Why study this course

Three FREE years of membership to our Sport & Fitness Centre, gym and facilities for all BGU undergraduate Sport students

We have extensive links with external partners and opportunities for work experience, volunteering and coaching

Small class, practical and lab-based sessions across all levels of the programme

Real world, county wide projects involving sport, physical activity and health directly linked to course of study

Course summary

If you don’t have, or don’t think you will attain, the normal tariff points for studying at BGU, this course will enable you to study for a degree without any UCAS points. The course is delivered over four years and includes a Foundation Year, which gives you a perfect introduction to what it means to be a university student and prepares you for effective undergraduate study. In your Foundation Year, you will study eight modules, all of which are designed to equip you with the necessary academic skills and knowledge to progress successfully in your chosen subject. You will also engage in a series of bespoke subject sessions delivered by experts, designed to introduce you to your chosen subject area.

Find out more about our Foundation Year programme.


During the study of Sport, Coaching and Physical Education at BGU you will gain understanding in the complexities of this subject, including; the development of sport; how performance can be enhanced and how it can be managed and led. This course is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of sport, coaching and physical education.

Key facts

Award

BSc (Hons)

UCAS code

C61F

Duration

4 years

Mode of study

Full-time

Start date

September

Awarding institution

Bishop Grosseteste University

Institution code

B38

Apply for this course

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About this course

Sport, Coaching & Physical Education at BGU in Lincoln is an exciting, multi-disciplinary degree which equips you with the vocational, professional and academic knowledge and experience required for those with aspirations for a successful career in coaching, teaching, sports development or the health and fitness industry. This degree requires your practical involvement in sport and physical activity in order to systematically challenge and critique the theoretical aspects of Sport, Coaching & Physical Education.

Sports coaches and physical educators have the opportunity to impact significantly on the lives of those they are supporting and this requires thoughtful, innovative and informed practitioners which this degree aims to develop.

A key feature of this undergraduate course is its integration of applied professional practice with theory. You will examine academic subjects and develop your critical skills in a variety of practical settings. This may include working alongside professional coaches in participation, community and performance settings or examining issues linked to sport and physical education in schools. Our links with local sports partnerships, governing bodies, professional sports clubs provide exciting work placement and career opportunities. Our staff are also involved in exciting research projects, developing knowledge and professional links that students can access.

You will study a range of modules which focus on the key aspects of sport, coaching and physical education. In your first year, the initial learning focus requires you to demonstrate your written, practical performance and presentation skills in all modules. It provides an introduction to analysis which will feature more heavily in assessments at the next level. Year two will see you have greater opportunities for choice and specialisation, directly reflected in the variety and relevance of assessment types offered. The abilities to compare, contrast, reflect and relate concepts are evaluated. In your final year, you will need to demonstrate your ability to function individually and in group and research settings. You will be given all-important opportunities to cope with working under supervised conditions. This develops independence and the ability to think more critically.

What you will study

As a student on this course, you may study some or all of the modules listed below.

In this module you will explore and consider what it means to be a successful learner at university. You’ll explore the principles of effective learning and engage with a range of tools and techniques to practise and develop strategies for your own learning. These include for example, understanding your needs as a learner, effective time management and organisational skills.

You will learn about a range of resources and practise locating and using these resources to support effective learning. These resources will include, for example, textbooks, websites, academic journals, and popular press. In addition to these key techniques, the module covers academic conventions including referencing, citation and the risks of plagiarism.

This module will allow you to learn to utilise sources in a considered and critical way. You will begin to engage effectively with literature and other sources in a meaningful manner that promotes deep learning and enables knowledge and understanding of a topic. You will also begin to differentiate qualitative and quantitative data and consider their appropriate interpretation and use.

Critical thinking is an integral part of university study. While studying this module you will define critical thinking, its importance and how it can help you in your learning. A range of critical thinking models will be utilised to demonstrate how this works in action, allowing you to recognise critical thinking and identify barriers and challenges.

The skilled use of digital technologies is an important element in university study and is used to support both the obtaining and demonstration of knowledge. This module will develop your digital capabilities and confidence, encouraging you to develop techniques for the purposeful use of a range of digital tools to support learning. These include specific tools such as the Virtual Learning Environment and appropriate and effective uses of wider applications such as social media, email and the internet.

This module explores, compares and evaluates a range of communication types, giving you opportunities to combine written and spoken communication in a range of contexts and for a range of audiences. From a theoretical, sociological perspective you will explore different communication media and styles of discourse, for example, discussion, debate, enquiry and reporting.

Reflection is a powerful learning tool that enables you to consider your existing knowledge and also to plan for your future learning and professional development. The module content includes the principles of reflective learning and collaborative planning with reference to structured models.

Academic writing is an essential element of successful university study, so this module explores a range of techniques to help develop your own academic writing style. It will enable you to draw together your learning throughout the Foundation Year and reflect on the feedback you have received. You will structure a clear and effective piece of academic writing on a subject-linked topic in which you will apply standard academic conventions.

This module sets out to combine an academic study of the relations between sport, education and society, with a pragmatic desire to explore sport in formal and informal learning environments. It will promote inquiry into the implications of the curriculum for teaching and learning of sport and will begin to develop required skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching strategies in preparation for further development. Teaching and learning will proceed by way of interactive lectures, practical work, tutorials and seminars. These will introduce key concepts and develop your understanding of sport in education. Practical activities and tutor-led workshops will provide opportunities for you to observe and assist in teaching and learning of sport. A number of directed tasks are incorporated, including data collection, independent reading, presentation and discussion. Online support and discussion through the VLE will be available and shared reflection will be encouraged through your contribution to a blog. The syllabus will include a study of the nature of sport in education and will provide an introduction to the application of Physical Education (PE) in a variety of educational settings. You will be introduced to key issues in PE such as inclusion, assessment, cross-curricular learning, citizenship and lifelong learning. Sport will be placed in context of the National Curriculum for PE and you will examine real case studies of how sport education has been used in both primary and secondary PE. You will also have the opportunity to explore and develop knowledge and understanding of strategies aimed at making the sport experience positive and meaningful to all individuals.

The syllabus provides both understanding and practical experience of laboratory-based exercise physiology assessments for testing and research. It will explore physiological and anatomical structures and functions and introduce the fundamentals of sport and exercise physiology. Human conditioning will be covered, alongside the regulation and integration of multiple physiological systems during exercise, the adaptations to exercise training, and specific challenges placed upon them during exercise in environmental extremes. You will be given guidance in researching, planning and carrying out and writing up a small-scale investigative project. Delivery of this module will involve lectures, seminars, laboratories, directed work and discussion. There will be an emphasis on practical and investigative work. You will be inducted through the health and safety procedures for working in the Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) and with support will be expected to carry out practical research in groups. This module will also use computer-assisted learning on cardiovascular, muscular, skeletal and respiratory physiology. A number of directed tasks are included and online tutorial support and discussion through the VLE will be available.

This module will provide you with an overview of the influence of physical activity on health and wellbeing in young people. The module will explore the main cultural, political and ethical issues surrounding physical activity and will introduce methods of promoting physical activity to young people. Tutor-led workshops both in the Sports Hall and Human Performance Lab (HPL) will introduce and develop the varied practical and analytical skills required to complete the module successfully. A number of directed tasks are incorporated, including data collection, independent reading, use of VLE, presentation and discussion. The syllabus will explore current research on physical activity and young people in the UK and will examine current and previous levels of physical activity. You will gain theoretical and practical understanding of the physical, social and psychological benefits of physical activity for young people. In particular this module sets out to identify how young people develop their self-identities and how they accept or reject physical activity and sport in this process. Through investigating physical activity prescriptions, levels and key exercise interventions you will gain a breadth and depth of understanding of the barriers young people face towards exercise and physical activity.

This module is aimed at developing your knowledge of the coaching process by addressing the coaching framework, roles of a coach, characteristics of effective coaching and the fundamentals of movement. The knowledge gained from this module will allow you to develop an understanding of safe, ethical and effective coaching. The module will enable you to initially participate in tutor-led practical workshops, before independently planning, delivering and evaluating a coaching session. You will then lead and participate in a series of fundamental movement and multi-skill focused coaching workshops. The syllabus allows you to begin to examine both the theory and practice of coaching. The theory will be generic but the practical application will be through fundamental movements and multi-skill based coaching approaches. The module will develop your awareness of the UK sports coaching industry, the roles of a coach and the coaching process alongside differences in coaching practice. It will also introduce how to establish a safe, effective, fair and equitable coaching environment. You will produce a plan for a single session that supports participation or performance coaching. You will then deliver a sport-specific coaching session to the other students within your group and adopt self-reflection processes evaluating the effectiveness of your coaching and the session.

This module will further develop your knowledge and understanding of pedagogical approaches and skills and apply them to the teaching and learning of PE and sport. It will further explore issues related to the National Curriculum for the teaching and learning of sport. It will provide opportunities for you to acquire and apply knowledge of the principles and concepts of motor skill learning and performance. There will be opportunities to implement and evaluate a wide range of PE and sport related teaching resources and strategies. You will also have the opportunity to develop research and analytical skills in the selection of appropriate PE material and techniques for use in learning environments. The syllabus will include lesson planning, practical organisation, inclusion and differentiation in the physical environment, pedagogical approaches. These themes are explored through various physical activities and practical workshops. You will develop a detailed knowledge of the major theories and practice of teaching and learning through sport and PE. It aims to introduce a range of teaching strategies, which can be used in PE and coaching contexts, providing the opportunity for you to create an appropriate teaching environment for learners to acquire physical, emotional and social skills. You will be introduced to the principles of motor skill learning and related theories and how to apply the concepts of motor learning and performance to real-world settings of teaching and coaching. You will be required to identify relevant teaching and learning practices that will develop pupil knowledge and understanding of the activities in accordance with the National Curriculum in primary and secondary schools.

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills for analysing, presenting and interpreting data typical of a small-scale research project in the multidisciplinary areas of sport, coaching and physical education. You will examine the various nature and types of research available and their application within sport, alongside the development of research skills. You are introduced to a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, designs and analysis approaches. This will be followed by a series of interactive data collection and workshop sessions that adopt a problem driven student-led small group approach. The data collection and analysis sessions will be problem driven with you designing methods appropriate to given research questions. Workshop sessions will illustrate principles of good research design, highlight common errors and develop techniques for data analysis, description and presentation in a hands-on manner using standard software packages and theoretical approaches. Directed learning focuses on guiding you to material deemed necessary to prepare for and support data presentation, analysis-based activities. There will also be sessions that are tutorial-based offering support to both groups and individuals. The syllabus will focus on equipping you to recognize the process for a small-scale research project. You will explore how research enquiry in sport can lead or inform thinking and practice before being introduced to the value, processes, research design and methods of both quantitative and qualitative research in sport. Ethical issues will be addressed, including the principles of anonymity, confidentiality and informed consent. You will gain theoretical understanding and practical experience of research data collection techniques such as interviews, questionnaires and observations and quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. You will then work independently with data to complete a small-scale project for your independently written assignment.

The syllabus will introduce and examine the concept of adapted physical activity and sport. It will develop understanding of related terminologies and present the laws affecting the rights of individuals with disabilities within the context of physical activity and sport opportunities. Predominant disabilities will be identified within a physical activity context. Factors that influence the development of a sport and recreation programme for individuals with disabilities will be considered. Current opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in physical activity and sport will be discussed and specific strategies for coaching and teaching individuals with disabilities will be highlighted. Tutor-led workshops both in the Human Performance Lab, sports hall and fitness suite will introduce and develop the varied practical and analytical skills required to complete the module successfully. You will be provided with opportunities to enhance your professional development by transferring the theoretical knowledge you develop in lectures to a practical situation where you will plan, initiate and participate in sporting activities that meet the needs of individuals with disabilities

This module will investigate effective ways of promoting interest, participation and performance in sport. You will develop a critical understanding of theoretical and vocationally relevant issues for sports development in contemporary society. You will broaden your knowledge and understanding through working with a variety of guest speakers, in order to compare contrasting theories, viewpoints and complex arguments. An optional field visit will play a helpful role in understanding current practice in leadership and working with diverse populations. The syllabus will include an introduction to the historical development and promotion of sport and exercise in the UK. You will learn about the theories of sports development and will explore and evaluate policies that guide its direction. Leadership within local authorities, governing bodies and voluntary organisations will be examined alongside the practicalities of policy implementation at a national, regional and local level. You will investigate current development and promotional projects operated by organisations such as the Sport England, Active Lincolnshire, Youth Sport Trust and Lincoln City Council. This module will provide many opportunities for debate, analysis and enquiry, with you appraising the sports development continuum and evaluating the role of sports development and leadership at an individual, group and community level.

This module provides you with an experience of conducting a systematic review with consideration towards informing your own practice and understanding of a workplace environment. This module is deliberately structured in an open-ended way to allow a project focus to be developed which is most suited to your potential future career. Working with your appointed tutor, drawing on shared and individually sourced resources, you will be supported in identifying an appropriate placement project which will enable you to meet the learning outcomes. This will enable you to gain valuable experience of conducting an applied research project that may hold relevance to real-life work-related situation which captures the challenges and uncertainties of the workplace environment. You may be working in groups, pairs or individually if appropriate to the project.

This module will allow you to further your knowledge of varying methods which can be used in Sport, Exercise and Physical Education to analyse a range of assessments. You will learn different techniques, depending upon the context of the chosen assessment. The module will raise awareness of the range of methods of analyses and allow you to determine the appropriate methods used. You will also gain an understanding of how to analyse any results and be able to present these in an appropriate manner. You must individually write a report, which will demonstrate your ability to carry out choose the appropriate method of analysis for a chosen example, whether this is in a sporting, exercise or physical education context.

This module will give you a detailed knowledge and understanding of how nutrition can influence health and exercise. You will apply your understanding of nutrition and how you could support an individual in differing contexts, whether this is for health benefits or to improve exercise or sporting performance. There will be an emphasis on theoretical and investigative work in being able to identify how differing food types affect the body, and how this translates into health and exercise. You will be expected to carry out research to demonstrate an awareness of the effect of certain nutritional elements influence health and exercise performance and be able to prescribe a chosen individual nutritional advice on how to improve health or aid exercise or sporting performance. A number of directed tasks are included to support the development of you and aid progression, knowledge and understanding.

The syllabus begins by providing an understanding of the role of exercise in promoting health, fitness and wellbeing. It will then proceed to examine the relationship that diverse individuals have with exercise and physical activity and focuses on psychological, environmental and social factors that influence and impact upon health and wellbeing. You will explore a range of assessment methods that can be used to provide a health and fitness profile for individuals and special populations and will consider specific medical issues that may affect participation. You will be provided with opportunities to carry out an investigative project based either in the human physiology lab or field setting. You will be provided with opportunities to work in groups to develop competence in a range of laboratory and field techniques to assess health, fitness and well-being.

This module will enable you to develop further knowledge of how to conduct effective measurement techniques. The module will build on concepts and issues introduced elsewhere in the course and will involve you in the measurement and evaluation of a number of parameters of kinanthropometry in a laboratory setting. You will be provided with opportunities to work in groups to develop further competence in a range of anthropometric techniques. You will also be asked to carry out an independent practical assessment, which will require demonstration of competence in a range of kinanthropometric assessment techniques. The syllabus will begin by exploring both the qualitative and quantitative research paradigm and will enable you to develop further knowledge of how to conduct proper measurement techniques. The module will involve you in the measurement of a number of parameters of kinanthropometry in a laboratory setting. By analysing different types of human size, shape, proportion and composition you will be able to apply physiological and psychological principles to practical situations ranging from exercising for health to physical training for enhanced athletic performance. You will have opportunities to work in groups and will explore a range of methods to examine the reliability and validity of a specific measurement protocol or technique. The overall aim of the module is to equip you with practical skills that enable independent enquiry and analysis.

This module enables you to develop an appreciation of the various purposes of coaching analysis from both quantitative and qualitative approaches. It will provide the opportunity to develop previous research skills gained. The module places a greater emphasis on the applied application of analysis and how this supports and develops coaching and performance across a variety of sports. This syllabus is designed to provide you with a detailed overview of the development of performance analysis in sport and address what coaching analysis is used for, on who and why. It will provide you with an insight into the links between analysis and the coaching process. It will provide a balanced consideration of the quantitative and qualitative approaches available. Within the module you will be introduced to and experience the process of practical coaching performance analysis methods and critically examine associated approaches and systems.

This module will give you the experience of designing, carrying out a research project, and writing a dissertation, in an area of sport, coaching or physical education. You will gain transferable and practical skills relevant to conducting data collection and analysis of a research project. You will select you research project topics with staff during the second semester of your second year. Each student is allocated a supervisory tutor within the School. Supervisory sessions will cover the identification of a research question; necessary elements of research design; the approach needed to prepare for and complete the research project; a range of appropriate research methods; appropriate statistical analyses; the structure of the research report; the interpretation of the research results; possible or probable conclusions; and the writing of the report. You keep a diary of the research process which logs meetings with supervisor and agreed outcomes. The syllabus will focus on equipping you to undertake an ethically approved research project. During the module you will follow your methodology, carrying out data collection before performing the analysis and discussion of results, resulting in a sustained piece of work. The analysis of results must be detailed and coherent and the discussion should compare findings to other recent and current research. It is undertaken with minimum guidance from the supervisor and will require the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility. It will provide an understanding of the significance and limitations of theory and research as well as enabling you to have the ability to articulate your own preferred learning styles and strategies and actively manage your development to organise an effective work pattern including working to deadlines. It offers you the chance to embark upon your own specialist academic interests and in some cases to make an original contribution to current academic debate.

This module will draw contemporary knowledge of sport, coaching and physical education together and relate issues to current practice. It is designed to enable you to develop critically informed opinions on contemporary issues. The syllabus will include a study of the contemporary social, cultural, political and ethical issues in sport and physical education. You will select research issues which may include for example debates surrounding notions of ‘policy’, ‘inclusion’, ‘deviance’ ‘equity’ and ‘identity’ in relation to sport, coaching and physical education. The focus of the module will vary according to changing issues in the sporting world. Building on critical studies in other modules, you will be given the opportunity to explore, research, discuss and critically evaluate a particular contemporary issue from within your chosen theme.

The module aims to develop your understanding of the emotional nature of sports work and the underlying normative practices and actions that are developed in sports workers relationships and practices. The taught session content will draw upon key sociological and educational theory and concepts and empirical studies to make sense of emotional display, emotion management and emotional wellbeing, impression management and micro-politics in sport and physical education related roles. The module content will inform and align with module tasks and assessment. You will be actively engaged in learning through a social inquiry approach via the identification, exploration and reflection upon emotional practices, experiences and actions across a range of sports and physical education roles. Teaching will adopt a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions. Assessment will adopt a case study approach.

The syllabus is designed to provide you with a detailed overview of how modern lifestyles have reduced the physical demands placed upon us both in our domestic activities and the workplace across the lifespan. You will explore how the growing public awareness of the benefits of physical activity in the promotion of wellbeing has not prevented the population in general from adopting an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. It will explore the link between physical activity and both common and atypical health disorders. Within the module you will develop the necessary knowledge and skills to assess the health and wellbeing of the non-athlete and to plan and design suitable exercise interventions. You will be provided with opportunities to work in groups to develop competence in designing appropriate exercise interventions for specific populations.

Entry requirements

Application for this course is via UCAS, although there is no formal requirement for UCAS points to access the course (normally GCSE English or equivalent is desirable). As part of your application you will have the opportunity to speak with a member of BGU Admissions staff to resolve any questions or queries you may have.

Different degree subjects may have specific entry requirements to allow you to progress from the Foundation Year. Whilst not a condition of entry onto the Foundation Year, you will need to have met these by the time you complete the first year of this four year course.

Further information

Click here for important information about this course including additional costs, resources and key policies.

The Foundation Year syllabus does not include any specific element of upskilling in English language and you are not entitled to apply for Accredited Prior Learning, AP(C)L into a Foundation Year.

How you will be taught

There is no one-size-fits-all method of teaching at BGU – we shape our methods to suit each subject and each group, combining the best aspects of traditional university teaching with innovative techniques to promote student participation and interactivity.

You will be taught in a variety of ways, from lectures, tutorials and seminars, to practical workshops, coursework and work-based placements. Small group seminars and workshops will provide you with an opportunity to review issues raised in lectures, and you will be expected to carry out independent study.

Placements are a key part of degree study within many courses at BGU. They provide an enriching learning experience for you to apply the skills and knowledge you will gain from your course and, in doing so, give valuable real-world experience to boost your career.

Assessment

During the Foundation Year, you will have opportunities to experience a range of formative and summative assessments. These include short-form writing, annotated bibliographies, presentations, digital technologies, reflective journals, and academic essays. All modules involve early, small, and frequent informal and formal assessments so as to be supportive and build confidence, while ensuring development of the core academic skills required for successful study throughout your degree. Assessment strategies are balanced, diverse, and inclusive, ensuring that you will experience a range of assessments to support comprehensive preparation for undergraduate study. You will also have the opportunity for self-evaluation and personal reflection on your own learning progress and development of skills.

In Sport, we use a variety of imaginative approaches to assessment that enable you to utilise your strengths. Over the course of your studies, you could expect your assessment to include presentations, multimedia reports, displays, portfolios, individual research projects, essays, exams and work in the Human Performance Laboratory. We recognise that individuals come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and accordingly use a wide range of assessment strategies. You can expect to be guided and supported carefully in your first year, gradually becoming more independent as the course progresses.

Careers & Further study

In Sport, we prepare you for a broad range of sport-related jobs in such areas as sports development, adventure education, physical activity and health, sports coaching, fitness and recreation industry, school sports coordination, armed forces, youth work and postgraduate research.

By the end of the course, you will have developed a range of practical and transferable skills that are underpinned by excellent subject knowledge, meaning you will be well-prepared for your chosen future career. In the past our graduates have begun careers as sports coaches, personal trainers, as physical education teachers (primary and secondary), in the field of youth work or within sports development.

What Our Students Say

Discover what life is like at Bishop Grosseteste University from our students.

Support

Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.

We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.

Free Sports and Fitness membership

Fees & Finance

A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at BGU we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process. Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step.

Click here to find information about fees, loans and support which will help to make the whole process a little easier to understand.

Undergraduate course applicants must apply via UCAS using the relevant UCAS code. For 2024 entry, the application fee is £27, and you can make a maximum of 6 choices.
For all applicants, there are full instructions at UCAS to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate.