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.
Vaccines required
The government has announced new vaccination requirements for the health and education sectors. This qualification requires students to undertake placements in the community, including in schools/kura, early childhood centres, or health/medical facilities.
For this qualification, you will be required to be vaccinated in line with the NZ Government regulations, and supply evidence of your vaccination status.
Bachelor of Sport Coaching – example degree structure
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Compulsory courses
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Major courses
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Minor courses
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Optional courses
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 is made up of a total of 360 points:
- 135 points of compulsory courses
- at least 120 points towards a major
- the remaining points can be from Sport Coaching courses or other degrees.
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.
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 Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of 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, such as discussion forums, recorded lectures, and video tutorials.
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 or 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.
Compulsory courses
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
Major subjects
Minor subjects
Postgraduate qualifications
Careers in teaching and management – options
Graduates can complete a qualification in one year to become a teacher or manager:
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary Education or Secondary Education)
- Master of Sport Science
- Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary Education or Secondary Education)
- Master of Business
- Postgraduate Certificate in Sport Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
- Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Science
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) |
| 2021 | 120 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,556 |
| 2022 | 120 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,667 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
| 2021 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $29,875 | $25,978 |
| 2022 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $30,725 | $26,717 |
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).