About the course
This Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) Higher Technical Qualification accredited course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Lancashire. The Basketball Coaching and Performance Foundation Degree course has been specifically developed to meet the needs of those who have an interest in pursuing a career in basketball, whether it be in a coaching or performance capacity.
The course provides students with the practical skills, academic knowledge and coaching expertise that will ultimately enable them to gain employment in a variety of roles across the Basketball industry and is mapped so that graduates will be able to claim HTQHS2025 Sports Coach (High Performance Coach) status. This course represents an ideal choice for anyone who wants to develop his or her knowledge of basketball, coaching and performance from both an academic and practical perspective. This course provides a unique opportunity for students to develop their own basketball performance through our outstanding talent development programme, whilst also developing students' academic abilities. Sharing a home within the Myerscough Basketball academy, this course offers a unique opportunity for aspiring basketball players.
Students on the course can develop their playing ability with access to expert coaches, extensive new facilities and the opportunities to play in national and regional leagues of a highly successful programme. Much of the core content of the course takes place in the High-Performance Centre which houses the new playing court, fully equipped strength and conditioning suite and physiotherapy clinic.
Aspiring coaches have access International level coaches and the opportunity to be involved in in the daily coaching sessions and fixtures of national title winning teams. A strong focus is placed on developing a combination of essential skills for your future employment in the professional game. The course includes a range of Basketball coaching modules delivered by elite professional Basketball coaches, developing your knowledge of techniques, tactics, strategies, skill acquisition, whilst improving your own performance.
Your knowledge of sports science will be advanced, giving you a foundation of knowledge for strength and conditioning, talent identification, and rehabilitation modules. Our outstanding equipment and facilities will provide you an opportunity to work with analysis equipment, software, cameras, timing gates, all under the guidance of outstanding professional Basketball coaches. This blend of academic, performance and coaching opportunities make this course unrivalled by other coaching courses available to aspiring basketball minded students. It should be noted that to succeed on this course it is not a pre-requisite to be a gifted and talented Basketballer. However, it is important to have an enthusiasm for Basketball and a desire to explore all aspects of the professional industry. On commencing the course students may be required to complete a DBS check at a cost to the student.
Key Information
Location: Preston Campus
Start date: September 2026
Course length: Two Years (60 weeks)
Course Modules
Academic and Vocational Skills
Coaching and Pedagogy
Coaching for Sport Performance
Coaching Principles and Practice
Industry Project
Introduction to Sport Science
Lifestyle, Recovery and Rehabilitation
Research Development
Sports Performance (Double module)
Sports Performance Analysis
Talent Identification and Sport Development
Entry requirements & additional information
5 GCSE passes at Grade C (4) or above (including Maths and English or equivalent)
Plus 48 UCAS Tariff points from one or more of the following:
2 A-levels (A2), at least one at C or above
BTEC/C&G Level 3
T Level P-D*
2 Scottish Highers at C or above
3 Irish Highers at C or above
International Baccalaureate at 24 points
NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline
Access to HE Diploma in a relevant discipline
AS levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.
Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.
Learning Environment:
Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and workshops. Students are expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and group presentations form an important part of the course. Students will have access to specialist IT hardware and software, an on-line learning environment and reference facility.
Assessment: Students will complete a variety of assessments including delivery of practical coaching sessions, performance planning and analysis, essays, multimedia presentations, reports, multiple choice tests, presentations, group work and mini projects.
What work experience can I get? There is no formal work placement on this course. The Academic and Vocational Skills and Industry Project modules will utilise both on and off site working environments to provide the opportunity for students to develop real practical and technical skills and help prepare them for employment in their chosen subject area.
On successful completion of the course, students may apply for direct entry into a top-up final year at our partner university, the University of Lancashire to gain their BSc (Hons) degree.