Your 2027 Prospectus
Want to find out more about the wide range of courses, student support and more available for students at University Centre Leeds?
Check out the 2027 University Centre Leeds Prospectus now.
Do you aspire to become a sports coach (whether it be in primary and secondary schools or communities) or become an inspirational role model within a physical education setting? The future looks promising, as CIMSPA’s 2023 workforce insight report identified sports coaches remain the largest Sport and Physical Activity occupation in the UK, having added over 36,300 net new jobs between 2006 and 2019 (52% growth). Likewise, LifePilot forecasts there will be 4.3% more PE teacher jobs in 2027.
This two-year HTQ-approved Foundation Degree will help you develop transferable skills tailored for a diverse range of sporting settings, ensuring that you’re prepared for employment after graduating.
HTQs have been approved against employer developed standards, also known as occupational standards. This ensures that learners gain the skills that employers want, and employers can be confident that learners have the knowledge, skills and behaviours for a particular specialist role.
HTQ – Become a PE and Sports Coach
This foundation degree is a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ). This means it will give you the technical skills and training to move into a Physical Education and Sports Coaching role.
TYPICAL OFFER
UCAS Tariff Points: 48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications), one of which must be in a relevant subject
A levels: 2x D grades, one of which needs to be in a relevant subject
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject
GCSE English(Desirable): English Language Grade C or above (grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) is desirable.
GCSE Maths(Desirable): Maths Grade C or above (grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) is desirable.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
DBS checks: Students will also be required to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service process (DBS) prior to commencement on placement. The department will cover the cost.
References: An appropriate reference is required.
This motivating course has been designed with the Sports Coach occupational standard to develop the skills and attributes necessary to work in the Physical Education or Sports Coaching industry. In the first year of the course, you will explore how to coach individuals and teams, how to analyse performance and cater for individual needs, human anatomy and physiology and leading others in outdoor adventurous activities. There will be extensive practice of coaching others in schools and to wider community groups, which will serve as excellent preparation for those looking to become PE teachers in the future.
Year two will focus on developing your ability to plan, deliver and implement strategies to ensure safe and inclusive sessions, gaining a greater understanding of the requirements of teaching and coaching in different settings and a greater awareness of the impact of physical education and school sport for lifelong development. Year two will contain an opportunity for you to gain experience in a school, sports club or at a community sports club which will help you make an informed decision on your career aspirations on completion of the course.
Fundamentally, the course is designed to be highly practical enhancing your coaching skillset, developing your inter-intra-personal skills through exposure to different environments and encouraging the development of progressive programmes to maximise engagement, whole child development and accelerate skill acquisition in young people. This course will be excellent preparation for anyone wanting to become a PE teacher in schools or to work in sports clubs.
Upon completion of this Foundation Degree, you can progress to study for a third year and gain a full BA (Hons) Physical Education and Sport Coaching Top-up Degree
This course is validated by Luminate Education Group
We're still accepting applications for 2026 entry. You can also start your application for 2027 on UCAS now, although applications for 2027 can't be submitted until September.
Select your college for more information on how to apply and the exclusive benefits available to you.
You'll start by building your knowledge and practical skills through hands-on activities in modules including:
Then you'll put what you've learned into practice, develop your skills and grow in confidence. You'll study:
You will develop a range of interpersonal, academic and employability skills as well as the subject-specific knowledge and skills required in the following areas;
You will explore practically the rules, techniques and tactics of a wide array of sports and how to deliver, coach and assess them in readiness for becoming a qualified sports coach and/or assisting in sports delivery in a school or community setting.
You will develop your understanding of sports specific skills alongside leadership, communication, teamwork and analytical skills, as you become a reflective practitioner with the ability to conduct post-session evaluations of performance.
The assessments within the programme have been designed to emulate the requirements of employment in an educational or sports coaching setting, they have been carefully designed to assess your competence in both coaching the skills needed for practical delivery and planning.
It has been designed to promote authentic assessment of your abilities so feedback provided can help sculpt you into the right candidate for employment on completion of the course. Assessments will focus less on the successful completion of exams or writing essays on practical competencies and instead focus on knowledge, creativity, teamwork, problem-solving and communicating effectively in a written or verbal manner.
Assessment methods are varied across the modules to support and enhance the application of theory to assessment practice and subsequently nurture employability skills of the future workforce for physical education teachers, assistants or coaches working in a school based or community setting.
The majority of the course is delivered from the University Centre Leeds Campus which has a dedicated specialist sports laboratory, includes specialist sports analysis software and equipment, virtual reality equipment and specialist fitness equipment.
Some lessons will typically take place in classrooms to encourage student support and the sharing of experiences and knowledge, rather than in large lecture halls. Practical lessons will be undertaken at a specialist practical facility where the use of a full sized 3G pitch, sports halls etc. is required.
Due to their practical nature, some assessments may take place at the University Centre Leeds Campus, but some assessments may require you to travel to a specialist facility outside of the city centre.
TYPICAL OFFER
UCAS Tariff Points: 48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications), one of which must be in a relevant subject
A levels: 2x D grades, one of which needs to be in a relevant subject
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject
GCSE English(Desirable): English Language Grade C or above (grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) is desirable.
GCSE Maths(Desirable): Maths Grade C or above (grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) is desirable.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
DBS checks: Students will also be required to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service process (DBS) prior to commencement on placement. The department will cover the cost.
References: An appropriate reference is required.
Full-time students will need to complete 40 hours of voluntary or paid work experience in a suitable placement throughout their study. An appropriate reference is required and you will need to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) process prior to placement.
Upon completion of this Foundation Degree, you can progress to study for a third year and gain a full BA (Hons) Physical Education and Sport Coaching Top-up Degree.
Job opportunities may include:
For the latest version of the University Centre Leeds Regulations please click here.
A kit bundle to support you with the practical aspects of the course will include a number of branded products.
Some embroidered items may be available to buy individually. It is anticipated that you will need an embroidered polo shirt as a minimum to wear during practical sessions or whenever representing the institution.
To ensure that you obtain the best deal possible for professional branded clothing that will set you up for practical sessions, gym workouts and work placements, you should order your kit through the institution. As we recognise the cost of the kit bundle may be a lot of money to pay upfront at the start of your course, we have made arrangements for this to be included in your tuition fee loan from Student Finance England, which would mean that your loan would be for £8,945. Please note that your kit can only be issued to you once proof of your loan is received by the University Centre.
Applications are now open for 2027!
To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please visit our 'How to apply' page and complete the steps.
You can also apply through UCAS.
For more information please visit our 'How to apply' page.
Applications are still open for 2026 entry through UCAS. Direct applications will open end of October.
Course fees for Undergraduates are £14,000 (GBP)
For 2027 Entry: Scholarship available £3,000 (GBP) all courses.
For 2026 Entry: Scholarship available £4,000 (GBP) all courses.
For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.
Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student
International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.
For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.
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Open DaysWant to find out more about the wide range of courses, student support and more available for students at University Centre Leeds?
Check out the 2027 University Centre Leeds Prospectus now.
