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Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development

  • BERKSHIRE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
  • LEVEL 3
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Course Overview

The course will develop individuals’ knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines which develop an in-depth understanding of how optimum sporting performance can be achieved. This is designed for individuals who are keen to develop their own sporting performance or those who want to pursue a career developing elite athletes. The content of the course has been designed in collaboration with employers, national governing bodies and professional bodies, and is endorsed and accredited by CIMSPA.
You will study core and optional modules and have the opportunity to gain a specific additional qualification in coaching that will enable you to access employment in this area.
You will learn in dedicated classrooms equipped with interactive learning technology, with access to high-quality facilities including a full-sized Sports Hall, a fully-equipped fitness centre and a separate strength and conditioning facility. You will also learn through a range of relevant trips, visits and guest lectures.

Why BCA?
At BCA we have:
100% pass rate on all sport programmes
95% of our students progress into positive destinations
90% of our students achieve on or above their target grades
Excellent links with local sports clubs, industry experts, and employers including out partnership with Maidenhead FC
All of our staff have extensive industry experience and qualifications
Outstanding facilities
Opportunity to represent one of our sports academies.

Course Code

FF3CSPO7B0

End Date

Fri, 03 Jul 2026

Entry Requirements

Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, maths (Level 3 or above) and preferably PE and science. A Level 2 Diploma in Sport at Merit/Distinctio...

Course information

Over the duration of the two-year course, you will study a wide variety of modules developing your skills and knowledge in a range of sports-related disciplines.

Below are some examples of units that will be studied over the duration of the course:

Year 1: Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry; Health, Wellbeing and Sport; Developing Coaching Skills; Self-Employment in Sport and Physical Activity; Sports Development; Anatomy and Physiology.

Year 2; Applied Coaching Skills; Research Project; Sports Psychology; Nutrition for Physical Performance; Ethical and Current Issues; Sporting Injuries.

Additional qualification in Year 2: 1st 4 Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Multi Skills Development in Sport.

2 years- There is an option for learners to study for a one year foundation diploma.

This course will be delivered via a range of theory and practical lessons

You will learn through a variety of theory and practical sessions and be assessed via a range of methods including: Presentations, written reports, practical observations, discussions, debates, and projects.

Students will begin on a one-year diploma, equivalent to 1.5 A-Levels. Successful completion of year one will lead to progression onto the second year where they will study for additional credits to achieve an Extended Diploma, equivalent to three A-Levels.
Please note: progression to the second year of study is dependent upon students achieving their target grade, maintaining college minimum expected attendance levels, professional conduct & behaviour on course, as well as positive references from the teaching team.

You will also complete an additional L2 Certificate in Multiskills coaching in year two of the programme and have the opportunity to complete a first aid certificate.

You will complete a two week block of external work placement in the sports industry is required in each year of study. We actively encourage students to find their own industry placement near to home, but BCA will support you if required. All employers accepting industry placement students will be visited beforehand to ensure that they comply with health and safety regulations and also have the correct insurance cover in place.

The full two-year programme is equivalent to three A levels, preparing the students to progress onto Higher Education studying a range of subjects at University such as Sports Therapy, Sports Management, Sports Science & Coaching, Sports Teaching, and many more.

Alternatively, this course is the perfect preparation for students wishing to go into employment or an apprenticeship in the sport and/or fitness industry.

What careers can this course lead onto?

Personal Trainer
Sports Therapist
Sports Development Officer
Sports Coach, Sports Journalist
Sports Analyst, Sports Scientist
Sports Pshychologist
Nutritionist
PE Teacher

Level 3

This is a fast-paced course that will help you develop subject-specific skills as well as interpersonal skills. You will need to have a relatively good level of fitness in order to meet the practical requirements of the course.

The course makes full use of the excellent facilities:

Modern classrooms, fully equipped with IT support
4 full-size football pitches
A state of the art sports hall, incorporating 4 badminton courts, a full-sized basketball court, and cricket nets
Indoor and outdoor climbing facilities
High & low rope courses
Archery range
A fully-equipped fitness centre and a separate strength and conditioning facility

Uniform and PPE: All Sports students will be required to purchase the compulsory BCA kit, which is appropriate for their programme. You are only expected to purchase 1 kit bundle, so if you are part of an Academy, please order the specific academy kit, as detailed below. We try to keep all compulsory kit bundles to a minimum cost and then give the option for you to purchase additional items. Clean, practical kit must be brought in every day.

Please click on the link below to place your online kit order.

Non-Academy Sports Students
www.clubwebshop.com/a-z/clubs/bca/club-bundles

You will have to register and create an account before ordering.

Football Academy
www.mufcdirect.co.uk/collections/mufc-academy-bca

Netball Academy
www.hawkinsport.co.uk/schools/berkshire-college-agriculture

Returning students are very welcome to order another complete bundle, however, you will already have some kit from last year, so you may decide just to order a few additional items. Please email Nicky Cornelius, Curriculum Assistant nacornelius@bca.ac.uk for the specific link to order individual items.

Stationery:

All students will be required to bring appropriate stationery and a notebook to all lessons. We advise students to purchase a ring binder folder to keep class notes and resources in, for future reference. BCA does not supply pens, pencils, rulers, or notepads.

All students will be required to bring their own set of headphones for blended learning sessions. The headphones do not need to be expensive but must be PC compatible.