Bachelor of Sport Coaching
BSpC
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Sport Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Science
- Master of Sport Science
Download Brochure
Online to on-campus
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Sport Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Science
- Master of Sport Science
Download Brochure
Overview
The Bachelor of Sport Coaching (BSpC) is the only specialist sport coaching degree in Aotearoa. With flexible learning and internships, this qualification caters for a wide variety of students.
UC students gain key skills employers are looking for, not just in sport and related fields, but in everything from communications to corporate management. BSpC students learn skills such as leadership, accountability, communication, teamwork, motivation, and psychology.
This degree also provides a recognised pathway for entry to teaching qualifications, in particular physical education and health teaching at secondary level. There is the ability to include additional teaching subjects (eg, maths or science) through the optional course spaces in the degree.
- Flexible structure and learning delivery.
- Internationally recognised sport coaching qualification.
- Strong practical element, including coaching in schools, of teams, and in sport-related organisations.
- 120-hour internship in your final year.
- Leads to a range of careers.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
The BSpC has intakes in both February and July each year. For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
As some of the courses within this programme involve working with children, a police check and interview will be completed at the beginning of these courses – you will be sent information on how to complete these at the appropriate time.
Bachelor of Sport Coaching – example degree structure
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Core courses
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Courses required for major (1)
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Courses required for minor
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Optional courses
(1) You must ensure that you complete the required courses for one major.
(2) At least 90 points must be at 300-level.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Sport Coaching.
The BSpC requires courses to a total of 360 points, with 135 points of compulsory courses (including a final year internship course). A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 6 years.
For study planning help, contact Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC | UC Liaison Office (new students) or a Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora | College of Education, Health and Human Development Student Advisor (advancing students).
Majors and minors
Students have the option of completing either:
- a major
- a major and a minor
- two majors (a double major)
Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum 120 points, with at least 45 points at 200-level and at least 60 points at 300-level.
Sport Coaching students may also choose to complete a minor subject in their degree. A minor consists of a minimum of 75 points, including at least 45 points above 100-level, in a single subject chosen from the Bachelor of Sport Coaching, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, or in Youth and Community Leadership.
Distance study option
Most BSpC courses are available to study on campus or as a distance online learning option.
Distance study supports STAR students, students from other UC degree programmes, as well as people who are employed or lead busy lives.
If you are enrolled in an online distance course you will be supported through online resources, discussion forums, recorded lectures, powerpoints, video tutorials, and other electronic media.
Students can also study part-time for up to 6 years.
Certificate Option
For those who wish to gain an entry-level qualification in Sport Coaching, there is a certificate option. The Certificate in Sport Coaching is available part-time or over one semester. It can lead onto the full bachelor's degree.
Those already with an undergraduate degree or relevant post-secondary school study and work experience may consider the Graduate Certificate in Sport Coaching; an online, flexible learning qualification that enables students to develop their professional coaching skills.
Double degrees
It is possible to combine a Bachelor of Sport Coaching degree with other degrees, such as the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Sport Coaching courses are grouped into three main strands: pedagogy (the theory and application of coaching and learning), sport and exercise sciences, and sociology of sport.
All students complete core Sport Coaching courses throughout the three years of the degree, as well as courses towards a major, a major and minor, or a double major.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Major subjects
Minor subjects
You may also choose to complete one of the following in your degree:
Compulsory courses
The BSpC includes these core courses in Sport Coaching theory and practice. The degree has strong practical elements, including two or three practicums coaching teams in the context of your choosing, and a 120-hour internship in a professional sporting workplace as part of your final year.
Year 1
- SPCO 101 Introduction to Sport Coaching
- SPCO 102 Theoretical Foundations of Coaching and Teaching
- SPCO 104 Anatomy and Physiology
- SPCO 105 Social History of Sport and Physical Education
- SPCO 110 Practicum 1
Year 2
- SPCO 201 Learner-Centred Teaching and Coaching or (300 level) SPCO 302 Athlete-Centred Coaching for Individual Sport
- SPCO 208 Sport and Culture in New Zealand
- SPCO 209 Exercise Physiology
Year 3
Postgraduate qualifications
Careers in teaching and management – options
With careful course selection, graduates can complete a qualification in one year to become a teacher or manager:
You can enjoy a varied career in professional and community sporting organisations and management roles both within and beyond sport.
Past students have interned at the Canterbury Rugby Union, High Performance Sport New Zealand, and Sport Canterbury.
Recent graduates have become strength and conditioning coaches, community sports coordinators and advisors, performance analysts, sport scientists, as well as teachers, police officers, project planners, and managers.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2020 | 360 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,213 per 120 points |
| 2021 | 360 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,281 per 120 points |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2020 | 360 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $29,625 (first 120 points) |
| 2021 | 360 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $30,813 (first 120 points) |
Contact us
See more information about our Sport Coaching programmes.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Sport Coaching.
For study planning help, contact Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC | UC Liaison Office (new students) or a Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora | College of Education, Health and Human Development Student Advisor (advancing students).
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora | College of Education, Health and Human Development.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).