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
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 New Zealand. With options for flexible learning and internships, this qualification can cater for a wide variety of students.
Using sport coaching as the context, 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 for a bachelor's degree. Domestic applicants over 20 who do not hold University Entrance, or equivalent, may gain admission by providing evidence of their ability to complete tertiary study successfully. For information on gaining admission to UC please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
You are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
Specific entry requirements
The BSpC has an intake in February and July. Entry is subject to an interview and satisfactory police vetting as some courses involve students working with school-aged children.
Typical degree structure for Bachelor of Sport Coaching
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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.
* 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).
For full course requirements see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Sport Coaching.
Students who began a Bachelor of Sport Coaching before 2018 will follow a different structure.
The BSpC requires courses to a total of 360 points. These include 135 points of compulsory courses (including a final year internship course).
Students have the option of completing a major (120 points, with 45 points at 200-level or above, and 60 points at 300-level); and a minor (75 points, with 30 points at 200-level or above, and 15 points at 300-level); a major only, or a double major.
Students who started their BSpC before 2018 will have a different structure. For more information contact the College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora.
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.
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.
Major and minor subject options include:
- Adventure Sport and Environment
- Performance Analysis
- Physical Education
- Sport Science
- Sports Leadership and Management
- Strength and Conditioning with Nutrition (including separate minors in Strength and Conditioning, and Nutrition)
Students who started their BSpC before 2018 will have different course requirements and subjects. For more information contact the College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora.
Applied learning in context
The degree has strong practical elements, including:
- two or three practicums coaching teams in the context of your choosing
- a 120-hour internship in a professional sporting workplace as part of your final year.
Careers in teaching and management – options
With careful course selection, graduates can complete a qualification in one year to become a teacher or manager:
By gaining a broad range of professional competencies throughout your Bachelor of Sport Coaching, you can enjoy a varied career in professional and community sporting organisations and management roles both within and beyond sport.
Past students have used the the 120-hour internship to gain experience at the Canterbury Rugby Union, High Performance Sport New Zealand, and the New Zealand School of Gymnastics.
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) |
| 2019 | 360 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,091 per 120 points |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2019 | 360 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $25,500 per 120 points |
Contact us
For assistance with planning your programme of study contact the Liaison Office (new students), or a College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora Student Advisor (advancing students).
For more general information email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).
For the full degree requirements see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Sport Coaching. For more information on facilities, resources and staff see the College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora.