Curious about studying Coaching in the Community (Football) - NAat University of Staffordshire? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Foundation Degree in Science - FdSc
Stoke-on-Trent Campus
Full Time
Sep 2026
2 Year
Kick-start your career in the most popular sport on the planet through our unique partnership with Stoke City FC. The Coaching in the Community (Football) foundation degree, studied over a two-year period, will prepare you for working in professional and grassroots environments. We’ve teamed up with Stoke City FC Community Trust to offer you amazing work experience opportunities which will help strengthen your coaching capabilities. You’ll also take part in activities at the bet365 Stadium, Clayton Wood training ground and The Academy Dome. And if you show on-the-field talent to a professional level, you could be selected for the Championship club’s Player Pathway programme. You’ll also have the chance to complete professional coaching qualifications and to ‘top up’ your foundation degree to honours degree level with an extra year of study. It means you will leave us work-ready and with plenty of skills. In the first year, we will introduce you to industry practice and sport science, including physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, and strength and conditioning. This will give you a grounding in all the essential components to work in football. You can then tailor your studies to particular interests through optional modules in your second year. You will be taught through a combination of face-to-face sessions and online learning. Other aspects of the course include coaching diverse groups, such as people with disabilities, and exploring contemporary issues in sport. As well as the relationship with Stoke City and its Community Trust, we have an extensive network of contacts. It includes other football clubs, sports organisations and schools both nationally and internationally. You’ll also get to meet and build connections with successful sports professionals through talks from industry experts. Previous speakers have included Manchester United FC Coach, Mike Phelan and Head of Coaching at Brighton and Hove Albion FC, Nick Levett. On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: *FdSc Coaching in the Community (Football)*
Human Performance gives you a dynamic introduction to the key disciplines that shape effective physical education and sports coaching. Through hands-on sessions in physiology, psychology, biomechanics and strength and conditioning, you will explore how the human body and mind respond to movement and training. You will also work with digital tools used across sport and exercise science and develop the research skills needed to understand evidence and apply it to real coaching and teaching environments. This module is ideal if you want a strong foundation for future study and practice in sport.
Inclusive Coaching gives you the knowledge and confidence to create positive sporting experiences for every participant. You will explore what makes a coaching environment truly inclusive, learn how to recognise and respond to individual needs, and develop practical skills that help remove barriers to participation. Through real-world scenarios and evidence-based tasks, you will build the insight required to plan and deliver coaching sessions that are accessible, engaging and impactful for diverse groups. This is an ideal module if you want to become a reflective, adaptable and socially responsible coach.
The module aims to consolidate and systematically review coach education, applying knowledge and understanding from personal experiences of coach education to the development of professional practice and meeting professional standards. The module provides you with the opportunity to experience an aspect of coach education, which serves to develop personal and professional practice. The reflection and analysis will focus upon the development of specific skills, qualities and characteristics relevant to your future employment ambitions in sport and physical education. The specific personal and professional development topics within the module will change based upon current professional practice, research and standards.
In The Coaching Toolkit, you'll build the skills and confidence to start leading your own coaching sessions in sport and physical activity. Through a mix of tutor guidance and peer-led practice, youll learn how to plan, deliver, and reflect on real coaching experiences. Whether you're new to coaching or looking to develop your style, this module gives you the tools to communicate effectively, make good decisions, and coach in a safe and inclusive way. Perfect for anyone ready to step off the sidelines and start coaching with purpose.
Industry Project gives you the chance to step into the professional world of sport and make a real difference in your local community. You will work directly with employers to plan and deliver a live sports event, gaining hands-on experience of project management, teamwork and professional communication. This module is ideal if you want to develop practical industry skills, build your confidence in real-world environments and enhance your employability through meaningful, community focused sport.
The opportunity to work and gain valuable experience within the industry is a key fundamental of this module. Reflecting upon your individual skill set will enable you to tailor your placement experience to your own development. This is an excellent opportunity to build knowledge, network, develop contacts and above all else gain experience in line with your own career aspirations.
Shaping Coaching Practice dives into the art and science of coaching, helping you understand the thinking behind great coaching sessions. Youll explore different ways people learn, how to design effective sessions, and how coaching decisions are shaped by context, experience, and theory. This module challenges you to go beyond just doing, you'll start coaching with purpose. If youre ready to move from instinct to informed practice, this is where it begins.
Discover what really makes teams tick. This dynamic module dives into the psychology of groups and leadership in sport and exercise, exploring why some teams thrive while others fall apart. Youll get hands-on with real coaching scenarios, using video and transcript analysis to uncover the subtle interactions that shape motivation, cohesion and performance. From social identity to transformational leadership, youll learn how the most effective coaches inspire and influence their groups and how evidence-based psychological principles can be used to create positive change. Perfect for anyone interested in coaching, sport science or exercise behaviour, this module blends cutting-edge theory with practical qualitative skills to develop your ability to understand, evaluate and improve real-world group environments.
48 Grades/points required
Not currently available, please Contact University for up to date information.
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