Sport (BTEC Level 3 National Diploma)
Why study Sport?
This programme will give you a wide variety of the skills required to help you work towards being part of the fast paced and exciting sports industry, either through direct employment or following further study at university. The academic BTEC qualification gives you knowledge of a wide set of relevant sports topics while additional integrated qualifications allow for practical skills in related environments so that employment opportunities can be increased.
Entry Requirements
In addition to our general entry requirements, you must have:
- GCSE English – grade 3
- GCSE Maths – grade 3
You must also have an interest in the sports environment in general and a desire to work in the sports industry. You will be required complete transition work over the summer to hand in at enrolment. Without this, you may not be able to take your place on the course.
The Course
The course has been designed to include a variety of topic areas as part of the BTEC qualification to widen potential university and career pathways. When studying this programme we would also like you to take the Community and Higher Sports Leadership Awards or the YMCA Certificate in Fitness Instructing as they complement the course and provide very good employability options (these additional qualifications can be added on top of your main course choices). See separate course descriptions for these. This course works well alongside A Level PE or Biology, or BTEC Applied Human Biology.
Course Activities
You will learn by completing projects and assignments based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands as well as reading and individual research. This course is continuously assessed in a variety of ways including an exam, externally set tasks, coursework, presentations and practical assessments. Examples of activities students may undertake:
- Coaching sessions – coaching children from local schools
- Dry dive session – links to health and safety in sport
- Leading sports activity session with local school children
- Practice interviews for jobs in the sport industry
- Practical sessions, demonstrating skills, techniques and tactics in different sports
- Practical sessions investigating effects of exercise on cardiovascular, respiratory and energy systems
As this course is a mixture of internally assessed coursework and externally assessed exams/tasks, the need for self-study is vital. It is recommended that you complete approximately 9 hours of self-study per week to support your progress in the variety of units you will be studying all at once. This should be broken down into manageable chunks to maximise effectiveness. Self-study could include;
- Working on coursework for a particular unit to ensure that you meet deadlines
- Pre-reading and note-taking before the next lesson topic
- Making flashcards/posters/mind maps
- Practicing exam questions and marking them
- Completing a glossary of key terms
Career and Progression Opportunities
This course will prepare students for entry to an appropriate university course or employment in the sport and related industries. As well as learning about this employment area, you will develop important skills for a career in sport, especially with the additional qualifications which you will achieve. This course is particularly suitable if you are interested in sports coaching, working in health and fitness, or teaching.
Course Structure and Assessment
The course is divided into 9 units over two years, and is the equivalent of two A Levels. Work will be internally assessed through coursework and externally assessed with one 90-minute exam (Unit 1), and two supervised tasks (Units 2 and 22), set and marked by the exam board.The course is divided into 9 units over two years, and is the equivalent of two A Levels. Work will
be internally assessed through coursework and externally assessed with one 90-minute exam (Unit 1), and two supervised tasks (Units 2 and 22), set and marked by the exam board.
Unit title and content
Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology
How the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems function and the fundamentals of the energy systems.
Unit 2: Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Wellbeing
Client screening and lifestyle assessment, fitness training methods and fitness programming to support improvements in a client’s health and wellbeing.
Unit 3: Professional Development in the Sports Industry
The knowledge and skills required for different career pathways in the sports industry. Learners will take part in a personal skills audit, career action plan and practical interview assessment activities.
Unit 4: Sports Leadership
What makes a good leader, the different capacities of this role, and the leadership skills and techniques necessary when leading activities in different roles.
Unit 22:
Investigating Business in Sport and the Active Leisure Industry. How business operates in the sport and active leisure industry and how it responds to trends and other influences to meet the needs of clients and to benefit the business.
Unit 23:
Skill Acquisition in Sport. Learners study the factors that contribute to a a skilled performance in sport and examine how sports performers learn and develop their skills.
Optional units (these may change):
- Unit 6: Sports Psychology
- Unit 7: Practical Sports Performance
- Unit 10: Sports Event Organisation
Additional Information
Examination Board: Pearson Edexcel