Are you passionate about sports? Are you a talented sports player yourself? Do you want to pursue a career teaching your skills to other people? If this sounds like you, then perhaps a course of study in coaching would be perfect for you.

A coaching qualification incorporated a wide range of core matters. Students who are interested in the human body and are fit enough to partake in the more vocational elements of this particular course are likely to do well in this programme of study.

The majority of students who study a course in coaching are likely to pursue a career within this field as a coach either working within an educational environment such as a school or working with a sports team in order to maximise their sporting ability.

Similarly, those who have a qualification within this field may also find work as a fitness instructor or personal trainer working with a health club or spa environment.

The majority of coaching courses take place at post-graduate level and students are expected to have shown a previous aptitude for sport as well as having a strong degree qualification. Ideally this should be a 2:1 qualification.

Coaching has only been seen as a subject in its own right in recent years and as such tends to be offered at the newer universities. If you are studying on this particular course there will be both part-time and full-time study options.

If you are a non-native speaker of English then you may have to sit an IELTS test scoring a minimum of 6.0-6.5.

One of the most important things to remember when applying to a University is that wherever you end up, you need to be happy with your choice; after all you will be spending the next year living there – although often you will end up staying longer. In this sense it is vital that you look at the location of your university and whether you can see yourself being happy located in the local area.  Similarly, the student social experience will be different depending upon where you study and both big and small establishments have their own merits – but where will you feel more comfortable?

It is also crucial to consider the module options available to study and the links your university of choice has within the world of work; particularly within your specialist field of interest. It is never too early to think about your life after graduation and more often than not you will be expected to complete a placement as part of your course. The connections forged by your university with external companies will not only help you find appropriate work placements, but will also be of benefit to your long-term career.

Fees will also have a huge impact upon where you end up studying. More prestigious Universities will generally charge higher fees – but can you afford it? It is best to investigate methods of funding in advance and make a budget for your time at University. If you are struggling financially then it may be worth applying for a scholarship or bursary.