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Course Overview

Please Note: The deadline for the academic year of 2024/25 has passed. The next intake of students will be in September 2025.

 

If you have an interest in sport and want to gain a qualification that not only enables you to progress on to university, but also prepares you with industry skills and qualifications then this is the course for you!  

This course can be studied as a Diploma depending on your GCSE/Level 2 Grades.

Diploma - 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 or higher and must include English and Maths.
 

Course Content
The course will cover a wide range of units related to sport and fitness.  This will include sport science, fitness, practical sport and sports leadership/coaching, Sports Psychology, Skill Acquisition & Leisure Operations.  
The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with academics to ensure that
it supports progression to higher education. Employers and professional bodies have also been
involved and consulted to confirm that the content is appropriate and consistent with current
practice for learners who may choose to enter employment directly in the sport sector.
The qualification provides the knowledge, understanding and skills that allow learners to gain
experience of the sport sector that will prepare them for further study or training.
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport is intended to be an Applied General
qualification for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied learning,
and also, for those who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the sports sector. 
You will cover units such as:
Anatomy and Physiology
Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being
Professional Development in the Sports Industry
Sports Leadership
Coaching for Performance
Investigating Business in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry
Skill Acquisition in Sport
Sports Psychology
Sports Performance AnalysisThe qualification is intended for post-16 learners who are looking to progress to university to study a sport/fitness related degree or go into employment in the sports sector.

The qualification is intended for post-16 learners who are looking to progress to university to study a sport/fitness sports science or health related degrees or go into employment in the sports sector.

Minimum entry requirements;

Diploma - 4 GCSEs at grade 4 (or Level 2 equivalent) must include English and Maths.
 

Achievement in the qualification requires a demonstration of depth of study in each unit, assured acquisition of a range of practical skills required for employment or progression to higher education, and successful development of transferable skills. Learners achieving a qualification will have achieved across mandatory units, including external and synoptic assessment.  
The majority of the course is assessed Internally where you will complete assignments for individual units are using a grading scale of Distinction (D), Merit (M), Pass (P), and Unclassified (U). 
There are also external assessments for this BTEC National which are linked to specific units, within the Diploma there are 3 external assessments over the 2-year course. The styles of external assessment used for qualifications in the Sport suite are:
• examinations 
• set tasks 
During the 2-year diploma you will sit 2 exams in year 1 in Anatomy & Physiology and then in Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being. In year 2 you have 1 exam in Investigating Business in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry.
The BTEC Nationals attract UCAS points. Please go to the UCAS website for full details of the points allocated.

You will need to undertake a minimum of 5 days’ work experience with a local employer in order to pass the course.

University degrees in Sport, Health and Fitness including Sport Science, Physical Education, Sports Coaching, Sports Development, Sports Journalism, Sports Marketing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Sports Nutrition, Sports Psychology and many more

Fitness Instructor
Personal trainer
Sports Coach
Sports Journalist
Sports Marketing
Sports Assistant 
or with further study at university you could pursue a career in sports science, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Nutrition, Psychology, Sports/PE teaching, Sports Events or Tourism or Sports coaching.
 

All students studying sports/fitness courses will have access to our excellent facilities and use of our 2 gym spaces. We also have a small sports hall where sports activities are run during the year.

You will also have the opportunity to complete your First Aid training whilst on your course.

Specialist Resources

You will need appropriate sports kit for all practical sessions and will be expected to wear the college sports tops provided at the start of the year whilst attending college lessons.

Course Costs:
£250 (per year) – this covers trips, speakers, college sports kit and CPD
 

Awarding Body:
Bournemouth & Poole College

Course Options

Start Date

Wed 3rd September 2025

Attendance

Full-time

Duration

2 Years

Location

Bournemouth Campus