BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching and Psychology (with Foundation Year)

- Make the most of excellent sports facilities, including a sport and exercise psychology laboratory and technologies for sports analysis- Enrich your university experience with a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, from traditional Sports Coach UK workshops to cutting-edge performance and professional courses- Receive first aid and safeguarding training, as well as Disclosure and Barring Service clearance prior to your placement, as part of the course- Be the difference – develop our future athletesThe public profile of sports psychologists and coaches has never been higher. Tennis players and golfers treat their coaches like gurus who dispense wisdom and emotional support. Football, cricket and rugby sides routinely employ specialist coaches to analyse and improve all aspects of performance, often employing modern technology such as video analysis. Meanwhile, sports psychologists are on hand to enhance elite performance levels.Our Sport Coaching and Psychology degree equips you to bring out the best in both professional and amateur sports people. You gain a strong theoretical base that helps analyse the techniques of sports psychology, coaching science and practical coaching. But you also focus on developing the practical and interpersonal skills you need to work in the sports industry.The programme is divided into four strands encompassing both practical and academic elements.The first strand is Sports Coaching Practice, which teaches you to put theoretical coaching principles into practice to help sports people strive to improve performance. Part of being a successful coach is having good communication skills and we study the best ways to convey your message. In this practical first strand, you may also explore coaching consultancy work to enhance your employment prospects.The Sport and Exercise Psychology strand looks at the psychological factors influencing performance. You study how elite athletes cope with expectations and what motivates amateur performers to stay involved in sports. Further components help you to adopt a more social psychological perspective.The Sports Coaching Science strand applies elements of sports science to coaching. Learning about biomechanics, physiology and psychology provides you with a science toolkit for coaching.The final strand is Research Methods. You develop an understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and apply these to various sport psychology and coaching contexts as well as to your dissertation.As well as a wide range of specific knowledge essential to excel in the modern sport and exercise industry, you learn an array of transferable skills to enhance your career prospects, including independent thinking and good communication.Our graduates typically work as sports coaches, PE teachers, performance managers, or training providers. But others enter careers in sport and exercise science, leisure, management tourism, education and health.The Foundation Year (first year of study) gives you the chance to commence your studies with us if you have not quite achieved the entry qualifications required or if you feel you would benefit from the opportunity to develop your study skills and subject knowledge prior to embarking on your degree. Through a range of engaging, small-group lessons, you will be equipped with the academic, professional and personal skills to help you succeed at university. Modules will cover broad topics as well as an introduction to your chosen subject area. You will also have the opportunity to study alongside students undertaking a range of degree programmes.