Sport Coaching

Scottish Highers 

• Standard Entry Requirements: BCC (69 UCAS Tariff points) including a Science (Biology preferred) or PE
• Minimum Entry Requirements: CCC (63 UCAS Tariff points) including a Science (Biology preferred) or PE
• Alternative Minimum Entry Requirements: CC (42 UCAS Tariff points), including a Science (Biology preferred) or PE, PLUS successful completion of one of the following:
  • UWS Foundation Academy
  • Foundation Apprenticeship
  • UWS Next Steps to University module
  • Top-Up
  • LEAPS

A levels

DDD (72 UCAS Tariff points) including a science subject (Biology preferred) or PE

T Level

Full T Level with Grade P (A* - C) (96 Tariff points) in relevant subject

Irish Leaving Certificate

H3 H4 H4 H4 including a science subject (Biology preferred) or PE

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

24 points, including 3 subjects at H4 including a science or PE.

SQA HNC

• Coaching & Developing Sport
• Sport Coaching & Development
• Fitness, Health & Exercise
• Applied Sports Science
• Applied Sports & Exercise Science
• Physical Activity & Health with B in Graded Unit – To be reviewed when school has better idea of numbers

Scottish Wider Access Programme

• Access to STEM
• Access to Humanities
• Access to Life Sciences with Grades BBB. PE, Communication 4 and Literature 1 units required at SCQF Level 6

A levels

BBB (120 UCAS Tariff points) including 1 science subject and PE

T Level

Full T Level with Grade M (120 Tariff points) in relevant subject

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

30 points (136 UCAS Tariff points) with 3 subjects at H4 including PE or a Science at H4

SQA HNC

• Coaching & Developing Sport
• Sport Coaching & Development
• Fitness, Health & Exercise
• Applied Sports Science
• Applied Sports & Exercise Science
• Physical Activity & Health with A in Graded Unit

SQA HND 

• Sports Therapy (with B in Graded Unit)
• Applied Sport Science
• Coaching & Developing Sport
• Fitness Health & Exercise
• Sport Coaching & Development
• Physical Activity & Health with CA/CB (HNDs with 2 Graded Units) or CAA/CAB/CBB (HNDs with 3 Graded Units)

SQA HND

• Applied Sports Science
• Coaching & Developing Sport
• Fitness, Health & Exercise
• Sport Coaching & Development
• Physical Activity & Health with BB/BA/AB/AA or BBB/BAA/BBA/AAA/ABA/ABB (double or single graded units respectively)

Successful applicants who gain a place on this course will need to register on the PVG Scheme, managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. An application form will be sent from the University once you have accepted your offer. The fee for joining the scheme is £59.

Visit the Disclosure Scotland website for more information on the PVG scheme.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW

All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.

* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:

• native speakers of English
• Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
• non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
• students whose previous degree-level study has been taught and assessed in English in what UK Visas and Imigration (UKVI) define as a majority English speaking country

In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).

UWS & INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST SYSTEM (IELTS)

At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:

Undergraduate (bachelor's - BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc etc.) degrees and postgraduate (master's - MA, MBA, MSc etc.) taught degrees

• the CEFR equivalent requirement is normally an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

Postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA etc.)

• the CEFR equivalent requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 6.0 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.

† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information). 

IELTS SCORE EXCEPTIONS (RESEARCH DEGREES, BIOMEDICAL & PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREES, MIDWIFERY DEGREES WITH NMC REGISTRATION, SOCIAL WORK DEGREES, CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ETC.)

RESEARCH DEGREES

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 6.5
• no sub-test score of less than 6.0

MIDWIFERY AWARDS

For Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 7.0
• score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and
• score of at least 6.5 in writing

PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREE

Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:

• overall score of 7.0
• no sub-test score of less than 6.5

BIOMEDICAL DEGREES

For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 7.0
• no sub-test score of less than 6.5

SOCIAL WORK DEGREES

Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 7.0
• no sub-test score of less than 7.0

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 5.0
• no sub-test less than 4.5

OTHER IELTS EQUIVALENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS

In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests

ENGLISH LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFACTIONS ACCEPTED FOR NON-EU APPLICANTS

UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT UWS

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:

• 10-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
• 5-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
• English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with an overall score of 4.0, plus a score of 4.0 in all sub-tests (10-month course), or an overall score of 4.5, plus no score below 4.0 in all sub-tests (7-month course).

Find out more about our English language Courses.

Year 1 introduces students to core areas that inform coaching practice and follows a common structure with BSc (Hons) Sport Development; BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science; and BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching and Development undergraduate programmes. Modules include Fundamentals of Sport & Exercise, Coaching: Theory & Practice 1, and Physical Activity, Health & Fitness.

LEARNING AND TEACHING:

• Scheduled learning: 22%
• Independent study: 78%

ASSESSMENT:

• Practical: 22%
• Coursework: 78%

In Year 2 students undertake additional coaching modules with accompanying science-based modules to develop their understanding of the coaching process. Modules include Sport and Exercise Experience (Placement), Coaching: Theory & Practice 2, Principles of Human Movement, Personal Training, and Psychosocial Aspects of Sport & Exercise.

LEARNING AND TEACHING:

• Scheduled learning: 22%
• Independent study:74%
• Placement: 4%

ASSESSMENT:

• Written: 7%
• Practical: 20%
• Coursework: 73%

In Year 3 students specialise in the sciences that underpin coaching and further their understanding of the broader context of coaching environments and interdisciplinary practice. Core modules include Being a Sport Professional (Placement), Sport Research & Evaluation, Coaching: Theory & Practice 3, and Sports Conditioning & Biomechanics. Optional modules include The Psychology of Sport, Social Issues in Sport, and Sport Performance Analysis.

LEARNING AND TEACHING:

• Scheduled learning: 19% ·
• Independent study: 76%
• Placement: 5%

ASSESSMENT:

• Written: 8%
• Practical: 22%
• Coursework: 70%

In Year 4 students can tailor their learning to their interests and career options, with a range of optional modules, including Talent Development in Sport, Strength & Conditioning, Group Dynamics in Sport, The Female Athlete, Mental Health, Sport and Exercise, Field Trip, Injury Prevention & Reconditioning, and Applied Sport Psychology. Students will also study core modules Coaching: Theory & Practice 4, and Sport and Exercise Dissertation.

LEARNING AND TEACHING:

• Scheduled learning: 19%
• Independent study: 81%

ASSESSMENT:

• Written: 10%
• Practical: 38%
• Coursework: 52%

This degree will be taught through a combination of learning methods including tutor-led lectures, tutorials and seminars, practical workshops and exercises in a simulated work environment, small group teaching and group project work. Independent, online and peer-to-peer learning is an important element of this course.

Our Sport Coaching degree uses a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect:

• group and individual work
• multiple-choice exams
• reflective practice reports
• essays
• case study deconstruction
• practical examination
• research production

UWS Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors

Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject. 

View our Programme Specifications & Module Descriptors

Estimated cost per year of study.

• Textbooks (also available in library and as e-books for most textbooks) (Optional, Years 1-4): £50-£200
• Branded sports kit (Optional, Years 1-4): £20-£100
• Stationary – notepads/pens/highlighters (Optional, Years 1-4): £20
• Wireless microphone for recording coaching practical sessions (Optional, Years 1-4): £20
• Travel costs for placements and research projects (Mandatory, Years 2-4): £50-£75
• Year 4 (Level 10) Field Trip module [optional 10-credit module]. (Optional, Year 4): £625
• Travel costs to external facilities used for teaching (Mandatory, Years 1-4): £50-£75
• Not completing the Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) application on two occasions. (Mandatory): £60
• Completing a PVG if not already a member (Mandatory): £59
• Failure to submit your returned Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) certificate detail to UWS. (Mandatory): £18
• Printing & photocopying (Optional, Years 1-4): £20
• CIMSPA Membership (Optional, Years 1-4): £36