South Devon College

FdSc Sports Coaching and Fitness

Everything at University Centre South Devon (UCSD) is designed to maximise your employability and future career opportunities. Courses are created with local employers to ensure you learn industry-relevant skills and are delivered in small classes with regular one-to-one support, covering a range of study skills – it’s no wonder we’re recognised as a leading institution in the National Student Survey.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    • Academic Skills and Practice (SOUD1488)

      This module is designed to enable students to demonstrate that they have all the qualities and transferable skill necessary for relevant employment requiring the exercise of responsibility and decision making, including the ability to relate their professional practice to underlying theory and principles

    • Human Anatomy and Physiology (SOUD1489)

      In order that students can appreciate how the human body performs they need to understand how the body functions and initiates movement. This module will provide students with foundational knowledge of the structure and function of exercise related anatomy and physiology. It will also be a precursor to exercise physiology

    • Fundamentals of Training and Fitness (SOUD1490)

      Focus on the principles of training, generic to all sport and exercise regimes. The components of fitness will be examined, in terms of training and assessment. Expectation to apply knowledge and understanding to the planning, implementation and evaluation of personal fitness programmes. Opportunity to also complete a YMCA L2 Fitness Instructor (gym) qualification as part of the assessment of this module.

    • Nutrition for Sports Performance (SOUD1491)

      This module provides the learner with knowledge relating to sports nutrition. Looking at nutritional requirements of physically active individuals, including macro/ micronutrients, energy balance and calorific values, and the assessment of calorie intake/ expenditure. It also examines how athletes prepare for and recover from exercise and means by which athletic performance can be improved via nutritional strategies

    • Current Issues in Coaching Health and Fitness (SOUD1492)

      Module examines the contemporary issues facing the different industries. Students will explore the benefits of exercise for both physical and psychological health and investigate motivational theories for involvement and adherence to exercise. Students will also develop critical awareness of the international and local coaching contexts as well and a variety of issues associated with the environment of sports coaching

    • Principles of Coaching and Skill Development (SOUD1493)

      This module has been designed to develop learners awareness of skill acquisition/ learning and the coaching process, enabling them to apply this knowledge to practical situations as a coach.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    • Research Methods in Sport and Fitness (SOUD2444)

      Students will be introduced to the disciplines and techniques of collecting, analysing and presenting data. It includes the application and understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods, and analysis and evaluation of statistical data. Students will undertake data collection, analysis and presentation of research, as well as the development of a piece of research for future study

    • Exercise Physiology (SOUD2445)

      To examine physiological factors that affect performance. Importance will be placed on the relationship of the cardio-vascular system, energy transport and metabolism alongside environmental factors that improve performance. The aim of the module is to build and develop principles/knowledge acquired in human anatomy and physiology to exercise science

    • Analysis of Sports Performance (SOUD2446)

      This module is designed to give students an understanding of performance analysis in order to improve their understanding of sports performance. Students will develop a greater understanding of the contextual knowledge in training, coaching and performance

    • Professional Practice in Sport, Coaching and Fitness (SOUD2447)

      Students will explore their current skill set and where that fits in line with professional standards. They have the opportunity for clearer understanding how a section of the sport and fitness industry functions on a day to day basis and reflection on learning.  This in turn should give students confidence and a clearer idea of strengths and weaknesses, better equipping them for full time employment

    • Sport and Exercise Psychology (SOUD2448)

      This module gives students an understanding of key psychological factors that influence performance and participation in sport and exercise. The module introduces the learner to an awareness of psychological skills and training methods that can be employed to enhance performance. It also provides an introduction to the key issues in exercise psychology and exercise adherence

    • Coaching and Leadership (SOUD2449)

      This module will provide students with a greater understanding of the technical coaching requirements of specific sports as well as reinforcing the key principles behind effective leadership. In addition to this, learners will also be given the opportunity to develop and build upon their practical experiences and constructing a coaching profile

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
Fees, costs and funding

As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 

UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 

To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Our partnership with South Devon College
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with South Devon College

At the heart of the sunny English Riviera, we’re an award-winning Beacon status college. Add to that our ‘outstanding’ rating by Ofsted (in 2009), modern facilities and our larger-than-life Students’ Union, and you’re left with the perfect environment.
 
Plymouth students working on a group project