Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 360 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
If you are an aspiring or practising leader of sport or fitness activities, our degree in sport, fitness and coaching will develop your understanding of sports science, training, coaching and leadership principles, as well as increasing your current effectiveness and skills in these areas. In the course of your study, you will always come back to what matters most: applying science and theory to practice. You will do this through the use of case studies or reflecting on real and potential work situations using film, text and online materials. Throughout, you will focus on the all-round physical and psychological needs of sports participants or exercise clients. In addition to your OU study, you will need to identify and complete a UK-accredited qualification in either coaching or exercise instruction. This degree course will enhance your career prospects, your understanding of your work role and your communication and analytical skills.
Planning your studies
Whether or not you are new to study or to the OU, we recommend that you start with a module at Level 1.
For this degree you may wish to study the knowledge-based module Introduction to sport, fitness and management (E112) (now discontinued) before studying Working and learning in sport and fitness (E113), but this is not essential. You can study the modules in either order.
You do not need experience of working in the sector prior to starting this degree. But you’ll find the modules and the assignments much easier and more fulfilling if you can draw on employment experience (paid or unpaid) in the sector during your study.
As part of the Stage 2 work-based learning module you will need to have gained in the last eight years – depending on your professional interest – either:
- an exercise instruction qualification recognised by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) or
- a coaching qualification from an established sport with a recognised National Governing Body.
If you do not hold a suitable qualification prior to commencing the module, you will need to obtain one in parallel with your OU studies. Details of which certificates and levels are acceptable are available here.
If you have successfully completed the Foundation Degree in Sport and Fitness (G10) or the Diploma of Higher Education in Sport and Fitness (E44) you have already met the Level 1 and Level 2 requirements for this honours degree. You can ‘top up’ your qualification to this honours degree in sport, fitness and coaching by studying an additional 120 credits at Level 3.
Career relevance and employability
This BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching is relevant if you want to enhance your prospects in sports coaching, fitness training or the leadership of recreational groups. It is also valuable if you are self-employed in the sport and fitness sector, working at sports clubs or wishing to further your career in sports management or sports development. Some students use this qualification as a route towards teaching physical education (PE) although you will need to have GCSEs in English and mathematics, and possibly science, as well as complete subsequent postgraduate training.
Sport and fitness employment requires well developed skills for motivating customers including the communication skills (written, oral and online) that are needed to enhance good relationships and coaching. This degree course will enhance your career potential and give you the opportunity to develop skills which employers will value, including:
- leadership
- empathy with participants
- knowledge of safety and welfare issues
- understanding group and individual psychology
- searching for and presenting information
- use of IT.
Overall, you will become a more critically aware leader who can reflect on your own and other’s practice and apply scientific theory to practical situations.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 360-credit degree you require:
120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module E112
|
60 |
|
- Working and learning in sport and fitness (E113)
|
60 |
|
And 120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Sport and exercise psychology: a case study approach (E233)
|
30 |
|
- Sport and conditioning science in practice (E217)
|
60 |
|
- Making your coaching certificate count (EXC224)
|
30 |
|
- Making your exercise instruction certificate count (EXF224)
|
30 |
|
Or, at Level 2 the discontinued 90-credit modules EXC223, EXF223 in place of E217 (60) and either EXC224 (30) or EXF224 (30)
And 60 credits from the following compulsory module:
Level 3 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Exploring psychological aspects of athletic development (E313)
|
60 |
|
And 60 credits from one of the following options:
Option 1 - Childhood and youth |
Credits |
Next start |
- Working together for children (KE312)
|
60 |
|
Option 2 - Health, Sport and exercise |
Credits |
Next start |
- Promoting public health: skills, perspectives and practice (K311)
|
60 |
|
- Exploring contemporary issues in sport and exercise (E314)
|
60 |
|
Option 3 - Management and business |
Credits |
Next start |
- Managing 1: organisations and people (B628) or online version BZX628
|
30 |
|
- Managing 2: organisations and people (B629) or online version BZX629
|
30 |
|
- Managing across organisational and cultural boundaries (B325)
|
30 |
|
- Marketing and society (B324)
|
30 |
|
Option 4 - Social and global development |
Credits |
Next start |
- Personal lives and social policy (DD305)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B322, B625, DU301, KE308
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards an Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded BSc (Honours) Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree entitling you to use the letters BSc (Hons) SFC (Open) after your name.
Your honours degree will be classified as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification