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School of Health and Wellbeing

FD (Science) Sports Coaching at Sandwell College

FD (Science) Full-time 2 years

Turn your passion for sport into a career. Study FD (Science) Sports Coaching at Sandwell College with the University of Wolverhampton: CIMSPA-aligned training and real coaching experience from Year One.

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Turn your passion for sport into a career. Study FD (Science) Sports Coaching at Sandwell College with the University of Wolverhampton: CIMSPA-aligned training and real coaching experience from Year One.

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FD (Science)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026, 13 September 2027
UCAS Code
C622
Course specifications
View course spec
Course length
Full-time (2 years)
Campus location
Sandwell College
School
School of Health and Wellbeing
UCAS points calculator
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Why choose this course?

93% of students were satisfied with the teaching on this course (NSS, 2026).

If you're driven by sport and want a career that makes a real difference in your community, FD (Science) Sports Coaching is built for you. Delivered in partnership with Sandwell College, this foundation degree turns your passion for coaching into a professional skill set, blending hands-on practice with the science behind performance.

From your first term, you'll coach in real community, school and club settings, not just in a classroom. You'll learn how to plan, deliver and evaluate coaching sessions, then build the professional habits that sport and community employers look for: reliability, reflection and the ability to work with people from every background.

This course is designed in line with International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) coaching degree standards and mapped to Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) professional standards, so what you learn matches what employers expect. You'll graduate with a portfolio of coaching experience and the option to progress onto BA (Hons) Sports Coaching (Top-up) to complete your full honours degree.

What's unique about this course?

Sandwell College's Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching stands apart in several ways:

  • Guided by international coaching standards. The course is designed in line with International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) coaching degree standards and mapped to Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) professional standards, so your learning matches recognised industry benchmarks.
  • Micro-placements built into every module. Rather than one long placement at the end, you'll gain continuous, mentored coaching experience from Year One, evolving from shadowing coaches to leading your own sessions by Year Two.
  • Genuine community and club links. You'll coach through Sandwell College's established relationships with professional clubs, grassroots and recreational sports clubs, and local schools, giving you a coaching network before you graduate.
  • A clear progression route. Complete your foundation degree and progress straight onto BA (Hons) Sports Coaching (Top-up) at the University of Wolverhampton to gain a full honours degree.
  • Enrichment beyond the classroom. You can represent Sandwell College and partner university sports teams, including football opportunities through the Association of Colleges (AoC) and British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues.

What happens on the course?

Your learning is built around three threads that run through both years: practical coaching skill, the science of sport and performance, and hands-on experience in real coaching environments.

In Year One, you'll start developing your coaching identity. You'll learn the theory behind how people learn skills and improve performance, get to grips with the science of the body in sport, and begin your first micro-placements: short, supported spells where you shadow and assist coaches in schools, clubs and community programmes.

By Year Two, you'll take on more responsibility. You'll lead sessions and small projects yourself, working with mentors from local clubs and community organisations, and start to specialise in the coaching pathway that interests you most, whether that's grassroots sport, school-based coaching or performance development.

Throughout the course, you can expect to:

  • learn through a mix of lectures, practical coaching workshops and reflective seminars
  • apply sport science theory directly to your own coaching practice
  • build your coaching portfolio through assessed micro-placements
  • take part in employability workshops that map out routes into coaching careers
  • work towards professional standards recognised by CIMSPA and the wider sector.

Teaching draws on Sandwell College's professional sport facilities and its links with local clubs, schools and community groups, so the skills you practise in class are the same ones you'll use on placement. By graduation, you'll have moved from assisting coaches to leading your own sessions with confidence.

Placements on the course

Here, placement isn't a single block at the end; it's built into your learning from day one, through micro-placements linked directly to your modules, working alongside coaches and community practitioners in schools, clubs and local sport organisations.

Your placements grow with you:

  • Year One: you'll shadow and assist experienced coaches, learning how sessions are planned and delivered in practice.
  • Year Two: you'll take the lead, running your own sessions and small projects with support from your mentors.

Across both years, your placements are:

  • short in duration, giving you condensed, professional-standard experience within term time
  • always linked to your coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • project-based, so you're working on real tasks with a real organisation
  • flexible in format, delivered in-person, remotely, hybrid or virtually depending on the opportunity
  • focused on building the workplace skills employers ask for, including communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

By graduation, you'll leave with a portfolio of coaching experience, mentor references and the industry contacts that make the difference between a good CV and a great one.

Employability on the course

Employability sits at the heart of this foundation degree, not bolted on afterwards. Every module is designed to build the knowledge, coaching skills and professional behaviours that employers across sport, education and community sectors are looking for. You will benefit from:

  • an extended induction to help you settle into university life and your new course
  • structured learning pathways designed around future coaching and sport careers
  • hands-on project experience built around real coaching and community sport scenarios
  • career development planning and employability workshops that help you explore your options
  • industry-informed modules, kept current through staff research and sector links

You'll also have access to sports coaching and sport development modules that introduce you to different pathways within community coaching, so you can explore where your career could take you, whether that's coaching, sport development or further study. Graduates leave with the practical experience and professional skills that employers in sport, health and community sectors value most.

Course Modules

Module: 4SR071
Credits: 30
Period: 1
Type: Core

Coaching in Context introduces you to the wider environment in which coaching takes place and helps you understand how social, cultural, and organisational factors shape coaching practice. You will explore how sport and physical activity are structured in the UK and internationally, and examine how recent developments, policies, and initiatives influence the coaching workforce and participant experiences. The module introduces key coaching concepts related to working with different participant groups. You will engage with research and real-world examples to understand how context affects engagement, behaviour, and access to sport. Alongside this, you will begin to consider your responsibilities as a coach in responding ethically and inclusively to diverse communities. Learning is delivered through interactive lectures, discussions, case studies, and practical coaching activities. You will have opportunities to apply introductory theory in a chosen setting, adapting your practice to meet participant needs and contextual challenges. Reflection is embedded throughout, encouraging you to consider how your values, behaviours, and decisions shape your developing coaching identity. By the end of the module, you will have a clear understanding of where coaching sits within the sport sector and how context, diversity, and responsibility influence effective and inclusive coaching practice—providing a strong foundation for future study in psychology, inclusion, and advanced coaching.

Module: 4SR073
Credits: 30
Period: 1
Type: Core

Foundations of Coaching Practice introduces you to the core knowledge, skills, and values that underpin effective sports coaching. You will explore key principles of coaching pedagogy, session structure, and inclusive practice, and examine how these inform safe, engaging, and effective coaching across different participant groups. Through a combination of practical workshops and guided learning activities, you will develop your ability to apply fundamental coaching principles to create positive learning environments that support skill development, participation, and enjoyment. You will learn how coaching approaches shape participant experiences, and how pedagogical choices influence engagement, learning, and inclusion. This module blends classroom-based learning with practical, hands-on experience, allowing you to connect theory with practice in meaningful ways. You will observe and take part in structured coaching activities within a supportive environment and receive feedback to help refine your approach. Reflection is embedded throughout the module, enabling you to consider how your use of coaching pedagogy affects participants and to evaluate your own development as an emerging coach. By the end of the module, you will have a strong foundation in coaching practice, preparing you for progression into more applied and context-specific coaching modules.

Module: 4SR070
Credits: 30
Period: 1
Type: Core

This module introduces you to the foundations of sport and physical activity within local communities. You will explore the structure and roles of sport organisations at local, regional, and national levels, including Non-Departmental Public Bodies, National Governing Bodies, and Active Partnerships, and examine how they influence sport provision and participation. The module also focuses on the social impact of sport, including health, wellbeing, inclusion, and community development. You will investigate barriers that prevent people from participating in sport and physical activity, and learn strategies to engage diverse populations. You will also gain an understanding of how community sport is funded, including grant applications and income generation, helping you link theory with practical realities of sport delivery. Through a mix of lectures, interactive workshops, and applied tasks, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and professional awareness needed to contribute to positive community sport experiences. This module underpins the sport development strand of the degree. By the end, you will be equipped to critically evaluate the role of sport in your community and consider your future role as a socially responsible sport practitioner.

Module: 4SR072
Credits: 30
Period: 1
Type: Core

This extended induction module supports your transition into university life, supporting you to explore key academic practices including independent learning, digital literacy and ethical academic conduct. The module is structured around seven themes identified by students as essential to their university experience: Ready to Study: Clear guidance on expectations, transitions and workload planning. Academic Skills and Educational Gain: Development of foundational academic skills including time management, critical thinking and digital fluency. Career Readiness and Professional Identity: Early exploration of career pathways, CV building, and professional behaviours. Personal Development and Belonging: Activities that foster confidence, inclusion and identity within the university community. Social Engagement and Community Building: Opportunities to connect with peers, staff, and wider university life. Feedback and Reflective Practice: Structured opportunities to receive, apply and reflect on feedback to support growth. Wellbeing and Student Support: Embedded access to holistic support services and strategies for success. Alongside developing your academic skills, this module will introduce you to the professional world of sport coaching and community sport. You will explore a range of career pathways across coaching, sport development and physical activity, supported by guest speakers from industry who will share real-world experiences and expectations. You will begin to engage with professional standards, ethical practice and the values that underpin effective and inclusive coaching. Through supported practical coaching activities, you will start to build confidence in working with others, communicating clearly, and applying professional behaviours in realistic settings. These experiences will help you connect your university studies with future employment and prepare you to make the most of the placement opportunities embedded throughout the course.

Module: 5SR068
Credits: 30
Period: 2
Type: Core

This module introduces you to applied research within sport coaching and community development, preparing you to investigate real-world issues that matter to practice. You will explore how research, evidence, and theory can be used to understand challenges in coaching, participation, and community sport, and how this knowledge can inform meaningful action. You will evaluate issues relevant to sports coaching and community sport to prepare for future study or professional practice. This includes identifying appropriate evaluation methods, justifying your approach, and considering how your work can contribute to improving coaching or community provision. A key feature of the module is learning how to plan research responsibly. You will be supported to engage with ethical principles, professional standards, and safeguarding expectations, should you progress to Level 6, in preparation for conducting a professional project. By the end of the module, you will have developed the confidence, critical thinking, and professional awareness needed to design ethical, practice-focused projects, providing a strong foundation for employment in the sport sector or progression to the Level 6 Professional Project.

Module: 5SR067
Credits: 30
Period: 2
Type: Core

This module helps you explore and develop your own coaching philosophy while applying it in real-world coaching environments. You will engage with key coaching theories, pedagogical models, and inclusive practice approaches, observing how these are applied in different settings. Guest lectures and coaching observations will give you an insight into how different coaches adapt their philosophy to different participants, contexts, and organisational goals. You will apply your learning through a portfolio-based assessment, which includes writing your personal coaching philosophy, designing session plans guided by your philosophy, and reflecting on the delivery of your sessions. You will also analyse coaching in practice, comparing approaches in different settings, and create a personal development plan to guide your growth as a coach. By the end of this module, you will be able to articulate a values-driven coaching philosophy, design and deliver inclusive and effective sessions, and critically reflect on your own coaching practice. This module will equip you with the skills, insight, and confidence to work across a range of participant groups and settings, preparing you for further study or professional roles in sport coaching and development.

Module: 5SR066
Credits: 30
Period: 2
Type: Core

Psychology for Sports Coaches explores how understanding human behaviour, motivation, and group dynamics can enhance coaching practice in community sport. This module introduces key psychological theories and concepts, helping you understand what drives participation, how confidence develops, and why individuals behave differently in coaching environments. You will also learn how to manage group behaviour, communicate effectively, and adapt your approach to meet the needs of diverse participants. Through a combination of interactive workshops, applied activities, and placement-linked experiences, you will develop practical strategies to motivate participants, foster engagement, and create positive, inclusive coaching environments. Case studies and real-world examples from community sport will help you apply theory directly to practice, while reflective exercises encourage you to examine your own coaching behaviours and values. The module is designed to enhance your ability to plan and deliver sessions that are responsive to participant needs and grounded in evidence-based practice. By the end, you will be able to demonstrate an understanding of psychological principles in coaching, apply these principles in real-world settings, and reflect critically on your personal development as an inclusive, professional, and participant-focused coach.

Module: 5SR065
Credits: 30
Period: 2
Type: Core

Sport Event & Project Management gives you the opportunity to learn how sport events and projects are created, planned, and delivered in real-world settings. Working in teams, you will move from initial concept through to operational delivery, developing the knowledge and practical skills needed to manage a successful event or project. You will explore key principles such as project lifecycles, stakeholder management, budgeting, scheduling, and evaluation, alongside the wider strategic factors that influence decision-making in the sports industry. A major focus of the module is risk management—understanding how to identify potential issues, assess their impact, and put in place strategies to ensure a safe and effective delivery. Throughout the module, you will apply event and project management tools to a live brief, developing an event or project that responds to a sporting context and community need. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your personal performance as part of a project team. By analysing your contributions, strengths, challenges, and areas for improvement, you will build confidence and self-awareness that will support your future employability in sport management roles. This module prepares you to plan and deliver sport events with professionalism, creativity, and a solutions-focused mindset.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Choosing where to study your foundation degree matters as much as choosing what to study. Here's what sets the University of Wolverhampton apart:

  • Real facilities, real coaching. You'll train and coach using Sandwell College's professional sport facilities and its network of local professional clubs, grassroots and recreational sports organisations, and schools.
  • A clear route to honours. Progress seamlessly onto BA (Hons) Sports Coaching (Top-up) and gain a full honours degree without starting again elsewhere.
  • Nationally recognised standards. Your learning is mapped to CIMSPA professional standards and designed in line with ICCE coaching degree standards, giving your qualification currency employers recognise.
  • Support that goes beyond the classroom. From The Gateway's application advice to ongoing mentoring on placement, you're backed by a university that has built employability into every degree, not treated it as an afterthought.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • plan, deliver and evaluate inclusive coaching sessions for a range of participants and abilities
  • apply sport and exercise science principles, including anatomy, physiology and performance analysis, to coaching practice
  • lead community sport projects and demonstrate their impact to employers
  • reflect on your own coaching practice and continue developing professionally after graduation
  • work confidently within CIMSPA-aligned professional standards and expectations
  • build and manage relationships with clubs, schools and community organisations.

You'll graduate with a professional portfolio, hands-on coaching experience and the transferable skills employers across sport, health and community sectors value: communication, leadership, problem-solving and teamwork.

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £6682 per year 2026-27

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

Key entry Requirements - 40 UCAS points

either

  • A Levels with a minimium grade DE
  • BTEC Extended Diploma grade PPP, BTEC Diploma grade MP
  • Access to HE Diploma full award (60 credits)
  • 120 credit Level 3 Foundation Year in an appropriate subject
  • T Levels with a minimium grade C (pass or above)
  • If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying

Students must have studied a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, it is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through standard procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

Entry to this course requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check and Occupational Health Check.

Free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check:

Due to the professional nature of some of our courses you may also be required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.  We will coordinate both of these non-academic conditions with you should your course require this and you receive an offer from us

There will be no cost for the DBS this is free to applicants who have secured an offer and have chosen to study at the University of Wolverhampton.

This course is not available at present to International applicants.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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