Sport Coaching & Development
Award
BSc (Hons)
Duration & study mode
4 years full-time
School
Health & Life Sciences
Location
Ayr
Ucas code
C621
Course starting dates
-
Ayr: September
Prepare for employment in the sports coaching and development industries with UWS’s BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching & Development.
This is the only degree of its kind in Scotland and has been developed in consultation with sports industry partners to provide the knowledge and skills sought after by employers. The applied nature of this degree leaves you well-equipped to work in the promotion and development of sports, or in the teaching and coaching of sport.
UWS offers opportunities for our students to study abroad via our exchange programmes.
Study abroad is extremely beneficial to personal and professional development and research has shown that worldwide employers value graduates with intercultural awareness and global competences.
Our Sport Coaching and Development students have undertaken a 2 weeks work placement in Sweden in previous years in which they worked with a mentor in sports coaching and development.
There is a strong emphasis on placement learning and developing the practical skills relevant to the modern sports coaching and development industries. Excellent industry links provide work-based learning opportunities and offer links to attainment of coaching qualifications.
Students have undertaken placements with a wide range of sports coaching and development organisations in Ayrshire and beyond.
overall student satisfaction – National Student Survey 2020
of BSc Sport Development students are in work or study 6 months after completing their degree
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
For Life Science and Sport degrees, unless stated otherwise, suitable science subjects include: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Psychology, Sociology, and Geography, Modern Studies (Sports Coaching will also accept Politics as a Science).
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.
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.
General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see section below for more details).
SOCIAL WORK DEGREES
For our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work programmes, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to, or require professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET)*.
For such courses, the IELTS score is as follows:
* Note that the Occupational English Test (OET) will now be accepted in addition to IELTS as proof of a Nurse's English Language Competence (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2019).
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science programmes, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:
* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*
*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.
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:
On our course pages, you will find details of our entry criteria listed as Standard Entry Requirements and Minimum Entry Requirements. These are the academic qualifications that, depending on your personal circumstances, you will be required to meet to allow your application to be considered for a place at UWS.
Competition for places on many of our courses can be very high and even if you meet the standard or minimum qualifications stated, there is no guarantee that your application will progress to the next stage of the admissions process. We review individual applications very closely and place great importance on your personal statement and academic reference as well as your academic qualifications before making selection decisions.
Our Standard Entry Requirements are the grades that you will need to achieve to allow you to be considered for entry to a specific programme of study.
Our Minimum Entry Requirements are applicable to those applicants who have not had an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic ability at school or college and are known as ‘widening access’ applicants. We also sometimes refer to this type of applicant as receiving a ‘contextual’ offer. We may be able to provide you with a contextual offer if you fall into one of the categories below:
If you fall into any of the first four categories above, please mention this on your UCAS application. We will automatically apply category 5 if it applies to you.
If you have already achieved the required grades for either our standard or minimum entry criteria, we may be able to offer you an unconditional offer for some course areas. If you have not yet achieved these grades, we may be able to make you a conditional offer, which will rely on you achieving further qualifications before you can be accepted on to a programme of study.
Further details of our Admissions processes can be found as follows:
“There are genuinely too many highlights to mention – I had the opportunity to gain vital experience from peers and experts in the field which helps me on a daily basis.”
Scott Frew, BA (Hons) Sports Coaching & Development graduate, now PE Teacher at Auchinleck Academy
The Sports Coaching and Development course was developed in consultation with national sport organisations, national governing bodies, national and local sport industry personnel and expert coaches. This consultation process has resulted in a course that gives students many employment opportunities upon graduation. In years 3 and 4 students will have the opportunity to tailor their learning to their interests and career options, and complete a dissertation in their own area of interest.
Topics are: sport coaching, sport development, academic skills, sports performance and volunteering in sport. This provides an overview and introduction to the disciplines within the sports coaching and development industry as well as the skills to investigate these topics in an academic manner.
In Year 2 you will study the development of sports coaching, research methods, developing sport for targeted groups, managing sports events and the first worksite learning experience. You will attend industry-related placements and receive training from our industry partners before commencing placement.
In Year 3 you will begin to examine academic theory and practice in more depth in order to enhance your skills of evaluation. Subjects studied include sports coaching, sociology and sport development, sport psychology, sport physiology and work-based learning. There are electives available on physical activity and health or physical education in schools. You will contextualise these aspects on a second professional placement, again working with our partners in industry and will develop skills that will help you prepare for your Honours year.
In Year 4 you will consolidate the knowledge gained throughout the programme and continue with modules covering the multidisciplinary aspects of sports coaching and development (as covered in Year 3). Electives are available in sport psychology, sport physiology and leadership/entrepreneurial skills. The focus of Year 4 is on critically analysing academic theory in an applied context. You will also complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
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 BA (Hons) Sports Coaching & Development degree uses a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect:
This course also gives you the option of taking a language module, which can count towards your degree. These modules cover multiple languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level. The cost of your language module is included in the tuition fees. Find out more
Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.
This programme will prepare you for a successful career in sport coaching and development. You could potentially pursue a career in the following areas:
Many graduates have gone on to complete postgraduate study, including Masters programmes and postgraduate diplomas in order to become qualified as Physical Education teachers.
UWS has partnered with the Scottish Volleyball Association to provide students industry-relevant coaching and development experience.
The partnership, which will initially take place at the University’s Ayr Campus within this programme, will provide students with an insight into the workings of a national governing body in sport, and provide real and relevant industry work experience.
Scottish Volleyball Association staff will work closely with the students across a range of modules, giving them the opportunity to progress along the coaching pathway. As well as a host of coaching qualifications, students will also have access to work experience in community club and national team coaching settings. Teaching staff at UWS will also work with Scottish Volleyball Development Officers to provide continuous professional development opportunities for coaches and volunteers.
You can find out more about the partnership by watching this YouTube Live video which was hosted following the partnership announcement.
In September 2020 the University partnered with the Scottish Volleyball Association to provide students on this programme with industry-relevant coaching and development experience.
The partnership provides students with an insight into the workings of a national governing body in sport, and real and relevant industry work experience.
Scottish Volleyball Association staff work closely with the students across a range of modules, giving them the opportunity to progress along the coaching pathway. As well as a host of coaching qualifications, students have access to work experience in community club and national team coaching settings. Teaching staff at UWS also work with Scottish Volleyball Development Officers to provide continuous professional development opportunities for coaches and volunteers.
Read more about the partnership in our press release issued to mark the launch in September 2020.
£1,820 Cost of study per year (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£17,250 Cost per year of study
£305 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£2,880 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,820 Cost of study per year (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£9,250 Cost of study per year (for four years but you will not pay more than £27,750)
£18,000 Cost per year of study
£305 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£1,550 Cost per 20-credit module of study
£3,000 Cost per 20-credit module of study
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs like study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms.
Fortunately, there is a great deal of financial support available to help students meet the cost of their study. This ranges from
The sections below provide details of additional costs that your course may involve along with any financial support that may be available.
You can also find additional information in our Undergraduate Money, Fees & Funding section.
Students on certain degrees will incur some additional costs not covered by their tuition fees. These could be for things like specialist equipment, study materials and textbooks, work placements, graduation, membership of relevant organisations or costs related to carrying out fieldwork.
For students on course with an element of fieldwork, there may also be extra costs for travel and accommodation.
Note: The library will hold some copies of the textbooks but not enough for every student. Students can purchase second hand copies when possible or use older versions if advised by the module cordinator. Students can also sell their copies after the course. This helps manage the cost.
Books & printed material (Optional)
You are encouraged to use the library for all reading materials (some will be availably digitally also). You may, however, choose to purchase some or all of the recommended text books. Given the availability of library and online resources and individual preferences, costs will be variale.
Entry-level Sports qualification (Mandatory)
You are required demonstrate a National Governing Body qualification and these vary, body-to-body, and will cost between £50-100.
Uniform (Mandatory)
You are required to purchase UWS sports kit to represent the University on placement and during practical activities. NOrmally, students purchase at least one item (e.g UWS polo shirt) at £15-20.
PVG Health Checks (Mandatory)
Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme membership is required and this currently costs £59. This cost may change in future years. The School covers the cost of an update currently if you already have membershio but it needs to be renewed.
Books & printed material (Optional)
You are encouraged to use the library for all reading materials (some will be availably digitally also). You may, however, choose to purchase some or all of the recommended text books. Given the availability of library and online resources and individual preferences, costs will be variale.
Photocopying (Optional)
You may wish to print out notes or print copies of key articles as part of your studies. Such costs are variable and depend upon your preferences.
Placement costs (Optional)
Practical placement opportunities are an integral part of this course. These placements may arranged with organisations near your home/current accommodation and therefore, travel costs may be minimum. Alternatively, placements may be at locations that require you to travel to them either by public transport or by car. You may need to factor travel costs in to your studies; these costs are variable and depend entierly upon the location of the placement. However, please bear in mind that travel may be at peak times and this may thererfore cost more on public transport.
Uniform (Mandatory)
You are required to purchase UWS sports kit to represent the University on placement and during practical activities. NOrmally, students purchase at least one item (e.g UWS polo shirt) at £15-20.
PVG Health Checks (Mandatory)
Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme membership is required and this currently costs £59. This cost may change in future years. The School covers the cost of an update currently if you already have membershio but it needs to be renewed.
Books & printed material (Optional)
You are encouraged to use the library for all reading materials (some will be availably digitally also). You may, however, choose to purchase some or all of the recommended text books. Given the availability of library and online resources and individual preferences, costs will be variale.
Photocopying (Optional)
You may wish to print out notes or print copies of key articles as part of your studies. Such costs are variable and depend upon your preferences.
Placement costs (Optional)
Practical placement opportunities are an integral part of this course. These placements may arranged with organisations near your home/current accommodation and therefore, travel costs may be minimum. Alternatively, placements may be at locations that require you to travel to them either by public transport or by car. You may need to factor travel costs in to your studies; these costs are variable and depend entierly upon the location of the placement. However, please bear in mind that travel may be at peak times and this may thererfore cost more on public transport.
Uniform (Mandatory)
You are required to purchase UWS sports kit to represent the University on placement and during practical activities. NOrmally, students purchase at least one item (e.g UWS polo shirt) at £15-20.
PVG Health Checks (Mandatory)
Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme membership is required and this currently costs £59. This cost may change in future years. The School covers the cost of an update currently if you already have membershio but it needs to be renewed.
Graduation fees (Optional for those exiting with BSc award)
These fees are set annually by the University and are subject to review. For session 19/20 these were set at £10 Registration Fee. Academic dress and official photography (optional) for graduation ceremonies is hired and arranged respectively from an external suppliers.
Books & printed material (Optional)
You are encouraged to use the library for all reading materials (some will be availably digitally also). You may, however, choose to purchase some or all of the recommended text books. Given the availability of library and online resources and individual preferences, costs will be variale.
Photocopying (Optional)
You may wish to print out notes or print copies of key articles as part of your studies. Such costs are variable and depend upon your preferences.
Dissertation & poster presentation (Mandatory)
Your final year dissertation is a core and mandatory piece of research undertaken in your final year of studies. However, only electronic copies are required to be submitted for assessment. You may wish to print bound copies, but this is not mandatory. Depending upon the size of the dissertation and the content it can cost anything between £15-40. Research pOsters are developed as part of your final year studies but these are electronic versions only and do not need to be printed for assessment.
Placement costs (Optional)
Placements are an integral part of this course and apply to all years of your studies. These placements will be arranged by you. These placements may be near your home/current accommodation and therefore, travel costs may be minimum. Alternatively, placements may be at locations that require you to travel to them either by public transport or by car. You may need to factor travel costs in to your studies. These are variable and depend entierly upon the location of the placement. However, please bear in mind that travel may be at peak times and this may thererfore cost more on public transport.
Uniform (Mandatory)
You are required to purchase UWS sports kit to represent the University on placement and during practical activities. NOrmally, students purchase at least one item (e.g UWS polo shirt) at £15-20.
PVG Health Checks (Mandatory)
Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme membership is required and this currently costs £59. This cost may change in future years. The School covers the cost of an update currently if you already have membershio but it needs to be renewed.
Graduation fees (Mandatory)
These fees are set annually by the University and are subject to review. For session 19/20 these were set at £10 Registration Fee. Academic dress and official photography (optional) for graduation ceremonies is hired and arranged respectively from an external suppliers.
Tuition fees are calculated based on where you are from and what you are studying. Some courses also involve additional costs, such as mandatory field trips, equipment or studying abroad.
Find out how much it will cost you to study at UWS as an undergraduate student.
Scottish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
English, Welsh and Northern Irish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
EU students studying at undergraduate level of UWS may be eligible for SAAS funding, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
There are several scholarship and incentive schemes available to international students studying at undergraduate level at UWS, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
UWS administer a range of discretionary and childcare funds. These are designed to support students who are experiencing financial difficulty or struggling to meet the costs of childcare.
Becoming a student can have an impact on your entitlement to certain benefits. It may mean you are no longer eligible to claim a benefit you have been receiving, or your new income from student funding may affect the amount you are able to receive.
If there isn’t a statutory source of funding for you or your course, or you are in need of additional financial support, you may wish to consider more alternative sources of funding such as trust funds and scholarships.
At UWS, we believe financial restrictions should never be a barrier to your education.
The WEST (Widening Education and Supporting Talent) Scholarship Programme aims to remove the financial barriers that stop talented students from progressing throughout their degree to graduation.
Choosing to become a student can have a big impact on your budget and you may need to reassess your spending to account for a reduced income. We’ve put together some guidance to help you manage your money and make the right financial choices for you and your family.
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs like study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms.
Fortunately, there is a great deal of financial support available to help students meet the cost of their study. This ranges from:
· statutory government loans to pay for tuition fees
· scholarships for Scottish, EU and International (non-EU) students
· bursaries to help towards living expenses
The sections below provide details of additional costs that your course may involve along with any financial support that may be available.
You can also find additional information in our Undergraduate Money, Fees & Funding section.
All UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2022/23 entry is 25 January 2023, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2022, 18:00 (UK time). Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.