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BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching and Physical Education

  • Placement year available
How to apply Come to an Open Day

Introduction

Hear from our staff and students

Studying Sport Coaching and Physical Education at ARU

Develop a critical and practical understanding of sport coaching, physical education, sport management and development and work towards a career in sport in an immersive, inspiring environment in the heart of Cambridge.

Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023 logo

Study at an award-winning university

We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Why Sport Coaching and Physical Education at ARU?

  • Study on a leading Sports Science course – ranked second in the UK and 17th in the World (Shanghai Rankings 2023) and ranked fourth in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2021-2023).
  • Develop the critical, theoretical and practical skills required in our specialist labs endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).
  • Gain safeguarding and coaching qualifications during your degree, and engage in ‘Live Briefs’, designed, developed, and run in cooperation with local employers in the industry.
  • Learn with experts - 100% of our Sport Science research is recognised as internationally significant in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
  • Study on an industry approved course – accredited by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and members of the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE).

Do you dream of being the great coach behind a great athlete? Or to inspire children through engagement with sport and physical activity? Or maybe you would like to have your say in the policing of sport and in the development of athletes? Work towards all these and even more careers at our Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences.

We're proud to be ranked fourth in the country for sports science courses in the Guardian League Table 2023.

As a Sport Coaching and Physical Education student at ARU, you'll have access to amazing opportunities: you can use specialist labs accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), gain safeguarding and coaching qualifications, and get first-hand experience working with schools and sports clubs.

We know that you want to learn from professionals, so our staff members include elite athletes and coaches who will be teaching you not just based on their academic knowledge, but also from their hands-on experience.

Our Sport Coaching and Physical Education degree course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and has membership of the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE), so you'll graduate ready to work in the UK’s burgeoning sport and fitness industry or to continue your learning journey to postgraduate study. Find out more about our approved and accredited courses.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

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Entry Requirements

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Fees and Paying for University

Facilities

Specialist equipment

At ARU you’ll be based in our Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Science. Its specialist exercise testing and human movement labs feature:

  • notational analysis software
  • heart-rate monitors
  • GPS monitoring equipment
  • breath-by-breath oxygen-analysis systems
  • accelerometers
  • a strength and conditioning suite.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Learn outside the classroom

All our Sport Coaching and Physical Education students can:

  • access work placements in local schools and sports clubs
  • apply to internship programmes with professional sports clubs and other organisations
  • gain work experience with sport development teams such as Living Sport and Cambridge City Council
  • join student-led sports clubs and societies
  • learn from and engage with guest speakers at our Excellence in Sport seminars
  • join an optional training programme to improve strength and conditioning coaching
  • take an optional placement year as part of this course, and gain additional work experience.

Accreditation

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity

This course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), meaning employers will view you as 'job ready' for roles in sport and physical activity.

The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences

You’ll be based in the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, using specialist facilities accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

Careers

Sport coaches and physical education professionals work in a wide range of careers.

As a graduate, you can consider teaching roles in schools and colleges, coaching at community or performance level, and performance (notation) analysis for sport teams or athletes. There is the opportunity to move towards the area of sport development where there are a broad range of themes to focus on (e.g. mental health, physical activity, and minority groups). Through studying with us you can also shape your learning experiences by taking opportunities in the wider health, fitness and leisure industry.

This course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), the professional development body for the UK's sport and physical activity sector, and the sector's only chartered professional body, meaning employers will view you as "job ready" for roles in sport and physical activity.

Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study a postgraduate degree. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. It’s a great chance to make professional connections. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

As a university, sport is in our DNA. There’s a packed programme of activities including health and fitness classes and fun, social sport. Cambridge boasts a well-equipped campus gym and an array of sports clubs and societies. And, if you’re a keen athlete, you could even represent ARU in national competitions.

Be a part of Team ARU

Apply now for BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching and Physical Education

Life in Cambridge

Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.

Explore Cambridge

Want to talk to someone?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.

We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

Placement year available

You have the option to take a placement year as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in.

Your guide to placements

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