MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
St Mary's University Twickenham, London, offers a highly regarded MSc Applied Sport...
BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is a comprehensive three-year undergraduate degree designed to equip students with a strong scientific foundation and practical expertise in the multifaceted field of sports coaching. The program uniquely blends core sports science disciplines, including exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sports psychology, with a deep focus on coaching pedagogy, skill acquisition, and performance analysis. It aims to prepare graduates to tackle real-world sporting challenges and to excel in a variety of coaching and performance development roles. St. Mary's boasts world-class sports facilities and British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accredited laboratories, such as a Fitness and Conditioning Suite, Performance Hall, and Biomechanics Laboratory, providing an exceptional hands-on learning environment. Taught by research-informed lecturers and experienced practitioners, the program instils critical thinking, analytical skills, and effective coaching practices, underpinned by scientific evidence.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science program at St. Mary's is structured to provide a robust and progressive understanding of coaching science principles. In the first year, students establish foundational knowledge through core modules such as "Coaching Process," "Introduction to Research," "Fundamentals of Sport Psychology and Skill Acquisition," "Physiology of Exercise," "Field Based Movement Techniques," 1 and "Fundamentals of Biomechanics." The second year builds upon these foundations with core modules like "Skill Acquisition I," "Research Methods," "Social Psychology of Sport," and "Coaching Process II." Students also have the flexibility to choose optional modules, which may include "Notational Analysis," "Physiology of Training," "Sports Biomechanics," "Science in Practice," or "Experience and Employment in Sport/Education/Business." The final year culminates in a significant "Research Project" and includes "Applied Coaching Science I," with further optional modules potentially covering "Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology," "Applied Sport Psychology," "Experimental Biomechanics," "Performance Analysis," or "Advanced Skill Acquisition," allowing students to tailor their learning to their specific career interests.
Research Focus: The BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science program at St. Mary's University is strongly informed by the active research interests of its academic staff, many of whom are leading experts and practitioners in their respective fields within the School of Sport, Health and Applied Science. The program emphasizes an evidence-based approach to coaching, encouraging students to critically evaluate research and apply scientific principles to coaching practice. Research within the department often focuses on areas such as coaching pedagogy, skill acquisition, motor learning, performance analysis, and the physiological and psychological underpinnings of sports performance. The "Research Project" in the final year provides a key opportunity for students to conduct their own original research under expert supervision, contributing to the scientific understanding of sports coaching and developing advanced analytical and investigative skills within the university's BASES-accredited laboratories.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a significant and integral component of the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science program at St. Mary's University, designed to provide invaluable practical experience and enhance graduate employability. The university maintains strong links with national and local sporting organisations, clubs, and academies, creating numerous opportunities for students to gain real-world coaching experience. Students have the opportunity to undertake work placements during their degree, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge in professional coaching environments. St. Mary's also offers various on-campus coaching and leadership opportunities through programs like SIMMSport, which provides paid coaching roles for students with relevant qualifications and experience in children's sports programmes. This hands-on involvement, coupled with input from lecturers who are experienced coaching practitioners, ensures that the curriculum is highly relevant to current industry demands and effectively prepares students for professional roles.
Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science program at St. Mary's University inherently incorporates a global perspective by exploring the universal scientific principles of coaching, human movement, and performance that apply across diverse sports and cultures worldwide. The curriculum draws upon international research, coaching methodologies, and athlete development pathways, acknowledging that best practices in sports coaching often emerge from a global context. Discussions may include comparing coaching philosophies across different countries, understanding cultural influences on athlete development, and addressing the physiological and psychological demands of international competition. While grounded in the UK system, the program's focus on evidence-based practice and scientific principles equips graduates with a transferable skill set applicable to working with athletes and sports organisations in various international settings, contributing to the global advancement of sports coaching.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 17100
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 55.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
The BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, offers a rigorous three-year undergraduate degree designed to equip students with the scientific knowledge and practical skills essential for a successful career in sports coaching. This program effectively integrates core sports science disciplines such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sports psychology with specialised areas like coaching pedagogy, skill acquisition, and performance analysis. Students learn to apply evidence-based approaches to real-world sporting challenges, benefiting from St. Mary's world-class sports facilities and British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accredited laboratories. Taught by a team of research-informed academics and experienced practitioners, the degree fosters critical thinking, analytical capabilities, and effective coaching methodologies, preparing graduates for a diverse range of roles in the dynamic sports industry.
Professional Sports Coach: Graduates can pursue coaching roles in various sports at club, academy, or elite levels, applying scientific principles of training, skill acquisition, and performance enhancement to improve athlete performance. This often involves working with national governing bodies or professional teams.
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Specialising in designing and implementing physical training programs, graduates can work with athletes to improve strength, power, speed, and endurance. Roles are found in sports clubs, performance academies, and private training facilities.
Performance Analyst: Utilising their understanding of biomechanics and statistical analysis, graduates can work to objectively measure and evaluate athlete and team performance, providing data-driven insights to coaches and athletes for strategic development and improvement.
Sports Development Officer: These roles involve planning and delivering sports programs and initiatives within local communities, schools, or governing bodies. Graduates work to increase participation, foster talent, and promote the benefits of sport and physical activity.
Coach Educator/Developer: Graduates can work for sports organisations or educational institutions to train and mentor aspiring coaches, developing and delivering coaching courses and workshops based on best practices and current scientific research.
Youth Sports Coordinator: Focused on younger age groups, these roles involve managing and coordinating sports programs for children and adolescents, often in schools, community centres, or youth sports clubs, emphasising holistic development and positive sporting experiences.
Sports Centre/Leisure Facility Manager: Graduates can apply their understanding of sports operations, management, and client engagement to oversee the daily running of sports facilities, gyms, and leisure centres, ensuring efficient service delivery and a positive user experience.
Sport Scientist (General Support): Working within multi-disciplinary teams in sports organisations, graduates can provide broader sports science support, including fitness testing, physiological monitoring, and contributing to interdisciplinary performance plans.
Health and Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer: Equipped with knowledge of exercise physiology, biomechanics, and motivation, graduates can work in gyms or independently, designing and delivering tailored exercise programs for individuals seeking to improve fitness, health, or specific physical attributes.
Physical Education (PE) Teacher (with further qualification): For those passionate about education, a BSc in Sports Coaching Science provides an excellent foundation for pursuing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to qualify as a PE teacher in primary or secondary schools, inspiring the next generation of athletes.
