Sport Coaching FdSc
Why choose this course?
Our Sport Coaching FdSc, taught jointly with NESCOT, offers a blend of coaching theory and performance analysis with an emphasis on practical experience in the workplace.
Kingston's partnership with local sports teams ensures this course reflects the changing nature of the industry, and provides you with knowledge, skills and experience for a career in sport coaching.
You will develop a balanced theoretical and applied grounding in sports coaching. You will gain knowledge of biomechanical analysis of human movement and sporting activity. You will investigate how nutrition and psychology can improve sporting performance. You will also gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of industry-standard analysis tools used to aid coaching development of athletes and teams.
You will have opportunities to gain work-based learning experience at a number of local amateur and professional clubs. A coaching placement in Year 2 will equip you with the skills required to be an effective practitioner in the sport coaching field.
You'll experience using and working with the latest equipment and analysis techniques and graduate with potential for a wide range of careers and further study options.
We were ranked 1st in England and 2nd in the UK for sport science in the Guardian University League Tables 2020.
| Attendance | UCAS code/apply | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years full time | C602 | 2020 |
| 4 years part time | Apply direct to the University | 2020 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road and NESCOT |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- Once you successfully complete this course, you'll be able to top-up to a full BSc (Hons) by completing Year 3 of the Sport Science (Coaching) course.
- At least 25 per cent of the course has practical or simulated work-based learning.
- This course offers a blend of coaching theory and performance analysis.
What you will study
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.
You will learn the fundamental theories of sport coaching, practical competencies and how to apply your academic knowledge.
The course reflects the multidimensional nature of coaching, exploring anatomy, physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, psychology and motor skill acquisition. The course enables you to develop your coaching philosophy and style based on your specific interests and specialisms.
You will gain in-depth knowledge of industry-standard analysis tools used to aid coaching development of athletes and teams.
There are opportunities for work-based learning at a number of local amateur and professional clubs. A coaching placement in Year 2 will equip you with the skills required to be an effective practitioner in the sport coaching field.
Please note:
Although the course will not provide professional coaching qualifications, it provides the scientific knowledge to achieve qualification up to United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) Level 3/4, and you will have the opportunity to develop practical coaching skills.
Year 1
Year 2
You will develop a balanced theoretical and applied grounding in sports coaching. You will gain knowledge of biomechanical analysis of human movement and sporting activity. You will investigate how nutrition and psychology can improve sporting performance. You will also gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of industry-standard analysis tools used to aid coaching development of athletes and teams
Core modules
Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology
30 credits
This module is designed to give you an in-depth knowledge of the biomechanics and anatomy of the lower limb, upper limb and trunk. The knowledge is then developed so that you have an understanding of the body as an integrated system. On completion you will be able to analyse the joints and surrounding structures for functional efficiency and integrated movement.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- Explain in detail, the structure and functions of the bones, joints of the body.
- Explain in detail, the structure of the tendons, ligaments, muscles, in the body.
- Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the nerves and blood vessels of the body.
- Analyse functional movement planes of the body.
- Examine how the anatomy of the body impacts on practical application.
- Explain the classification of injury to the body.
Anatomy, Physiology & Nutrition
30 credits
The importance of knowing the structure and function of the different body systems cannot be understated for practising sports therapists. The anatomy and physiology of the body underpins all of the theoretically applied knowledge for practical treatment techniques, so that the therapist knows what bodily structures and functions are normal at rest and during exercise. It will also provide essential knowledge that will be developed in pathology to enable the sports therapist to differentially diagnose their clients. The therapist needs to address other important components that can affect an athlete's performance, such as nutrition for performance preparation and recovery. It is important to understand the basic nutritional requirements of the body, and then look at the effects that sports and exercise has on these requirements. This module provides an overview of the gross and micro anatomy and physiology of the main body systems, how they are fuelled at rest and in response to exercise.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- Review the regulation of the bodies systems, at rest and in response to exercise.
- Record and analyse the physiological data of a case study at rest.
- Record and analyse the physiological data of a case study in response to exercise.
- Interpret the micronutrients and macronutrient requirements of sport and exercise participants.
- Design a nutritional strategy to improve sport and exercise performance.
- Review a range of literature on a nutritional strategy to improve sport and exercise performance.
Sport and Exercise Psychology 1
30 credits
This level four module is a core module in all Sports & Exercise Science undergraduate courses. The module seeks to introduce fundamental psychological constructs and how they impact upon our understanding of human behaviour and learning in sport and exercise environments. Such constructs include personality, motivation, anxiety, stress as well as the learning and performance process. These topics will be introduced within lectures, further examined within seminar, workshop and practical sessions, and supplemented with additional online material.
The Science and Practice of Coaching
30 credits
This module is a core module for students studying Sport Science; Sport Science (Coaching) and the Foundation degree in Sport Coaching. It introduces theories related to coaching and leadership roles in sport and exercise, and it aims to create environments where students can develop their own practical competencies in related coaching and leadership skills. It also aims to provide students with the experiential basis necessary for them to appreciate and understand sport as an academic subject.
You will have opportunities to gain work-based learning experience at a number of local amateur and professional clubs. A coaching placement in Year 2 will equip you with the skills required to be an effective practitioner in the sport coaching field.
You'll experience using and working with the latest equipment and analysis techniques and graduate with potential for a wide range of careers and further study options.
Core modules
Research Informed Coaching Practice
30 credits
This module is designed to critically appraise the current research underpinning sport coaching and allow you to evaluate this knowledge through a practical experience. The module begins with an introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods and emphasises the importance of research for developing sport coaching practice. To illustrate and examine how research informs coaching practice you, with tutor support, are required to source your own work experience placement opportunities within clubs, individual or team sport settings and offer a reflection and critical appraisal of current practice. It enables you to utilise the knowledge and practise skills gained on the course within an employment context. This provides you with not only the necessary practical experience, but additionally the key and transferable skills that will enhance your employability in the competitive market of sport coaching.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the key principles in research methods for producing a valid research sport coaching project.
- Critically evaluate and report on research findings related to sport coaching.
- Demonstrate employability through the process of seeking and applying for positions within an organisation, identify the structural components and functioning of the specific organisation and demonstrate a professional level of competence.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the attributes and skills needed in sport coaching by reflecting on the simulated work experience and evaluating key and transferable skills necessary for employment in sport coaching.
- Critically appraise the research that informs best practice in sport coaching and the comparative practices undertaken by an organisation.
Analysis in Sport and Exercise
30 credits
This module is a core module in the Sports Science and Sports Analysis and Coaching fields. The module introduces technical and tactical analysis of sport performance. The technical aspect introduces the key mathematical and physical concepts underlying the biomechanical analysis of sport and exercise and provides students with an appreciation of how the application of biomechanics may be used to explain and enhance sporting and exercise movements, with practical analytical experience. The tactical aspect provides an appreciation of the application of notational analysis to enhance the coaching process. Students gain experience in various hand notation systems as well as using a computer based system.
Sport Coaching Theory
30 credits
This module seeks to highlight the importance of examining sport and sport coaching from a sociological and cultural perspective, and to introduce key concepts of sociological and cultural studies and their relationship to sport. The module will also examine theories, methodologies and technologies associated with sport coaching and contemporary issues that are emerging within the sport and coaching environments.
On successful completion of the module,you will be able to:
- Discuss how social and cultural factors may affect sporting participation and coaching.
- Describe how an appreciation of key sociological and cultural perspectives of sport can be applied to sports participation and coaching.
- Understand how social, cultural and political factors influence sports participation and coaching and the organisation of sport, globally and in the UK.
- Discuss the emergence and significance of conflicting developments by research and the sport industry.
- Identify and provide an overview of a contemporary issue in sport participation and coaching.
- Demonstrate the key skills of communication (group discussions, reading, selecting, extracting and collating information from appropriate sources, make a presentation, produce written materials), numeric skills (collect primary and secondary data, design a suitable recording format for data collection, evaluation of numerical data, perform basic calculations on amount and sizes, scales and proportions, using statistics where appropriate), ICT (search for, retrieve and store information using ICT resources and, develop independent learning skills).
Sport and Exercise Psychology 2
30 credits
This is a core module in Sport Science and Exercise, Nutrition & Health degree pathways, and offered as an option on the Sports Analysis & Coaching degree pathway. The module seeks to enable students to further understand the psychological influences on human behaviour in sport and exercise environments. These topics will be introduced within lectures, further examined within seminar, workshop and practical sessions, and supplemented with additional online material.
Health and Exercise Physiology
30 credits
This is a core module in Sport Science, Exercise, Nutrition & Health and Biological Sciences (Human Biology) degree pathways, and offered as an option on the Sports Analysis & Coaching. This module covers the acute and chronic physiological changes induced by exercise and an understanding of cardio-respiratory health. This module will develop the students' application of exercise physiology to performance. The module will also enable students to apply the role of exercise and physical activity as a prescription therapy to clinical diseases. This module will further develop the student understanding by equipping them with the scientific skills to monitor and assess health, fitness and performance.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
The course utilises a wide range of teaching and learning methods that will enable you to be actively engaged throughout the course. Teaching and learning will focus on developing academic skills and utilising research informed teaching strategies. Teaching and learning methods are carefully crafted to suit the content and the learning outcomes of the module - typically using lectures in the early parts of modules to ensure that you have the key knowledge relating to the module. Through a variety of group- and individual-based seminars and practical laboratory sessions, you are then given the opportunity to develop more individual interests to develop personal and key skills.
A range of assessment methods will be used to enable you to demonstrate the acquisition of your knowledge and skills. These include (but are not limited to): practical competency, written coursework, oral presentations, in-class tests, MCQs, examinations, laboratory reports and poster presentations. The assessment regime for each module has been designed to provide formative opportunities that allow you to practise and to receive 'feed forward' appraisals of your performance in preparation for the summative assessment.
Facilities
There is a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Penrhyn Road campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment.
Exercise physiology lab facilities
We have a number of ergometers (eg treadmill, cycle, rowing kayak) for analysing sports-specific performance. Sophisticated equipment allows us to measure the physiological responses to exercise, such as.
- oxygen consumption;
- fat oxidation;
- heart rate;
- blood pressure; and
- haematological responses.
Practical work helps you develop your understanding of exercise physiology and your practical skills. The high specification equipment ensures a high quality of research and allows staff to provide support services to top-class athletes from a range of sports.
Biomechanics lab facilities
A large laboratory provides space for teaching, research and consultancy activities. We can sophisticatedly analyse sports movements and skills thanks to:
- force platforms fitted in the floor;
- a six-camera motion analysis system;
- an isokinetic dynamometer; and
- electromyography.
Two smaller labs provide space for specific activities, such as gait analysis, assessment of muscle function and data analysis.
The Library offers:
- subject libraries, plus a free inter-library loan scheme to other libraries in the Greater London area;
- online database subscriptions; and
- a growing selection of resource materials.
Who teaches this course?
The course is delivered between Kingston University (Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing) and our partner institute NESCOT College. Staff in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing havea wide range of experience across research and industry and continue to practice and research at the cutting edge of their discipline. This ensures that our courses are current and industry informed ensuring you get the most relevant and up to date education possible.Staff will use their experience and professional networks to hone your skills and shape you into the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates.
Course fees and funding
After you graduate
You will graduate from this course with specific skills and knowledge related to sport analysis and coaching science, as well as useful interpersonal and transferable skills for the work environment.
At least 25 per cent of the course has practical or simulated work-based learning, comprising 100 hours of vocational coaching experience. This emphasis on work-based learning allows you to reflect upon research, and your own experience of working in an applied setting, to improve your coaching practice.
On successful completion of the FdSc, you will be eligible to top-up to a full BSc(Hons) by completing the third year of the Sport Science course.
Key information set
The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
