Foundation DegreeSports Coaching and Performance AnalysisValidated by The Open University
Qualifications
Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching and Performance Analysis
Times: 09:00 - 16:30
Overview
Ready to Turn Your Passion for Sport into a Professional Career?
Are you a sports enthusiast dreaming of a career that’s at the cutting edge of coaching and performance analysis? The Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching and Performance Analysis is your ticket to the fast-paced, data-driven world of modern sports.
This innovative two-year course, delivered face-to-face in Belfast Met Millfield Campus, is designed for school leavers and / or individuals with Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) who qualify for entry into Higher Education.
Whether you aspire to coach elite athletes, improve grassroots sports, or become a performance analysis expert, this course sets you on the path to success.
Why Choose This Course?
Real-World Experience
Train with industry-standard technology used by top professionals, including:
- STATSports GPS trackers for live performance monitoring
- Veo and Hudl sports cameras for tactical and technical analysis
- Polar and Garmin heart rate monitors to track physiological responses
- Force plates for movement analysis.
Apply your skills working within the Belfast Met Sports Academies, including football, rugby, and boxing, as well as through external work placements with the College’s industry partnerships.
These placements allow you to gain valuable insights and hands-on experience in professional environments, preparing you for the competitive sports industry.
What You’ll Learn: 11 Exciting Modules
Year 1: Build Your Foundation
- Academic Study and Employability Skills
- Develop key skills for academic success and future employability.
- Fitness Testing
- Learn to assess and analyse athlete fitness levels.
- Functional Anatomy and Physiology
- Understand the science of human movement and performance.
- Movement Analysis
- Break down and improve athletic movements with data-driven insights.
- Practical Conditioning
- Apply fitness techniques to enhance athlete performance.
- Skill Acquisition for Coaching
- Learn how athletes develop skills and how to coach them effectively.
Year 2: Take Your Expertise Further
- Applied Performance Analysis
- Use advanced technology to analyse and improve performance.
- Data Visualisation in Coaching & Performance Analysis
- Transform data into actionable coaching strategies.
- Principles of Sports Coaching
- Explore leadership, motivation, and effective coaching methods.
- Strength & Conditioning
- Gain expertise in designing training programmes for peak performance.
- Work-Based Learning
- Apply your skills in real-world settings through placements with College partners in the sports industry, building your professional network and confidence.
Set Yourself Apart in the Sports Industry
Sports coaching and performance analysis have transformed, with technology and evidence-based approaches now raising standards across the board. By enrolling, you’ll learn to:
- Analyse and interpret objective data to improve performance.
- Work effectively within a multi-disciplinary coaching team.
- Use cutting-edge technology to develop coaching sessions informed by real-world data.
Where Could This Course Take You?
This qualification opens doors to exciting careers in:
- Sports Coaching
- Performance Analysis
- Strength & Conditioning
- Sports Science Support
Progression opportunities include top-up degrees in Sports Coaching or Performance Analysis and beyond.
Is This Course for You?
If you’re a school leaver or have Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) and are ready to:
- Transform your passion for sport into a rewarding career.
- Get hands-on with cutting-edge technology.
- Gain real-world experience through external placements and partnerships.
…then this course is the perfect match!
Your Career Starts Here
Don’t just follow the game—shape its future.
Apply now and become part of the next generation of sports coaches and performance analysts!
*Belfast Met Terms and Conditions
Please read our Terms and Conditions before applying for or enrolling on any of our courses.
OU Handbooks and Regulations can be found under the Higher Education section of our public documents.
Regulations for validated awards of The Open University
Student's guide to studying on a programme validated by The Open University
Delivery will include 1 day per week in TQ campus
Download the Pre-Entry Advice presentation to find out detailed information about the course.
Play Slideshow in the presentation to activate any links or videos.
Gallery
See college entry criteria for Level 4. Minimum of 88 UCAS tariff points.
Applicants with lower profile will be placed onto a waiting list and may be offered a place depending on numbers.
Applicants who have already attained a qualification equivalent to or similar in content to any of the modules may be eligible to be considered for Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL). Those who have acquired learning through life, work experience and study not previously attested through formal education or certification may be eligible to be considered for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
APEL Guidance document
Applications to this course can be made through UCAS using code U895. If you haven’t started a UCAS application yet, and only want to apply to Belfast Met, you can apply directly to us using Apply Now option and we will process a UCAS application on your behalf. IMPORTANT: Applicants must only choose one method of application
Fees:
Academic period 2026*:
Tuition Fee = £3235.00
Academic period 2027*:
Tuition Fee = £3235.00
Fees are payable annually.
*The fees have not been finalised and may be subject to change.
Visit our Student Funding page here to find out how to fund your studies
Please contact our Funding Team by emailing studentfunding@belfastmet.ac.uk for other options.
A variety of assessment methods are used including case studies, assignments, time constrained assessments, oral presentations, exams and project based assessments.
Students also get the opportunity to work on real life projects within Belfast Met Sports Academy and work placements in industry.
Careers
Unlock Your Future in Sport
This course is your launchpad to an exciting career in the ever-evolving world of sports coaching and performance analysis. With skills honed through cutting-edge technology and real-world experience, graduates are primed for opportunities in elite coaching, performance analysis, and even sports entrepreneurship, turning passion into innovation.
Progression pathways also include top-up degrees in strength & conditioning or sports science, paving the way for advanced roles in professional sports, fitness consultancy, or even creating your own performance-focused business.
Whether you dream of working with top athletes, building a career in sports tech, or leading the next big innovation in sport, this course equips you with the expertise to make it happen
Interests
Applicants for the Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching and Performance Analysis should have interests that align with the dynamic, data-driven, and hands-on nature of the course. Ideal candidates are likely to have:
Key Interests:
- Sports Enthusiasm:
- A passion for sports, whether playing, coaching, or analysing, and a keen interest in understanding how to improve athletic performance.
- Coaching and Leadership:
- An interest in leading, motivating, and mentoring athletes or teams, with a focus on helping others achieve their potential.
- Data and Technology:
- A curiosity about how technology and data analysis can inform and improve sports strategies, training plans, and performance.
- Fitness and Conditioning:
- An appreciation for physical fitness, strength training, and understanding how the human body works to perform at its best.
- Problem-Solving:
- A knack for identifying challenges in sports performance and using evidence-based methods to address them.
- Teamwork and Collaboration:
- A desire to work within multi-disciplinary teams, including coaches, analysts, and sports scientists, to achieve shared goals.
- Science and Analysis:
- An interest in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and movement analysis to deepen their understanding of how athletes perform.
- Career Progression:
- A motivation to build a rewarding career in sports coaching, performance analysis, or related fields, with aspirations to contribute to advancements in the sports industry.
Ideal Applicant Profile:
This course is perfect for those who:
- Have played or participated in organised individual or team sports.
- Enjoy analysing games, strategies, or player performances.
- Are intrigued by sports science, technology, and innovation.
- Aspire to work with athletes at any level, from grassroots to professional.
By combining these interests with the skills developed during the course, applicants can turn their passion for sports into a successful and fulfilling career.
Contact us
School Administrator Tel: 028 9026 5332 or email: hcslinfo@belfastmet.ac.uk
Please see link to OU Handbook for Validated Awards here
Please see link to OU Regulations for validated awards of the Open University here
Please see link to Student's guide to studying on a programme validated by The Open University
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