Sports Coaching & Development Foundation Diploma/Extended Diploma Level 3
This qualification is aimed at students who want to progress directly to employment in an assistant coaching role, or those wishing to progress to higher education, where you would have the added advantage of using it to obtain part-time employment while studying. The course is designed to be consistent with current industry practice to enable students to enter employment directly in a sports coaching role or progress to higher education.
This is a career-focused qualification with industry endorsement and accreditation. It enables students to develop underpinning knowledge and technical skills and to gain experience as an Assistant Coach. It is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), which has confirmed that the qualification is fully mapped to its professional standards of ‘Assistant Coach’ and ‘Safeguarding and Protecting Children’. CIMSPA’s endorsement of this qualification allows students to apply for CIMSPA membership after successfully completing this programme, and is therefore recognised by employers as enabling students to enter employment in the job role of Assistant Coach in the sports sector.
Entry requirements
A minimum of 5 GCSE subjects at grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths.
What will I study?
The Level 3 Foundation Diploma is made up of a range of units, which include:
- Careers in Sport and Active Leisure
- Health, Wellbeing and Sport
- Developing Coaching Skills
- Sports Development
- Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
Additional units studied when completing the Level 3 Extended Diploma are:
- Applied Coaching Skills
- Research Project in Sport
- Sports Psychology
- Technical and Tactical Skills in Sport
- Organising Events in Sport and Physical Activities
Additional costs
All students are expected to purchase a practical kit. There is also a course contribution cost to support the trips and visits organised across the year to enhance students' learning. For further information please speak to our tutors at open events and guidance discussions.
Method of delivery
Your weekly timetable will be a mix of theory and practical sessions. You will complete a large Practical Coaching unit in both years of the course.
Alongside these you will complete a range of theory units to underpin your knowledge and skills.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed internally through the completion of coursework, practical sports performance and coaching, presentations, and case studies.
Good course combinations
This is a full-time course. It is not possible to combine this course with other Vocational, T Level, Apprenticeship or A Level programmes.
Your next steps
The course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to progress into the sports coaching and development industry or possibly higher education courses relating to sport studies, sports coaching, sports management, sports development and PE teaching (check providers' websites for information on entry requirements).
There have also been examples of students progressing on to non-traditional options including business. A number of students progress to higher education sports scholarships in the UK and international universities.
Potential job roles could include employment as a Sports Coach or Sports Development Co-ordinator.
"I chose this course as I like playing an array of sports and wish to help others. The tutors on the course are good and I always learn a lot. The practical sport is superb.
I hope to gain more coaching experience before moving into full-time employment in the sports industry."
