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Advanced Certificate: Sport and Fitness (Sports Coaching)

This course channels passion for sports, coaching, and fitness into career opportunities. It readies students for Higher National courses or entry-level jobs in the sports and fitness sector, focusing on SCQF level 6 topics. It serves as a pathway to HNC Coaching and Development of Sport or HNC Fitness, Health, and Exercise.

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female sports student holding basketball

Level:

Broadly comparable to SCQF Level 6

Study Mode:

  • Full time

Location:

  • Kirkcaldy

Start Date:

Aug 2026

Duration:

  • One year full-time (3 days per week)
  • Undertake one 10 hour community placement out with class time. This can be completed over the year i.e 1 hour per week

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for individuals passionate about sports, coaching, and fitness, aiming to pursue a career in the industry. It prepares students for Higher National level courses or entry-level employment. The curriculum covers sport and fitness topics, offering a pathway to HNC Coaching and Development of Sport or HNC Fitness, Health, and Exercise.

What skills will I learn?

  • Practical sports delivery skills including Scottish Governing Body Awards in athletics, rugby and basketball
  • Application of delivery skills in real-life working environments with local sports partners
  • Key concepts of how nutrition, health and wellbeing impact positively on performance in sport
  • Understanding the different sport and exercise science disciplines and their contribution to the study of sport, fitness and coaching
  • Information Technology (IT) and Digital Technology for research, problem solving and monitoring and evaluating performance
  • Understanding the benefits of effective leadership, project and team working in sports
  • Maintaining your own and your participants health, wellbeing and safety

What will I study?

  • Sporting activities: Team and individual (Basketball, Rugby, Athletics, Volleyball)
  • Basic sports coaching
  • Sports coaching: Knowing yourself and others
  • Fitness testing
  • Exercise and fitness: Free weight training
  • NPA in Sports Development (Activity development opportunities and opportunities in the community)
  • Research skills



Application Information

What further study options are available?

  • HNC: Sports Coaching and Development SCQF Level 7
  • HNC: Fitness, Health and Exercise SCQF Level 7

What career opportunities are there?

  • Active Schools assistant
  • Sport development assistant
  • Health development specialist
  • Assistant coach (in a variety of sports)
  • Leisure attendant
  • Community/youth work

With further qualifications the following careers may be available to you you

  • Sports coach
  • Personal trainer
  • Pool lifeguard

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