Diploma in Sport
Sport and exercise is a huge and rapidly expanding global industry, while levels of public fitness and participation in physical activity are high on the political agenda. This BTEC Sport course is equivalent to two A Levels and provides a broad and in-depth route into sport, exercise, health and fitness-related pathways.
Year 12
Students begin by developing a strong scientific and practical understanding of how the body responds to exercise, as well as the skills needed to plan effective training.
Units studied include:
- Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology (120 GLH)
- Unit 2: Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being (120 GLH)
- Unit 3: Professional Development in the Sports Industry (60 GLH)
- Unit 4: Sports Leadership (60 GLH)
These units establish core knowledge of body systems, fitness training methods, career pathways in sport and how to plan, lead and review sports activities.
Year 13
In Year 13, students broaden and deepen their expertise across performance, psychology and the wider sports industry.
Units studied include:
- Unit 5: Application of Fitness Testing (60 GLH)
- Unit 6: Sports Psychology (60 GLH)
- Unit 7: Practical Sports Performance (60 GLH)
- Unit 22: Investigating Business in Sport and the Active Leisure Industry (90 GLH)
- Unit 23: Skill Acquisition in Sport (90 GLH)
Students apply fitness tests in real contexts, explore psychological factors affecting performance, develop their own practical skills and analyse how businesses operate within the sport and active leisure sector.
Assessment Components
Externally Assessed Units
Coursework Units
Units 1, 2 and 22 are externally assessed. The remaining units are assessed through coursework and practical activities, internally marked by teaching staff and subject to external moderation.
Opportunities
This qualification provides a strong platform for university degree courses such as BSc Sport Science, Sport Management, Sport and Exercise Development, Sport, Exercise, Health and Fitness, Sports Development, Sports Coaching and Sports Marketing, as well as related college courses and employment.
The course is a must if you are considering a career in the sporting industry, for example PE teaching, coaching, physiotherapy, nutrition, fitness instruction, sports development, sports management and many similar roles.
Entrance Requirements
Essential 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4 with no specific subject requirement.
Sport – BTEC Level 3 Diploma (2 A-Level Equivalent)
Sport and exercise is a rapidly expanding global industry. This qualification is equivalent to two A Levels and provides an in-depth route into sport, exercise, health and fitness.
Year 12 Units
- Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology (120 GLH)
- Unit 2: Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being (120 GLH)
- Unit 3: Professional Development in the Sports Industry (60 GLH)
- Unit 4: Sports Leadership (60 GLH)
Year 13 Units
- Unit 5: Application of Fitness Testing (60 GLH)
- Unit 6: Sports Psychology (60 GLH)
- Unit 7: Practical Sports Performance (60 GLH)
- Unit 22: Investigating Business in Sport and the Active Leisure Industry (90 GLH)
- Unit 23: Skill Acquisition in Sport (90 GLH)
Assessment Components
Externally assessed: Units 1, 2 and 22.
Coursework and practical assessment: Units 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 23. Internally assessed and externally moderated.
Opportunities
Progression routes include degrees in Sport Science, Sport Management, Sports Coaching, Sports Development, Sport and Exercise Health and Fitness, and Sports Marketing.
Potential careers include PE teaching, coaching, physiotherapy, nutrition, fitness instruction, sports development and sports management.
Entrance Requirements
Essential: 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4, with no specific subject requirement.