Foundation Degree (FdSc) Sports Coaching 2025-27

UCAS code is: CX6D
Institution code: S84
Campus name: East Durham College
Campus code: P

This programme is offered by East Durham College working in partnership with the University of Sunderland. The award that you will receive will be from the University of Sunderland.

As our Foundation Degree courses are delivered in partnership with the University of Sunderland, therefore the up to date fees are shown on the university's website, they are not FREE. Please visit the University of Sunderland website, for the up to date fee information by clicking here: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/sport-and-exercise-sciences/undergra…

Are you aiming for a career in sports, health & fitness industries? The Foundation Degree Sports Coaching programme may be the qualification for you!

This programme is a level 5 qualification designed by the University of Sunderland with input from local employers to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge applicable to a wide range of career paths within the sector.

The Foundation Degree itself is a 2-year programme after which graduates can either choose to leave with a fully recognised level 5 qualification in Sports Coaching, equivalent to an HND, or choose to progress to university to complete a third-year top-up for full BSc honours.

Year 1:
• Anatomy for exercise and sport
• Physiology of sport and exercise

• Performance analysis

• Introduction to sport and exercise psychology
• Coaching practice 1

• Personal development and study skills

Year 2:
• Fitness testing and assessment

• Psychology of sport

• Coaching theory

• Coaching practice 2

• Research methods in sport and exercise

As part of the programme, you will be given opportunities to apply & develop your skills & knowledge within a sport, health & fitness-based work environment. This can be organised by yourself or with the assistance of staff & our partner links. These placements are greatly beneficial to help develop your employability skills and gain potential connections for future employment in the industry.

Additional qualifications are encouraged while on the programme: Foundation Degree Sports Coaching students get 50% reduced fees for completion of any exercise and fitness qualifications delivered at EDC such as the Level 2 Gym Instructor, L2 Health and Nutrition, Level 3 Personal Training & Level 2 Group Exercise courses. We also usually offer additional opportunities to complete further coaching/health & fitness qualifications beneficial to employment within the sector subject to interest.

Most of our graduates progress to university to complete the final year and move into careers such as teaching (schools & colleges), the Police, Health and Wellbeing roles in the public & private sector, Sports Coaching within primary and secondary schools, Community Coaching and Sports Development roles. Some take advantage of additional qualifications options provided on programme and find careers in Gymnasiums as Personal Training & teaching Group Exercise Classes. Following completion of the 3rd year top-up there is the opportunity to progress onto master’s degrees (MScs) in such specialist fields as Physiotherapy, Sports Psychology & Exercise Physiology.

After successfully completing this Foundation Degree students are guaranteed progression on to the third year of the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching degree at the University of Sunderland. Career paths available to students following graduation include sports development, health & fitness teaching, physiotherapy, journalism, sports coaching, personal trainer and leisure centre/events management.

To gain entry on to this course a minimum of 56 UCAS points and a Level 2 qualification in Maths and English. Entry can also be gained by completion of an Access to HE Programme. Applicants without the required formal qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, dependent upon experience and interests and may be asked to attend an interview with a portfolio of evidence in such cases.

If English is not your first language, please refer to the University of Sunderland English Language requirements:
https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/help/applying/entry-requirements/what-engl…
Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal. Where relevant, the term ‘entry requirements’ also includes DBS checks, references, fitness to practice, etc.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

The course is delivered using a combination of lectures, seminars, individual tutorials, group workshops, practical activities (sport, fitness & laboratory based) and self-study; a diverse range of assessment methods are used to develop skills & keep the programme interesting such as essays, observations, scientific reports, presentations, portfolios, Multiple Choice Questionnaires (MCQs) and examinations.

September 2025

This FdSc Sports Coaching is a full time, two year qualification, with the option to complete a third year at the University of Sunderland to achieve a full honours degree.