Sport Coaching and Coach Development

Whether you’d like to coach elite/amateur athletes or promote the benefits of sport and exercise to the wider community, our course will put you ahead of the game.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE:

RANKINGS: Our Sport and Exercise subject area was also ranked in the Top 15 for learning resources and in the Top 25 for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2025.


- IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE: The course will build your expertise in sport coaching and development so that you can make a difference to individuals and society alike. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the technical, physical and psychological development of elite and amateur athletes as well as strategies to increase participation in sport and use it as a tool for community wellbeing.


- PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE: Throughout the course, there will be plenty of opportunities to apply your knowledge. You’ll gain insights into a range of applied settings from group coaching to individual performance development. Some of our students secure voluntary and paid coaching positions with sports clubs during their studies. Others have arranged summer work placements coaching in the USA.


- ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Add substance to your CV by studying for additional sport coaching cadges and other awards given by national governing bodies.


- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: You'll have access to our VICON 3D motion capture analysis system, and specialist equipment for sports performance analysis and physiological testing.


- WORK WITH EXPERTS: Our teaching team has a wealth of professional experience in sports coaching and development together with extensive contacts across the industry. Alongside teaching, our staff work as applied practitioners with a range of sports professionals and organisations as consultants and advisers.


WHAT YOU'LL COVER:
• You'll gain in-depth knowledge of the coaching and sport development industry from entry level sport, to working with elite performers. You’ll also learn the principles and practices of training and how to use sport within communities and manage projects aimed at increasing physical activity and sport participation. Understanding the theory behind coaching and performance and applying this to real-world situations will enable you to graduate as a confident and independent development coach.


HOW YOU'RE ASSESSED:


• Assessments will include a combination of theoretical and practical assignments, such as individual written reports, individual and group presentations, and individual and group practical coaching assessments. Although there are some exams, a large proportion of the assessment includes of presentations and written assignment.



YOUR CAREER:


• This course gives you an advantage in an exciting and developing job market. On graduating, you’ll be ideally placed to embark on careers in areas such as talent identification, sport coaching in the UK and abroad, sport development, sport management and health promotion. At a time when sport participation has become part of new initiatives such as GP exercise referral programmes, the career scope is broadening further still. Our course even includes a module on small business planning – including advice on writing funding bids, marketing and strategic planning – if you’re interested in setting up a sport-related venture of your own. If you would like to take your knowledge of sport to the next level, this degree also acts as a gateway to postgraduate study.



STUDY OPTIONS:
• This course is available with a Foundation Year option.



• This course is also available with an Industrial Placement Year.

Based solely on more than 24,000 student reviews, we were named Uni Compare's University of the Year 2027, and voted 1st in the UK for employability and 2nd in the UK for course quality. Not only that, but 97% of students would recommend the University of Derby*, which we can offer you industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, multi-award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

*Uni Compare 2027