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.
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.
Students with English as an additional language 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.
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.
(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).
For full 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 the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora 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 chose 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, or Bachelor of Science.
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.
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 and minor Sport Coaching subjects
To graduate with a Bachelor of Sport Coaching you must complete the requirements of at least one major subject, and can also choose to specialise in a minor subject:
- Adventure Sport and Environment
- Performance Analysis
- Physical Education
- Sport Science
- Sports Leadership and Management
- Strength and Conditioning with Nutrition
- Strength and Conditioning
- Nutrition
You can also choose to do a minor from subject options in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, or Bachelor of Science. See the degree webpages for the list of available minor subjects.
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 Athlete-Centered Coaching 1 or (300 level) SPCO 302 Athlete-Centered Coaching 2
- SPCO 208 Sport and Culture in New Zealand
- SPCO 209 Exercise Physiology
Year 3
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 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 |
| 2020 | 360 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,213 per 120 points |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2019 | 360 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $27,938 (first 120 points) |
| 2020 | 360 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $29,625 (first 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.