Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The principal aim of the programme is to provide a multi-disciplinary and practically-based approach to the contemporary study of sport, coaching and physical education, underpinned by both sport and exercise science, and critical social and health perspectives.

Specific programme aims are:     

• To develop students’ specific practical and applied sports science skills (e.g. performance analysis, fitness training, health and physical activity) that will enhance students’ employability in various sport, coaching and physical education related vocations. 

• To focus on integrated and multidisciplinary content, which allow students to develop their understanding of physical and psychological development and its impact on participation and performance in Sport, Coaching and/or Physical Education. 

• To develop students’ skills to research, analyse and synthesise scientific information to enable them to develop arguments, critically evaluate material, and conduct an independent piece of research relevant to Sport, Coaching and/or Physical Education. 

• To provide students with a broad understanding of the importance of Sport, Coaching and Physical Education through a scientific, social, political and ethical lens. 

• To provide students with real world practice, experiences and opportunities to work towards professional awards in Sport, Coaching and/or Physical Education. 

• Through the above, to advance students’ understanding of the breadth of disciplines, such as Psychology, Physiology, Physical Activity/Sport and Health, Sociology, Skill Acquisition and Sport Pedagogy, which support a variety of potential careers in Sport, Coaching and/or Physical Education. 

• To equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to develop and critically reflect upon professional practice and their own future personal development.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

The QAA Subject Benchmark Statements for Leisure and Sport

QAA Quality Code http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/Pages/The-Quality-Code.aspx

FHEQ http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-and-guidance/publication/?PubID=2718#.WZMlVsuWypp

The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) http://www.bases.org.uk/

The Association for Physical Education (afPE) http://www.afpe.org.uk/

UK Coaching https://www.ukcoaching.org/

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

K1        Key subject specific terminology, concepts, skills and models in underpinning disciplines.

K2        The key principles, techniques, strategies and skills associated with various sports, dance, games and gymnastic activities

K3        Pedagogical and coaching models, philosophies and processes.

K4        Safety, risks, and ethical considerations when teaching, coaching and conducting research.

K5        The associations among societal and political developments, and research, policy and practice.  

K6        Key psychological (e.g. motivation), social (e.g. equity and inclusion) and health (e.g. sport injuries, depression, obesity) issues relating to sport/physical activity, coaching and teaching in varied settings and populations.

K7        The interactions of the skeletal and muscular structures of the body during human movement, exercise and sport and how these relate to physical activity participation and/or performance (e.g. skill development, physical fitness, adaptations to training).

K8        Philosophical considerations in research and appropriate research methodology, strategy and design to answer research/practice led questions.

K9       Key political, structural and cultural factors which have shaped the levels and types of engagement with – and experiences of - sport amongst diverse populations in varied national and global settings.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

This section covers Cognitive and Practical Skills with the below including both subject-specific cognitive and subject-specific practical skills learning outcomes.

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

S1        Develop pedagogical skills in various sports, games and gymnastic activities.

S2        Critically evaluate pedagogical concepts, theories and philosophies and the impact of these on learning and teaching.

S3        Apply and critique a variety of assessment methods and approaches employed within Sport, Coaching and Physical Education contexts.

S4        Critically analyse their own (and others’) ability to plan, communicate, participate, deliver, evaluate, and reflect on coaching/teaching sessions.

S5        Apply knowledge and understanding of evidence, policy and practice based facts, concepts, principles and theories to critically examine and debate national and global pedagogical, social and health problems and issues.

S6        Apply knowledge and understanding of applied sport science including physical activity and health, principles of training and measurement, performance analysis and fitness testing.

S7        Demonstrate the skills required for a range of awards and NGB recognised qualifications relevant to teaching and coaching.

S8        Apply knowledge of issues around equity and inclusion to appraise current policies and practices in Sport, Physical Activity, Coaching and Physical Education.

S9        Apply a broad range of qualitative and quantitative data collection and/or analysis techniques to research questions relating to social/political aspects of sport, pedagogy (theory or practice), physical activity and health, performance analysis, fitness techniques, skill acquisition, psychology.

S10      Demonstrate proficiency in the use of a variety of online resources, software and technologies to support one’s learning and pedagogical practice.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

See above

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

T1        Work independently and in groups, demonstrating high standards of academic scholarship and conduct to solve problems, find alternative solutions, reach end goals and evaluate outcomes.

T2        Develop practical skills relevant to future employability including thinking and decision-making, team working, project management, negotiation and conflict resolution.

T3        Effectively manage time and effort in the organisation of work to ensure independent and pragmatic learning and meet deadlines.

T4        Work effectively in a team by co-operating and negotiating with others, making decisions and resolving issues, difficulties and conflicts, as applicable.

T5        Demonstrate proficiency in Information Technology.

T6        Generate, organise, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data effectively.

T7        Demonstrate communication skills including effective written and oral presentation (individual and in a group) skills, tailored to the audience. 

T8        Identify and critically reflect on a range of literature and information from different sources. 

The full range of intended learning outcomes that will be achieved by students taking the Sport, Coaching and Physical Education programme will be dependent upon which routes they choose to study. In Parts B-C, students have module choice enabling them to tailor their learning; however, the learning outcomes above represent the minimum number that will be achieved by all students regardless of the optional modules selected. Individual module specifications should be consulted for details of the specific knowledge and understanding obtained from optional modules within the programme.

4. Programme structure

Each year 120 credits must be taken. All modules are compulsory in part A. In Part B students undertake a compulsory Research Methods module, two compulsory 20 credit modules in Teaching and Coaching and then select 3 optional modules. In Part C students undertake a compulsory research project (40 credits), at least one module in teaching or coaching and 3 optional modules. Options should be chosen such that there is a balanced weighting of study across the two semesters. 

BSc (Hons) Sport, Coaching and Physical Education 

Part A

Part B

Part I (for programmes with DPS or DIntS only)

Part C

*Although optional must take a minimum of one of these modules

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX and Regulation XI for programmes with DPS/DinTS (if applicable).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. For this BSc (Hons) degree, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40%: Part C 60% to determine the final percentage mark.