This course is suitable for students aged 19 and over.
| Approved By: |  |
|---|---|
| UCAS Code: | N210 |
| Institution Code: | C601 |
| Campus: | Knowsley Main Campus |
| Entry Requirements: | Please see entry requirements section below. |
| Programme Specification: | Download Programme Specification |
| Programme Handbook: | This will be given out at the start of the programme |
| Programme Leader: |
Paul Hatton phatton@sthelens.ac.uk |
Turn your passion for sport into a profession with this practical, career-focused qualification.
The HND Sports and Exercise Science (Coaching) is designed for those entering the sports industry or looking to progress in their current role – equipping you with expert coaching skills, real-world experience, and the confidence to lead in today’s fast-paced, global sports environment.
Whether you’re aiming to step into elite coaching, climb the career ladder, or pursue further study, this course is your next big move.
As part of a Study Enhancement Gift, all new, first year (Level 4), full-time undergraduates on this course will either undertake a Level 2 Gym Instructor or Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy qualification to enhance their skills and knowledge or a high spec personal laptop with ownership passing over to students on successful completion of the course. This will be determined by the Programme Leader after enrolment.
When will I start the course and how long will it take?
The course will start in September and will take two years, full-time to complete. You will attend the College, two days per week.
This course takes place at our Main Campus, Huyton, Liverpool, L36 3SD
Entry Requirements
You should have one of the following:
- Level 3 qualification in Sport or Sport and Exercise Science or similar
- A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades A* to C (or equivalent) and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent) in subjects such as English and maths
- Access to Higher Education Diploma
- An international equivalent of the above
Prior Learning and Experience
Level 3 Sports qualification would be beneficial but not essential.
Additional Entry Requirements
University Centre St Helens welcomes applications from mature students (aged 21+) and students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.
Modules
| YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 |
| Nutrition | Y/616/0950 | 15 Credits | Research Project | L/616/0962 | 30 Credits |
| Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Psychology | K/616/1682 | 15 Credits | Advanced Coaching | J/616/1060 | 15 Credits |
| Anatomy and Physiology | D/616/0951 | 15 Credits | Performance Analysis | M/616/1053 | 15 Credits |
| Professional Skills | M/616/1683 | 15 Credits | Talent Identification and Development | J/616/1690 | 15 Credits |
| Coaching Practice and Skill Development | T/616/1684 | 15 Credits | Sport And Exercise for Specific Groups | D/616/1694 | 15 Credits |
| Training, Fitness, Testing | A/616/1685 | 15 Credits | Physical Education and School Sport | H/616/1695 | 15 Credits |
| Lifestyle Coaching | F/616/1686 | 15 Credits | Work Experience | H/616/1065 | 15 Credits |
| Community Coaching | L/616/1688 | 15 Credits |
Learning Environment and Assessment
Learning will be both theoretical and practical, within in a classroom and work-based environment, delivered through seminars, self-directed study, written work.
Types of assessment include written reports, essays, in-class tests, examinations, creation of planning documents, work-based projects, academic posters, displays, leaflets, PowerPoint (or similar) presentations, recordings of interviews/role plays, working logbooks, reflective journals, presentations with assessor questioning and time-constrained assessment.
Tuition Fees
For 2025 entry, tuition fees for part-time study are £8,250 per year.
Additional Costs
| Course-Related Travel (Placements/Work Experience/Voluntary/Site Visits | Variable dependent on the distance travelled and the method of transportation. Students are expected to undertake work experience (paid or voluntary) as part of their course and should account for transport charges. |
|---|---|
| Equipment and Materials | Core texts and reading lists should generally be available in the Knowsley Main Campus Library. However, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source and estimated cost is £50. Estimated cost is £20 per year for printed materials, if you chose to print posters etc. A list of University Centre St Helens’ printing costs can be found via www.sthelens.ac.uk/the-print-room.
Students will provide their own day-to-day stationary items including pens, pencils, notebooks. |
| Trips | Estimated cost is £50 per year for various travel and entry costs to exhibits. Estimated cost is £250 – £500 for a residential trip. |
| Volunteering Opportunities for Personal Development | Variable depending on the type of activity, but students will be required to undertake relevant work experience alongside their studies from the very beginning of their degree. |
Financial Support
Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England to cover the full cost of tuition fees, which means you don’t have to pay anything upfront and there’s nothing to pay back until you’re qualified and earning over £481 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year. You may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. Visit our finance support page for more information.
Study Enhancement Gift
All new, first year (level 4), full-time undergraduates studying a qualifying Foundation Degree, Bachelor’s Degree or Higher National Diploma at University Centre St Helens, will receive a non-repayable Study Enhancement Gift up to the value of £400. This could be a specific gift, such as a laptop, or subject specific equipment, extra qualifications or trips and visits.
For more information, visit our study enhancement gift page on our St Helens website.
Careers and Progression
HND Sports and Exercise Science (Coaching) provides excellent progression into a range of employment opportunities:
| Pathway | Job roles |
|---|---|
| Coaching Science | Sports Coach Community Sports Leader Performance Developer |
| Exercise, Health and Lifestyle | Sports Development Officer Sports Therapist Cardiac Rehabilitation Technician |
| General | Leisure Development Officer Strength and Conditioning Armed Forces or Uniformed Services Teaching or Lecturing (via a PGCE) Sports and Exercise Scientist |
You may also choose to progress on to further degree-level study at university, such as:
- BA (Hons) Sport and Fitness Studies
- BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
- BSc (Hons) Sports Studies
Are you ready to apply?
Simply fill in our online form here.
However, if you still have questions in relation to this course and wish to receive further information, please submit your enquiry here.
Please note, we have taken our utmost care to describe and show course information as accurately as possible. Knowsley Community College reserves the right to amend, remove and add courses in the future. This information cannot be considered contractual and advertised course fees are subject to change.
Ref: Joe Ferguson