Sport Coaching and Physical Education

Sport coaching and physical education bring together two related but distinct disciplines. Coaching is concerned with developing the performance, wellbeing and relationship to sport of athletes and participants across different levels and contexts. Physical education focuses on how sport, movement and physical activity are taught in schools and community settings, and on the educational and developmental benefits that well-designed physical activity can provide.

Together they give you a broad professional preparation for working with people through sport and movement in educational, community and performance contexts.

At the University of Cumbria this three-year full-time programme examines the theory of physical education, sport and coaching pedagogy across the education, leisure and community sectors. You will develop your understanding of how people learn physical skills, how effective coaches and teachers design and deliver sessions, and how participation in sport contributes to physical, mental and social wellbeing. Teaching is complemented by practical sessions in the sports hall and performance laboratories, as well as opportunities to use the Lake District as a fieldwork environment, which gives the programme a distinctive outdoor dimension.

You will complete approximately 50 hours of work experience in schools, clubs and community groups, grounding your learning in real professional contexts. The programme has strong links with the sport industry, supporting your professional development and employability.

Graduates typically move into careers in school physical education, community sport development, coaching in clubs and performance academies, leisure management, health and wellbeing programmes, and education support roles. Many pursue postgraduate qualifications in teaching or in specialist coaching fields. The combination of educational and coaching expertise supports entry into a wide range of roles wherever sport and physical activity are part of the professional landscape.