5th in the UK
for the quality of teaching in the subject area of Sports Science.
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Get ready with a foundation year and learn the foundational skills and knowledge to complete a full Honours degree. You'll be able to embark on this qualification without meeting the level 3 entry requirements, giving you the opportunity to study at degree level through this four year course.
Turn your passion for sport into a career with a Sport Coaching and Development degree from Canterbury Christ Church University. If you want to help others improve, enjoy working with people, and want to make a difference through physical activity, this course will give you the skills and knowledge to succeed.
Learn from expert coaches and lecturers whilst training in state-of-the-art sport science labs and working with local industry partners. You’ll gain real-world experience and develop leadership, communication, and coaching skills to support all people, from beginner level to elite athletes.
Whether you want to work in sports coaching, community sport, health promotion, or performance development, this course will prepare you for a future in an exciting and growing sector. You’ll graduate with the confidence and experience to lead, inspire, and create positive change through sport.
5th in the UK
for the quality of teaching in the subject area of Sports Science.
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
Qualification | Grades |
---|---|
A Levels | DDE |
BTEC | MPP |
Access | Pass 45 Credits |
International Baccalaureate | TBC |
A current satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. Where you do not already have this you can apply for this check through the University. For more information please see CCCU DBS requirements.
It is a condition of registration on any course requiring a satisfactory check from DBS that the student maintains good standing in relation to their behaviour and, where required, subscribes to the criminal record status check service.
As well as the core modules, you may also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules. Option modules will not be pre-selected for you. We provide examples of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. The offer of an option will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module to ensure the appropriate student experience. The offer of option modules may also be affected by staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular optional module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
In your Foundation Year, you will be introduced to higher education with a range of supportive modules that prepare you for study in higher education and familiarise you with the core knowledge and skills of your chosen subject.
You will be taught through a combination of real and virtual lectures, seminars, practical sessions, labs, workshops and tutorials, through which you will be able to learn about and apply your practical coaching skills.
Seminars and tutorials in smaller groups will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and other sessions. In addition, you will meet with your personal academic tutor on a regular basis.
In year 3 you will have the opportunity to undertake a placement whereby you can apply your practical skills.
Your actual contact hours will depend on the optional modules you select.
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for workshops, seminars, coursework and examinations. This work should equate to approximately 2 – 3 hours per week for each hour of contact you have for each module you are studying.
Each module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before and/or after class to support your learning and development. Your allocated personal academic tutor will help you review your performance, and support your independent learning.
Your overall workload typically consists of 60 credits of study across modules each semester, equating to 12 direct taught contact hours per week. You will also undertake 15-20 hours of independent learning and assessment related activity each week.
The teaching team consists of highly qualified academics, supported by a skilled technical team. They have a range of expertise and experience across the breadth of disciplines in coaching, development and sport and exercise science.
The majority of staff hold the highest academic qualification (doctorate), with a small number of staff working towards achieving this standard. Staff are research-active and many of the teaching team are at the forefront of their research fields in the UK and beyond.
They have substantial experience in delivering research led and research informed teaching.
Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars.
The practical sessions during the course allowed me to gain a deeper theoretical understanding of the tasks and how best to promote positive outcomes for performers. My placement at the local athletics club opened the door for me to join the youth talent programme and meet some incredible international coaches/athletes.CharlieAlumni
The course frequently provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Many modules contain practice or 'formative' assessments or similar submissions for which you receive feedback. Formative or practice assessments and submissions are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.
The formal or 'summative' assessments on each module are planned to take account of two interdependent aspects - the acquisition of relevant theory / principles, and the development of both academic and practical skills.
Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, your final year project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
You will be assessed through a range of methods, including individual and group presentations, portfolios, case studies, essays, scientific reports and examinations. These are planned to take account of two interdependent aspects:
Accordingly, assessment procedures will take account of not only your newly acquired knowledge and skills, but also the process of developing skills and the ability to apply such knowledge and skills in the world of work.
This degree opens up roles in sport coaching, sport development, coaching in sport clubs, sport, physical activity administration and research, as well as the ever expanding leisure industry.
In addition, it provides an excellent foundation for careers in the public sector, sport related business, and the armed and police forces look favourably upon our graduates. Students who successfully complete a Sport Coaching and Development degree possess many of the specific and generic knowledge, skills and sport coaching experience that employers require.
The degree will also open up routes into teaching, such as a PGCE (Physical Education), and prepares you for further postgraduate study at all levels through to PhD.
The practical assessments during my degree, where I adapted coaching strategies to various player needs, directly supported my ability to work with a wide range of abilities in both volunteer and professional settings. This experience has been crucial in shaping my coaching style, which focuses on developing players holistically, ensuring they grow both on and off the pitch.KelvinAlumni
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 have not yet been finalised. These course web pages will be updated with Tuition Fee information once they have been agreed.
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
Duration:
4 yearsUCAS code:
C610Location(s):
CanterburySign up to hear the latest from the University, including upcoming events, useful updates, student life and more!
*We are advertising this course as ‘subject to approval.’ When we add new courses or update existing courses, we advertise the course as ‘subject to approval’. We do this to let you know the University still needs to agree to run the course. It is rare for a course not to gain approval, but it is not guaranteed. There may be changes to course and module titles, content and assessment, but we will tell you about these if there is a change. You can still apply to study a course subject to approval. We have prepared some questions and answers to tell you more.