Course Overview

This full-time course runs two days a week in both first and second years. This gives students the opportunity to earn as they learn. The course is delivered through seminars, lectures and practical sessions, following a theory into practice model. The opportunity to apply these new skills in the sports industry will take place through work experience.

The HND provides a unique insight into the sports industry with several high-profile guest lecturers from professional athletes and coaches to professional sports club CEO’s. Visits to the London 2012 site, Cardiff’s Sports Village, national stadia and outdoor activity centres are just a few of the trips that we organise to help enhance your learning experience. Thus, enabling you to recognise the skills you have and where you can apply them within sports coaching and leadership management.



HND in Sport (Football Performance & Development)

HND students will also have the opportunity to join the Worcester Football Academy. The Worcester Football Academy is open to those students who have a passion and talent for playing football. You will have the opportunity to train and play football while gaining your qualification. Discipline and self-motivation is essential. Entry into the Football Academy is based on pre-season trial. In recent seasons the Football Academy have had many successes; reaching the semi finals of the National Colleges cup twice, winning leagues and having players sign contracts at professional and semi-professional clubs. You can remain at your current club whilst training and playing with the Football Academy.

Entry requirements

You will require 48 UCAS points or an equivalent Level 3 sport qualification and five 4-9 GCSEs including Maths and English. Mature applicants with other qualifications or non-formal qualifications are welcome to apply and will be assessed on an individual basis.

Course Modules

Year 1

- Coaching Practice & Skill Development
The aim of this unit is to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of coaching practice and the skill development associated with athlete performance. Students will engage in researching the impact of different coaching practices, working in various environments, utilising resources, developing skills and planning effective sessions. They will gain an understanding of the importance of developing sessions dependent on the group’s demographics. The knowledge, understanding and skill sets gained in this unit will help students to appreciate the varied coaching environments in which they might work. They will have learned how to be specific to the individuals they are coaching and ensure they apply the relevant skill development.

- Physical Activity, Lifestyle & Health
This unit provides students with the knowledge and understanding of appropriate tools to assess the lifestyle of a range of individuals and design, implement and review lifestyle enhancement programmes. Students will be able to reassess the lifestyle of a selected individual following completion of the programme and review the effectiveness of the programme in facilitating behaviour change. Throughout the unit, students will develop skills such as communication, interpretation and analysis which are crucial for gaining employment within the sport and fitness industry and developing academic competence.

- The Sports landscape
This unit explores the growing influence that governments have on sport, starting with the key policy stages and changing political priorities that have shaped the way the sport landscape is today. The unit naturally progresses to identifying current aims and priorities in sport, and how governments use sport as a tool for achieving a number of political, cultural and social objectives. This unit will develop students’ knowledge of the current politico-sporting climate, and how key sporting organisations influence and organise sport. With numerous organisations involved in, and influencing, the sporting landscape, funding within sport is a complex process and something that those wishing to work in sports development need to understand.

- Project Management
The aim of this unit is to offer students an opportunity to demonstrate the skills required for managing and implementing a project. They will undertake independent research and investigation for carrying out and executing a sport-related project which meets appropriate aims and objectives. On successful completion of this unit, students will have the confidence to engage in decision-making, problem-solving and research activities using project management skills. They will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to enable them to investigate and examine relevant concepts within a sports-related context, determine appropriate outcomes, decisions or solutions and present evidence to various stakeholders in an acceptable and understandable format.

- Anatomy & Physiology
An understanding of anatomy and physiology forms the basis for a number of other areas relating to training, fitness, fitness testing, physical activity and various therapeutic techniques. In this unit learners will study the structure and function of the human body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory and musculo-skeletal). This unit is designed for students wanting to gain knowledge of the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system and understanding how movement is produced. Students interested in careers such as personal training, physical education teaching, occupational therapy, coaching, exercise prescription and performance analysis would find this a key unit in informing their practice.

- Technology in Sport
The aim of this unit is to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of the impact technology has on sport and the ways in which it supports the athletes’ performance developments. Students will engage in researching the impact of technologic

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through written assignments, individual projects, individual and group presentations and time constrained assessments. You will also meet up regularly with your tutor to discuss personal progress and plan your studies.

What can I do next

Sport is one of the most dynamic industries and is worth over £450 billion to the world’s economy. As a HND Sports Coaching and Leadership Management graduate you will be prepared to progress to a wide range of roles within the sports industry.

Predominantly roles within Sports coaching and analysis, sports marketing, sports/ health fitness facility management or sports event management. However, careers in sports teaching/lecturing, sports development, outdoor leadership including the broader business management professions are all options with further study. Graduates have the potential to diversify the skills they have developed across many other industries including hospitality and retail sectors.