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Sport Science (Coaching) BSc (Hons)
Why choose this course?
On this practical course, you'll develop practical coaching skills as well as studying the science behind effective coaching, performance, leadership and sports analysis. You'll have access to sophisticated equipment to measure the physiological responses to exercise and analyse sports movements and skills.
Modules cover psychology, motivation, human physiology, anatomy, biomechanics and notational analysis. A project or dissertation on a selected topic will develop your independent learning skills.
You will gain the CIMSPA Coaching Assistant qualification after successfully completing your first year.
| Attendance | UCAS code/apply | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years full time | CX6C | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
| 4 years full time including sandwich year | CX61 | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
| 4 years full time including foundation year | CX6D | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
| 6 years part time | Apply direct to the University | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
Please note this course was previously called Sports Analysis and Coaching BSc (Hons).
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- This course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).
- You will gain the CIMSPA Coaching Assistant qualification after successfully completing your first year.
- Module options from the second year allow students to tailor the areas of study to support their coaching philosophy.
- 97.2% of students thought staff make the subject engaging (NSS 2023).
What our students say
Sport Science students Louise and Tom talk about their experience studying at Kingston University.
What you will study
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 1 introduces the theory and practice of effective coaching and leadership. You will take part in a practical-based coaching module, exploring the theories that underpin coaching and leadership roles in sport and exercise. You will learn to understand sport as an academic subject. Other modules cover key concepts in sport and exercise psychology, such as motivation and personality. There are also modules regarding human physiology and an introduction to anatomy and biomechanics. In addition, you will be introduced to the essential principles of scientific investigation.
Core modules
Essentials for Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
30 credits
This module provides an essential introduction to the skills required for undergraduate study and scientific research. It enables you to understand the principles of qualitative and quantitative experimental research. It will introduce and employ statistical techniques for the analysis of sport science and nutrition data. The skills developed in this module will begin to formulate the foundation to later research methods modules and your final year project.
Sport and Exercise Psychology 1
30 credits
This module introduces the fundamental constructs of sport and exercise psychology and how they impact on our understanding of human behaviour and learning in sport and exercise environments. These constructs include personality, motivation, anxiety, stress as well as the learning and performance process. You will also learn about the theories of motor control and motor learning.
Topics include:
- The role of the self in sport and exercise, how this develops and impacts wellbeing and performance
- Theories of personality development and the role it plays in sport and exercise
- Different perspectives on motivation in sport and exercise
- Theories of arousal, stress and anxiety and how they might impact sport/exercise environments
- The role of psychology in the uptake and maintenance of physical activity
- How exercise is linked to maintaining/improving psychological health
- The role of perception and attention in the ability to learn and perform motor skills
- Sport and exercise psychology research methods.
Functional Anatomy and Exercise Physiology
30 credits
Understanding the mechanics of the body is the building block of sport and exercise science.
You will be introduced to the fundamentals of functional anatomy and physiology, particularly the skeletal, neural, muscular, metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The focus will be on understanding the biomechanics of movement and physiological responses to the demands of physical activity.
The Science and Practice of Coaching
30 credits
This module introduces theories related to coaching, group management and leadership roles in sport and exercise, and how to apply them in practical settings.
You will also gain an understanding of structural, technical and tactical aspects of selected sports.
This module is very practical. You will develop practical coaching experience from assistant/observer to lead coach in a variety of sport and levels.
You will learn how to deliver warm-up/cool-down or technical, tactical skills related to a sport
Year 2 introduces areas such as notational analysis in sport. There are further practical modules in sport analysis, and you will study physiology and psychology in more detail. You will be introduced to contemporary issues in sport coaching and gain a deeper understanding of sport and exercise psychology. Finally, you will study research methods in physical activity, preparing you for the Year 3 research project.
Core modules
Research Methods in Exercise Science
30 credits
This module's focus is on the approaches to research design, data collection techniques and appropriate analyses to make accurate interpretations. It further investigates quantitative and qualitative research methods introduced at Level 4 and introduces students to more advanced techniques. The module provides an essential introduction to research ethics and the ethical approval procedures that are required when using human participants for research. Skills developed in this module will form the foundation of the final year project module. This module also provides an overview of how to recognise and develop key and transferable skills to enhance employability through relevant professional development and research experience.
Analysis in Sport and Exercise
30 credits
This module introduces you to the technical and tactical analysis of sport performance, to develop an appreciation of how data may be used to explain and enhance sporting performance, and reduce the risk of injury.
Performance analysis focuses on analysis techniques used to explore impactful metrics to enhance performance and inform the coaching cycle.
You will also look at technical elements of sport performance such as biomechanical analysis to explore the key mathematical and physical concepts underpinning the analysis of human movement in sport and exercise.
Leadership and Reflective Practice in Sport and Exercise Settings
30 credits
Develop your leadership and reflective practice in various sport and exercise settings through the examination of coaching and leadership methodologies and practices. You will use a range of technologies in a variety of practical contexts and sporting environments. Throughout the module, you will examine the various contemporary issues, sociological and cultural contexts that can influence leadership style and behaviours.
You will also explore the importance of leadership culture and values on sport and exercise practitioners. Through your reflective practice, you will develop an understanding of the self and client/athlete development needs, and the importance of practitioner wellbeing.
Optional modules
Sport and Exercise Psychology 2
30 credits
You will build on your sport and exercise psychology from your first year. You will explore social psychology in sport and exercise, including group dynamics. You will also explore the psychology and development of the individual in exercise settings and the benefits of exercise to maintain psychological health and wellbeing.
Topics include:
- Motivation in sport and exercise settings and the developments of differing perspectives in this area.
- Group dynamics in sport and exercise settings and how this might influence group satisfaction and performance.
- Aggression in sport contexts.
- Burnout in athletes, including psychological components, mechanisms and experiences.
- Career transitions for sport performers, and the role sport psychology may play in assisting transitions.
- Moral development in young athletes, and the role of morality in competitive sports contexts.
- The role of emotions experienced on an inter and intra personal level in sport and exercise environments.
- Theories of exercise adoption and maintenance.
Health and Exercise Physiology
30 credits
This module covers the acute and chronic physiological changes caused by exercise, giving you an understanding of cardio-respiratory health. You will learn to link exercise physiology to performance. You will understand the role of exercise and physical activity as a prescription therapy to clinical diseases. This module will further develop your understanding by equipping you with the scientific skills to monitor and assess health, fitness and performance.
Final year offers further experience through the Coaching Practice module. You will develop analytical skills by studying advanced notational analysis, and you will extend your knowledge of sport physiology or sport psychology and/or biomechanics (depending on your preference and focus for coaching). All final year students are required to develop their independent learning skills by carrying out a project/dissertation on a selected topic in coaching and sport analysis.
Core modules
Coaching Practice
30 credits
This module builds on the previous practical and theoretical understanding with the aim to develop coaching experience whilst being more attuned and critically aware of the theory of sport science and best practice in coaching. In addition, the module focuses on enhancing existing knowledge and ability to critically develop long and short-term coaching strategies to aid in holistic athletic development.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to provide safe and competent coaching.
- Coach specific aspects of a training programme or session by applying theoretical knowledge to practical delivery.
- Plan and prepare coaching sessions that enable the coach to identify talented athletes, improve technical skills and that improve the athlete's physical conditioning by the use of the principles of long-term athlete development and the periodisation of training.
- Identify and critically evaluate the structural components of a coaching programme in relation to sport science disciplines.
- 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 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).
Performance Analysis in Sport
30 credits
You will develop your practical application of performance analysis and how this supports the coaching cycle within a variety of sport. Enhance your development of future skills associated with key employability attributes in performance analysis. You will use a variety of methodological approaches to understand and enhance athletic performance. You will examine current trends within the applied sporting world and how analysis is being used to develop athletic performance and improve results.
Sports and Exercise Science Project
30 credits
You will get to research an area of your interest, culminating in an original and significant piece of research in this one-year module. You will use the research skills developed through the programme. You will have full access to all sports and exercise laboratory equipment to experience real world data collection and analysis. You will work closely with an assigned supervisor, who will support your progress.
Optional modules
Applied Sport Psychology
30 credits
This module will develop critical understanding of sport psychology through the evaluation of interventions to promote athletic performance. You will explore the role of the sport psychologist, and the types of skills used by these professionals with individual athletes and teams.
You will build on your existing knowledge of psychological theory, using case studies and stories of professional athletes to propose psychological interventions. You will develop an understanding of frameworks used by sport psychologists working in the field, from needs analysis to intervention and evaluation, and have the opportunity to apply these skills through role play.
Biomechanics of Sport Performance and Injury
30 credits
This module provides a critical, theoretical and practical understanding of applied techniques used in the biomechanical analysis of human movement and sporting activity.
You will learn how the application of biomechanics may be used to improve sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. You will learn about injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.
You will apply knowledge and practical experience of the techniques used for recording and analysing sporting movements, using technology such as 3D motion capture and electromyography to assess muscular activation.
Extreme Environments and Ergogenic Aids
30 credits
Explore the wide range of environmental influences that impact on humans when exercising or competing in sport.
You will learn and experience the physiological reactions to environmental stresses such as heat and altitude, and understand methods of acclimatisation or coping.
This module also examines nutritional supplementation and prohibited methods to enhance physical performance, including a focus on current regulation and policies and the attitudes, values and behaviours that may precipitate doping and the consequences of doping in sport.
Sport Nutrition
30 credits
You will examine the physiological, mechanical and psychological responses to nutritional dietary strategies and ergogenic aids for exercise training and competition. Challenge your perceptions and cultural choices of food for a diet suitable to meet the demands of competitive exercise and sport performance. You will explore the nutritional strategies that are used by the general population, from recreational amateurs to elite athletes. You will be able to provide sound guidance for informed dietary choices and optimising a person's competitive performance.
You will learn about the efficacy of carbohydrates, proteins and fats for the provision of, exercise and sport performance with specific focus on current dietary guidelines versus dietary differences – low fat, high fat, intermittent fasting, flexitarian, gluten free, carnivore and vegan diets. You will also explore the significance of gut microbiology and use of pre and probiotics to enhance competitive performances.
You will also explore the psychological impact, such as stress and anxiety, on the relationship between nutrition and the body. You will learn about the dietary needs for exercise dependent on duration and intensity, such as maximising attention and concentration, strength, power, middle distance, speed endurance, ultra-endurance events.
You will learn about the dietary needs for specific groups, including youth athletes, female athletes and how their hormones and cycle can affect nutrition and training.
Other important topics such as the sugar endemic, eating disorders and immunity will also be covered.
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Foundation year
If you would like to study one of our science degrees at Kingston University but are not yet ready to join the first year of a BSc (Hons) course, you can include an extra foundation year within your chosen degree. Please see the science foundation year course page for details of modules.
Future Skills
Knowledge to give you the edge
Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.
At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.
Entry requirements
If you would like to join us through Clearing 2023, please call our Clearing hotline on 0800 0483 334 (or +44 020 8328 1149 if you are calling from outside the UK) and speak to our friendly and knowledgeable hotliners who will be able to provide information on available courses and will guide you through your options.
Please note the entry requirements listed below are for 2024 entry only.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is through lectures, supported by smaller group tutorials, seminars and practical laboratory sessions.
Assessment includes continuous assessment, such as essays, laboratory reports, presentations, thesis and exam.
Who teaches this course?
This course is delivered by the School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry.
The School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry offers an outstanding and diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in biological and biomedical sciences, chemistry, forensic science, pharmacy, pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences, and sport science and nutrition.
We've invested heavily in the development of new facilities including laboratories for teaching and research to provide students with access to ultra-modern equipment in a wide range of teaching facilities.
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
Course fees and funding
Additional costs
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.
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, such as treadmill, cycle and 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
- 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.
We have two specialist environmental chambers that can adjust heat/humidity levels and simulate altitude environments.
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
- 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
- a growing selection of resource materials.
Endorsements
This course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and CIMSPA.
British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
CIMSPA
After you graduate
You'll be ready to develop a career in sport development and coaching-related roles in both public and private sectors. There are opportunities to work with athletes in national and international competitions, as well as in grassroots sport.
Work placement year
How you can work in industry during your course
Why take a placement?
Work placements:
- provide work experience that is relevant to your course and future career;
- improve your chances of graduating with a higher grade degree;
- enhance your CV;
- lead to a graduate job;
- enable you to earn a year's salary whilst studying (the vast majority of placements are paid); and
- help you to select your final-year project.
"To be successful, tomorrow's leaders will need to be far more rounded individuals than ever before. They will collaborate in pursuit of shared goals. They will guide, challenge and support...They will have an appetite for change and a hunger for continuous improvement, and they will have an ethos of learning and development..." Jeremy Darroch, Former Chief Executive, Sky.
"Doing a placement year effectively gives you one foot in the door of a future job and to stand out from the crowd... as well as enhancing my CV... and future interviews. It's a great motivator to be successful in my studies as it only serves to open even more doors and gain more skills." Placement student at Jagex Games Studios Ltd.
There is a lot of support available for students looking to secure a placement (e.g. a jobs board with placement vacancies, help with writing CVs and mock interviews). Getting a placement and passing the placement year are ultimately the student's responsibility.
For further information please contact the placements team by telephone 020 8417 2969 or email secplace@kingston.ac.uk.
Examples of placements
Placements can be with large multinational companies, international companies, local companies or small start ups, across a diverse range of posts. Here are some examples of employers and roles:
| Construction-based placement employers | Construction-based placement roles |
|---|---|
| RG Group Multiplex Costain Willmott Dixon Fluor |
Assistant site manager Assistant trades package manager Assistant logistics manager Health and safety officer Construction engineer |
| Science-based placement employers | Science-based placement roles |
| Reckitt and Benckiser GSK Drug Control Centre Minton Treharne and Davies Ltd Various local and international hospitals |
Bioanalytical sciences Lab assistant Pharmacy assistant Sports coach |
| Engineering-based placement employers | Engineering-based placement roles |
| Airbus BAM Nuttall Nissan Bosch Wozair |
Analysis of aircraft structure Construction resources specialist Site engineer assistant |
| Computing and IS-based placement employers | Computing and IS-based placement roles |
| Disney Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe IBM McKinsey Intel |
Database coordinator Software developer Website developer App developer |
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).
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
