BSc Hons in Sports Coaching and Physical Education

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge Campus

Program Overview

This degree combines the science of sport with the theory and practice of coaching and physical education. You’ll develop not only your technical coaching skills, but also a strong understanding of sport development, management, and how to deliver PE in educational settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll lay the foundations in exercise science and coaching. Core modules include Multidisciplinary Sport and Exercise Science 1 and 2, Introduction to Sport Coaching and Development, and Practical Delivery of Sport and Physical Education. These help you understand how the body works, how to coach, and how to teach physical education in real contexts.

Year 2
In year two, you build on that with a mix of research, psychology, and more applied coaching. You’ll take Applied Research Skills, Analysing Performance in Sport, Applied Teaching and Coaching, Sport Development, and Psychological Profiling for Sport. There’s also the Ruskin Module for broader learning, and optional modules like Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition for Health and Exercise, Perceptual Motor Skills, and Applied Performance Analysis, letting you tailor your course.

Year 3
In your final year, you’ll gear up for professional life or further study. Core modules include Talent Identification and Development in Sport, Coaching Philosophy and Ethics, Mentoring and Learning in Coaching, and Strategic Sport Development. For specialization or deeper experience, you can choose from optional modules such as Undergraduate Research Project, Advanced Work Placement, Contemporary Issues in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, Exercise Medicine, Performance and Exercise Nutrition, Advanced Strength and Conditioning, or Applied Sports Psychology.

Focus Areas

Sport coaching pedagogy, physical education delivery, sport development, performance analysis, talent identification, ethics in coaching, exercise science.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this degree, you’ll be able to design and deliver effective coaching and PE sessions, apply sport science principles to improve performance and health, understand athlete development pathways, and use research-based strategies in real-world sport and education settings. You’ll also develop leadership, mentoring, and performance analysis skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course is endorsed by CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) and aligned with the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE).

Reputation & Employability

ARU’s Sport Science courses are ranked 5th in the UK according to Guardian University Guide.
You’ll study at the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, which has specialist labs and top-notch facilities.
Through placements, “live briefs” with real employers, and coaching experiences with local clubs and schools, you’ll graduate job-ready with hands-on experience.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Physical Education at Anglia Ruskin University is built around real-world coaching, teaching practice, and applied sport science. From the very beginning, you’ll be delivering practical PE sessions, analysing performance, working with schools and sports clubs, and learning from lecturers who are active coaches, psychologists, and conditioning specialists. The course blends hands-on coaching, scientific testing, and education-based experience so that you graduate with strong professional skills.

Students engage in practical delivery modules, applied coaching and teaching sessions, research in sport science labs, work placements, and live briefs developed alongside employers. In the final year, you also complete a full research project and can take an advanced industry placement to strengthen your portfolio and coaching experience.

With that hands-on focus in mind, here’s a clear breakdown of the facilities, tools, and real-world learning you’ll use:

Experiential Learning – Key Facilities, Tools & Opportunities

Specialist sport and exercise science laboratories within the Cambridge Centre for Sports and Exercise Sciences (CASES-accredited).
Exercise testing equipment including breath-by-breath oxygen analysis systems, heart-rate monitors, and accelerometers for sport science testing.
GPS tracking equipment used for analysing athlete movement and performance.
Strength and Conditioning Suite for practical coaching, movement analysis sessions, and physical training instruction.
Notational performance-analysis software used for analysing coaching, tactics, and technical performance.
Practical PE delivery sessions built into Year 1 and Year 2 modules to apply teaching and coaching in real settings.
Applied Coaching and Teaching module offering structured, supervised teaching/coaching practice.
Live employer briefs where students solve real sport-related problems in collaboration with external partners.
Advanced Work Placement (final year) enabling extended hands-on experience with schools, sports clubs, or community organisations.
Optional placement year between Year 2 and Year 3 for substantial professional exposure.
Independent research project in the final year, using sport science testing methods or coaching-based investigation.
Performance analysis and movement evaluation activities integrated into laboratory-based classes.
Access to school and club partnerships, including local educational settings and sport organisations, for authentic teaching and coaching practice.
Campus library and digital learning tools for research, academic development, and analysis work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Physical Education at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) develop in-demand skills for careers in sport development, coaching, teaching support, and performance analysis. Many move into roles within schools, community sport organisations, or professional coaching environments thanks to ARU’s practical training and industry connections.

Here’s how this degree prepares students for future success:

Typical Career Paths
- Sports Coach
- PE Teaching Assistant / School Sport Professional
- Sports Development Officer
- Performance Analyst
University Services Supporting Employability
- ARU’s Career Centre offers career appointments, CV and interview preparation, and employer events throughout the year.
- Career Pulse helps students track and develop employability skills tailored to the sports industry.
- Students retain lifetime access to ARU’s Alumni Career Services after graduation.
Employment & Salary Snapshot
- Sports-related ARU graduates typically have strong outcomes, with a large proportion in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
- Graduates in sports coaching and physical education fields generally move into roles earning £21,000–£27,000 early in their careers, with progression to higher salaries in teaching, coaching, or performance analysis.
Industry Links & Work Placement Opportunities
- The course encourages work placements with schools, sports clubs, and community organisations.
- ARU’s local partnerships include regional sports foundations, coaching centres, and school networks, creating opportunities for applied experience and coaching hours.
- Students benefit from ARU’s modern Cambridge Sports Science facilities, including performance labs, motion-analysis spaces, and specialist equipment used to develop coaching and teaching skills.
Professional Value & Accreditation
- The degree provides strong grounding for those planning to progress into teacher training routes, sports coaching certifications, or professional governing body qualifications.
- The applied coaching experience and practical teaching preparation provide long-term value for careers in school sport and community sport leadership.
Graduate Strengths
- Grads leave prepared to design coaching sessions, analyse performance, work in educational sport environments, and collaborate with sport development organisations — making them versatile professionals in the sector.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BSc, students commonly progress to:

PGCE (Primary or Secondary Physical Education) for those aiming to become qualified PE teachers
MSc Sport and Exercise Science
MSc Strength and Conditioning
MSc Sports Coaching
Research degrees (MPhil/PhD) in sport, coaching, or education
Professional coaching badges from national governing bodies