Are you passionate about sports and dreaming of a career in coaching, fitness, or sports development? Our Sport & Physical Activity (Sports Coaching) - Level 3 study programme is the perfect way to turn your love for sport into a real career. Equivalent to three A Levels, you'll gain the skills, knowledge, and industry connections to take your next step - whether that’s straight into work or onto university.
We’ve worked with top employers, universities, and professional bodies to make sure the content is bang up-to-date and matches exactly what the sports industry needs. You’ll get hands-on experience, develop technical coaching skills, and explore areas like fitness, leadership, and sports psychology. Plus, with embedded industry accreditation, you’ll be ready to step into the sports world right after you finish.
This course is packed with variety, offering a mix of mandatory and optional units. That means you’ll cover the essentials while having the freedom to explore the areas of sport that excite you the most. Coaching, for example, is a booming field - did you know over 3.1 million adults in England coached sport or physical activity last year, leading to 7.6 million coach-led experiences every week? This is your chance to join a growing and exciting industry.
By the end of the course, you’ll have everything you need to take your next step - whether it’s working in coaching, fitness, or sports management or studying at university. This diploma opens doors to a wide range of careers, from personal trainer to sports psychologist or even a role in event management.
At our Hammersmith & Fulham College, you'll get access to our large sports hall and private gym, in addition to personalised support from our experienced tutors to help you achieve your goals.
Extended Diplomas are made up of two separate qualifications - to earn the maximum UCAS points for university acceptance, you must achieve both. After you've successfully completed Year 1, you'll be enrolled onto Year 2.
We recommend that you have:
- Four GCSEs grade 4 or above, including English and maths
or - A relevant Level 2 qualification and Functional Skills in English and maths at Level 2
You will also have an interview with our course tutors at enrolment, so we can ensure the course is right for you.
Your assessments are designed to match what you’ve learned. All your work will be marked by your tutors, giving you a chance to show off your skills in real-world situations.
You’ll be graded on a scale of Distinction, Merit, Pass, or Unclassified. This grading system helps you see how well you’re doing and where you can improve.
You’ll build a portfolio of your coursework, showcasing your progress throughout the course. Plus, you’ll get hands-on experience through practical assignments and receive feedback from your tutors. Some mandatory units may be assessed by external exams.
After completing this course, you'll be well-prepared for further study or employment in the sports industry, including university-level study or an apprenticeship.
NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity (Sports Coaching Pathway)
Units covered include:
- Sports Coaching
- Exercise, Health and Lifestyle
- Preparing for a Career in Sport
Other Year 1 units can include:
- The Athlete's Lifestyle
- Practical Team Sports
- Leadership in Sport
- Fitness Testing for Sport and Exercise
- Work Experience
- Assessing Risk in Sport
Year 2 units can include:
- Fitness Training and Programming
- Sports Nutrition
- Psychology for Sports Performance
- Technical and Tactical Skills in Sport
- Business in Sports
- Sports Development
- Current Issues in Sports
- Organising Sports Events
- Personal and Professional Development
School Leavers (16-18)
If you will be 16, 17 or 18 years old on 31 August before your course starts, and you have the legal right to live in the UK for the full length of your study programme, your course will be free.
You may also be eligible for financial help to support with books, travel, course materials and childcare costs â please click here for more information.
