At Worcester, you’ll learn through practical sessions, supportive teaching and real placement experience in schools and coaching settings. You’ll build confidence working with others and gain coaching awards as part of your studies.
of students go on to work and/or study 15 months after the course
of students were positive about the teaching on the course
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Overview
This course is designed for people who want practical skills, real experience and a clear route into careers in education, coaching, community sport, health and physical activity. The focus is on learning by doing, building confidence, and developing skills you can actually use.
It works especially well if you’re already working, returning to education after a break, juggling family commitments, or thinking about a career change. Teaching is delivered over two days a week, with part‑time options available, so you can balance study with the rest of your life.
From the start, you’ll learn how skills are developed and refined, alongside gaining a strong understanding of how the body moves and how it can be trained effectively in real‑world contexts. You will develop a practical understanding of how muscles and joints work during common activities, how people build fitness and strength safely and how to plan sessions that are appropriate for different ages, abilities and confidence levels. You will also learn how to recognise and reduce the risk of common injuries, helping you support others safely and responsibly.
A key part of the course is hands‑on experience. You will work with local schools, community sports clubs and professional organisations, giving you the chance to apply what you are learning in real settings. This could include helping to deliver PE lessons, supporting coaching sessions, or assisting with community physical activity programmes, all of which help you build confidence and experience while you study.
You will also be supported to gain additional professional qualifications alongside your degree, including first aid and coaching awards. By the time you graduate, you will have practical experience, additional qualifications and a clear sense of where you want to take your career next.
Course content
All modules on this course are mandatory to ensure you develop into a high‑quality sports coach or physical education teacher. You will study the core principles of sports coaching and PE teaching, building a strong foundation of knowledge and applied skills.
We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant.
In addition to your academic modules, you will have the opportunity to gain optional professional qualifications, such as a relevant first aid certificate and a range of sport‑specific coaching awards, which add valuable credentials and practical skills to your CV.
Careers
This course is a strong starting point if you want to work in sport, coaching or physical education. Along the way, you’ll gain practical experience and coaching qualifications that employers look for, helping you feel confident applying for roles when you finish.
Graduates go on to become:
- Sports coaches
- Primary or Secondary School Teachers
- Strength and Conditioning coaches
- Performance Analysts
- Sports Development Officers
- Physical Activity or Health Promotion Practitioners
Teaching careers
If you decide that teaching is the right path for you, this course can also lead you there. After completing the Foundation Degree, you can apply to progress onto our Teaching In Primary Education (With QTS) BA (Hons) Top-up degree.
This allows you to train as a primary school teacher over a 16‑month period, building on the experience and confidence you’ve already developed during your foundation degree.
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
Our course has been designed by academics and industry specialists to prepare you for a career in coaching or PE teaching. So our teaching is a combination of practical sessions, seminars, lectures and one-to-one tutoring.
Evaluation is not all about written assignments and exams, you’ll also be assessed on your delivery of sessions, reflective journals and presentations.
Teaching and assessment contents
The knowledge, understanding and skills associated with the FdSc course are delivered through a dynamic and innovative range of strategies to reflect the diversity of learners' needs. You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, practical activities, group-based tasks, and individual tutorials. In addition, support is available via Student Services and Academic Liaison Librarian Assistants.
Vocational placements are utilised within the course, with you undertaking a mandatory placement in Level 5. You are required to independently secure a work placement in an area of vocational interest. This supports the application of theory into practice and provides you with relevant vocational/industry-based experience. The vocational placement also supports the transition of students to articulated degree programmes or employability. The work placement includes, but is not exclusive to, sports coaching and teaching contexts. Therefore, placements can be conducted within the health, fitness, and leisure sector (e.g., event management).
In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors facilitate a positive staff-student relationship creating a supportive learning environment to monitor student performance and progression.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 48
The minimum entry requirement for Foundation Degree courses is the possession of 1 A Level (or equivalent Level 3 qualification).
An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this course.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
In 2026/27 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £9,790 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International students
In 2026/27 the standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £17,200 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applying through UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.
Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.
Sports Coaching and Physical Education - C610
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Admissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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