Sports Coaching with Performance Sport with Foundation Year

This course includes an additional year as a foundation year. This begins at the start of the course and will help prepare you for full time undergraduate study. The foundation year is intended for those who didn't meet the entry requirements for the course or want to take an additional year to prepare for study. At the end you will still receive the BSc award.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
By studying this course with us, you’ll have the opportunity to look at athlete development and analysis when spending time in our state-of-the-art Human Performance Laboratory. As well as the degree qualification, you’ll also have the opportunity to take UKCC coaching certifications and Sports Coach UK awards.

Here at BNU, we always encourage our students to get as much industry experience as possible. Our strong links with industry partners will enable you to seek volunteering and paid work opportunities. This, along with our practical approach to the course, will give you a deeper understanding of the professional environment and type of career that awaits you beyond graduation.

We also pride ourselves on the amazing opportunities we offer our students to start forming their own networks within industry. This means not only will you have access to first-hand accounts from those on the ‘front-line’ while you study, but you’ll also make priceless connections for when the time comes to jump into your first job.

We work with some incredible partners like the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey which is home to several governing bodies in sport, Leap (County Sports Partnership), Stoke Mandeville Hospital (the famous birthplace of the Paralympics), Reading Ladies Football Club and the National League basketball team, London United, to name just a few.

What will I study?
Our pathway combines both a theoretical and practical approach to teaching to suit your needs and objectives. We will learn how to engage with the community sport and coaching industries in a variety of capacities both in the community and in the teaching environment. This pathway introduces focus on the PE curriculum and pedagogies, which will offer a route towards Qualified Teacher Status via a full-time Postgraduate Certificate of Education or School-Centred Initial Teacher Training.

Career prospects
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

Many of our graduates go on to have careers as a PE Teacher, work in education or sports coaching and contribute greatly to society using the skills they gained on this pathway. Some students also enter community work or pursue other sports-related careers after graduation, and your career prospects are exciting.

Our pathway will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities, such as:
- sports coach


- teaching


- sports teacher


- nutritionist


- sports management


- marketing


- corporate position within sport


You can also choose to study for a postgraduate pathway, such as our MSc Sports Performance. In addition, our programme is structured in such a way that you will gain core skills that are transferable to a wide range of different teaching careers.

At Buckinghamshire New University, you'll benefit from career-focused teaching, hands-on learning and a supportive community that helps you thrive throughout your degree and beyond.

You'll learn from lecturers with industry experience, gain practical skills in professional-standard facilities and receive personalised support through smaller class sizes. Beyond your course, The Big Deal gives every student free access to sports clubs, societies, fitness facilities, social events, trips, volunteering opportunities and career-boosting workshops. It's BNU's way of helping you discover new interests, meet like-minded people, build your CV and make the most of university life – all without paying extra membership fees.

Whether you're preparing for your future career, growing your confidence or looking for an unforgettable student experience, BNU offers the opportunities and support to help you achieve your goals.