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Physical Education and Sports Coaching

BSc (Hons)

This course is an ideal foundation for anyone wanting a career in coaching players and teams to maximise their training and performance, as well as those interested in teaching physical education.

UCAS Code: C690

Single Honours

A student coaching a client in the gym using a resistance band

Thanks to career boosting initiatives like our extended work placements and paid positions in our world-leading University Arena, you’ll have opportunities at Worcester that you can’t get anywhere else. As well as developing your fundamental skills to coach and teach others, we also invest in your own potential with our Talented Athlete Scheme.

95%

in work or further study 15 months after graduating

Graduate Outcomes Survey
Top10

Our Sports courses are 9th in the UK for student satisfaction

Complete University Guide 2024


Overview

This highly practical course prepares you for a rewarding career in the fields of education, coaching, sport development, sport policy, and other related physical activity and health industries.

We’ll settle you into the course with our popular Welcome Programme. From team building games at our Lakeside Campus, to course socials and the opportunity to meet our sports teams, we’ll make sure you are ready to hit the ground running.

Alongside modules about biology and the science of human movement, you will also study sport from social, ethical and historical perspectives. You will explore the impact sport has on people’s lives as well as on their bodies, with options to specialise in special educational needs and disability coaching. So, you’ll start your career with a more rounded view of how sport can benefit individuals and society.

There are plenty of opportunities to gain industry experience through our extensive connections with local schools and sports teams. From your first year, you’ll attend PE teacher and professional sports coach placements. Our professional partners currently include Aston Villa FC, Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Severn Stars Netball. This practical experience prepares you to specialise in either school-based teaching or professional coaching during your final year.

You’ll be encouraged and supported to take optional professional qualifications, such as a relevant first aid certificate, which adds real value to your CV.

Our graduates have gone on to become PE teachers and professional sports coaches, who train every kind of athlete, from playground to podium.

Placements

In your first and second year, school-based and professional coaching placements will help you discover which kind of coaching you prefer.

In your third year there is an opportunity to complete a 100-hour school-based or professional placement, giving you extended real-world experience. You’ll be supported by a work-based mentor and a university supervisor, who give advice along the way.


Find your passion


Course Content

Each year you will study a mix of mandatory and optional modules. This flexible course lets you explore different subjects and career paths in sports coaching and PE teaching before choosing to specialise in your final year.

Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.

Mandatory modules
Optional modules


Careers

Our graduates have valuable skills, sound academic knowledge and real-world, practical experience.

Worcester graduates have gone on to work in numerous roles within professional sport, plus positions within primary and secondary teaching, strength and conditioning, performance analysis and sports development. The skills you gain in coaching, communication, fieldwork, planning and research will also be beneficial in a range of other sport and health-based careers.

Coaching Careers

Our students have gone on to sports coaching careers at:

  • West Bromwich Albion FC
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
  • Worcester Wolves Basketball
  • Severn Stars Netball
  • Worcester Cricket Club
  • Worcester County Sports Partnership

Teaching Careers

Many of our graduates also go on to teach physical education at primary schools, secondary schools and colleges by gaining their Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

You can train to teach with a one-year Primary or Secondary PGCE at Worcester.

Other Options

This degree could also be the first step toward your career as a:

  • Sports development officer
  • Personal trainer
  • Sports activity leader
  • Social media marketing co-ordinator
  • Sports and disability inclusion coach
  • Police officer

Course highlights

A student wearing a face mask with colourful lanterns behind her
Study abroad
Expand your sporting horizons by studying abroad in your second year. With exciting university options across four continents, there’s a location for everyone.

Teaching and assessment

Our course has been designed by academics and industry specialists to prepare you for a career in coaching or PE teaching. So our teaching is a combination of practical sessions, seminars, lectures and one-to-one tutoring.

Evaluation is not all about written assignments and exams, you’ll also be assessed on your delivery of sessions, reflective journals and presentations.

Teaching and assessment contents

You are taught through a combination of interactive lectures, seminars, and practical workshops. Interactive lectures and seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures, and practical workshops are focused on applying some of the theoretical concepts discussed whilst also developing subject specific skills. There are many opportunities to work with children from local schools in order to develop your understanding of teaching and coaching and to evaluate different approaches used. There is also a work based placement in your final year where you will experience being in one school or work environment in order to consolidate many of the skills developed throughout the course.

In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors (PATS) are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year and on a least three occasions in each of the other years of the course.


Entry requirements

UCAS tariff points required: 104

Typical Offer
QualificationGrade
A-levelBCC
BTEC National Extended DiplomaDMM
T-levelMerit

We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.


More to explore

Open Days

Visiting us is the best way to get a feel for student life at the University of Worcester.

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The City of Worcester

Worcester is a welcoming university city with great transport links and plenty of student parking.

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Accommodation

Benefit from our accommodation guarantee. We have rooms on campus to suit every budget including en-suite options.

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Fees

Fees contents

UK and EU Students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International Students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £16,200 per year.


How to apply

How to apply contents

Applying through UCAS

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.

Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.

Physical Education and Sports Coaching BSc (Hons) - C690


Student case studies

Some recent graduates reflect on their time on the course.

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Lucie Kovarova

“As an international student I was excited to explore a new culture, develop my English and embrace different approaches in sports environments. The course offered me the possibility of a dual career both as a PE teacher and a sports coach, moreover, it consisted of interesting modules that I believe will support my future journey.

“I am so glad that I had opportunities to meet inspirational people and great friends, get involved with university events, and overcome personal and academic boundaries. University life left me with unique memories and skills.”

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Erin Cameron

“I chose Worcester for the support they give to sport scholarship students who are studying whilst playing a high level of sport, as at the time I was playing rugby at a high level and wanted to continue with this alongside full time study.

"I really valued the placement opportunities offered, as they provided me with the experience I needed to go into the real world. In fact, it was through my school based placement module that I heard of the Graduate Sports Teaching Assistant at my placement school. Additionally the support offered by the staff at the Uni was amazing and they really helped me progress throughout my time at University."

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Jack Austin

“I received great support from the academic staff. Due to smaller cohorts, I found the lecturing staff immensely encouraging and supportive and were readily able to offer both group and 1-2-1 tutorials.

“My degree pathway blended both an understanding of the fundamentals of physical education but also sports coaching. This enabled me to undertake several opportunities and roles both inside and outside of the university environment, giving me the understanding of what is needed to become a PE Teacher.”

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Lucie Kovarova

“As an international student I was excited to explore a new culture, develop my English and embrace different approaches in sports environments. The course offered me the possibility of a dual career both as a PE teacher and a sports coach, moreover, it consisted of interesting modules that I believe will support my future journey.

“I am so glad that I had opportunities to meet inspirational people and great friends, get involved with university events, and overcome personal and academic boundaries. University life left me with unique memories and skills.”

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Erin Cameron

“I chose Worcester for the support they give to sport scholarship students who are studying whilst playing a high level of sport, as at the time I was playing rugby at a high level and wanted to continue with this alongside full time study.

"I really valued the placement opportunities offered, as they provided me with the experience I needed to go into the real world. In fact, it was through my school based placement module that I heard of the Graduate Sports Teaching Assistant at my placement school. Additionally the support offered by the staff at the Uni was amazing and they really helped me progress throughout my time at University."


Contact

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Richard Pepperell

Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for Physical Education, and Physical Education and Sports Coaching Science

Admissions Office

01905 855111