Sport, Coaching and School Sport

Sport, coaching and school sport addresses the theory and practice of sporting activity and the professional skills needed to coach and teach sport across community and educational settings. It combines sport science, physical education pedagogy, coaching methodology and school sport development, giving graduates the knowledge and practical abilities to work effectively with young people and adult athletes at a range of levels. The importance of physical activity for health, wellbeing and social development makes this a field with clear social value, and the UK's school sport and community sport infrastructure creates consistent demand for well-qualified practitioners.

The University of St Mark and St John in Plymouth offers this programme over two years of full-time study, making it a focused and efficient route to a relevant degree-level qualification. The shorter duration makes it particularly well suited to students who are confident in their sporting and coaching knowledge and wish to build the formal academic underpinning of their practice relatively quickly. The typical entry tariff for this programme is around 72 UCAS points, reflecting the accessible entry profile of the two-year route.

You will study coaching science and methodology, motor learning and skill acquisition, sport psychology, physical education in schools, curriculum design and delivery, athlete development, safeguarding and inclusion in sport, and the organisation of school sport programmes and competitions. Practical coaching and teaching experience is likely to be integrated throughout the programme, allowing you to apply theoretical learning in real settings with young people and participants.

Graduates of sport, coaching and school sport programmes work as sports coaches in schools, community sport organisations, national governing bodies, local authority sports development teams, and leisure and fitness facilities. Many graduates pursue the School Direct or PGCE route into qualified teacher status after completing the degree, specialising in physical education. Others work as sports development officers, school sport coordinators, personal trainers or performance coaches.

Postgraduate study in sports coaching, physical education or sports development is an option for those who wish to advance their professional expertise further.