Develop the knowledge and skills to make a positive difference in society through sport and physical activity.
Think differently and learn to create solutions to sport-related challenges
Work with world-class athletes, coaches and the latest research in the field
Explore the interplay between the UK and global sport development
Study complementary topics such as sociology, event management, strategy and policy development
Apply your practical skills and knowledge to real-life situations with work placements
Prepare for a successful career in the industry by acquiring the skills and knowledge in the sporting areas you’re most interested in. By understanding the needs of others, you will be able to provide pathways for successful sporting experiences that support health, wellbeing, community and inclusion.

Sheffield is the perfect location to do this – a buzzing city with world-class facilities, from our University Sports Park to the English Institute for Sport and the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre.

Work placements 

You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a six-week placement with major local and national partner organisations. These can be national governing bodies of sport, local school PE departments, local authority sport development units and Active Partnerships. You’re also encouraged to apply for overseas programmes in a variety of countries, many of which are self-funded.

We’ll make sure you can develop your employability skills during the time you’re with us. Our staff and employability advisors will support you to develop a professional profile – enabling you to apply for work while you’re at university and once you graduate.

Networking opportunities

You’ll have the opportunity to take part in our annual professional development week – where you meet and talk with a range of sport industry professionals. Many of these are our graduates who return to advise you on how they got their first job and what you can do to develop yourself professionally.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

In your foundation year, you will study 4 modules that have been specially designed to prepare you for the degree pathway in your chosen area. The assessments for the course have also been designed with flexibility in mind and allow you to complete assessments on topics that you are interested in and relate closely to your chosen degree pathway.

You’ll be encouraged to be a confident and creative communicator – developing and applying your leadership, business and research skills within sport development settings.

We’re eager to provide additional opportunities (dependent on government restrictions) for you to obtain complementary awards to support your future goals. Previous students have completed the Level 2 Multi-Skills Award – enabling them to offer coaching to one of our many partner organisations.

You learn through 

• blended learning – face-to-face and online
• lectures and seminars
• practical classes
• project supervision
• professional conferences
• field trips
• external speakers

This course prepares you for a career in

• community development
• physical activity development
• primary schools (PE specialism)
• secondary schools (PE teacher)
• teaching
• sport-specific coaching
• sport law and roles within national governing bodies of sport
• disability sport development
• sport event management
• sport business management
• talent development
• sport charity development
• school sport development
• careers abroad

You will have access to world-class facilities and equipment to explore physical activity, sport and health while developing your practical skills. Our sport-specific training facilities and research laboratories include:   

• The UK Sports Institute
• The Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park 
• The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre   
• Physiology and biomechanics labs for movement and performance analysis  
• Strength and conditioning teaching lab   
• A physical activity suite    
• A performance analysis suite, video analysis and motion capture 
• An environmental chamber   
• Sport psychology consultation rooms 

 

UCAS points

• 112

From at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. We accept General Studies. For example:

• BBC at A Level including relevant subject(s).
• DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
• A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ or general studies.

GCSE

• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
• Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

• an approved Access to HE Diploma in a sport related subject. Normally we require 15 of the level 3 credits to be graded at merit.'

You also need to demonstrate an ability to
• study academic subjects at degree level
• debate topics and issues
• draw on conclusions from written material
• study independently as well as a member of a group
• use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods
• successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations

This is normally achieved by completing academic study at level three or above in the last four years.

* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent

• equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom) and explore any issues you may have.

Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Contemporary Issues In Sport And Society	20	Coursework
Foundations Of Coaching And Teaching	40	Coursework
Introduction To Sport Development	40	Coursework Practical
Sport And Physical Activity Landscape	20	Coursework

 

Year 2 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Professional Practice In Sport Development	40	Coursework
Project Management For Sport Development	40	Coursework
Sport For Development	20	Coursework

 

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Alternative Physical Activities	20	Coursework
Analysis Of Sport And Games	20	Coursework
Exercise Prescription For The Prevention Of Disease	20	Coursework
Sports Club Development	20	Coursework
Sports Facility Management Simulation	60	Coursework
Technology For Sport And Physical Activity	20	Coursework
Testing And Analysis In Sport And Physical Activity	20	Coursework

 

Year 3 Optional modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Placement Year

 

Final Year Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Independent Project In Sport And Physical Activity	40	Coursework
Sport Development Policy And Practice	40	Coursework Practical

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Approaches To Talent Development	20	Coursework
Coach Education And Development	20	Coursework
Economics And Finance Of Sport	20	Practical
Entrepreneurship And Innovation For Sport And Physical Activity	20	Coursework
Exercise Prescription For Long Term Conditions	20	Practical
Health Promotion	20	Coursework
Innovative Practical Pedagogy	20	Practical
Major Sport Events	20	Practical
Nutrition For Sport And Physical Activity	20	Coursework
Performance Analysis Of Sport	20	Practical
Programming And Prescription Of Training In Sport And Physical Activity	20	Practical
Psychology Of Sport And Exercise	20	Coursework
Sport And The Media	20	Practical
Sport, Brands And Culture	20	Practical
Sport Data Analytics	20	Coursework
Sport Injury	20	Coursework
Sport Journalism	20	Coursework
Teaching As A Profession	20	Practical