Ulster University - Jordanstown

Sports Coaching & Performance

The aim of this course is to facilitate the continuing development of sports coaching professionals and to enhance their knowledge and skills appropriate to the management and control of the diverse components within sports coaching.

The climate for developing sport and coaching in Northern Ireland and the UK has never been more positive. With major international events being hosted here, coach education and development have become a major focus for policy and funding decisions. The establishment of the UKCC framework and the development of different coaching contexts has provided an opportunity to modernise existing coach qualification and learning programmes.

Offered on both a full and part-time basis, students complete 180 credit points for the award of MSc.

Graduates have secured employment in a wide range of sport and non-sport related organisations, including sport governing bodies, local authorities, education or selfemployment.

The expectation of what makes an expert coach is growing. There is a need for coaches of elite athletes or teams (at all levels) to become more highly qualified which can be achieved through postgraduate level education.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

Applicants must: (a) have gained; (i) a second class honours degree or better in a related discipline (for example – BSc Sports Coaching, BSc Psychology; BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology; BSc Sports Studies; Sports and Exercise Sciences or Physical Education) from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or (ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification; and (b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent); In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Exemptions and transferability

Exemptions from modules will be on a case by case basis depending on the prior learning of the student cohort. Regulations of the University in relation to credits will also be taken into correspondence fo each student and their learning.

Duration

Attendance

This programme will be delivered in FT and PT mode. The means of delivering will be in blocks throughout each semester of study. Block teaching requires studnets to attend for approximately 2/3 days per month in semesters one and two.

Careers or further progression

Career options

The climate for developing sport and coaching in Northern Ireland and the UK has never been more positive. With major international events being hosted here, coach education and development have become a major focus for policy and funding decisions by Governmental Departments. The establishment of the UKCC across four levels and different coaching contexts being developed, this has provided an opportunity to modernise existing coach qualification and learning programmes.

Graduates who successful achieve sports coaching degrees fulfil roles in a wide range of sport and non-sport related organisations.

For example:

Sport Governing Bodies

·Programme Manager
·Coaching Manager
·Strength and Conditioning coach

Local Authorities

·Sports Development Officer
·Active Schools Coordinator

Education

·Physical education teacher
·High school coach
·University lecturer
·University coach development officer
·Director of Sport
·Researcher

Other

·Self-employed business
·Full-or part-time coach

The expectation of what makes an expert coach is growing and there is a need therefore for coaches of elite athletes or teams (at all levels) to become more highly qualified which will be achieved by continuing in education at postgraduate level.

Further enquiries

Contact
Admissions
Karen McCarroll
T: +44 (0)28 9036 8983
E: kl.mccarroll@ulster.ac.uk

Robin Gregg
T: +44 (0)28 9036 6249
E: r.gregg@ulster.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Year one

Performance Analysis and Monitoring
In order to provide optimal outcome for the sports person and the career development of the sports coach, it is essential to understand the key scientific, professional and practical concepts of coaching and athlete/ team performance. This module will advance the students' ability to manage and coordinate the range of support services within coaching, exploring the link between research and science based concepts of athlete monitoring with practical strategies to inform coaching, business and welfare based decisions to achieve maximal benefits against agreed outcomes. This module draws upon the student's previous knowledge and skills to ensure a multifaceted approach to the development of professional practice in Sports Coaching

Personal Skill and Leadership Development
This moudle is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to develop their leadership and mentoring skills as well as identify and support peer and work colleagues to develop their leadership and mentoring skills. This module aims to enable students to further develop their personal and professional skills.

Year two

Advanced Coaching Process
The professionalisation of coaching is a contemporary issue from both an academic and industry perspective. This module utilises an applied industry context to encourage students to critically reflect on existing theory, draw upon existing knowledge and experience to support the development of personal and professional skills.

Research Project Preparation in Sports Coaching
This module will engage the student in critically anlysing research problems from an organisational context. Students will be awarded the opportunity to select and critcially evaluate appropriate methodological approaches for undertaking research acknowledging strengths and limitations explicitily.

Motor Cognition and Performance
Through a series of lectures and tutor-led practical sessions, students will be able to critically reflect on the theoretical and practical importance of motor learning and performance. Students will also develop experience delivering a movement skills programme.

Year three

Research Project in Sports Coaching
This module provides students with the opportunity to conduct an independent research project in an area of their choosing within the cognitive field of sports coaching. They will present their findings and engage in critical assessment of their work by way of a written research project of between 12,000 and 16,000 words in total.