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An image to illustrate the BSc (Honours) Sport, Fitness and Coaching
Passionate about sport and fitness? Want to make a real difference to people’s lives? Gain the skills to inspire, motivate and lead through our popular online Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree. Explore the science behind how our bodies and brains work - from the importance of good nutrition to the role of psychology in sport and exercise. Whether you dream of coaching elite athletes or inspiring the next generation, you’ll learn what it takes to be an effective practitioner. You’ll put theory into practice, applying what you learn to real life so that you’re ready for your next career step.
We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Sport and Fitness (W07), which has the same structure as the first two-thirds of this degree. Similarly, our Certificate of Higher Education in Sport, Fitness and Management (T05) corresponds to the first third.
This sport and fitness degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
Stage 1 introduces the key scientific ideas that underpin sport, exercise and physical activity. You’ll explore topics such as physiology, sociology, nutrition, biomechanics and psychology, alongside coaching practice, motivation, and leadership, to understand what drives results. Using real-world examples and interactive activities, you’ll start applying theory to your own experiences and everyday situations. This stage builds a broad foundation in sport and exercise science, coaching and fitness and helps you develop the study skills and confidence needed for more advanced learning.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Active bodies: introducing the study of sport and exercise (E114)60Oct
Working effectively in sport and exercise (E129)60Oct

Stage 2 focuses on understanding the science behind effective sport and exercise coaching. You’ll explore the psychology of sport and exercise as well as subjects including anatomy and physiology, strength and conditioning, and inclusive coaching, while continuing to build your analytical and communication skills.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Applying the fundamentals of sport and exercise coaching (E238) – planned for October 2027
60Oct
Sport and exercise psychology in action (E235)60Oct

In Stage 3, you’ll study athletic development from a psychological perspective and then examine a range of contemporary issues in sport and exercise.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Athletic development: a psychological perspective (E312)60Oct
Contemporary sport and exercise issues (E315)60Oct

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll study two 60-credit modules at the same time.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
Active bodies: introducing the study of sport and exercise (E114)60Oct
Working effectively in sport and exercise (E129)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 2
You’ll study the following:
Applying the fundamentals of sport and exercise coaching (E238) – planned for October 2027
60Oct
Sport and exercise psychology in action (E235)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Athletic development: a psychological perspective (E312)60Oct
Contemporary sport and exercise issues (E315)60Oct

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That's one 60-credit module each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Active bodies: introducing the study of sport and exercise (E114)60Oct
Stage 1 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Working effectively in sport and exercise (E129)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 3
You’ll study the following:
Sport and exercise psychology in action (E235)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You'll study the following:
Applying the fundamentals of sport and exercise coaching (E238) – planned for October 2027
60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Athletic development: a psychological perspective (E312)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
You’ll complete your degree with:
Contemporary sport and exercise issues (E315)60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, interactive multimedia materials, online tutorials, and safe, applied learning strategies.
You’ll be awarded a BSc (Honours) Sport, Fitness and Coaching upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
You don’t need experience working in sport and fitness prior to starting this qualification. However, you’ll find the modules more fulfilling if you can draw on any experiences within sport, fitness and coaching settings.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
The fees and funding information shown below relate to the 2026/27 academic year and are provided for guidance only. Updated 2027/28 information will be published in March 2027, when this qualification next opens for registration.

6 years
£4,088*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 6 years.
£24,528*
Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£29,370
£29,370
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£24,528
£24,528
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,580
£19,580
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£16,352
£16,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,790
£9,790
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£8,176
£8,176
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,614
£1,614
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£29,370
£29,370
£24,528
£24,528
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,580
£19,580
£16,352
£16,352
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,790
£9,790
£8,176
£8,176
£1,614
£1,614
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 26/27 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
Sport and fitness employment requires well developed skills for motivating customers, including communication skills (written, oral and online) that enhance good relationships and coaching practice. This degree course will improve your career potential and give you the opportunity to develop skills which employers will value, including:
Overall, you will become a more critically aware leader who can reflect on your own and others' practice and apply scientific theory to practical situations.
The BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching is a good choice if you want to enhance your prospects in sports coaching, fitness instruction or personal training. It is also valuable if you are self-employed in the sport and fitness sector, working at sports clubs or wishing to further your career in sports management or sports development. Some students use this qualification as a route towards teaching physical education (PE) – note you will need to have GCSEs in English and mathematics (and possibly science) and undertake subsequent postgraduate training.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
You can start exploring some areas of our Careers and Employability Services now. Once you register with us, you’ll have full access to the services throughout your studies and for up to three years after you finish.
As a registered student or recent graduate, you can use online tools, resources, workshops, events and one-to-one guidance from careers professionals to explore your options, set goals, find opportunities, prepare applications, build your CV and practise your interview techniques. Whether you’re planning your first career move, changing direction or developing in your current role, you’ll find support to help you move forward with confidence.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
This course will next start in the 2027/28 academic year and will open for registration in March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
This course will next start in the 2027/28 academic year and will open for registration in March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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