NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity

The NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (Sports Coaching) is intended for learners aged 16 and over and provides the knowledge, skills and understanding required within the sport and physical activity sector. It will also allow learners to gain transferable skills and progress to employment, an apprenticeship or higher education in a sport-related or different sector in line with career aspirations. 

The NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (Sports Coaching) is designed as a 2-year, full time programme and will provide the following UCAS points: 

P – 48, M – 96, D – 144, D* – 168 

Most universities will accept the NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma for entry onto degree courses without any additional Level 3 qualifications as long as the required grade is achieved.

*Check with your intended university for further details and for English and Maths entry requirements. 

What will I do?

The NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (Sports Coaching) will allow learners to gain an in-depth understanding of the sport and physical activity sector, acquire a number of practical and technical skills and give them the opportunity to investigate career opportunities.

The NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (Sports Coaching) requires learners to successfully complete 3 mandatory units and 15 additional units.

In Year 1 you will complete 10 units:

  • (M) Exercise, health and lifestyle

  • (M) Preparing for a career in sport and physical activity

  • (M) Sports Coaching

  • Principles of anatomy and physiology

  • The physiology of fitness

  • Fitness training and programming

  • Fitness testing for sport and exercise

  • Instructing physical activity and exercise

  • Practical team sports

  • Technical and tactical skills in sport

In Year 2 you will complete 6 core units:

  • Assessing risk in sport

  • Organising sports events

  • Business in sport

  • Work experience in sport

  • Psychology for sports performance

  • Sports nutrition

You will then have the option of selecting one of three career pathways that include two units each:

  • Business Pathway: Innovation and enterprise and marketing skills for sport and physical activity

  • Coaching Pathway: Coaching special populations and analysis of sports performance

  • Sports Development Pathway: Current issues in sport and sport development

Note: Due to the nature of our unique project-based curriculum, we include an extra unit in year one of the programme to allow an individualised pathway approach in year two.

Duration: two years

Entry Qualifications

We recommend you have five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, one being in English or Maths, to be best suited for this programme. You may also hold a relevant Level 2 qualification, plus an ability to operate at Level 2 in either English or Maths.

Where could this lead?

Your studies will equip you for a possible business career and provide you with the potential to apply to a range of Universities scholarships abroad.

Successful completion of the Foundation Diploma in Year One will allow you to progress on to the second year and complete the Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching & Development.

From there, potential progression routes include becoming a professional footballer, apprenticeship, scholarship abroad (e.g. USA), direct employment or University.

It is anticipated that students who complete this course will go on to pursue careers in: professional sport, coaching, fitness, performance analysis, sports development or nutrition.

For more information please visit: https://scleducation.co.uk/ncfe-level-3-extended-sport/

To apply, please click here