From grassroots initiatives developing the next generation of athletes to training elite sportspeople on the world stage – sports development and coaching requires well qualified graduates who truly understand the challenges and ever evolving nature of the field.
Please note: This is one of the specialist routes within the sports portfolio at Abertay. You’ll make your choice of specialist route at the end of stage two of the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise programme. Students must have completed SPS105 or have a coaching award, a coaching module or have prior experience of coaching at least one sport prior to starting Stage 3 of this programme.
Study the sciences that underpin sport – physiology, sociology, psychology and biomechanics – and gain a comprehensive understanding of sport coaching, social policy, sport development and social issues in sport and exercise more generally as you progress through this fascinating and hands-on degree.
Sport is an expansive industry, which is why this programme has been designed to reflect this diverse and changing employment market to incorporate coaching, service provision, duty of care, as well as personal and community development.
Practical activities and work placements will enable you to contextualise theory to real life applications – including volunteering with the Active Schools programme – and prepare for National Governing Body or industry qualifications and employment in sport.
This course scored an incredible 100% for Overall Student Satisfaction in the 2020 National Student Survey. Also, Abertay ranked in the 2020 top three Scottish Universities for Student Satisfaction. And in the Guardian Good University Guide for 2021, Abertay ranked 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction with teaching, and 8th in the UK for overall student satisfaction.
We aim to immerse you in student life here at Abertay and give you a true feel for our courses and our amazing academic community.
Open Days are busy, fun and full-on. And Virtual Open Days online are new to all of us, so we will make sure you know what to expect, and how you can prepare for the event.
It's a day full of talks and videos about student life. Find out all about Abertay at our virtual Open Day on 31 October 2020.
Please note: All applicants must have a pass Maths - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4. National 5 Lifeskill Maths not accepted in lieu of Maths.
Please visit our Entry from College pages for suitable College courses. You should look for those courses suitable for entry onto our BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise.
Years 1 or 2 Entry to year 1 or 2 of this programme is through the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise programme, which will allow you to progress to this programme at the end of Year 2.
| Qualification | Grade Requirements | Essential Subjects |
| Advanced entry is available to applicants with a suitable HND. Please refer to the articulation routes to BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise on our Entry from College pages. | - | - |
If you have the potential and motivation to study at university, regardless of your background or personal circumstances, we welcome your application.
We understand some people have faced extra challenges before applying to university, which is why we consider the background in which your academic grades have been achieved when making an offer.
If you expect to receive passes in three Scottish Highers (grades A-C) and have either ...
... we encourage you to submit an application.
In the first two years, you’ll follow a core curriculum that provides a basis for more specialised study in the final two years. At the end of the second year of study, you’ll choose a route leading to BSc (Hons) in one of the following specific named awards:
You’ll also be given access to our Human Performance Laboratory, with running, rowing, fitness testing and weights machines. You’ll also have opportunities to meet the numerous professional sportsmen and sportswomen who draw on the expertise of our lecturing staff within this facility.
Please provide certified proof of your English language level. Our accredited International English Foundation Course can help. To further enhance your academic English, Intensive English for Academic Purposes can help you achieve your potential.
Discover whether you're eligible for entry and learn more about the country-specific qualifications you need to study at Abertay.
Explore English language requirements for entry to Abertay University.
Discover the range of English language courses on offer at Abertay University.
Learn more about visa requirements for studying at Abertay University.
The module information shown here describes the modules our students are taking this year. The modules do change over time to keep our programmes up-to-date and relevant. This means the exact modules you take could be different. If you receive an offer to study with us, you will receive a Programme Information document that sets out exactly which modules you can expect to take as part of your Abertay University degree programme.
Please note: As well as Key Modules outlined below, you may also be required to choose Elective Modules.
The concepts of coaching and learning and their application to physical activity environments. Move beyond a reductionist view of coaching simply as a systematic procedure and consider the influence of the social aspects of coaching such as leadership, relationships, and social environments. Module content: Coaching and learning; The role of the coach; The coaching process; Skill development; Participant Groups.
Contemporary issues in sport and exercise, particularly those likely to be encountered and navigated in future employment. Module content: Social theory; Inequality and discrimination; Sport and politics; Ethics and sport.
Develop ideas about research in sport, exercise, physical activity and health, to better understand and appreciate published research and carry out a research project in your final year of study. Module content: The research process; Formulating and refining research questions; Research methodologies; Ethical issues; Practical skill development.
An overview of sports policy and development in the UK. Learn to evaluate sports development planning and development. Module content: Introduction to managing sport development; Sport, exercise and physical body culture; UK Sport; Sport and social policy issues; Ideologies underpinning sport; Structures and governance of sport; Strategic management and organisational theory; Marketing and managing sports development; Monitoring and evaluation.
Undertake an independent research project in a subject area that reflects your award title. Module content: Research project topics - Students select their research project topics with staff. Each student is allocated a supervisory tutor within the Division; Supervisory sessions - Supervisory sessions will cover the identification of a research question; necessary elements of research design; the approach needed to prepare for and complete the research project; a range of appropriate research methods; appropriate statistical analyses; the structure of the research report; the interpretation of the research results; possible or probable conclusions; and the writing of the report.
The Sport Duty of Care Review raised questions about whether the wellbeing and welfare of people are being put at the centre of what sport does and delivers. Examine relevant and contemporary topics related to duty of care in sport. Module content: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Injuries; Career transitions; Mental health; Education; Representation of the participant’s voice.
Build upon previously developed understanding of the concepts of coaching and learning by explicitly exploring coach development, education and the support of the coaching process. The issues of professionalism in education and pedagogy. Different approaches to the development of those responsible for expertise in athletes and other learners. Module content: The coach as a professional; Coach education; National Governing Bodies; Volunteer culture.
The way sport can be used to address social issues, some of the problems with this approach, and how these issues can be overcome. Module content: Community development; Ideologies of sport for development; Community Practice; Sport and urban regeneration; Sport for development and peace; Sport, globalisation and development; Sport, capitalism and inequality; Liberating education and critical consciousness; The politics of development.
You’ll learn through a blend of lectures, small group work, and practical activities. You also undertake work placements to reinforce the link between theory and practice.
You’ll be encouraged to evaluate information and challenge commonly held ideas about sport and exercise, as well as being invited to research your own areas of interest and expertise.
You’ll be assessed through a combination of examination and coursework to help you develop a variety of intellectual and practical skills, such as being able to put forward a position based on evidence, or being able to discuss and promote ideas within a group.
For more information on the course content, please download the Programme Information - BSc (Honours) Sports Development and Coaching
Fees shown are payable annually and may be subject to increase each year. Fees are normally funded through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for eligible students.
Please see our Undergraduate Fees and Funding page for further details.
Additional Costs
Sport students have to cover the cost of the PVG scheme in order to be able to work with children and vulnerable adults (cost £59 for a new application, £19 for renewal). You’ll also have to purchase Abertay branded sports kit for use in practical sessions and placements. The cost of the basic kit is £84.
Fees shown are payable annually and may be subject to increase each year.
Please see our Undergraduate Fees and Funding page for further details.
Additional Costs
Sport students have to cover the cost of the PVG scheme in order to be able to work with children and vulnerable adults (cost £59 for a new application, £19 for renewal). You’ll also have to purchase Abertay branded sports kit for use in practical sessions and placements. The cost of the basic kit is £84.
Fees shown are payable annually and may be subject to increase each year.
Please see our Undergraduate Fees and Funding page for further details.
Additional Costs
Sport students have to cover the cost of the PVG scheme in order to be able to work with children and vulnerable adults (cost £59 for a new application, £19 for renewal). You’ll also have to purchase Abertay branded sports kit for use in practical sessions and placements. The cost of the basic kit is £84.
We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.
As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course specific, many are not. There are some listed below or you can visit the Undergraduate scholarship pages.
This is an award of up to £12,000 for prospective international undergraduate students.
This is a £9,200 award for prospective undergraduate students applying from England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Two £1,000 awards for students who have overcome challenges to attend university.
There are many career opportunities available for well qualified graduates from this route, including:
You’ll also find job opportunities in complementary occupations where leadership, motivation and communication are valued – including police officers, firefighters, journalists, marketing executives, public relations officers, and youth workers.
If you’re interested in teaching as a career, this programme meets the requirements for entry onto PGCE courses. This degree will also provide appropriate underpinnings for further study at MSc or PhD level.
Unistats collates comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. The core information it contains is called the Unistats dataset (formerly the Key Information Set (KIS)).
Meet some of our Sports Development and Coaching graduates and find out what they've gone on to do.
Debbi rose up from groundsman to Business and Operations Manager at Spartans Academy.
Paul landed his dream job as Head of First Team Analysis at Manchester United.
Mark is Chief Operations Officer at the Denis Law Legacy Trust, which puts on a range of different programmes, ranging from activities in primary scho
Check out the related courses below - there's a degree for everyone at Abertay.
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Abertay is conveniently located on a city centre campus, with all of its buildings within a quarter of a mile of each other. Shops, recreational facilities and the main bus and train stations are a short walk away.
We're proud of our students and graduates, and we believe there's no better place to study if you're looking for a degree that helps you stand out as an exceptional candidate in an increasingly competitive job market.
An Open Day is your chance to get an up close experience of the University and the city. You’ll come away with all the information you need about us and the courses you’re interested in.
Dundee is a city of contrasts. It's vibrant and cosmopolitan, but also friendly, compact and affordable. The first UK city to be awarded UNESCO City of Design status, Dundee has a rich history of innovation and creativity, and, in recent years, has become a hub for the digital industries.
Book now to see for yourself our city centre campus, talk to lecturers and engage with current and past students.
Our latest undergraduate prospectus is a great read if for those looking to start at Abertay in 2019.
Learn everything you need to know about applying to study with us from UCAS deadlines to entry requirements.
Get all of your questions answered: call us, emails us or chat with us online. We are here to help!
