Programme Overview
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sports Coaching and Performance is a four-year Level 8 degree programme that delivers an advanced sports science education embedded with applied coach development. By merging the distinct roles of the sports scientist and the coach, the course prepares students to evaluate, research, and optimize athlete training, performance, and recovery across both individual and team sports. The programme is open to students from all athletic backgrounds, with a Bonus Points Scheme awarding 20–50 additional CAO points to applicants with outstanding sporting achievements.
Practical Learning & Special Features
Practical application is central to the curriculum, integrating recognized industry certifications and immersive field experience:
- Embedded NGB Qualifications: Sports-specific coach education is delivered directly on the course, earning students academic credit alongside formal National Governing Body (NGB) awards along the coach development pathway (associated NGB fee costs apply).
- Year-Long Industry Internship: A year-long internship in Year 3 gives students extensive, high-level field experience in coaching, performance analysis, strength and conditioning, or sports science within real-world performance environments.
- Sport-Specific Science & Athletic Monitoring: Final-year modules focus on the science of elite performance in specific sports (e.g., the science of soccer) alongside holistic athletic monitoring, incorporating sports psychology and lifestyle management.
Coursework
The four-year curriculum is structured around four core pillars delivered progressively throughout the degree:
- Coach Education: Mastering applied and practical coaching methodologies, talent identification, and athlete development within high-performance environments.
- Sports Science: Evaluating, assessing, and advising on competition, training, and recovery practices using scientific testing and analysis.
- Strength & Conditioning (S&C): Developing age-specific physical preparation, injury prevention strategies, and athletic rehabilitation programs.
- Sport in Society: Examining the cultural, social, and administrative position of sport, analyzing current challenges faced by modern coaches and athletes.
Career Opportunities
Graduates earn a Level 8 honours degree that qualifies them for high-level specialist roles across elite sport, community athletics, and human performance:
- Head Coach / High-Performance Sports Coach
- Applied Sports Scientist & Performance Analyst
- Strength & Conditioning (S&C) Specialist
- Athletic Monitoring & Lifestyle Management Officer
- Sports Development Officer
- Postgraduate Study (Master's and PhD programmes in Sports Science, Performance Coaching, or Biomechanics)
Upon completion of the four-year programme, graduates possess the technical scientific knowledge, industry coaching credentials, and extensive internship experience required to lead performance teams and support elite athletes in modern sport.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science | Coach Education |
| Introduction to Coaching | Talent Identification and LTAD |
| Research and Learning | Motor Behaviour |
| Introduction to Sports Coaching and Society | Data and Measurement |
| Strength and Conditioning 1 | Exercise Physiology 1 |
| Lifestyle Management | Biomechanics and Kinesiology |
Year 2
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Movement and Performance Analysis | Coach Education 2 |
| Micro Coaching | Tests and measurements for sport |
| Coaching Leadership | Coaching Process |
| Sport Psychology | Advanced Performance Analysis |
| Sports Physiology | Strength and Conditioning 2 |
| Sociology of Sport and Coaching | Performance Planning |
Year 3
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| Paralympic Sport | Research Methods and Statistics |
| Coaching Internship 1 | Coaching Internship 2 |
Year 4
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
| Major Project 1 | Major Project 2 |
| Science of Sports Performance | Sport and Exercise Medicine |
| Performance Psychology | International Perspectives on Talent Development and Coaching |
| Strength and Conditioning 3 | Athletic Monitoring |
| Sports Development | Sport and Exercise Nutrition |
Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching & Performance
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching & Performance:
Scholarships for BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching & Performance
Sports scholarships are made available to selected suitable candidates. The SETU in Waterford Sports Scholarship scheme offers a range of support services to successful students including financial, academic and sports science support.
Additional Points
Applicants who apply to the CAO by 1 February and who have achieved excellence in their chosen sport or coaching at the highest available levels may qualify for consideration for additional bonus points, typically 20 - 50 additional points may be added.
BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching & Performance career opportunities
Graduates from this course may find employment in fields such as:
- Coaching and Sports Development
- Strength and Conditioning
- Performance Analysis
- Applied Sport Scientist
BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching & Performance internship opportunities
To date, successful internships have included: Manchester City FC, London Irish RFC, World Cycling Centre (Switzerland), Hoops Life (Florida), Qatar Sports Academy, Triathlon Ireland, Senior County GAA Squads & National League Soccer Squads, Munster Rugby, British Gymnastics, Cycling Ireland, Athletics Ireland to name a few.
During the internship, students are mentored by experienced practitioners in coaching, S&C, performance analysis, sport science support & administration. This unique opportunity provides students with real world experience in a competitive environment. Real world benefits of an internship are they provide students with connections in the industry they want to be employed in. There is a diverse amount of experience to be gained in a sporting environment, enhancing the knowledge and experience in their sport. An internship will expose the students to the often-closed networks of high performance and elite sport, whilst building their credibility. This exposure and experience have proven invaluable in building confidence, to push the student to apply for higher-level coaching, sport science and performance analysis jobs when they arise. It is also what clubs/employers are looking for (equal to or more than qualifications). So experiential learning is key and providing opportunities to accrue experience is vital for coaches to progress.
Follow on Study for BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching & Performance graduates
It is envisaged that students will progress to further study in Sports Coaching, Sports Psychology, Sports Science, Sports Performance and Strength and Conditioning.
Students will also have the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake advanced coaching awards to international standards in their specialist sports in the years following graduation.
Follow on Study for BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching & Performance graduates
It is envisaged that students will progress to further study in Sports Coaching, Sports Psychology, Sports Science, Sports Performance and Strength and Conditioning.Â
Students will also have the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake advanced coaching awards to international standards in their specialist sports in the years following graduation.
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Course Leaders
Dr Jean McArdle
Programme Leader BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching and Performance -
Email: [email protected]
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