Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development

The Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching and Development focuses on the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to succeed in coaching for employment and higher education. The Extended Certificate is the first year in a suite of larger BTEC qualifications endorsed by CIMSPA.

The course is made up of three mandatory units. Students will need strong time keeping and organisational skills to excel in their studies, while also developing coaching and leadership skills for their practical assessments. The course is focussed on candidates who may wish to become sports coaches, work in sports-related jobs, or go on to study sport-focussed degrees in higher education settings.

It is advised that candidates should have existing links to sports clubs or associations in order to fulfil the coaching requirements of the course and fulfil part of their work experience placement. Without existing links to clubs, you may not be accepted on the course as it is essential that your assessments are part of a coaching set-up in a club, sports team or school cohort.

Candidates are expected to have achieved English and Maths GCSE with grade 4 or higher. The majority of their other GCSEs should be grade 4 or higher so that they can effectively manage the work demands of the course. There is the opportunity to resit either English Language or Maths should the student’s overall grade profile require this.

It is advised that all candidates should have existing links to sports teams, clubs or associations. The course requires students to develop their coaching skills so there is an expectation that they will be motivated to deliver and take part in practical sessions – both in and out of the College environment – with a range of clients.

In Year 1, candidates will study mandatory units:

• Careers in the Sports and Active Leisure Industry
• Health, Wellbeing and Sport
• Developing Coaching Skills

The study programme will also include work experience totalling 54 hours, tutorial and a range of additional qualifications such as safeguarding, mental health awareness and the award in sports leadership. Alternatively students may need to study English or Maths GCSE resit classes in place of these additional qualifications.

In Year 2, the units are:

• Applied Coaching Skills
• Sports Development
• Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
• Anatomy and Physiology

This course will be delivered on-site at Broomfield Hall.

There are practical sessions in which you will be expected to take part and others that you are expected to lead.

We encourage learners to bring their own laptop to aid their studies.

This programme can be studied alongside our sports academies in Basketball, Cycling, Football and Golf.

You will be expected to maintain an attendance of over 95% throughout the year.

There are no additional costs but students must be able to travel to their coaching placements in order to carry out their coaching sessions.

Students are advised to have a laptop to aid them in their studies throughout the year.

Students are expected to wear black tops (T-shirts, jumpers, hoodies etc) when in class and when representing the sports department during coaching sessions. Students are free to wear what they choose on their lower half, as long as it is suitable for the activity being undertaken.

There are DCG-branded options to purchase should students wish to do so. This is not, however, mandatory: we merely expect compliance with our colour code. We recommend a minimum of a T-shirt for when we undertake external events, activities and trips. 

If you also join one of our sports academies, you may be required to purchase an academy-specific uniform which is an additional cost set by that academy.

There will be ongoing assessment throughout the year. Each unit will be split into a number of assignments and assessed against the unit content. These assessments will be graded on a Pass, Merit or Distinction basis.

Assessments will be a mixture of presentations, reports, practicals and essays, and will form your portfolio of evidence.

Time keeping and organisation skills will need to be strong in order to meet your assessment deadlines throughout the year. It is expected that your coaching placement is secured prior to starting the course or your place is at risk. Coaching sessions need to be recorded.

This course is CIMSPA endorsed.

This is the first year of a three-year suite of qualifications in Sports Coaching and Development. If students meet the course expectations in their first year, they have the option to enrol for Year 2. Here they will study the Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development and have the chance to progress to the third year, the Extended Diploma.

This course is fully mapped to the professional standards of “Assistant Coach” and “Safeguarding and Protecting Children” and is endorsed by CIMSPA. Successful candidates may wish to pursue a career in coaching or go on to study a Sports Coaching degree at DCG or other higher education providers.

Students may also wish to expand their knowledge and continue their studies in other sports-related courses at Broomfield Hall.

Other courses that may be of interest are:

• Level 3 Diploma in Sports Therapy
• Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instruction
• Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or tweet us @Derbycolsport