Foundation Degree in Adventure Sports and Coaching

If you are looking to combine your love for the outdoors, travel and teamwork to build a rewarding career, our Foundation Degree in Adventure Sports and Coaching will give you the skills to excel as an adventure sports professional.

You will spend one full-day each week participating in outdoor adventure activities including canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, climbing, sailing and mountaineering.

National Governing Body awards are essential for coaching and leadership roles. You will have the opportunity to gain a wide range of awards*.

Throughout this course you will develop the knowledge, coaching and leadership skills allowing you to progress into a leadership or management role or into higher level academic study.

University Centre Reaseheath is an academic partner of the University of Chester. Foundation degrees, Honours degrees, and Cert Ed are awarded by the University of Chester.

*National Governing Body Awards are optional and at an additional cost. Most courses are available below market price. Subject to meeting the relevant pre-requisites.

UCAS Entry Points

A minimum of 64 UCAS points

Start Date

September 2021

September 2022

Course Length

Full-time: 2 years

The academic course content builds the knowledge and analytical skills you will need to progress your outdoor career quickly, and onto higher level working in more challenging and rewarding roles. The Reaseheath course will set you apart from graduates from similar courses in the following key areas:

Psychology is key to performance and enjoyment in adventure sports: Know how to keep control in exposed Climbing situations, having the self-knowledge to make jumps in Mountain Biking or Free-Running or to manage your team’s dynamics on an extended expedition.
Applied Anatomy and Physiology: We will make extensive use of our fabulous gym and sports lab facilities to test and train individual fitness elements such as strength, power and endurance.
Technology for coaching performance: People at any level can benefit from coaching to make step-change improvements towards achieving their goals. You will use some of the most up-to-date tools including video analysis, coaching software and drone recording.
Philosophy and Principles: We do adventure sports for the fun and for the challenge. But the underpinning theoretical knowledge of this course can lead to a fascinating array of alternative careers such as outdoor education, adventure therapy and management development training.

With this background you will have a wide range of career possibilities from coaching Olympic athletes, leading expeditions through to taking a leading role in outdoor education. You will also develop the knowledge and critical thinking skills to progress successfully into higher level academic study in a range of subject areas.

What will I study?

Academic and practical programme that provides the knowledge, understanding and skills for those wishing to progress their career as an Adventure Sport professional.

Careers in the Outdoors are varied and diverse. This course is designed to give participants the opportunity to progress their practical skills and coaching qualifications, and to provide a theoretical underpinning to enable graduates to progress quickly into leadership and programme management responsibilities.

Students will experience a number of different learning environments designed to develop skills in adventure sports. There is a work placement* in the outdoor industry between Year 1 and Year 2. Modules include:

Level 4

Academic and Professional Development
Principles of Adventure Education
Practical Land and Water Based Adventure Sports
Psychology for Adventure Sports
Sports Leadership Theory and Practice
The Adventure Sports Performer

Level 5

Research Methods
Philosophy of Adventure
Coaching Process and Practice
Positive Change Through Adventure
Work Based Learning
Applied Performance in Adventure Sports

Teaching and Learning

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity, plus field trips:

Year 1: 35% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 420 hours

Independent Study: 780 hours

Year 2: 24% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 288 hours

Placement: 20 hours

Independent Study: 892 hours

Class sizes on practical sessions are limited by risk management and National Governing Body guidance.

Class sizes in Lectures can vary as some modules are common across Sport and Adventure Sport modules and are cohorts are combined.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment Methods

Assessments are designed to encourage both academic skills and professional skills. They include a combination of coursework and examinations. Coursework may take many forms including: essays, reports, data processing, presentations, academic posters, seminar discussions, interviews, critical reviews, portfolios of evidence and practical competency assessments. The examinations vary, depending on the nature of the module, but may take the form of multiple-choice papers, essays, practical assessments, data handling questions, short answer quizzes, and in class examinations.

The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework is as follows:

Year 1

85% Coursework

8% Practical

7% Written exams

Year 2

96% Coursework

4% Practical

Feedback

Feedback is supplied via Turnitin or directly from the module tutor. The majority of submissions are made via Turnitin and feedback for coursework is provided within twenty working days after the submission date.

Written feedback will be supported verbally should the student require clarification. Formative assessment feedback will be provided at the time of completion where possible, with more detailed summative feedback for reports.

Additional Qualifications

To offer graduates a leading position in the jobs market, students are given the opportunity to enhance their career prospects by taking additional qualifications during their course of study. Students will have the opportunity to work towards a number of National Governing Body Awards (NGBAs). These can broadly be divided into two categories:

Personal Proficiency Awards, such as:

British Canoe Union: 1-3 Star Awards
British Canoe Union: 4 Star Leadership Awards
British Canoe Union: Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT)
Royal Yachting Association Sailing Awards: Levels 1 & 2 & Seamanship
Royal Yachting Association Powerboat Awards: Levels 1 & 2
Royal Yachting Association Competent Crew
Hill & Mountain Skills
Immediate Temporary Care: 16hr. Outdoor First Aid Award

Coaching or Instructing Awards such as:

British Canoe Union: UKCC Level 1 Paddlesport Coach Award
British Canoe Union: UKCC Level 2 Paddlesport Coach Award
Royal Yachting Association : Assistant Dinghy Instructor & Dinghy Instructor*
Royal Yachting Association: Level 2 Sailing / Powerboat
Mountain Training: Climbing Wall Instructor (training & assessment)
Mountain Training: Rock Climbing Instructor (training & assessment)
Mountain Training: Mountain Leader (training & assessment)

Many of these courses will be offered at little or no cost to students, with some of the higher level awards being offered well below market rates. It is important to note that the additional cost of qualification courses is not necessary for the completion of the Foundation Degree, however they will significantly enhance your future employment and career prospects.

*Courses subject to meeting NGB prerequisites

Timetable Information

Students will be able to access course timetables for that academic year from the start of their year in September.

Students will have a minimum of two studies day on which to conduct further reading research and assignment work.

Course Information

RC5502 – Work Based Learning: module requires 150 hours minimum industry relevant activity.

*Travel arrangements at your own cost.

Entry requirements

A minimum of 64 tariff points from A & AS levels
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – MPP in Sport, Public Services or Adventure Sport 
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – MM in Sport, Public Services or Adventure Sport
 City & Guilds Level 3 Technical Advanced Extended Diploma (1080 – first awarded in 2019) – a minimum of grade MPP Sport, Public Services or Adventure Sport 
City& Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (720 – first awarded in 2019) – a minimum of grade MM in Sport, Public Services or Adventure Sport 
Mature students (aged 21+) will be considered on an individual basis on their prior knowledge and experience. This may be assessed by interview, completion of coursework/essay or other methods. There may be a requirement for a formal qualification to be completed first e.g. Access to HE course.

Further study

Top-up route to BA (Hons) in Outdoor Leadership or Adventure Sports or other related subject.

Useful Information

How much will this course cost?

Tuition Fees

As a Higher Education student you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs.

Our full-time tuition fees for UK and EU students entering University can be found on our student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.

If you are an international student or for the latest information on tuition fees visit the student finance page on our website.

Additional Costs

Students will require basic outdoor equipment including:

Walking boots
Waterproof top and bottoms
Warm hats and gloves
Day rucksack – 30-45 Litre
Sufficient warm clothing for the conditions with spares.
Towel

Students purchasing equipment are advised to contact the course manager to check suitability. Many students considering a career in the outdoors will already have suitable equipment and clothing.

Specialist and personal protective equipment is provided, for example for kayaking the College provides: Boat, Paddle, Spray-deck, Buoyancy Aid, Helmet, Wetsuit, Cag.

Additional trips may be available, subject to staffing and minimum numbers of participants (participation in these trips is not a compulsory requirement of the course).

In addition, there may be opportunity to undertake qualification courses. These can be organised to meet the needs of students and participation is subject to meeting the minimum skill and experience requirements set by the relevant governing body.

Equipment Costs

Walking boots – £200 (circa)
Waterproofs – £200 (circa)
Base layers – £100 (circa)
Circa 40L rucksack £150 (circa)

All items may be sourced second hand and therefore could be cheaper. You will find a range of pricing options available and staff will support you in selecting as appropriate. You may borrow all items apart from walking boots from the outdoor store.

Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.

Additional financial support

University Centre Reaseheath is committed to providing additional financial support to those who need it. To find out about the bursary schemes available visit the additional financial support pages on our website.

Accommodation

All Higher Education students are given the opportunity to apply for residential accommodation. First year students are guaranteed accommodation and this offer is made to all applicants who live more than a reasonable daily travelling distance from Reaseheath and who apply before 31st July of the year they intend to start their course. For full details on our halls of residence visit the accommodation pages.

Student support

We have a team of dedicated professionals on hand to offer you support when and if you need it during your time with us. These include our Student Services team, Higher Education Support Team (HEST), Library and Learning Resources and the Reaseheath Careers Service. You will find more information on the support provided at Reaseheath here.

How do I apply?

Before you apply you can come and visit us at one of our HE Open Events to see what we have to offer. Once we have received your application we will invite you to attend an Offer Holder Day.

Applications for full-time Degrees and Foundation Degrees are made through UCAS. Applications for all other full-time courses such as Access to HE and Level 4 Diplomas should be made directly to Reaseheath via the online application form. You can find out more here.

Student contract

For students to get the best out of their time at University Centre Reaseheath, we must both recognise that we owe obligations to each other. These obligations are set out in our Higher Education Student Contract. Before you accept an offer of a place at University Centre Reaseheath, it is important that you read these contract conditions. If you are going to be living in Halls of Residence, you will also need to read the Student Accommodation Licence Conditions. Both of these contracts can be found here.

Click here to view the University Centre Reaseheath Student Protection Plan.

My advice to anyone thinking of becoming an adventure sports undergraduate at Reaseheath is ‘Just go for it. You won’t regret it.’ The amount of practical teaching is unparalleled to any other university and the facilities on and around campus are amazing.

Callum Berry FdSc Adventure Sports and Coaching

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Foundation Degree in Adventure Sports and Coaching

If you are looking to combine your love for the outdoors, travel and teamwork to build a rewarding career, our Foundation Degree in Adventure Sports and Coaching will give you the skills to excel as an adventure sports professional.

*National Governing Body Awards are optional and at an additional cost. Most courses are available below market price. Subject to meeting the relevant pre-requisites.

UCAS Entry Points

Start Date

Course Length

What will I study?

*Travel arrangements at your own cost.

Entry requirements

Further study

Useful Information

My advice to anyone thinking of becoming an adventure sports undergraduate at Reaseheath is ‘Just go for it. You won’t regret it.’ The amount of practical teaching is unparalleled to any other university and the facilities on and around campus are amazing.

Callum Berry FdSc Adventure Sports and Coaching

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