About the course
If you have a passion for team or individual sports, or enjoy being fit and physical active, this course gives you the necessary knowledge and skill-sets to pursue a wide range of career pathways within the sports sector, including sports coaching, sport development, health and fitness management, teaching, and entering the growing sector of social entrepreneurship.
This degree aims to develop your coaching, management and leadership skills, putting you in a position to transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity. The course syllabus is aligned to the priorities of Sport England's 10-year strategy and global initiatives, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and is therefore highly relevant to your future employability.
Areas of study include practical and theoretical aspects of sports coaching; applied sport development and project management; sport and exercise psychology; sport and social diversity; and research in sport. Your employability is further enhanced with opportunities to gain valuable experiences working alongside our partner organisations - such as the Bedford Blues Foundation – managing and delivering real-world projects.
Why choose this course?
- We are a higher education partner of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) so the course aligns with professional standards relevant to sports coaching and development
- You are taught by a highly experienced team who prioritise student-centred learning, at a University with a legacy of delivering sport and physical education that goes back over 100 years
- The team draw on their own work experience with organisations such as The Football Association and Sport England to give you the knowledge and skills you need to follow a career in sports coaching and sport development management
- Learn through a combination of lectures and workshops, practical coaching, field trips, community-based project work and on-site events management operations
- The Bedford RFC Blues Foundation is official partner for the course, offering a range of opportunities to enhance your CV
- Our academic team has completed research and published widely in the fields of sports sociology; sports coaching and development; physical education; sport management; and physical activity leadership – all of which feeds back into your learning
- Each year, students have the opportunity to put their practical skills to the test by helping organise and assist with sporting events, with previous events including Club La Santa's Volcano Triathlon
- There are opportunities to gain additional technical qualifications, such as a variety of coaching awards, which enhance your employability prospects
- Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry (see below), gaining experience and building your CV
- If you need to step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees you a place on the degree course
Course Leader - Dr Alex Stewart
I have been teaching for more than 10 years now, having completed a five-year ethnographic study of amateur and professional boxing in and around London, England for my PhD. The opportunity to merge my passion for sport (in a previous life I was an amateur and briefly a professional boxer) and learning about the world around me has focused my teaching and research interests around sport sociology and sport development.
About the course
The Bedfordshire International Foundation Year (IFY) offers guaranteed progression* to a wide range of our undergraduate degrees, for those applicants who do not have the required qualifications or English language proficiency to join the first year of their chosen subject.
The IFY will help you improve your English language level, enhance your study and IT skills and increase your subject knowledge. This will help you succeed when you progress on to your main degree programme.
*subject to successful completion of the course
Why choose Bedfordshire International Foundation Year?
Unlike many university International Foundation programmes, The Bedfordshire IFY is delivered by the University of Bedfordshire and at the University of Bedfordshire. You will be a University of Bedfordshire student from day one.
The IFY offers guaranteed progression to over 75 bachelor’s degree programmes, via eight different pathways.
Each pathway is designed to accommodate students with a range of English language abilities from IELTS 4.5 upwards, and aims to take students up to IELTS 6.0 overall, or above, which is the requirement for undergraduate courses at the University of Bedfordshire.
The course also covers academic skills necessary to thrive in UK Higher Education and enables students to progress to their undergraduate degree, fully prepared and confident to face the challenges of a level 4 programme of study. Each pathway also offers a broadly subject-specific unit in the second semester, delivered by specialist staff from the relevant faculty, to offer you a programme specific to your subject area, as well as meeting your linguistic needs. In some cases, you may join an existing class for this session, further embedding you into university life.
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Units
- Academic Writing Skills (SPO048-1) Compulsory
- Foundations In Sport Coaching Pedagogy (SPO102-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Research Methods (SPO052-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Sport And Exercise Psychology (SPO019-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Sport Development And Management (SPO073-1) Compulsory
- Sport, Physical Activity And Social Inclusion (SPO090-1) Compulsory
- Working In Sport (SPO047-1) Compulsory
- Coaching To Promote Health And Well-Being In Sport And Physical Activity (SPO111-2) Compulsory
- Contemporary Issues And Social Practices In Sports Coaching And Development (SPO110-2) Compulsory
- Dissertation Preparation (SPO095-2) Compulsory
- Professional Development And Employability (SPO053-2) Compulsory
- Research Methods For Sport, Exercise And Physical Activity (SPO099-2) Compulsory
- Sport And Development: Working In Communities (SPO054-2) Compulsory
- Critical Insight Into Sport And Development (SPO077-3) Compulsory
- Critical Pedagogies For Sport Coaching (SPO108-3) Compulsory
- Dissertation For Sport And Physical Activity (SPO042-3) Compulsory
- Sport And Social Justice: Leadership For Change (SPO078-3) Compulsory
- Work Experience For Sport Science And Coaching (SPO073-3) Compulsory
- Work Placement Project (SPO057-3) Compulsory
- Narratives Of Bodies And Health (SPO105-3) Optional
- Professional Development (Sport Policy Enactment) (SPO074-3) Optional
- Psychology Of Physical Activity (SPO025-3) Optional
- Running A Business (SPO093-3) Optional
You will be required to undertake a variety of assessment approaches that vary depending upon the learning outcomes of the unit delivered. The range of assessment styles includes: practical demonstrations, essay, narrative and report writing, written reviews of relevant literature, oral presentations, phase-tests, portfolios, poster-presentations, reflective blogs, case study analysis, project management evaluations, media content analysis, auto-ethnographies, fieldwork and qualitative and quantitative data-analysis. This comprehensive approach to assessment aims to develop your subject knowledge, practical competencies, reflective and critical thinking, communication and collaborative skills, digital and information skills, problem solving and time management which are all needed in professions related to the sports coaching and development sector. Assessment of these activities will be based on tasks which develop vocational skills, underpinned by subject knowledge, requiring higher levels of cognition in the upper levels of the course. As you progress through the levels of study the marking criteria for all assessment styles undertaken will be that much more rigorous, with the expectation you progressively demonstrate a more theory driven understanding of sports coaching and development issues and practices and the sport sector agenda for achieving desired development outcomes.
Our students say our courses, teaching and support are a winning combination, that’s why we are 54th out of 122 for Sport in the Guardian University Guide 2023.
We’re 4th for employability in the Guardian League Table 2023 because our courses get you a degree-level job.
Sports Science ranked 5th for Graduate Prospects in the 2023 Times / Good University Guide league table.
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 96 points with 80 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 96 points with Merit Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction Distinction in the BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Our graduates have been successful in gaining employment within a wide range of sport-sector areas including: community, local authority and sport governing-body sport-development teams; professional sport clubs; coaching enterprises; international sport development; project and event management; health and fitness management; teaching in schools, further education colleges and universities; and social and community leadership roles.
Students have also developed their own sport-sector businesses or gained employment within a range of non-sport-sector fields, including the youth development and social services; the Forestry Commission; retail; and the uniformed services.
Students on this course have gone on to study a variety of postgraduate courses with us, including PGCE in Secondary Physical Education or Primary Education; MA in Sport and Physical Activity or MA Physical Education and Sport.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra Costs
School of Sport Science and Physical Activity facilities
The School of Sport Science and Physical Activity houses a multi-million pound, state of the art teaching and research sport sciences laboratory facility.
Facilities include six purpose-built British Association of Sport & Exercise Science (BASES) accredited sport and exercise science laboratories, a nutrition research kitchen, and two molecular and cellular physiology labs, which promote excellence in both teaching and research.
Sports Science Labs
Our specialist sports science labs give students a fantastic environment to develop their research skills and expertise, where a student can explore the biology of an elite athlete who could be performing simultaneously within the sports hall.
The state-of-the-art laboratories are purpose built for research and teaching in the fields of exercise and nutrition science. This includes specialised equipment and facilities for assessing human health risk and delivering exercise and diet interventions for health promotion.
Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Centre
Our Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Centre includes three clinical teaching spaces, a sports injury clinic, a rehabilitation room, a community exercise clinic and a private room for consultations and treatments.
Environmental chamber
Our environmental chamber is used for teaching, research and by top-class athletes in training for competition in different climates.
International standard sports arena
Our sports facilities include a gym, strength and conditioning suite, AstroTurf, grass pitches, outdoor basketball, tennis and netball courts, in addition to the International standard sports arena, which seats up to 400 spectators.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gyms offer a range of affordable membership options giving students exclusive use of a convenient campus-based fitness facility.
The Bedford gym facilitates state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smartphone compatibility as well as an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area. Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
