If you’re an aspiring or practicing leader of sport or fitness activities, this degree will develop your skills and understanding of sports science, Fitness and Coaching training, coaching and leadership. It will enhance your awareness of your own role, increase your effectiveness at work and develop your communication and analytical skills – further boosting your career prospects. You’ll apply science and theory to practice, reflecting on case studies or real and potential work situations. Drawing on video, text and online materials, Fitness and Coaching you’ll focus on the all-round physical and psychological needs of sports participants or exercise clients.
Fitness and Coaching
- Offers flexible learning that fits around your sport, fitness and work commitments
- Demonstrates a strong applied focus through the extensive use of audiovisual case studies
- Uses innovative technology such as augmented reality to enhance your learning
- Provides a preparatory step towards teaching Fitness and Coaching physical education
This qualification has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- In Stage 1, you’ll study two modules that will introduce you to some of the key topics in sport and fitness.
- In Stage 2, you’ll study two modules that explore sport and exercise science and psychology.
- In Stage 3, you’ll study two modules that investigate psychological aspects of sport and fitness and a range of contemporary issues in sport and exercise.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
In Stage 1, you’ll explore the organization, practice and delivery of sport and fitness activity. You’ll investigate who takes part in sport and fitness, how facilities cater for their needs, how to improve fitness, and how nutrition informs coaching and exercise instruction. You’ll also consider important skills for those working in sport and fitness such as effective communication; motivating participants and colleagues; and what makes a good leader. Fitness and Coaching
| Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| You’ll study both of the following: | |
| Introduction to sport and fitness (E117) | 60 |
| Working with people in sport and fitness (E119) | 60 |
Stage 2 (120 credits)
Stage 3 (120 credits)
Fitness and Coaching
We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 19 March 2024.
Accessibility
Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, Fitness and Coaching and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our BSc (Honors) Sport, Fitness and Coaching uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:
- Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
- Mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
- Group-work
- Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- Practical work
- Finding external/third-party material online
- Accessing online catalogues and databases
- Assessment in the form of essays, and short answer questions
- Feedback – continuous assessment includes feedback from your tutor and using this to improve your performance
- Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
Every module has its own Accessibility Statement with more detailed accessibility information – you’ll find these on individual module descriptions.
Visit our Disability support page to learn about our services.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums. Read the detailed learning outcomes here
Credit transfer
If you have already studied at university level, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – which could save you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit transfer.
It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where and when and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details of when you will need to apply by and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
Classification of your degree
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our BSc (Honours) Sport, Fitness and Coaching.
The class of honours (first, upper-second, lower-second or third) will depend on your grades at Stages 2 and 3.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
International recognition
If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
You don’t need experience of working in sport and fitness prior to starting this degree. However, you’ll find the modules and assignments much easier and more fulfilling if you can draw on employment (paid or unpaid) experience.
At The Open University we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
How much time do I need?
- Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
- This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.
How much will it cost in Pakistan?
We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving your potential. That’s why we work hard to keep the cost of study as low as possible and have a wide range of flexible ways to pay to help spread the cost.
- A qualification comprises a series of modules, each with an individual fee. Added together, they give you the total cost.
- Fees are paid on a module-by-module basis – you won’t have to pay for the whole of your qualification up front.
- Most of our students study part time at a rate of 60 credits a year.
- Our current fee for 60 credits is £3,736*.
- At current prices, the total cost of your qualification would be £22,416*.
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University’s fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
Additional costs
Study costs
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
Ways to pay for your qualification
Employer sponsorship
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU qualifications are recognized and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to achieve one. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the qualification you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
Fitness and Coaching
- Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
- You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your modules.
Credit/debit card
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
Mixed payment methods
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
How will I study this course?
With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.
You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.
For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.
Each module you study will have a module website with
- a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
- course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
- module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
- details of each assignment and their due dates
- a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
- online versions of some printed module materials and resources.
Assessment
Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.
Computer-Marked Assignments
- Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.
Tutor-Marked Assignments
- You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
- They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
- Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.
End-of-Module Assessments
- The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
- Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.
Exams
- Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
- You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
- Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
- If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.
Skills for career development
Sport and fitness employment requires well developed skills for motivating customers, including communication skills (written, oral and online) that enhance good relationships and coaching. This degree course will improve your career potential and give you the opportunity to develop skills which employers will value, including:
- leadership
- empathy with participants
- knowledge of safety and welfare issues
- understanding group and individual psychology
- searching for and presenting information
- use of IT.
Overall, you will become a more critically aware leader who can reflect on your own and others’ practice and apply scientific theory to practical situations.
Career relevance
The BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching is a good choice if you want to enhance your prospects in sports coaching, fitness training or the leadership of recreational groups. It is also valuable if you are self-employed in the sport and fitness sector, working at sports clubs or wishing to further your career in sports management or sports development. Some students use this qualification as a route towards teaching physical education (PE) – note you will need to have GCSEs in English and mathematics (and possibly science) and undertake subsequent postgraduate training.
Other careers
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
Exploring your options
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
Fitness and Coaching
In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
- sports club manager
- sports coach
- fitness instructor
- recreational group leader
- personal trainer
- fitness center manager
- outdoor activities/education manager
- secondary school PE teacher
- sports development officer
- event organizer
- sports administrator