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Sport Coaching MSc

Start date
September
Duration
MSc – 2 years part time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Continuing professional development, Distance learning, Taught
Fees
£5,265 PT (UK students)
£11,655 PT (International Students)
More detail

Our part-time Sport Coaching MSc is a unique development in the field of sport coaching in how it seeks to develop high-quality coaches in a research active environment.

The distinctiveness and knowledge that you will gain from this programme will place you in an ideal position to inform the future direction of sport at all levels and to impact upon participation and performance by challenging current practices.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

International students: Please check your visa requirements before applying as most of the sessions in this programme are delivered online via distance learning.

By taking this programme you will develop the skills to critically evaluate new developments/theory and integrate this knowledge, where appropriate, into your own personal coaching practice.

Throughout the programme you will be encouraged to develop yourself as a lifelong learner, understanding the importance of learning and the theory behind coaching practice and also development of performance and expertise.

This programme is an innovative blended delivery using both high quality online resources complemented with face to face discussion time with academics and leaders in the programme fields. You will be encouraged to develop your use of theory in practice, and to reflect upon your own personal coaching philosophy and development in light of new knowledge. 

The modules directly inspired my final year project, which for me was the highlight of the course. I was given a tremendous amount of freedom, support, and encouragement from my tutor to pursue a topic of my own choice and it was incredibly rewarding to produce an original piece of academic writing at the end of it which I’m really proud of.

Alexander Sobolewski, MSc Sport Coaching alumnus

Modules

Topics covered during the course will include, for example, methods and mechanisms for continued professional development, digital technologies, models-based practice (including models such as Cooperative Learning, Sport Education and Teaching Games for Understanding), and contemporary social and political issues for physical education and youth sport. In addition, modules will address research methods to prepare students for conducting fieldwork for their dissertation. 

Delivery: All programme modules are delivered online. Learning and teaching will be hosted by webinars, lectures, video, vlogs and all sessions are recorded on Panopto, the University of Birmingham’s video platform and published on the integrated virtual learning environment ‘Canvas’. Other support will be available through online discussion groups and individual tutorials.

Module details are as follows: 

Research Methodology in Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

This module will develop your research skills within the areas of sport and physical activity. It will cover the practical usage and critical analysis of methodologies providing an essential understanding of conducting research in a real-world sport/physical activity environment.

Through this module you will gain an in depth understanding of conducting research in a real-world sport/physical activity environment which will allow you to develop as a research-led practitioner. The module also provides the grounding for the masters’ dissertation research.

Advanced Pedagogies

This module examines key aspects of coaching and physical education practice through the theoretical lens of ‘pedagogy’. In particular, it focusses on ‘advanced pedagogies’ which frames practice in 3 areas: knowledge in context; diverse learners and learning; and career-long professional enquiry.

Digital Practice in Sport, Exercise and Health

In this module, students will examine: the professional learning needs of practitioners using digital technologies, the ethical implications presented by digital technologies, the applications of digital technologies in sport, exercise and health contexts, and the outcomes associated with digital technologies in sport, exercise and health

During this module, students will review existing evidence on the digital technologies relevant to their sport, exercise and health context to identify the professional learning needs of practitioners to use and apply digital technologies

Innovation in Professional Development

The aim of the module is to allow participants to evaluate current personal and professional development within the context of their professional role. It seeks to progress and enhance critically reflective skills through linking theory with practice, and developing informed strategies to support own and others’ professional development and learning within the workplace. Drawing from contemporary adult learning theories, the module will address the challenges of professional learning in multiple contexts, and the need to think more critically (and creatively) in supporting learner development.

Wellbeing in Education Based Settings

This module offers an introduction to the theory and research behind wellbeing in education-based settings. The module will cover examine interventions in schools, in higher education, and in broader educational contexts (e.g. sport). It will explore the broader policy context(s) and interface between education policy and practice through exploring: the changing roles of teachers and coaches; professional responsibilities and expectations in different education contexts; identification of need and help-seeking behaviours of pupils and athletes; the support structures in education and sport institutions; wellbeing and harm prevention; mental health and wellbeing strategies; and the range of interventions within different settings. The module will have an interdisciplinary and international focus.

Player and Participant Development

This module develops the theory and applied practice in the coaching and participation process. Drop out and issues of sports ‘membership’ will be analysed from the viewpoint of participants, coaches and sports administrators. The theory and application of sport science in assisting and improving coaching methodology will also be covered including areas such as motor learning, biomechanics and psychology.

Dissertation (after successful transfer to MSc)

In this module, you will integrate the areas covered in the taught modules within the programme. You will propose a research project, submit ethics, undertake and write up a piece of academic empirically based research relevant to your area of practice and interests in coaching.


Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees 2024/25

UK students: £5,265 PT
International students: £11,655 PT

Please note that where courses last more than one year, the annual fees for subsequent years on the course may increase due to inflation. 

When attending the taught sessions on the University’s Edgbaston campus, students will be required to book and pay for their own food and accommodation.   

Fees Overseas

Please view our Fees for International Students page for further details. 

Learn more about fees and funding.


Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Scholarships and studentships

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

We are offering over 200 awards of £2,000 to support the brightest and best applicants wishing to undertake Masters study at the University during 2024-2025.

Find out more and apply now  

Postgraduate Progression Award

Our Postgraduate Progression Awards offer final year undergraduates at the University of Birmingham a fee discount of £1,500 for postgraduate taught study.

Find out more and apply now  


Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government. 

For further information contact the School directly or email financialsupport@bham.ac.uk.

How To Apply

International students requiring visas

1 July 2024 is the application deadline for international students who require a visa to study in the United Kingdom. We are not able to consider applications for 2024 made after this date; a new application will need to be made for September 2025.

UK students

31 August 2024 is the application deadline for UK students. We are not able to consider applications for 2024 made after this date; a new application will need to be made for September 2025.

Applications for 2024 entry are now open.

Making your application

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

Applicants will normally require a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject or relevant professional experience. 

You will be required to be a qualified coach with an award recognised by their national governing body, normally at Level 2 of the UKCC or its equivalent. You will also be expected to regularly coach a minimum of three hours per week whilst on the programme.

We also encourage applications from coaches who do not have prior experience of higher education as well as those with first degrees. 

Find our more about postgraduate entry requirements.

International Requirements



International Students

Academic requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements

Standard English language requirements apply (IELTS: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band)


  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component

On this programme you will learn through an innovative method of blended delivery using both high quality online resources that are complemented with face to face discussion time with academics. Most of the course material is delivered online, through videos, webinars, and applied tasks. This blended approach supports self-directed learning, and is capable of accommodating students in full time or part time employment, and/or students who may not be based in the UK. Each student will also be assigned as a personal tutor, and this role ensures that students are further supported in their academic studies.

During the course you will learn from leading academics at the University of Birmingham and international academics/practitioners in the field of sport coaching. The uniqueness of this course is therefore that you are taught by experts in key topic areas, and regardless of geographical location, you can engage with academics who are at the forefront of current research and practice in sport coaching.

The topics covered during the programme are broad, and designed in a way to allow you to specialise and develop a level of expertise in key areas. Topics include, player/participant development, digital technologies in practice, professional development/learning, models-based practice, leadership, athlete wellbeing and talent development. You will be encouraged to develop your use of theory in practice, and reflect upon your own personal coaching philosophy and development in light of new knowledge.

In the video above MSc Sport Coaching students give their perspective

In the video above a Distance Learning student gives his perspective

Sport, Physical Education and Coaching ScienceThe course is aimed at students actively coaching in a variety of contexts (e.g. voluntary, development, performance). Students who are coaching have found that not only is their practice strengthened, but also their leadership skills, and many have progressed into leadership roles following completion of this degree.