Professional Golf Studies FdSc

Start date
October
Duration
3
Course Type
Undergraduate, Foundation

Foundation Degrees are equal to the first two years of a full (three year) honours degree. 

The PGA Training Academy is not only proud of its history and traditions but its image, brand and reputation, which reflects a dynamic and forward-thinking organization and makes it a centre of excellence for golf in teaching and learning.

The PGA has been involved in training and educating Golf Professionals for over 50 years and now runs all its programmes from the National Training Academy at The Belfry.

With full-time members of staff, plus tutors, mentors, markers and examiners, most of whom are drawn from the ranks of qualified PGA Professionals, the PGA National Training Academy offers the premier professional golf education programme in the world.

The qualification is further strengthened through links with the University of Birmingham, which awards the Foundation Degree. 

The PGA offer a range of open day opportunities including face-to-face and virtual. Find out more and register on the Professional Golfers’ Association website or contact admissions@pga.org.uk

Apply through the Professional Golfers’ Association website.  

A programme delivered by the Professional Golfers’ Association of GB and Ireland (PGA), with the Foundation Degree awarded by the University of Birmingham.

 

Modules

Year 1

  • Key Industry Skills
  • Your Workplace and being a PGA Professional
  • Introduction to Golf Coaching
  • Introduction to Applied Sports Science and Junior Development

Year 2

  • Equipment Technology and Applied Custom Fitting
  • Golf Coaching
  • Principles of Business
  • Applied Sports Science

Year 3

  • Advanced Custom Fitting and Equipment Technology
  • Business Finance
  • Applied Golf Coaching and Coach Development
  • Application of Sports Science to Golf 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. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2024. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules after that date; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

PGA Assistant Pro Membership fee, currently £215.00 for 2022/23

For students beginning their studies in October 2023 the tuition fee for the PGA Training Programme is currently £4,250* per academic year for UK entrants and £5,500* for International students. 

For those starting the programme in 2024, the tuition fee will be £4,750* per academic year for UK entrants and £6,750 * for International students. Applications for 2024 entry will open in January 2024.

*(Fees are subject to inflationary increase in subsequent years in line with UK government policy.)

If you are studying for your first higher education course, you do not have to pay for your tuition fees upfront, you can apply for government loan via the relevant Student Loans Company (SLC).  This loan is repaid later, once you have started to work.

To apply log-on to: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

NB: Overseas and applicants who have already completed a higher education course i.e. BA/BSC will not be eligible to apply for a government student loan. They will have to pay by the other options, listed below.

The University of Birmingham provides a range of other payment options to suit everyone, but an indication of how you intend to pay your tuition fees must be made upon application.  These other options are as follows:

Full payment (up front)

  • On-line using a debit or credit card
  • Cheque or bankers draft
  • Direct bank transfer

Installment plan

  • On-line using a debit or credit card
  • Direct debit payment for each term

To apply log-on to:

www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees/pay-tuition/index.aspx

Career Development Loans: Should you not be entitled to a Government Loan you can apply for a Career Development Loan to help you pay for the course.  This is the link for more information:

www.gov.uk/career-development-loans

In addition to the above Assistant Professionals will be required to pay annual subscription fees of approximately £215.00 (VAT not applicable).  Please note the Board of Directors annually reviews subscription fees and this figure is based on the current rate (October 2022).”

All enrolment / subscription fees will be reviewed annually.

How To Apply

Apply through the Professional Golfers’ Association website or contact Tracy McCausland, Admissions Administrator on +44 (0)1675 477850 or admissions@pga.org.uk

International Requirements



  • Normally be 18 years or older by 30 September of the year you intend to start the programme.
  • Have an email address and internet access.
  • Golf Playing Handicap
    • You should have maintained a handicap of 6.4(M) or 8.4 (F) handicap. Full details of playing requirements will be provided on application.
  • Be working at a golf facility under the supervision of a PGA Training Professional.

Academic in England and Wales

  • The minimum academic entry criteria is 4 GCSE’s at grades 4-9 (A-C). Maths and English Language, included. Preference will be given to applicants who have achieved 6 GCSE’S at grades A-C or better.

English equivalents or higher that are accepted are:

  • Level 3 Communication will be accepted.
  • Passes at “A” Level (Grade A- D) or higher will naturally be accepted.
  • BTEC First Diploma along with GSCE English & Maths at grades A-C.
  • 14-16 Diploma Higher Award we will accept with GSCE English Language.
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate Diploma we will accept with GCSE English Language
  • The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the International version of the GCSE this is also acceptable at Grade A-C.
  • Alternatively consideration will be given to applicants with Level 2 in Adult Literacy and/or Numeracy. Functional Skills 2 in Maths and/or English Language.
  • The minimum academic entry criteria is 4 National 5 awards grades A-C or better (including English and Maths).
  • Leaving certificate obtaining a minimum grade at Ordinary Level of D1 in both English and Mathematics plus a minimum grade at Ordinary Level of D1 in 2 other subjects.
  • Passes at higher and honours level will naturally be accepted.
  • Junior Certificate passes at either ordinary or higher level are not accepted.
  • Applicants from outside the UK must have their country’s equivalent.

Academic in Scotland

  • The minimum academic entry criteria is 4 National 5 awards grades A-C or better (including English and Maths).

Academic in Ireland

  • Leaving certificate obtaining a minimum grade at Ordinary Level of D1 in both English and Mathematics plus a minimum grade at Ordinary Level of D1 in 2 other subjects.
  • Passes at higher and honours level will naturally be accepted.
  • Junior Certificate passes at either ordinary or higher level are not accepted.

Academic Overseas

  • Applicants from outside the UK must have their country’s equivalent.

A suitable level of written and spoken English must be demonstrated. All overseas students will have to pass their IELTS before they apply.

You may find this link helpful www.ielts-exam.net

Please note that the Applied or Vocational Certificate along with the Intermediate Certificates is NOT accepted.

It should be understood that Foundation Degree Level work is the same as the first 2 years of an honours degree, so there is a need for candidates to posses a good level of English writing ability.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

Standard English language requirements apply.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

The programme is delivered as a distance learning course.  E-learning is the preferred mode of delivery.  In terms of teaching, the following delivery methods are used:

  • A face-to-face intensive residential course delivered at the Belfry (the PGA National Training Academy) covering core subject areas.  These sessions are delivered in small groups by one/two tutors.
  •  Numerous e-lessons, lectures and activities/assessments have been designed and developed in each subject area.  All students have access to the iVLE.

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed throughout the 3 years of the course.  The methods of assessment are as follows:

  • Assignments – Essays, reports or logs
  • Examinations - Practical workshop and filed assessments, written theory and video analysis examinations 

As well as completing the FdSc education course students must also hold an up to date Disclosure, a Safeguarding and Protecting Children certificate, complete 2 external golf coaching qualifications, hold a first aid certificate, pass the PGA Coaching Assessment and play in a minimum of 7 PGA recognised tournaments during each year of study. Full details are provided on application and during open days.

The first coaching qualification will introduce the core elements of coaching and provide students with key knowledge and understanding, skills and abilities to begin coaching golf.

The second qualification will build on the foundations laid by the first and seek to ensure that trainees are competent in planning, delivering, and reviewing coaching sessions, as well as demonstrating the ability to review and improve their own coaching practice.

Both qualifications are a blend of online learning and face to face delivery, and successful completion of each one relies on passing a combination of theoretical and practical assessments of your coaching knowledge and skills.

Golf is now very much a profession with a recognised career structure which offers PGA Professionals global-wide career opportunities – for more information follow the Top roles for a PGA professional link https://www.pga.info/become-a-pga-pro/top-pga-roles/