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Designed for real world challenges in contemporary coaching, three strands run through the degree: coaching process, skill acquisition and performance analysis.
  • Superb national and local links to organisations within the industry.
  • Access to excellent indoor and outdoor sports facilities, fitness suites, laboratories, strength and conditioning suites and a variety of playing surfaces.
  • 92% satisfaction rating in the National Student Survey 2021.
  • Coaching opportunities frequently available to develop invaluable experience, as well as modules to provide you with opportunities to network and improve coaching practice.

Why study Sports Coaching Science?

A Sports Coaching Science degree, alongside governing body qualifications, will provide a foundation for a career in performance coaching.

This unique course provides you with the opportunity to specialise in an area of sports science, such as physiology, psychology or performance analysis, as well as an environment that develops theoretical and practical knowledge of sports coaching at each level of study.

You will gain a strong understanding of the key science topics and practical skills that will make you stand out from other graduates. 

You'll study a range of sports, but we encourage you to relate the degree content to your chosen sports coaching domain. Through the course, you'll develop skills relevant to other careers in sport-related fields, as well as those valued by all graduate employers.

Why St Mary's?

Sports Coaching Science is driven by scientific topics and includes three strands that will provide you with a well-rounded knowledge of the sports performance environment:

  1. Coaching process strand: enhances practical skills and develops critical analysis of coaching practice
  2. Skill acquisition strand: provides an understanding of motor learning and effective training settings
  3. Performance analysis strand: explores objective measurement of performance to inform performance and coaching effectiveness

The programme content also incorporates opportunities to specialise in the sport sciences of physiology, biomechanics and sport psychology. On top of this, you can also gain in-depth, coaching-related knowledge in skill acquisition, performance analysis and coaching pedagogy.

St Mary’s has a long-standing tradition of excellence in sports and a significant number of elite sports performers regularly choose to study for degrees in the School of Sport, Health and Applied Science.

You will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement during your degree, organised alongside the Workplace Learning Team. Placements are usually located at a place convenient to you - either near the university or close to your home. Previous students have undertaken placements within local schools and sports clubs.

Foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Sports Coaching Science.

Useful information

Course lead

Stuart Carrington headshotStuart Carrington
Senior Lecturer - Sports Coaching Science

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Entry requirements

96-112UCAS points required

Check how many points your grades are worth

Calculate your total UCAS points

80 UCAS points should include at least two B grades at A Level (or equivalent). One A Level, or equivalent, should be in a science (this includes PE).

We will make you an offer if you are within the tariff band range and you meet subject-specific requirements (where applicable).

For undergraduate programmes we will take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile, relevant non-academic achievements outlined in your personal statement, references and your motivation for study.

GCSEs

Grade 4/C in GCSE English, Mathematics and Science (or equivalent) is also preferred. We offer GCSE equivalency tests for those who need to improve their GCSE grades.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).

Sports Coaching Science with a foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Sports Coaching Science.

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

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Course content

Year one

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core

Year two

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional

Year three

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

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Career opportunities

There are so many career opportunities for Sports Coaching Science graduates, including:

  • Sports coaching in clubs and academies.
  • Coaching within sports organisations.
  • Coach education and management.
  • Performance coaching.
  • Performance analysis.
  • Post-graduate study or research.
  • Teaching or lecturing.

The School of Sport, Health and Applied Science has opportunities for students to continue to higher levels of study through taught Master's programmes and a range of MPhil or PhD research awards.

The Careers Service has more information on graduate careers and part-time work available during your course.

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How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

The Sports Coaching Science Programme provides students with a variety of teaching and assessment modes to suit a range of learning styles.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, practicals, labs, problem based sessions, computer based sessions, online lectures and peer teaching.

Class sizes for the core coaching modules tend to be around 30 students. For optional modules within the Sport and Exercise Science programme, classes can vary from 30 to 120 students.

Teaching breakdown

Learning on the course is made up through a combination of:

  • Contact time: 17%
  • Work-based learning: 2%
  • Independent study: 81%

Independent study is a key feature of your degree and is crucial to furthering your knowledge.

You will receive your timetable a week before teaching is due to start at the latest.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods include; essays, reviews, reports, worksheets, web-based tests, poster presentations, oral presentations, practical vivas and written exams.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within three weeks.

See how your final degree mark is calculated...

Compensated passes

Please refer to the information on compensated passes throughout your degree as outlined in the academic regulations.

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Facilities

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Fees and funding

2023/24 fees

  • Home: £9,250
  • International: £14,850

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Governments review of Higher Education Funding

Information about tuition fees, student loans and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage. 

Scholarships

A range of scholarships and bursaries are available to new undergraduate students. This includes:

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

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Meet your lecturers

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Further information


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Visit the campus

Upcoming open days

Attending an open day is a fantastic opportunity to get an insight into what life is like as a St Mary's student. During the day you'll have the chance to:

  • Speak to current students to hear about their experiences so far
  • Meet your future academics to put a name and a face to who you'll be learning from
  • Take a tour of the University and the on-campus accommodation options
  • Get involved with activities going on across campus as you explore new surroundings

Book your place now

Campus tours

There are plenty of opportunities for you to explore the campus, even if you can't make it to an Open Day. We run campus tours every Wednesday at 12pm. If you'd like to join us for one of these tours please register your place for your preferred day.

Virtual tour

We know that for it's important to you to see where you'll be living and studying before you make your decision. However, we also know that for many people it's not always easy to make it to the campus.

That's why we've developed a virtual tour of campus, allowing you to explore that facilities and the beautiful views that we have to offer.

Launch the virtual tour

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UCAS Application Timeline

1

UCAS Apply Opens

You will be able to register and begin your application, but won't yet be able to submit it.

May (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
2

Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS

From September you'll be able to submit your UCAS application. Universities will start making decisions on applications.

September (year before entry)

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3

UCAS application deadline

You will need to submit your application by this date.

January 26th

Find out more about the application process
4

UCAS Extra opens

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, you might be able to add another choice.

Late February

Find out more about UCAS Extra
5

Replying to offers

Your deadline for replying to your offers depends on when you received all your decisions by. If you miss your deadline, UCAS will automatically decline all your offers

Spring/Summer

Find out more about the application process
6

Late applications are entered into Clearing

If your application is received after 30th June, it will be entered into Clearing.

30th June

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7

UCAS Extra application deadline

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, this will be your last chance to add an Extra choice.

Early July

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8

Clearing Opens

Clearing vacancies will be displayed in the UCAS search tool.

Early July

Find out more about Clearing
9

Clearing hotline opens

On A-Level results day, we open our Clearing hotline. If you're eligible to apply through Clearing, you'll be able to apply to us via phone.

Mid-August

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10

Adjustment opens

If you've exceeded the conditions of your firm choice, you may be able to apply for an alternative course.

Mid-August

Find out more about the application process
11

Final application deadline

This is the final opportunity to apply for a course beginning in that year.

September

Find out more about Clearing
12

Clearing closes

This is your final chance to apply through Clearing. Please note: you will not be able to apply for Primary Education beyond mid-September.

October

Find out more about Clearing