Community Coaching for England HTQ

Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
HTQ courses

Sports coach watching a female working at a chest and shoulder machine

The Community Coaching for England HTQ is a dynamic course designed to prepare you for a career in community coaching. Blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills, this course offers hands-on experience in real-world settings.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Course code

HQ05

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Event

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Prepare for a career in community coaching with this one-year HNC course. Learn essential skills in sports coaching and performance.

Hands-on coaching experience: Design and deliver effective coaching sessions for diverse community groups².
Blend theory and practice: Combine knowledge of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and psychology with practical coaching skills.
Develop your professional skills: Enhance communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities for career readiness.

Why you should study this course

This course aims to provide you with:

real-world coaching experience with community engagement²
a strong focus on professional practice
a pathway to the Level 5 HND qualification
the chance to develop soft skills like communication and problem-solving
access to experienced practitioners and industry experts (subject to change).

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course will be running under Intellectual Property Licence with Pearson Education Ltd.

This course is approved by the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education as meeting the standards of Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ).

HTQ kitemark and Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

At the heart of the HNC Community Coaching for England HTQ course is its hands-on nature, providing you with real-world coaching experience that is both practical and impactful. We pride ourselves on offering high levels of one-to-one support, with dedicated tutors and industry experts guiding your learning journey. This personalised approach not only enhances academic success but also builds confidence and readiness for a professional career in sports coaching.
Andrew Davis, Tutor, June 2024

Sport Science Support for Rugby Preseason Testing

Discover how sport scientists enhance elite athlete development through preseason testing, cutting-edge technology, and theoretical insights.

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rugby players on pitch during preseason testing

What you'll study

The course covers various themes including coaching practice, skill development, and sports performance.

Modules

The Developing Coach – 30 credits

This module focuses on the principles and practices of effective coaching. Key content covers coaching practice and environmental factors, skill development for diverse participants, coaching, teaching, and learning styles, and planning and delivering effective coaching sessions. You will also explore the impact of sport on societal issues, preparing you to be an adaptable and responsive coach.

Compulsory

Understanding the Human Body and Fuelling Performance – 30 credits

This module focuses on anatomy, physiology, and nutrition to optimise athletic performance. Key topics include the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and nutrition principles. This module provides a comprehensive understanding of how bodily systems and nutrition collectively influence performance.

Compulsory

Behaviour Change and Lifestyle Considerations – 30 credits

This module delves into the psychological aspects of performance, health and lifestyle coaching. The module covers motivation, self-confidence, group dynamics, lifestyle coaching principles and techniques for facilitating positive behaviour changes. You will gain practical skills in applying psychological theories to improve performance and well-being.

Compulsory

Professional Skills and the Applied Practitioner – 30 credits

This module is designed to develop research skills and professional competencies. Key content includes research in Sport and Exercise Science, fitness assessments, training programme design, and applied knowledge in practical settings. This module ensures you are well-prepared for the professional demands of the sports industry.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

We understand that everyone learns differently, so this course will consist of structured teaching sessions which can include:

on-campus classroom instruction
practical sessions and peer interaction
online learning
self-directed learning.

Teaching contact hours:

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary depending on year of study and module selection. During your first year, you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may be reduced.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. The assessment methods may include:

a coaching portfolio
portfolio with case studies and annotated diagrams
role-play and reflection exercises
practical delivery and reflection
research proposal and a practical assessment and report
group work
presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

What we're looking for
64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

We are committed to recognising achievements in the context of which they were achieved as we understand that barriers may make it more challenging for some applicants to achieve course entry requirements.

We aim to reduce the barriers that may be preventing access to higher education by looking beyond the grades that applicants have achieved or expect to achieve.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

What we're looking for
64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you wish to continue your studies after this course and/or rely on this qualification you will need to check if it is recognised in that jurisdiction.

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

Applicants must possess a minimum IELTS: 6.0 overall (with no component part lower than 5.5)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	TBC per year	TBC
International	TBC per year	TBC

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our purpose-built campus building is arranged around an open central atrium and includes:⁴

sports performance suite: our advanced sports suite allows you to perform detailed performance analysis and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology
strength and conditioning suite: this facility provides the tools and space to develop and implement effective training programmes, enhancing athletic performance
indoor social spaces, including a café
a library that includes loan laptops and a silent study area
open-access computers
student support and careers advice teams

The campus itself is located next to Scarborough’s Sports Village, a complex that includes an Olympic Legacy swimming pool, a sports hall, a fitness suite, all-weather pitches, and the Scarborough Athletic Football Club ground.

The campus is a 10-minute walk from the East Yorkshire seafront. North Bay is Scarborough’s Blue Flag beach, meaning it is one of the best in Europe for cleanliness both on the sand and in the water, facilities, and safety.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

The course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge essential for a successful career in the sports industry. Through a blend of theoretical learning and practical application, you should gain a comprehensive understanding of coaching practices, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and psychology.

The course emphasises real-world experience, enabling you to design and deliver effective coaching sessions in diverse community settings. Additionally, the programme fosters essential professional skills such as communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, ensuring you are well-prepared for the dynamic and competitive sports industry.

You will be trained to meet industry standards with the skills needed to adapt to various roles within sports coaching, performance analysis, and community engagement. The course’s strong focus on professional practice and employability skills provides a robust foundation for immediate entry into the sports workforce or further study.

On successful completion of the Higher National Certification Level 4, you could develop your career further by:

progressing to a Higher National Diploma in Sports Performance and Coaching
entering employment in areas such as sports development, youth sports, physical activities and sports clubs amongst others
continue in your existing employment with newly developed skills and knowledge
committing to continuing professional development.

Further study

The Level 4 Higher National Certificate is recognised as meeting admission requirements to the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Sports Performance and Coaching.

How to apply

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU Scarborough directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

ukadmissions.cu@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CUSCU076

International students should apply directly to CU Scarborough directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate course view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

cus@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.