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FOUNDATION DEGREE IN SPORTS COACHING AT UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER
By Info
Dec 13, 2005
Foundation Degree in
Science in
Sports Coaching
In September 2005 the University of Ulster launched a Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching. This is the first higher education award in coaching to be offered in Ireland and demand for the course has been extremely high, not surprising given the ever-increasing number of paid and voluntary coaching positions on offer.
The sports of football, gaelic and rugby, for example, all report upwards of 40 coaches employed in full or part-time posts as well as numerous others who support regional and national squad developments at all levels. This focus on coaching is reflected in all our major sports and is being further promoted by sports development officers in district councils and community agencies who recognise the value of providing quality sporting opportunities in a wider social context.
Coaching NI, Sports Council NI and Sports Institute NI have all been key partners in the development of this Foundation Degree and view it’s establishment as a central theme of their respective strategies. Indeed, Coaching NI’s mission statement highlights the need to ensure “the continuous professional development of coaches and coaching in Northern Ireland, elevating the practice of coaching to a profession and acknowledging it is central to the development of people and the fulfillment of individual potential in sport, business and life”.
The introduction of the Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching by the University of Ulster is a major step forward in realising this vision and has led to the development of one of the most comprehensive coach education programmes available.
The course itself is based at the Jordanstown campus on the outskirts of Belfast which gives students access to top class facilities. These will be supplemented in two years time by the development of a High Performance Centre costing in the region of £13.5 million.
This will facilitate much of the work being done by the Sports Institute NI which co-ordinates the work of those governing bodies that have identified elite athletes and devise and deliver training programmes for them. The Foundation Degree is delivered on a part-time basis over a three year period and involves a significant degree of work-based learning, as well as an examination of all the key social and scientific aspects of sports coaching.
Students seeking entry to the course will be required to have achieved the equivalent of a C and D grade at ‘A’ level but these grades may be lowered significantly for individuals who can evidence extensive coaching experience. Opportunities will also exist for students who achieve a specified standard in the course of their studies to advance to the second year of the full Honours Degree programme in Sports Studies or Sport and Exercise Science.
The University of Ulster will be inviting applications for the course in May 2006 but places will be limited as it is anticipated that the course will be over-subscribed.
For anyone interested in applying for the course or those seeking further information please contact the Course director, Shane McCullough on 028 90 368538 or via email ‘s.mccullough1@ulster.ac.uk’
Appropriate Prior Learning (APL)
The system of APL seeks to facilitate entry to the University for students who may
not meet the stated level of academic attainment but who have considerable
experience related to the course of study. Students will, therefore, be given the
opportunity to provide evidence of sports coaching experience to support their
application. Candidates may also be given exemption from some modules if they
are able to provide evidence of appropriate prior learning.
Progression
Students who achieve a commendation grade (60% plus) may apply for the
opportunity to progress onto the second year of a full honours degree programme
(BSc Hons Sports Studies or BSc Hons Sport and Exercise Sciences).
How to Apply
Application will be made directly through the University. Direct entry forms will be
available from 1st July and can be obtained by contacting Academic Registry :
Phone : 028 90 366251
Fax : 028 90 366820
Email : registryjn@ulster.ac.uk
Web : www.ulster.ac.uk/registry
If you need any
further information
please contact :
Shane McCullough
Course Director, F.D.
(Sc) Sports Coaching
Room 15E04
School of Health Sciences
UU Jordanstown, BT37 0QB
Email : s.mccullough1@ulster.ac.uk
Phone : 028 90 368538
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