley, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for the FdSc Sports Coaching and Development at the University of South Wales. Chris brings extensive experience from higher education and the sport industry (particularly within National Governing Bodies of Sport). His teaching is rooted in evidence-based coaching practice and real‑world delivery in community sport.
Curious about the course, its coaching focus or learning experience? Chris is happy to discuss the programme and its pathways - get in touch via email.
"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
Entry criteria detail typical offers but USW considers all applications on an individual basis which means that we could make offers based on qualifications, personal profile and experience. Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed may also be acceptable.
All applicants for the course need to be affiliated with one of our partner EFL Clubs.
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 3 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
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 question48 UCAS points or above
Typical qualification requirements
A Level:
DD to include at least one A Level in Science, Mathematics, Physical Education or Psychology but to exclude General Studies
Welsh BACC:
Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales Grade D and D at A Level to include at least one Science, Mathematics, Physical Education or Psychology subject but to exclude General Studies
BTEC:
BTEC Diploma Merit Pass or BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Pass Pass in a relevant subject
Access to HE:
Pass Access to HE Diploma in Science or Maths with a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points
T Level:
P
Closed for International applicants:
Unfortunately, this course is not currently open to international applicants, please visit our course pages where you can find an alternative course choice.
CoursesFees 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
DBS*
This fee includes £40 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee. £55.42
DBS Updating Service
Whilst optional it is strongly recommended signing up for this service especially if you are likely to have placements each year and wish to pursue a career post University where a DBS check is a requirement. Please note the service has to be joined within 19 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate.£13
Placement*
Students on work placement will need to pay for their own travel and subsistence costs. Costs will vary depending on location.
Travel to Residential*
Students will have to fund the cost of travel to the residential elements of the course.
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
DBS*
This fee includes £40 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee. £55.42
DBS Updating Service
Whilst optional it is strongly recommended signing up for this service especially if you are likely to have placements each year and wish to pursue a career post University where a DBS check is a requirement. Please note the service has to be joined within 19 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate.£13
Placement*
Students on work placement will need to pay for their own travel and subsistence costs. Costs will vary depending on location.
Travel to Residential*
Students will have to fund the cost of travel to the residential elements of the course.
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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
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Full-time, 2 years
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September
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Pontypridd
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Apply direct
Sports Coaching and Development
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Full-time, 2 years
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September
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Pontypridd
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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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