If you have a strong interest in sport and you’re keen to progress your career in PE, coaching, and fitness, then this is the ideal course for you. This one-year qualification will support the transition from GCSE-level study to a level 3 qualification, and then into employment or university.

You’ll study on a specialist sports campus with world-class facilities and expertise. Hartpury’s global reputation for sport attracts talented athletes, coaches, and industry professionals, making the campus a semi-professional learning environment.

You’ll undertake both theory and practical sessions and cover a wide variety of sports and leisure industry topics.

You will be able to develop your knowledge of competitive sports, exploring different disciplines and the requirements of different athletes, as well as the science of the human body, looking at the fitness levels required for different types of sport and exercise.

You will study exciting topics such as:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Exercise Programmes
• Leading Sports Activities and Sports Injuries

Diploma courses combine classroom-based theory with extensive hands-on learning in real-world environments. Lessons are delivered in our modern College Learning Centre and specialist teaching spaces, using contemporary classrooms with smart boards, well-equipped libraries, and dedicated course facilities.

You’ll take part in practical sessions in our professional sports environment with access to the latest facilities, developing the technical skills and industry knowledge employers are looking for.

Learning is varied and interactive, with individual projects, group activities, and practical assessments alongside written work. You’ll complete regular assignments and coursework tasks.

Diploma timetables are designed to support participation in sport, clubs, and a full enrichment programme to enhance employability skills and personal development.

You’ll be supported by a pastoral tutor, as well as our academic and wellbeing teams, who provide workshops, one-to-one guidance, and online resources. All students also have access to medical professionals on campus.

During this course you will be assessed through both written and practical assessments. You will sit two exams with internal coursework assessments for the remaining modules. Internal coursework assessments will have a variety of assessment methods such as written reports, practical assessments and presentations.

To help prepare you for your exams throughout the course, you’ll complete regular end-of-topic assessments, homework tasks and mock exams. These will help track your progress and highlight areas to improve.

This course prepares students for careers in sport and physical activity, including roles such as assistant coach, personal trainer, youth worker and performance analyst. Many progress into general sport apprenticeships or onto our Level 3 Foundation Diplomas in Outdoor Adventure, PE and Coaching or Fitness, keeping their options open for the future.

Students often choose to attend university and study subjects such as BSc (Hons) Sports Business Management or BSc (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport. Past students have gone on to work with Atlas Sports, Swindon Town FC and as self-employed personal trainers or football coaches at Hartpury College.

These progression routes support national skills priorities within the STEM agenda and digital skills in sport. At a local level, the course also supports Gloucestershire’s focus on health, youth engagement and increasing access to higher education and employment.