Skip navigation

Sports Development and Coaching

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Abertay Campus
More about Abertay University

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Sports development and coaching needs more well-qualified graduates who truly understand the challenges and fast-moving nature of the field. This Sports Development and Coaching degree covers everything from grassroots initiatives to training elite sportspeople on the world stage.

You'll learn about physiology, sociology, psychology and biomechanics. At the same time, your studies give you an in-depth understanding of sport coaching, social policy, sport development and the social issues in sport and exercise. Learning sport coaching and sport development together is very helpful, as the two often overlap in the workplace.

A very practical degree

You'll get lots of practical experience such as work placements and internships (paid where possible). This helps you to put theory into practice, and prepare for national governing body or industry qualifications.

All of which looks good on your CV when it comes to employment after graduation.

A licensed partner of UK Coaching

We are a licensed partner of UK Coaching, a recognised stamp of quality coaching across all sports around the UK. This means you can get an additional certification alongside your degree, and gain CIMPSA CPD points while you study.

If you're interested in teaching, this degree meets the requirements for entry onto PGDE or PGCE courses.

Two-year foundation in Sport and Exercise

This course is flexible, and part of a portfolio of five courses covering different specialisms in sport.

For the first two years, everyone takes Sport and Exercise as a foundation. Then you specialise in years three and four.

Abertay is Scotland's TOP University for overall student satisfaction in Sport and Exercise (NSS 2023).

Modules

Year 1 core modules:- SPS101 Social Science for Sport and Exercise; SPS103 Introduction to Anatomy and Biomechanics; SPS102 Introduction to Physiology for Sport and Exercise; SPS104 Psychology of Exercise and Health; SPS105 Fundamentals of Coaching; ABE101 Abertay 101 - Being Successful at Abertay

Assessment method

You’ll learn through a blend of lectures, small group work, and practical activities. You also undertake work placements to reinforce the link between theory and practice.

You’ll be encouraged to evaluate information and challenge commonly held ideas about sport and exercise, as well as being invited to research your own areas of interest and expertise.

You’ll be assessed through a combination of examination and coursework to help you develop a variety of intellectual and practical skills, such as being able to put forward a position based on evidence, or being able to discuss and promote ideas within a group.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Abertay Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 14/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C603
Institution code:
A30
Campus name:
Abertay Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

Abertay University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
C603
Institution code:
A30
Campus name:
Abertay Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Year 2 - Higher National Certificate or equivalent
Year 3 - Higher National Diploma or equivalent

Please see website for accepted courses

Entry requirements

A level

CCC
To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths, Sport Science and Active Leisure Industry Entry into Year 2 with ABB to include PE and Biology or Chemistry or Physics

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MMM
Sport Sport and Exercise Sciences Entry into Year 2 with D*DD Sport or Sport & Exercise Sciences

Scottish Higher

BBBC
To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths at B

Scottish Advanced Higher

ABB
Entry into Year 2 to include PE and Biology or Chemistry or Physics

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

27 points
To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths at S5 or H4 Entry into Year with 34 Points to include Sports, Exercise and Health Science and Biology or Chemistry or Physics plus one other Higher

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H3, H3, H3, H3
To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths

Scottish HNC

Pass
Entry into Year 2 with an HNC in one of the following:- Coaching & Developing Sport - Graded Unit B Fitness, Health & Exercise - Graded Unit B Next Gen Physical Activity & Health - Graded Unit M Professional Golf - Graded Unit B Entry into Year 1 with an HNC in one of the following:- Applied Science - Graded Unit B Soft Tissue Therapy - Graded Unit B Sport & Hospitality Management - Graded Unit B Sport & Recreation Management - Graded Unit B Sport Therapy - Graded Unit B

Scottish HND

Pass
Entry into Year 3 with an HND in one of the following:- Applied Sport Science - Graded Unit B Coaching & Developing Sport - Graded Units BB Fitness, Health & Exercise - Graded Unit b Football, Coaching & Development - Graded Units BB Professional Golf - Graded Unit B Entry into Year 2 with an HND in one of the following:- Sport & Hospitality Management - Graded Units BB Sport & Recreation Management - Graded Unit B Sport Therapy - Graded Unit B Entry into Year 1 with HND Applied Science - Graded Unit B

HNC (BTEC)

M
Entry into Year 2 with HNC (BTEC) Sport

HND (BTEC)

M
Entry into Year 3 with HND (BTEC) Sport

T Level

Pass (C and above)
in Core Component. Health Healthcare Science Science

English and Maths/Lifeskill Maths/Application of Maths at National 5 or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent required. Higher Applications of Maths at grade C accepted.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

A level - CDD

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths, Sport Science and Active Leisure Industry

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP

Sport Sport & Exercise Sciences

Scottish Higher - BBC

To include Biology or Chemistry or Physics or PE or Maths at B

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points

To include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE, Maths or Analysis & Approaches at S5 or H4

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3

-

We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria.

Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We don't just look at your grades, admission is based on academic merit, considering personal circumstances and potential. We look for applicants to demonstrate relevant and appropriate level of academic achievement as well as personal and professional experiences providing an indication of ability to meet the demands and professional requirements of the course. For a small number of courses, additional means of assessment such as an interview or portfolio may also be required.

Learn more on the Abertay University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£15000Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£1820Year 1
International£15000Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

International/EU fees are £15,500 for the following courses:-
BA (Hons) Computer Arts
BSc (Hons) Computer Game Applications Development
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology
BSc (Hons) Computing
BSc (Hons) Computer Science
BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Cybersecurity
BSc (Hons) Ethical Hacking
BA (Hons) Game Design and Production

Related courses

At Abertay University

Like this page