UDSPPCOA - BSc Sport Psychology and Coaching

The teaching and learning strategies applied in the BSc aim to:

• further stimulate the student’s interest in and develop skills within sport psychology and coaching at BSc level
• apply knowledge of scientific concepts pertinent to psychology and coaching
• promote the student’s self management of the learning process with a view to future continued professional development

Teaching and learning strategies are determined by:

• student feedback from individual lectures, seminars and practical sessions.
• student RPA
• observation and assessment of students learning styles

Students are encouraged by modules teams to:

• be actively involved in and critically reflective on their learning
• work to deadlines and balance conflicting pressures
• develop academic and scientific literacy skills through formative assessment
• review, evaluate and reflect on their own work and the work of others
• work co-operatively with staff and peers
• Use appropriate resources and technology

The principal aim for all awards in this pathway is to educate students, from a wide variety of backgrounds, to their full potential at graduate level. The development of potential is viewed as comprising both subject-specific knowledge, as well as a range of transferable skills. The course is designed for those students considering entering professions within the sport, exercise and health industries. Students study a range of modules considering sport psychology and coaching alongside other important sports science disciplines. Modules such as Principles of Effective Coaching and Teaching and Sport Psychology and the Elite Athlete equip students with practical skills and theoretical knowledge pertinent to effective practice in sport psychology and coaching.

The course furthermore aims to develop students' ability to
• work both independently and in collaboration with others
• develop solutions to problems in a systematic and effective manner
• communicate confidently and clearly both in writing and verbally
• deploy generic work-related skills including time-management and prioritisation of tasks

Students will be encouraged to engage meaningfully with personal development planning (PDP) through the curriculum, to enable them to reflect on, plan and review their own personal and academic skills. PDP will enable students to develop well supported claims to achievements and be able to articulate these to others and the University will enable students to recognise and record their achievements.

The course learning outcomes listed below have been developed in-line with the Level 6 descriptors for Bachelor’s degree with honours as stated in the QAA’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)

1. Knowledge and understanding:
On completing the course, students will:
1.1 Have a thorough and systematic knowledge of the various scientific topics studied
1.2 Have a high level of understanding of current research evidence on which knowledge of the principle areas of sport psychology, coaching and sports science are founded

On completing the course students will be able to:
1.3 Apply scientific and pedagogical knowledge in practical settings
1.4 Execute and critically evaluate research relevant to the areas of sport psychology and coaching
1.5 Facilitate the enhancement of performance through coaching

2. Cognitive intellectual skills:
On completing the course the student will be able to:
2.1 Understand and develop clear and logical arguments in support or criticism of scientific assertions and theories, incorporating literature-base evidence
2.2 Make informed judgements when exploring research questions
2.3 Show fluency with appropriate quantitative and numerical skills, involving relevant mathematical and statistical methods
2.4 Demonstrate academic and scientific literacy at graduate level

3. Transferable skills including those of employability and professional practice:
On completing the course the student will be able to:
3.1 Communicate, both orally and in writing, in a concise, clear and scholarly manner
3.2 Demonstrate a range of transferable skills including active involvement in learning, exercise of initiative and judgement, use of appropriate resources and technology including IT, the ability to work both independently and with others, and the capacity for self-awareness and self-reflection
3.3 Appreciate the skills necessary to secure and retain employment, including communication, consideration for others, creativity, dedication and self-discipline
3.4 Understand ethical and other professional issues involved in practice as a sport psychologist, coach and sport scientist.

4. Subject-specific practical skills:
On completing the course the student will be able to:
4.1 Demonstrate an understanding of practical skills relating to work as a sport psychologist, coach and sports scientist
4.2 Critically evaluate the principles and limitations of scientific measurement
4.3 Propose appropriate methodologies for a variety of measurements in sports and exercise science
4.4 Facilitate the enhancement of sporting performance through effective coaching

1.1 Have a thorough and systematic knowledge of the various scientific topics
studied:

All modules

1.2 Have a high level of understanding of current research evidence on which
knowledge of the principle areas of sport psychology, coaching and sports science
are founded:

All modules

1.3 Apply scientific and pedagogical knowledge in practical settings:

Essential Principles in Sports Science:

Practical Sport Experience
Principles of Effective Coaching and Teaching
Advanced Coaching Theory and Practice

1.4 Execute and critically evaluate research relevant to the areas of sport psychology
and coaching:

Sports Science Research Methods
Sports Science & Therapy Dissertation

1.5 Facilitate the enhancement of performance through coaching:

Practical Sport Experience
Principles of Effective Coaching and Teaching
Advanced Coaching Theory and Practice

2.1 Understand and develop clear and logical arguments in support or criticism of
scientific assertions and theories, incorporating literature-base evidence:

All level 6 modules

2.2 Make informed judgements when exploring research questions:

All modules

2.3 Show fluency with appropriate quantitative and numerical skills, involving relevant
mathematical and statistical methods Science, Research & Application:

Sports Science Research Methods

2.4 Demonstrate academic and scientific literacy at graduate level:

All modules

3.1 Communicate, both orally and in writing, in a concise, clear and scholarly manner:

All modules

3.2 Demonstrate a range of transferable skills including active involvement in learning,
exercise of initiative and judgement, use of appropriate resources and technology
including IT, the ability to work both independently and with others, and the capacity for self-awareness and selfreflection:

All modules

3.3 Appreciate the skills necessary to secure and retain employment, including
communication, consideration for others, creativity, dedication and self-discipline:

All modules

3.4 Understand ethical and other professional issues involved in practice as a sport
psychologist, coach and sport scientist:

Sports Science Research Methods
Sports Science & Therapy Dissertation
Principles of Effective Coaching & Teaching
Advanced Coaching Theory and Practice
Sport Psychology
Sport Psychology and the Elite Athlete

4.1 Demonstrate an understanding of practical skills relating to work as a sport
psychologist, coach and sports scientist:

All modules

4.2 Critically evaluate the principles and limitations of scientific measurement:

Sports Anatomy & Physiology
Practical Sport Experience
Science, Research & Application
Sports Physiology

4.3 Propose appropriate methodologies for a variety of measurements in sports and exercise science:

Sports Science Research Methods
Sports Science & Therapy Dissertation

4.4 Facilitate the enhancement of sporting performance through effective coaching:

Practical Sport Experience
Principles of Effective Coaching & Teaching
Advanced Coaching Theory and Practice

The Benchmark Statements for ‘Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism’ were used.

Of the study areas specified as characterising sports-related programmes (p21), the present course focuses principally on 6.17 and 6.18. There is also considerable coverage of 6.19 and to a lesser extent 6.20.

A variety of assessment methods will be used including unseen and seen written examinations, essays, literature searches/reviews, practical reports, oral presentations , oral examinations and the assessment of practical coaching skills. With the exception of written examinations, most assessments have both formative and summative roles. Additional non-assessed formative assessments will be used. The final year project provides the opportunity for an extended piece of formal scientific writing.

A compulsory Work Placement/Business module is taken in the third year, giving students the opportunity to gain specific work or business experience in the specific areas of coaching or teaching, as well as in the more generic areas of sports science and psychology.

A variety of assessment methods will be used including unseen and seen written examinations, essays, literature searches/reviews, practical reports, oral presentations , oral examinations and the assessment of practical coaching skills. With the exception of written examinations, most assessments have both formative and summative roles. Additional non-assessed formative assessments will be used. The final year project provides the opportunity for an extended piece of formal scientific writing.

CertHE: ST4001, ST4002, ST4003, ST4004

DipHE: ST4001, ST4002, ST4003, ST4004+ (core modules at Level 5)

BSc (Hons): ST4001, ST4002, ST4003, ST4004+ (core modules at Level 5) + (core modules at Level 6)

You’ll complete this course well equipped for a career in the sports and therapeutic sectors. Examples of our previous sports graduates include Physiotherapist Assistant at the National Health Service and Sports Therapist at AFC Wimbledon, while our psychology graduates work in diverse roles such as Child Obesity Programme Manager at Public Health England and Therapeutic Practitioner at Turning Point.

The transferable skills you'll develop are in demand in coaching, teaching, sports development and health and fitness, as well as non-sports-based industries such as research and team-working.

Postgraduate study at university is also an available option.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent)
• 240 or more UCAS points from two or more A levels, including Biology, PE, Human Biology, Biology, Sports Science or Sports Studies at grade C or above (or equivalent, eg Applied Science A level Double Award at grade CC, or BTEC Extended Diploma in a sports subject with MMM)

Entry from appropriate foundation and access courses will also be considered.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.