Sports Development and Coaching Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

From grassroots level to elite professional competition, sport plays a huge role in people’s lives.

The global sports coaching market is expected to grow by £7 billion by 2035 (Business Research Insights, 2025). This growth reflects an increased understanding of how sport can be a force for good across all society.

Our degree in sports coaching and development gives you the skills to help make a difference through sport. You’ll understand how sport can enhance health and wellbeing, bring communities together, increase confidence and much more.

You’ll also learn how to support athletes at all levels as a coach. From young people at local clubs, to elite athletes, you’ll gain the tools to unlock the best in people’s performance.

### Topics covered on the course include:

* the importance of sport to individuals and communities;

* the physiology, biomechanics and psychology of sport;

* how to manage sport organisations and understand the sports industry;

* how to develop as a coach and get the best from athletes.

### Gain practical skills for your future career

Our Sport Development and Coaching course prepares you for a career in sport. You'll gain important experience at your work placement. This might include running a sports tournament for charity, delivering a series of webinars, or a sport initiative in schools. It can be in a current coaching role, within in a University team or in an external organisation. Former students have completed placements with organisations including:

* Rangers Football Club

* Glasgow Warriors

* Scottish Hockey

* Commonwealth Games Scotland

* Active Schools

These experiences help you build confidence, leadership and real‑world coaching capability.

You’ll also complete a major project on a sports topic that you’re passionate about. Your finished work could take the form of an education resource, a research report or an article.

Everything you study on our Sport Development and Coaching course will help deepen your understanding of the impact of sport and the part you can play in supporting its development at all levels.

### Why study sport at Stirling?

We have been Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence since 2008. We drive sports participation and prepare world-class athletes. Our staff are shaping best practice in sports development and coaching world-wide. You’ll be taught by these expert coaches and researchers. The University has partnerships with leading sporting organisations such as:

* sportscotland

* British Rowing

* British Equestrian Foundation

* UK Coaching

Our coaching students benefit from guest lectures and insights from experts working at the highest levels of sport. Previous guest lecturers have included Alan Lynn, Head of Performance Coach Development at Aquatics GB, Laurie Marsden, Coaching Advisor at UK Sport, and Stuart Ferrier, Talent and Pathways Manager at Scottish Institute of Sport. These connections ensure our teaching reflects real coaching practice and current industry standards. Our campus is also home to elite athletes competing in multiple disciplines worldwide.