MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
St Mary's University Twickenham, London, offers a highly regarded MSc Applied Sport...
BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science (with a Placement Year)
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is an comprehensive four-year undergraduate degree meticulously designed to provide students with both a robust scientific foundation and extensive practical expertise in the multifaceted field of sports coaching. This 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. A key distinguishing feature is the compulsory year-long professional placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. This invaluable practical experience allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world coaching and performance environments, gain significant industry insights, and build crucial professional networks. St. Mary's boasts world-class sports facilities and British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accredited laboratories, 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, all underpinned by scientific evidence, significantly enhancing graduates' employability.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's is structured to provide a progressive and in-depth 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 third year is dedicated entirely to the compulsory "Placement Year," providing immersive professional experience. The final academic 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 (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University is deeply 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 strongly 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. The knowledge gained from the placement year often provides inspiration and real-world context for these research projects.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a significant and integral component of the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University, designed to provide invaluable practical experience and significantly enhance graduate employability. The program's defining feature is the compulsory year-long industrial placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. St. Mary's maintains strong links with national and local sporting organisations, clubs, and academies, creating numerous opportunities for students to gain substantial real-world coaching and performance experience. The university's Employability Service and dedicated placement teams actively support students in securing suitable roles, which can include working with professional clubs (e.g., Crystal Palace FC, London Irish RFC), schools, or sports development bodies. 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 (with a Placement Year) 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. The comprehensive scientific grounding and practical experience gained during the placement year (which could potentially include international opportunities or work with diverse athletic populations) equip 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 (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, offers a scientifically rigorous and exceptionally practical education, preparing graduates for impactful careers in the sports industry. This four-year program blends core sports science disciplines with specialized coaching pedagogy, skill acquisition, and performance analysis. The compulsory year-long professional placement provides invaluable real-world experience, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in professional coaching and performance environments, build crucial industry networks, and significantly enhance their employability. Supported by world-class facilities, BASES-accredited laboratories, and experienced practitioners, graduates emerge equipped with the critical thinking, analytical, and practical coaching skills necessary for success.
Professional Sports Coach: Graduates are highly sought after for coaching roles across various sports at club, academy, or elite levels. The practical experience gained during the placement year is crucial for applying scientific training principles, developing skill acquisition, and enhancing athlete performance in real-world settings, making them more competitive for roles with national governing bodies or professional teams.
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Specialising in designing and implementing physical training programs, graduates work with athletes to improve strength, power, speed, and endurance. A placement within a high-performance environment provides direct experience in applying scientific principles to athlete development and optimising physical performance.
Performance Analyst: Utilising their strong understanding of biomechanics and statistical analysis, graduates can work to objectively measure and evaluate athlete and team performance. A placement in a professional sports team or analytics firm offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge software and data interpretation for strategic development.
Sports Development Officer: These roles involve planning and delivering sports programs and initiatives within local communities, schools, or governing bodies. The placement year provides practical experience in community engagement, program design, and promoting inclusive sports participation.
Coach Educator/Developer: Graduates can work for sports organisations or educational institutions to train and mentor aspiring coaches. Experience gained during a placement in a coaching development role would be invaluable for developing and delivering evidence-based coaching courses and workshops.
Youth Sports Coordinator: Focused on younger age groups, these roles involve managing and coordinating sports programs for children and adolescents. A placement in a youth academy or school sports program provides direct experience in fostering 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. A placement in a leisure centre or sports complex provides hands-on experience in operational management, health and safety, and staff supervision.
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, often having gained initial experience in a similar placement role.
Health and Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer: Equipped with knowledge of exercise physiology, biomechanics, and motivational techniques, graduates can work in gyms or independently. The practical client interaction and program design experience from a placement in a fitness setting significantly enhance their readiness for these roles.
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). The experience of working with young people and developing teaching skills during the placement year directly benefits this pathway.
