Apply Now Book Open Day

BA (Hons) Sports Coaching with Performance Sport

UCAS CODE: FDP1 (Full-time) or FDP4 (Foundation Year)

TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

Overview
Course Details
Entry Requirements
Modules
Fees
Employability
Teaching Team

Study Mode: Full Time
Location: High Wycombe
Duration: Three or Four Years
Start Date: September 2026

Do you want to be a world class coach or an inspiring mentor? Our sports coaching with performance sport degree programme is the perfect start to a range of career opportunities in any sport or sport performance related profession.

Do what you love to do every day and use your skills to nurture potential, help athletes reach the top of the scoreboard and plan for high performance sport.

4th in the UK for teaching quality for Sports Science courses*

*The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

4th in the UK for academic support for Sport and Exercise Sciences courses*

*Average positivity across all questions compared to non-specialist institutions (NSS 2025)

University of the Year for South East England*

*WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2025

Top 5 Students' Union in the UK*

*Based on responses from taught BNU students (NSS 2025)

Why study BSc Sports Coaching with Performance Sport?

Practical Application

Our course provides a solid foundation in sports coaching theories and emphasizes practical experience. You can engage in hands-on coaching sessions, both as coaches and participants, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. We work with some incredible partners like the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey which is home to several governing bodies in sport, Leap (County Sports Partnership), Wycombe Wanderers and Reading Rockets Basketball, to name just a few.

Focus on Inclusive and Adaptive Coaching

Our course includes modules that address the challenges of a range of diverse needs in sport and physical activity. This focus ensures that you are equipped to deliver effective coaching to participants of varying abilities, backgrounds, and requirements.

Performance Analysis and Monitoring

You can learn to evaluate sports performance through technical and tactical analysis, utilizing various monitoring and testing methods. This aspect of the course prepares you to implement evidence-based strategies to enhance athlete performance.

Get involved

We also have a lively student sport community for you to join while you are here with our Students' Union. Get involved in free societies, trips, social events, sports competitions and guest visits. We are also only 45 minutes from London so perfect if you are planning to commute from home.

By studying this course at BNU, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time in our state-of-the-art Human Performance Laboratory. You’ll also be supported in gaining externally recognised coaching qualifications in a variety of sports as well as work experience within local schools, colleges, and sports clubs subject to a successful DBS check.

What will I study?

This course introduces you to performance sport and includes a special focus on scientific research and various techniques employed in the improvement of physical performance. It is designed to open doors to postgraduate study in sports performance careers in elite sports coaching or other support roles. If you would like to work in data analyst roles, we offer our performance analysis module to help you interpret in-depth data points and master this aspect of analysis reporting.

By studying this programme at BNU, you will be given the opportunity to gain externally recognised coaching qualifications in a variety of sports as well as gain work experience within local schools, colleges, sports clubs, and other community sport organisations, subject to a successful DBS check.

Our sport coaching with performance sport course shares its first year with the other sport courses. This means we can introduce you to various courses at the start, and if you want to study a different course you can choose to switch to another sport coaching course after your first year.

dashboard view of football tactics with a pitch, positions and playstyles

21 Day Body Turnaround Human Performance Lab 3

human performance lab students on machine

What facilities can I use?

Our Human Performance, Exercise and Wellbeing Centre includes our Human Performance Lab (HPL) and our Sports and Wellbeing Clinic.

Equipped for assessing the function and performance of a wide range of human physiological, biomechanical and psychological parameters, the HPL gives you the tools you need to understand how research can help local communities become more engaged in physical activity and sport.

Learn to use cutting-edge research tools for sport, exercise and therapy, which will empower you to understand the skills required for a range of sport related roles. Our facilities include an indoor three-lane running track, incorporating 3D motion-capture technology as well as advanced body and performance measurement devices.

With the knowledge you need to enhance athletes’ performance through improved technique and assist with injury prevention and rehabilitation, we will give you a key understanding of what an athlete in the field expects in their training regime, recovery and competition phases.

We also have our Gateway gym, on our High Wycombe Campus, where you can benefit from great student rates. You’ll be able to get personalised help and advice from gym trainers, use a range of fitness equipment and choose from a wide range of exercise classes.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Our programme combines a theoretical and practical approach to teaching to meet your learning objectives. You will learn how to engage with the sports coaching industry in a variety of capacities at both the elite and grass-roots levels.

Assessments are a mix of coursework, including essays and reports, and practical and authentic modes of showing your knowledge, including presentations, portfolios, team projects, lab practical’s, and the production and delivery of coaching plans.

Some of the ways you will be assessed include:

essays
reports
case study analysis
presentations
reflective writing and portfolios
team projects
lab sessions
production and delivery of coaching plans

BA (Hons) Sports Coaching Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Those with no previous study, work experience, or who do not meet the specified entry requirements, including demonstrating the necessary knowledge and understanding, are welcome to apply for the 3-year BA (Hons) degree, however may be offered the four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Foundation Year

Core Modules

Human Behaviour

Learn the key principles of human behaviour and how they relate to other fields of study and practice. Discover more about the cognitive and social aspects of human behaviour such as how we perceive, remember and think, what motivates us, and how we interact with others. You will also develop your academic writing skills for research.

Research Matters

Discover how research drives the fundamentals of science degrees. You will explore the fascinating world of research and its different types, such as: Quantitative and qualitative research, Primary and secondary research, Experimental and observational research. You will also learn how to apply research methods in your studies.

Human Science – Dissecting the details

Dive into the core principles and theories that form the foundation of education, sport, psychology, criminology, health and social sciences. This module will enable you to identify the principles of human science across different disciplines and apply them as you progress to your chosen pathway.

Human Communication

Explore the theoretical underpinnings of communication. We equip you with the skills to navigate various communication scenarios. You will develop an understanding of effective communication techniques, the influence of context, and the nuances of verbal and non-verbal cues. You’ll be better able to present your ideas to others.

Exploring Intersections

Make the connections between multiple subjects within human and social science with this module. You will explore the theories at the intersection of human sciences. This will provide you with a platform to examine how different theories shape our understanding and contribute to the complexities of shared human experience.

Knowledge Unleashed

Focus on applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, testing your problem-solving abilities. The module will see you taking part in industry focused studies in a group project. By the end of this module, you will learn how to think on your toes, lead and innovate to get the knowledge you learned from your degree into practice.

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Introduction to Coaching

Credits: 20

Gain a foundation of knowledge underpinning various sports coaching theories and experience practical coaching sessions as both a coach and a participant. Use knowledge of the coaching process, coaching pedagogy, and principles of coaching science to create effective coaching sessions. This module will have the opportunity to supplement learning wi...

Introduction to Research in Sport

Credits: 20

Designed to introduce you to the principles and practices of academic practice and academic research in the sports domain. You’ll study key areas of empirical research to provide a conceptual understanding of reporting styles, basic methodologies, professional and regulatory codes of practice & analytical techniques applied within sports research.

Sport in Society

Credits: 20

This module will introduce you to the concepts of sport as a part of social and cultural life, and to the structures and organisations that govern and deliver sport. Re-look at your sports knowledge from a sociological perspective and come to an understanding about importance of sport and physical activity as well as some of the issues that can imp...

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Credits: 20

This module will introduce you to the concepts of psychology within the context of sport and exercise, considering how psychological constructs such as personality and motivation can impact upon sport and exercise performance, participation, and adherence. You’ll then further explore the impact of cognition and emotion on behaviour.

Human Systems and Movement

Credits: 20

This module will introduce you to human energy systems and their application to exercise. It will allow you to consider how the human body adapts and changes to the demands of various sports. You’ll also be provided with a necessary understanding of human anatomical structure and function with a focus on movement and exercise analysis.

Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning

Credits: 20

This module is designed to give you an insight into the fundamentals of strength and conditioning and will cover the key concepts, theories and techniques which underpin effective strength and conditioning practice. In addition, this module will also provide you with an overview of the core competencies, knowledge, and professional standard require...

Year 2

Core Modules

Credits

Coaching and Pedagogy in Practice

Credits: 20

This module will focus on aspects of growth and development of athletes and the appropriate strategies to deliver effective coaching sessions to a variety of participants. This module will provide you with the opportunity to put theory into practice through collaborative working with school-age participants.

Inclusive Practice in Sport and Physical Activity

Credits: 20

This module gives you the opportunity to develop your social awareness by introducing you to the challenges of responding to diverse needs, capabilities, and preferences in sport and physical activity, relating especially to gender, ethnicity, age, disability, and levels of income.

Performance Analysis

Credits: 20

The module will provide a framework where sports coaches can apply the coaching process and develop techniques to evaluate sports performance, particularly technical and tactical analysis. This will include a review of pertinent scientific elements of training/performance.

Research Methods

Credits: 20

This module aims to provide you with the knowledge needed to produce research of sufficient quality to make a valuable contribution to the sport industry. You’ll study the conceptual issues and practical considerations through the entire process of research, including the underlying philosophical debates about the nature of knowledge.

Performance Monitoring and Testing

Credits: 20

This module will build on your understanding of human systems and movement analysis in a practical approach. You’ll understand how to monitor and test athlete performance using a variety of equipment and methods, conducting needs analyses from a multi-disciplinary viewpoint, and ensuring individual needs are considered.

Approaches to Applied Sport and Performance Psychology

Credits: 20

Analyse the key concepts and dominant models of practice within applied sport and performance psychology. Explore the philosophical, theoretical, and methodological approaches informing the discipline. Gain requisite knowledge required for effective service delivery within applied sport and performance psychology, when working with teams, young per...

Year 3

Core Modules

Credits

Coaching Leadership

Credits: 20

Explore methods to utilise and collaborate with industry-wide support networks and internal team members to ensure the most effective coaching services are delivered to participants. You’ll be encouraged to use up-to-date knowledge of wider issues affecting the coaching environment to proactively influence best practice across the coaching team.

Extended Independent Work

Credits: 40

This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to gain experience in undertaking project work at a strategic level. You will have the opportunity to think about how they might bring about evidence-based change or innovation in their practice area. 

Contemporary Issues in Sport and Physical Education

Credits: 20

This module is informed by both the latest academic research and industry-insider knowledge. It tasks you with thinking about the current situation in sport and physical education, including issues, problems, as well as more positive developments, and to consider the implications in the short, medium, and long-term.

Training, Recovery & Nutrition in Sports Performance

Credits: 20

Develop an understanding of the scientific principles that underpin the construction and delivery of different training programmes and factors that can affect your success. Learning will include the theory behind training periodisation and investigate the practicalities of different types of programmes, aimed a range of sports and activity levels.&...

Optional Modules

Credits

Skills Acquisition OR

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with a theoretical framework for understanding how performers progress from novice to expert performers. During the module, key psychological concepts of learning will be reviewed, following which the biomechanical philosophies that determine, constrain and regulate movement will also be discussed.

Skills in Leadership, Enterprise and Small Business

Credits: 20

With the graduate employment market becoming increasingly congested many students will consider becoming self-employed within the sector. This module will help prepare you for small business start-up, by developing principles of entrepreneurship, business development and marketing skills.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 *
Home, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 per year *

International

Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 *
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 per year *

Please note all of the 2026/27 fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees cover most course costs, but you may need to budget for additional expenses. These can include specialist equipment, project materials, professional memberships, field trips or placements, as well as everyday student costs like printing, books and stationery.

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our enquiries team by completing this form.

What are my career prospects?

Many of our graduates go on to have careers in sports coaching either on the talent pathway or in community provision. They contribute greatly to society using the skills they gained on this course.

Our degree will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities, such as:

performance sports coaching
performance analysis
player care and personal development
community sports coaching
sports development
physical activity and health

You can also choose to study for a postgraduate course. In addition, our programme is structured in such a way that you will gain core skills that are transferable to a wide range of different sports careers, giving you the confidence to succeed in whatever career you pursue.