Foundation Degree (FdSc) Sports Coaching & Performance Science
Key Details
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Available at:Rhos-on-Sea
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Study Mode:Part-time, Full-time
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Course Length:
Full-time: 2 years OR Part-time: 4 years. Also available on a modular basis.
Monday & Tuesday, 9am - 5pm
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UCAS Codes:CX6C
Foundation Degree (FdSc) Sports Coaching & Performance Science
Degrees (Higher Education)
Full Time
There are two ways to apply to study for a full-time higher education course - either through UCAS or directly to the college.
Applying through UCAS:
You should apply through UCAS if you are currently studying for A Levels, a vocational Level 3 course (i.e. BTEC) or an Access to Higher Education qualification, or if you wish to apply to more than one higher education provider.
There are two ways to apply to study for a full-time higher education course - either through UCAS or directly to the college.
Part Time
Please contact us for further information about applying for this course.
Course Description
This Foundation Degree is suitable for learners who wish to pursue a career in a range of sporting careers, including sports coaching, performance environments and fitness industry.
The Foundation degree is designed to develop your understanding of sports coaching and performance science through the analysis of principles, concepts and contemporary issues, by applying them in practical situations.
Using a multi-disciplinary approach to the field, students will gain knowledge of the different areas that can be applied to many different sporting situations to help you improve levels of sport performance and engagement. These include coaching, physiology, psychology, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and athletic development.
Modules include:
Year 1 (Level 4)
- Coaching Toolkit
- Coaching Pedagogy
- Functional Anatomy
- Sports Nutrition & Performance
- Research Methods & Study Skills
- Human Physiology & Assessment
- Fundamentals of Sports Psychology
- Developing a Professional Identity
Year 2 (Level 5)
- Professional Practice in the Sporting World
- Research Methods
- Psychology of Coaching Leadership
- Optimising Human Performance
- Performance Analysis
- Developing Athletes & Young People
- Applied Strength, Conditioning & Rehabilitation
Additional information
More detailed information on Modules is to be found in the ‘Additional Campus/Course Information’ section.
Entry Criteria
Foundation degrees are designed for students with a range of abilities, including those with no formal qualifications. Admission is founded upon the likelihood of an individual’s ability to complete the programme successfully and to derive benefit from it.
For individuals with no formal qualifications, admission is based upon, but not exclusive to:
- A personal statement or CV, assessment at interview, performance in tasks set specifically for admission purposes, relevant work experience and employment references.
For individuals with formal qualifications, the following are acceptable:
- a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points in a main level 3 qualification, usually gaining a pass in at least one relevant subject which could include: A Levels, BTEC, International Baccalaureate, ACCESS to HE; or NVQ Level 3; many additional qualifications from Wales, England and Scotland are accepted to support the UCAS points in addition to the relevant subject, such as the Welsh Baccalaureate.
- GCSE Mathematics/Numeracy, grade C/4 or above, or Key/Essential Skill equivalent level. For applicants without these qualifications, evidence of numeracy skills at a suitable level to meet the demands of the programme successfully, will need to be demonstrated. Opportunities to resit GCSE may be available where timetables permit.
- Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable
Language requirements:
- GCSE in Welsh or English as first language, grade C/4 or equivalent
- Any degrees, diplomas or certificates eligible above should have been taught and assessed in Welsh/English
- For overseas applicants, for entry onto Level 4: IELTS 5.5 or higher (with no element less than 5.0)
- For overseas applicants, for entry onto Levels 5: IELTS 6.0 or higher (with no element less than 5.5).
Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance is required for external placements.
All places are subject to satisfactory interview.
If your qualifications do not meet the entry requirements listed above, we would still encourage you to apply for the course you're interested in, as many of our courses will consider learners based on their previous work and skills experience rather than their qualifications.
Delivery
The course is delivered through a blend of the following:
- Lecture Presentations
- Practical sessions
- Collaborative learning
- External visits
- Placements
- Seminars
Students are responsible for organising their own work experience if it is a requirement on their programme, and they will be supported by the course team.
Timetable
2 days a week (typically 9am - 4:30pm)
- Year 1: Monday & Tuesday
- Year2: Thursday & Friday
Typically, it will take around 100 notional learning hours per 10 credit modules, with an approximate 30% scheduled learning and guided activity and 70% independent study. The scheduled learning may vary per module depending on the type of delivery, subject content requirements and the independent study may vary based on individual student’s development. The guide for students is to plan for 1200 notional learning hours per year, with approximately 360 hours scheduled learning hours (typically over 30 weeks), including timetabled hours, work placement, employability based learning and guided activity, and approximately 840 hours independent study hours per year of study.
As part of this foundation degree students will undertake a minimum of 150 cumulative hours of work experience as part of the programme at level 4 and level 5, within a relevant vocational sector.
A log of hours and reflection within the student/employer guide will be used to evidence the hours completed and reflection of learning. This will form part of the summative assessment (pass/fail) at level 4 and level 5 for the foundation degree.
Students will need to find, agree and partake in work experience. Students will be supported by the teaching team with research, discussing suitable workplaces, applications for the work placement and understanding how this can support the learning outcomes. Students will need to check with the suitable work experience place on their requirements before starting the work experience, as some sectors may need you to have a Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance before you start the placement. Learner Services can support you with this process.
Fees
Visit our course fees page for information on full and part-time degree course fees.
Financial Support
Visit our financial support page for information on the range of support available.
Additional costs
Additional costs may be associated with the following:
- GLlM sportswear (optional: £20-£40)
- Academic poster printing (£5)
- Vocational and professional industry qualifications (optional: Example - Football Leaders Award £70)
- External Trip (optional: e.g. Middlesex University Student S&C Conference £25)
More detailed information on other costs associated with your course and work placements/work experience (if applicable) will be outlined in the programme validation document and explained to you at your interview.
Start date
September
Contact
For specific course enquiries, please contact:
Steve Kehoe (Programme Leader): kehoe1s@gllm.ac.uk
Sian Backhouse (Administration): backho1s@gllm.ac.uk
For general enquiries about our degrees, please contact: degrees@gllm.ac.uk
Assessment
The course is assessed through a blend of the following:
- Essays
- Reports
- Practical Assessments
- Coaching Skills Assessments
- Presentations (Group & Individual)
- Exam
- Portfolio
- Reflective Writing
- Case Studies
- Podcasts
- Development of Training Plan
Feedback
Where relevant, assessments will be marked and returned to students with constructive and developmental feedback. Effective feedback combines information which enables students to understand the strengths and limitations of their past performance, and information which enables them to recognise how future performance can be improved. Students will be provided with feedback in a timely manner and this feedback will justify how the grade has been awarded. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on the feedback given and identify their strengths, things they found challenging and areas for development that they will feed forward to their next assessment. Feedback will include linking evidence to assessment criteria to demonstrate how the student will have met the learning outcomes.
Progression
The course provides a number of options for professional and educational progression. Many students choose to progress onto Level 6 to complete the BSc (Hons) degree in one additional year. Afterwards, they may also complete a PGCE in order to enter PE teaching.
Alternatively, the Foundation Degree can lead directly into employment in the public or private sector. You could work as a coach or coaching manager, or you could work in sports science support or sports development. You may also enter health related or scientific professions, where your research experience has direct relevance.
Campus Information Rhos-on-Sea
Unit Information
For every 10 credits, students should engage with around 100 notional hours of learning. This will be approximately 30% direct learning contact and 70% independent student learning.
The course consists of the following modules:
Year 1 (Level 4)
Human Anatomy (10 credits, compulsory)
The aim of this module is to provide the knowledge of fundamental concepts of anatomy which underpin human function to maintain homeostasis and their interaction to produce movement. This module will also develop independent study skills and the ability to obtain and assess scientific information. (Presentation 50%, Exam 50%)
Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology (20 credits, compulsory)
The aim of this module is to build upon the knowledge of human anatomy and introduce the physiological elements of the inter-relationship of the various body systems under exercise and adaptations that occur after exposure to chronic exercise. Also, students will develop practical laboratory investigating skills and data handling and presentation. (Essay 50%, Report 50%)
Fundamentals of Sport Psychology (10 credits, compulsory)
The purpose of this module is to explore basic theoretical models inherent within the process of sport psychology and their relationship to performance. (Essay 100%)
Fitness Assessment (10 credits, compulsory)
The main aim of this module is to familiarise students testing techniques and protocols, while developing practical skills, data handling and key concepts of exercise physiology. Students will also gain practical experience relating to code of conduct, ethical and moral consideration. (Essay 15%, Practical Assessment / log book 85%)
Sports Nutrition and Performance (20 credits, compulsory)
The purpose of this module is to provide students with an introduction into sports nutrition, the role nutrition plays in both health and performance benefits and how dietary supplements (ergogenic aids) can be included within athletic populations. (Essay 60%, Presentation 40%)
Principles of Coaching (20 credits, compulsory)
The aim of this module is to introduce the theoretical concepts of the coaching process in a practically orientated way, providing students with the experience of using different coaching techniques in a variety of sporting situation. Students will also have the opportunity to plan, deliver and evaluate their coaching sessions. Sports Coach UK workshops will allow students to gain an understanding of the key areas associated with coaching, such as safeguarding and disability in sports. (Coaching observation 70%, Presentation 30%)
Employability-based Learning 1 - Applying Theory in Practice (20 credits, compulsory)
You will carry out a number of employment-related tasks, negotiated jointly with employers/industry representatives and Grŵp-based staff. (Portfolio 100%)
Research Methods and Study Skills (10 credits, compulsory)
The module aims to develop the student’s capacity to apply a range of academic skills appropriately within a chosen discipline. It will enable students to develop skills in understanding how to conduct appropriate research, the use of academic conventions, academic writing and the management and organisation of their work. The module will also introduce basic concepts of data handling and analysis. (Portfolio 100%)
Year 2 (Level 5)
Applied Physiology for Coaches (20 credits, compulsory)
The main aim for this module is to build upon pervious study of physiology and nutrition and allow students to apply this knowledge as a coach from a sport science perspective, to ultimately optimise performance of athletes. (Essay 50%, Presentation 50%)
Biomechanics (10 credits, compulsory)
This module aims to develop a practical understanding of biomechanical and kinesiology concepts related to movement and performance in a sporting context, and identify areas for improvement. (Report 100%)
Performance Analysis (10 credits, compulsory)
The aim of this modules is to develop knowledge different methods of performance analysis and application to a variety of sporting contexts, analysing their effectiveness and providing students with practical skills in analysis and athlete feedback. (Essay 100%)
Psychology of Coaching Practice (20 credits, compulsory)
The main aim of the module is to build upon practical coaching skills and explore key concepts influencing the coaching and learning environment in modern day coaching. Students will explore how coach leadership can affect the learning environment and the effects of group dynamics on team performance. (Coaching observation 60%, Presentation 40%)
Strength and Conditioning (20 credits, compulsory)
This module aims to apply the theories of strength and conditioning to training athletes and enhancing sports performance, develop an understanding of programme design and practically explore techniques specific to strength and conditioning. Students will participate in a range of practical exercises and build upon instructional and coaching techniques. (Essay 60%, Coaching Observation 40%)
Employability-based Learning 2 - Professional Reflection and Personal Development (20 credits, compulsory)
This module aims to provide learners with the opportunity to analyse the value of their learning within vocational and work-specific contexts. In doing so, it will require students to reflect upon their learning experience in previous modules and apply these to enhance their academic and vocational knowledge and skills, self-esteem and current and future employability. (Portfolio 100%)
Research Methods (20 credits, compulsory)
This module aims to consolidate, further develop and extend the student’s capacity to apply a range of academic skills appropriately within a chosen discipline. It will enable students to enhance their skills in academic writing and literature searching, develop justifiable hypotheses, apply a range of research methodologies and instruments, analyse and report expected data and argue convincingly to present a report that effectively communicates a sound research proposal. (Project Proposal 100%)
Other details
Course type: Degrees (Higher Education)
Level:
4+5
Awarding Body: Bangor University
Bilingual:
Possible to complete 33% of the course through the medium of Welsh and receive a scholarship.
Awarding Body
