Sport, Coaching and Physical Education (With Foundation Year)

This wide-ranging course gives you the flexibility to choose a sociological or health pathway, allowing you to specialise in your final year of study. Led by an academic team at the cutting edge of teaching and research in this field, your learning combines theory of teaching and lab work with practical activities including an exciting outdoor and adventure education experience. You experience working with and teaching children through on-campus visits from schools or community work. There are also opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills through placements with our official partners Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC as well as other sporting organisations.

Foundation Year
In the foundation year, you will study three days per week. The focus will be on academic writing skills and numeracy, plus subject-specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an undergraduate degree. It provides a balance between content related to your chosen subject and the range of wider skills required for undergraduate study. This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will be required to pass the foundation year in order to progress to the first year of your degree. This course is ideal for those who do not meet our standard entry requirements or those with a non-standard educational background. It will allow you to graduate with a full undergraduate degree in your chosen subject in four years.

Course accreditation/industry endorsement
We increase the employability of our graduates by being a Higher Education Partner of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).

Facilities and specialist equipment
Six CASES-accredited laboratories
Strength and conditioning facility
Free gym
Sports arena
Sport centre
Multi-use games areas
External sports pitches
Human Performance Centre
Up-to-the-minute sports analysis equipment such as the Catapult GPS tracking and Nacsport camera system
Realistic mock-classrooms for PE teaching practice including specialist technology allowing you to watch and self-assess your lesson
A Forest School for training in outdoor learning and play

Industry links
We are official partners of Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC as well as other sporting organisations in the region such as Bedford Tigers RLFC, MK Dons, Cricket East and Be Active, giving you opportunities to build your employability through work placements. Students gain valuable work-based experiences within coaching, project management, and community sport through their involvement with the Bedford Blues Foundation.

Your student experience
Benefit from the support of your own personal academic tutor who will guide and support you throughout your student journey.
Collaborate with our partners to deliver school and community-based projects. Your laboratory-based work develops your understanding of human performance as well as sport psychology and physical activity.
Enhance your learning and build your experience through field trips to destinations such as St George’s Park, Burton-upon-Trent, the home of England Football; Box End Water Park, Bedford; and an outdoor activities centre, to name a few.
Benefit from our industry links with the Blues Foundation; school partnerships across the region; Bedford International Athletics Stadium; Luton Town FC; the Football Association; Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee at British Gymnastics; and Kempston Outdoor Centre.
Develop your professional network though our links with Sport England, governing bodies, active partnerships and industry experts.
Recent industry visitors include Nick Cox, Academic Manager at Manchester United, and Kevin Pickard, International Swimming Coach.

Tired of irrelevant modules? At the University of Bedfordshire, all courses are designed with the real world in mind.

From freshers week to after you graduate, you can expect outstanding careers support. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, paramedic, or pilot, you'll benefit from career-relevant teaching from industry experts and academics. Picture careers workshops, industry visits and placement years. That's what awaits at Bedfordshire.

You won't just find your footing in your career. You'll also be encouraged to become a confident, well-rounded individual, fully-equipped to make your mark on the world. That's why Bedfordshire is proud to host an enormous range of societies, where you can explore your passions and meet like-minded people. With Psychology, Swimming, French, Film, Dance, Volleyball and Beer & Conversation among the unique student communities in Bedfordshire, you'll feel right at home!

Register your interest now at the University of Bedfordshire.