BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/National Diploma in Sport and Coach Development

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/National Diploma in Sport and Coach Development -B3XS2F

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs grade C/4 or above (including English and/or Maths) or progression from a suitable Level 2

Who is the course for

This is intended for post-16 learners who want to progress directly into employment in the health and fitness sector as a personal trainer. When studied alongside another Level 3 qualification as part of the study programme, it supports progression to higher education programmes related to sport and fitness.

Course Content

Pearson has developed the content of the new BTEC Nationals in collaboration with employers and representatives from higher education and relevant professional bodies. In this way, we have ensured that content is up to date and that it includes the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes required in the sector.

Each qualification in the suite has its own purpose. The mandatory and optional content provides a balance of breadth and depth, while retaining a degree of choice for individual learners to study content relevant to their own interests and progression choices. Uxbridge College offer the choice of two pathways for this course; Sport Coaching or Personal Training. Units that are studied include:

• Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry
• Health, Wellbeing and Sport
• Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
• Developing Coaching Skills (Sports Coaching)
• Applied Coaching Skills (Sports Coaching)

Study Methods

BTEC Nationals have always required applied learning that brings together knowledge and understanding (the cognitive domain) with practical and technical skills (the psychomotor domain). This is achieved through learners performing vocational tasks that encourage the development of appropriate vocational behaviours (the affective domain) and transferable skills. Transferable skills are those such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, planning and completing tasks to high standards, which are valued in both the workplace and in higher education.

How is the course assessed

Assessment is specifically designed to fit the purpose and objective of the qualifications. It includes a range of assessment types and styles suited to vocational qualifications in the sector. For these qualifications, learners will be assessed via recorded practical delivery, presentations as well as written assessments. Most units in the sector are internally assessed and subject to external standards verification.

Learners are assessed using a variety of styles to help them develop a broad range of transferable skills. Learners could be given opportunities to:

• write up the findings of their own research
• use case studies to explore complex or unfamiliar situations
• carry out projects for which they have choice over the direction and outcomes
• demonstrate practical and technical skills using appropriate processes.

Where next - Further Studies

Upon completion of full two year programme, learners will have accumulated UCAS tariff points which provides the opportunity to progress to higher-education. Learners can progress to higher-education degree programmes, such as a BA (Hons) in Health and Fitness and a BSc (Hons) in Diet, Fitness and Wellbeing. Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with the providers.

Where next - Job Opportunities

This is a career-focused qualification with industry endorsement and accreditation. It enables learners to develop underpinning knowledge and technical skills and to gain experience as an assistant coach. It is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), which has confirmed that the qualification is fully mapped to its professional standards of the two pathway options.

Sports Coaching pathway CIMSPA’s endorsement of this qualification allows learners to apply for CIMSPA membership after successfully completing this programme, and is therefore recognised by employers as enabling learners to enter employment in the job role of assistant coach in the sports sector.