Course Overview
If you are interested in sports coaching, fitness instructing, strength and conditioning with a specific emphasis on football then this is the course for you. We have teamed up with GT7 football academy to deliver a sports programme aimed at developing your knowledge, practical skills and understanding of the football industry. The course will allow you to develop your organisational skills through planning football events, communication and delivery skills through football coaching, motivational skills through fitness and conditioning instruction specific to football needs along with several support skills associated with nutrition, injuries and analysis of function in support of football performance as well as comparison to a range of other team and individual sports.
You will benefit from taking part in practical football-themed activities at a variety of local facilities, including Kendal Rugby Club 3G pitch, Phoenix gym, House CrossFit and Carus Green as well as experiencing coaching sessions at St Georges Park, England's home base. You will work with industry professionals in a variety of settings to support your career in the Sport and Physical Activity sector with opportunities to gain work experience in football coaching as well as other football-related industries.
The course usually takes place over three days per week. There is an even split of theory and practical sessions, and you will study 18 different units spread over 2 years. Subjects include practical team sports, sports coaching, sports injuries, analysis of performance, fitness training and programming and a lot more that will provide a comprehensive insight into the football industry and the wider sport and physical activity sector. There will be specialised football coaching sessions from the team at GT7 to help develop your football skills and understanding of the sport.
The two-year Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity course is the equivalent to 3 A-Levels and is worth up to 162 UCAS points (Distinction*) and will enable access to Universities in the UK as well as the potential for the Collegiate system in the USA.
As well as the practical sessions, predominantly based on football, but with other sports used as a comparison, there will be theory classes to underpin your over sport knowledge. All assessments are through continuing coursework that is sequenced to improve understanding from theories into practical application. As a result of this extensive assignment process there are no formal exams.
The programme will allow you to develop a full range of transferable skills all vital for employment in the sport and physical sector as well as wider industries. Through planning, delivery and evaluation of practical instruction, coaching and analysis sessions you will enhance your industry-specific employability skills making you ready for your next steps either through university work entry into the football and sport world.
Your own fitness, technical ability and tactical understanding of football and sport will improve through practical sports performance, and you will have the opportunity to undertake volunteering in the sector and gain National Governing body qualifications.
All our learners will be given support with their English and mathematics skills where relevant to their use in sport and physical activity. Those students who have not yet achieved a grade 4 (or C) at GCSE in these subjects will continue to work towards these important qualifications at a level suited to them. However, students will still have to achieve the stated entry requirements before they start the course.
As well as leaving the college with the NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity with a Sport and Exercise Science pathway, you can have the opportunity to study a national governing body qualification as well as added qualifications such as First Aid for Work, Pool Lifeguard, Sports Leaders and Football Refereeing.
You will complete two, one-week work experiences at relevant organisations, such as football academies, local schools, strength and conditioning centres and professional clubs.
Internal & external assessments will be ongoing throughout your level 3 course. You will be required to complete assessments such as designing a presentation on the roles and responsibilities of sports coaches, completing a group discussion on the technical & tactical demands of sport, designing a six-week training programme. You will be assessed by externally marked coursework, video, discussion, presentation, and delivery of practical session.
Entry Requirements
You should have a minimum of five GCSEs Grade 4 or above, including English Language or a level 2 Diploma at Merit or Distinction.
In addition you will be given an interview with a member of the Sport team to assess your suitability and potential for successful completion of the course.
NB: Enrolment on this course is dependent on meeting the Entry Requirements stated above.
After Your Course
Our excellent links with the University of Cumbria (Lancaster), Liverpool John Moores University and University Campus of Football Business (Manchester) allow us to complete an annual visit and provide Higher Education progression opportunities to the Sport students. Students also benefit from one week of work experience each year, with many students being offered further opportunities.
You could progress to university to a degree course in a relevant subject, such as sports coaching, PE Teaching, sport business management or fitness and personal training. You could also progress to an apprenticeship in Exercise and Fitness, Personal Training or employment in the sports industry. We work closely with sports and fitness businesses in Cumbria and North Lancashire, and there are many opportunities throughout the year for students to gain employment and support at local sporting events. We work closely with Kendal Rugby Club, Carus Green Golf Club, Phoenix Fitness, Westmorland Football Association, Rugby Football Union Cumbria, Little Kickers Coaching as well as local primary schools to ensure learners gain essential experience to allow them to progress to higher-level studies or employment.
Fees
£2882.00
The fee displayed is the course fee. Course fees are per year for full-time courses and per course for part-time courses.
Other costs may be associated with this course, e.g., kit, equipment, books, trips, etc. Financial support may be available to support you with these. See the Student Money pages for more information.
Courses fees
The current full-time & degree-level fee information is related to the 2024/25 academic year.
Level 3-6 Courses
Advanced Learning Loans are available for students aged 19 or over and studying eligible level 3, 4, 5 & 6 courses. If you are on an Access course, the loan will be written off if you complete a degree.
You may qualify for financial support to cover the cost of a Level 3 qualification if you do not already have a Level 3 qualification (this will depend on the course & your age on 31/08/24).
Please speak to Student Services for more information on course fees.
A-Levels
The fees displayed are for the one-year AS-Level course. If you would like to progress onto the full A-Level, please get in touch with us for the cost of the second year, as it will be different.
16-18 year olds
There are no course fees if you were aged 16-18 on 31/08/24 and are not studying at another institution.
