Sports Science, Coaching and Fitness - Foundation Degree
Course Type
Higher Education
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
2 Years
Start & End Date
14 September 2026
4 June 2028
Location
Coleraine
Interview Required
Yes
The Foundation Degree Sports Science, Coaching and Fitness programme aims to provide sound and well balanced academic and vocational training in the areas of sports science, coaching, exercise, and fitness. This is achieved through the provision of practical experiences of the techniques and analytical skills required by personnel employed in the rapidly developing sport and leisure industry. In Addition, the programme aims to develop students’ skills and personal qualities relevant to working life and effective participation in the wider community.
Course Outcomes
Successful completion of 240 credits (120 at Level 5) gains the award Foundation Degree Sports Science, Coaching and Fitness. Upon attainment of the Foundation Degree Sports Science, Coaching and Fitness, students will then have the opportunity to apply for direct progression to Year Two BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences or Final Year BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance at Ulster University.
This course will entail completing an AccessNI.
There are no additional mandatory costs for this course.
The programme has been designed in collaboration with Ulster University BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences and BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance degree programmes to facilitate direct progression.
Supplementary awards and qualifications are also offered as part of the programme delivery. Please note these are optional and not a compulsory requirement of the programme. Supplementary awards and qualifications offered include Irish Football Association coaching qualifications, Sport NI workshops and LinkedIn Learning certificates.
Students currently competing in their sport can avail of the support services offered through Northern Regional College Performance Academy in the areas of nutrition, psychology, and performance analysis.
As an Associate Student of Ulster University, students can represent the University in their chosen sport and are eligible to compete in the World Student Games.
This course is validated by Ulster University.
Student performance is assessed using a combination of coursework, examinations, practical delivery and presentations.
All modules of study on the programme have a value of 20 credits, totalling 200 effort hours in each module. These effect hours comprise of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical lessons, blended learning, and independent study.
Upon attainment of the Foundation Degree Sports Science, Coaching and Fitness, students will have the opportunity to apply for direct progression to Year Two BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences or Final Year BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance at Ulster University.
Students can also apply to other Universities and Colleges within the UK for advanced entry to sports-related Bachelor’s Degree programmes.
Where students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director or Admissions. APEL applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date of the programme. More details can be found in the APEL Policy.
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | £2773 |
| Year 2 | £2773 |
| Total |
Payment of fees must be arranged prior to course commencement and at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Fees for subsequent years (Year 2 and/or Year 3) may be subject to change due to annual increases in awarding body charges, such as registration or examination fees.
Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please make sure they upload an Employer Consent Form to your online Prospect account.
Payment Options
You can pay your fees in full by cash, cheque, credit/debit card, direct debit payment or via a Student Loan. For further details visit our fees and funding page.
Contact Details
Student Loan Queries
T: 028 9085 5048
E: studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
Full details are available on our fees and funding page.
Funding Options including Scholarships
There are several funds available to help with costs related to your course such as grants and scholarships. For further details visit our student finance page.
Additional Mandatory Costs
Additional mandatory costs are essential expenses which are required in order to complete your course. These costs are separate from, and in addition to, any course tuition fees. Most courses do not have any additional mandatory costs. Examples of additional mandatory costs includes trips which are included as a component of your course, essential textbooks which are not available from our learning resource centres, essential equipment which is not provided by the College, professional memberships which are linked directly to the course.
These costs do not include stationery materials or items which a student may choose to purchase, personal computer equipment or software or additional textbooks or journals, memberships of professional bodies not essential for your course. Many students will choose to purchase their own equipment and materials during their course, these are not mandatory costs. For most courses, equipment and materials will be provided by the College.
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
The Foundation Degree Sports Science, Coaching and Fitness programme aims to provide sound and well balanced academic and vocational training in the areas of sports science, coaching, exercise, and fitness. This is achieved through the provision of practical experiences of the techniques and analytical skills required by personnel employed in the rapidly developing sport and leisure industry. In Addition, the programme aims to develop students’ skills and personal qualities relevant to working life and effective participation in the wider community.
The programme has been designed in collaboration with Ulster University BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences and BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance degree programmes to facilitate direct progression.
Supplementary awards and qualifications are also offered as part of the programme delivery. Please note these are optional and not a compulsory requirement of the programme. Supplementary awards and qualifications offered include Irish Football Association coaching qualifications, Sport NI workshops and LinkedIn Learning certificates.
Students currently competing in their sport can avail of the support services offered through Northern Regional College Performance Academy in the areas of nutrition, psychology, and performance analysis.
As an Associate Student of Ulster University, students can represent the University in their chosen sport and are eligible to compete in the World Student Games.
This course is validated by Ulster University.
Student performance is assessed using a combination of coursework, examinations, practical delivery and presentations.
All modules of study on the programme have a value of 20 credits, totalling 200 effort hours in each module. These effect hours comprise of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical lessons, blended learning, and independent study.
Course Outcomes
Successful completion of 240 credits (120 at Level 5) gains the award Foundation Degree Sports Science, Coaching and Fitness. Upon attainment of the Foundation Degree Sports Science, Coaching and Fitness, students will then have the opportunity to apply for direct progression to Year Two BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences or Final Year BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance at Ulster University.
This course will entail completing an AccessNI.
There are no additional mandatory costs for this course.
Upon attainment of the Foundation Degree Sports Science, Coaching and Fitness, students will have the opportunity to apply for direct progression to Year Two BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences or Final Year BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance at Ulster University.
Students can also apply to other Universities and Colleges within the UK for advanced entry to sports-related Bachelor’s Degree programmes.
Where students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director or Admissions. APEL applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date of the programme. More details can be found in the APEL Policy.
Course Fees
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | £2773 |
| Year 2 | £2773 |
| Total |
Payment of fees must be arranged prior to course commencement and at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Fees for subsequent years (Year 2 and/or Year 3) may be subject to change due to annual increases in awarding body charges, such as registration or examination fees.
Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please make sure they upload an Employer Consent Form to your online Prospect account.
Payment Options
You can pay your fees in full by cash, cheque, credit/debit card, direct debit payment or via a Student Loan. For further details visit our fees and funding page.
Contact Details
Student Loan Queries
T: 028 9085 5048
E: studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
Full details are available on our fees and funding page.
Funding Options including Scholarships
There are several funds available to help with costs related to your course such as grants and scholarships. For further details visit our student finance page.
Additional Mandatory Costs
Additional mandatory costs are essential expenses which are required in order to complete your course. These costs are separate from, and in addition to, any course tuition fees. Most courses do not have any additional mandatory costs. Examples of additional mandatory costs includes trips which are included as a component of your course, essential textbooks which are not available from our learning resource centres, essential equipment which is not provided by the College, professional memberships which are linked directly to the course.
These costs do not include stationery materials or items which a student may choose to purchase, personal computer equipment or software or additional textbooks or journals, memberships of professional bodies not essential for your course. Many students will choose to purchase their own equipment and materials during their course, these are not mandatory costs. For most courses, equipment and materials will be provided by the College.