Foundation Degree (FdSc) Sport Science (Sports Coaching)
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: 3 years. Also available on a modular basis.
Monday & Tuesday, 9am - 5pm
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UCAS Codes:CX6C
Foundation Degree (FdSc) Sport Science (Sports Coaching)
University-level Courses
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 course is currently under revalidation in consultation with employers and stakeholders, in order to refresh course content for delivery from September 2025
This course is suitable for learners who wish to pursue a career in Sport Science and/or Sports Coaching. This Foundation Degree is designed to develop your understanding of Sports Science and Sports Coaching through the analysis of principles, concepts and contemporary issues, by applying them in practical situations. Using a multidisciplinary approach to the field, you will gain knowledge of the different areas that can be applied to many different sporting situations to help you improve levels of sport performance.
Modules include:
Year 1 (Level 4)
- Functional Anatomy
- Fitness Assessment
- Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology
- Fundamentals of Sports Psychology
- Principles of Coaching
- Sports Nutrition and Performance
Year 2 (Level 5)
- Biomechanics
- Performance Analysis
- Applied Physiology
- Psychology of Coaching Practice
- Coaching Toolkit
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 main qualification, normally gaining a pass in at least one relevant A2 subject; or a BTEC National Certificate/Diploma (MP) or above, or an AVCE, GNVQ, International Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate, in a relevant subject; or a Pass in approved ACCESS; or NVQ/VRQ Level 3
- Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable
- Entry onto Level 5 will be considered on an individual basis in line with GLLM credit transfer policy.
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:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
- Discussion groups
- Practical coaching sessions
- Guest speakers
- Student centred learning
- Work placements with experienced coaches
- Placement in a Sports Development setting
- Working with the Centres of Sporting Excellence at the college
- Virtual learning environment (MOODLE).
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
- Full-time: 2 years, 2 days per week (typically 9am – 5pm)
- Part-time: 4 years, 1 day per week (typically 9am – 5pm)
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:
- DBS check
- Study visits (budget approximately £100 for this)
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.
Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Incentive Scholarship 2022-2023
Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos-on-Sea: For more information on the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol's Scholarships, or for assistance in completing the application, please contact Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's Branch Officers on colegcymraeg@glllm.ac.uk.
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:
- Individual portfolios
- Essays
- Reports
- Case studies
- Presentations
- Time-constrained assessments (open and closed book)
- Group reports
- Group presentations.
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)
Functional Anatomy (10 credits, compulsory)
The aim of this module is to provide the knowledge of fundamental concepts of human anatomy which underpin human function and their relationship to kinesiology principles. (Presentation 50%, Exam 50%)
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. (Written Feedback 25%, Practical Laboratory Exercise 75%)
Coaching Toolkit 1 (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 best practice techniques in a variety of sporting situations. Students will also have the opportunity to plan, deliver and evaluate their coaching sessions. (Deliver Session 50%, Written Evaluation 50%)
Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology (20 credits, compulsory)
The aim of this module is to continue 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. (50% Laboratory Report, Essay 50%)
Fundamentals of Sports Psychology (10 credit, compulsory)
The purpose of this module is to explore basic theoretical models inherent within the process of sport psychology and their relationship to performance. This module will be an introduction to the principles of sport psychology (Group Presentation 70%, Reflection 30%)
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%)
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%)
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%)
Year 2 (Level 5)
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 60%, Case Study 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 60%, Development Plan 40%)
Applied Physiology (20 credits, compulsory)
The main aim for this module is to build upon previous study of physiology and nutrition and allow students to apply this knowledge from a sport science perspective, to ultimately optimise performance of athletes. Students will explore key areas of exercise in different environments and evidence-based strategies that can be utilised pre, during and post exercise to provide marginal gains and lead to maximise performance. (Essay 50%, Presentation 50%)
Research Methods (20 credits, compulsory)
The 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 ultimately prepare for a dissertation. (Project Proposal 30%, Report 70%)
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 Demonstration 30%, Review 30%, Presentation 40%)
Coaching Toolkit 2 (20 credits, compulsory)
The main aim of this module is to develop coaching practice of skill acquisition and provide best practice recommendations to enhance learning and retention. Also, this module will explore the models of long term planning for the development of athletes and how best to implement them. (Coaching Plan 30%, Essay 40%)
Other details
Course type: University-level Courses
Level:
4+5
Programme Area:
- Sport and Outdoor
Awarding Body: Bangor University
Bilingual:
Possible to complete 33% of the course through the medium of Welsh and receive a scholarship.
Awarding Body
