Our programmes focus on your personal development and on the skills and abilities that you need to become a sound and competent instructor working in a variety of environments, organising activities for a range of groups.
Our programmes provide you with the opportunities to explore and investigate the wider issues surrounding the outdoor and sports industries through direct experience. You will be given the opportunity to gain additional recognised qualifications.
The College is ideally located in the Thames Valley, with Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre and Hurley Weir situated nearby. The College itself offers over 400 acres of open space, with cross country courses, high quality sports pitches, a multi-gym and an indoor sports centre.
We have also entered into a new and exciting venture and launched an Academy in partnership with Reading Football Club. Students can study either the Level 2 or 3 course and combine practical training and playing with professional, qualified coaches. Trials are held throughout the year, so if this is something you are interested in please email sport@bca.ac.uk
Click here to view the facilities
NEW! Reading Football Club Academy at BCA
Trials on Saturday 25th February 2012.
Courses available: Click on a course to find out more
BTEC Level 1 Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness)
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure)
Level 2 Diploma in Outdoor Adventure
Higher Education Courses Level 4
Edexcel BTEC Level 1 Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure (1 year)
The BTEC Introductory Diploma is designed to encourage you to develop the personal skills and qualities you need for work, learning and to help you achieve your full potential. This is a practical hands-on programme and learners complete projects and assignments that are based in realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.
The programme consists of 8 units
Core Units:
Starting Work in Sport and Leisure
Working in Sport and Leisure
The Healthy Body
Personal Units:
Personal Effectiveness
Financial Management
Vocational Units:
Organising a Sport or Leisure Event
Issues in Sport and Leisure
Taking part in Sport
Other topic areas will include:
Information Technology
Basic Skills (Literacy and Numeracy)
Tutorials
Group Seminars
Entry Requirements
Four GCSEs at Grade E or above or an Entry Certificate equivalent.
Plus a satisfactory school reference and successful completion of an Inital Assessment.
Progression
This programme introduces learners to a career in Sport or Leisure and prepares for employment. Successful learners can also further their study by progressing on to the BTEC First Diploma in Sport.
Edexcel BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sport (1 year)
The BTEC First Diplomas are designed to provide specialist work-related qualifications in a range of sectors. They have been developed to provide a preparation for employment, to provide career development opportunities for those already in work and provide the knowledge, understanding and skills for learners wishing to enter a career in sport.
Programme Content
The qualifications consist of 2 core units plus some specialist units which are designed to provide a specific focus to the qualification.
Core Units:
The Body in Sport
Health, Safety and Injury in Sport
Specialist Units:
The Sports Industry
Preparation for Sport
Practical Sport
Planning and Leading a Sports Activity
Entry Requirements
Four GCSEs at Grade D or above, or BTEC Level 1 in a related subject at Merit level.
Plus a satisfactory school reference and successful completion of an Inital Assessment.
Progression
On successful completion of the programme you may progress to the National/Award/Certificate Diploma programme. Alternatively, you may choose to enter employment.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness)
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure)
These programmes are ideal for those who wish to pursue a
career in the sports coaching/fitness industry or within the
outdoor adventure industry. They provide the knowledge,
understanding and skills for students wishing to enter
either of these exciting and fulfilling areas of employment.
They are designed to provide you with vocational education,
which may be used as an entry route to work or as a
progression to further study. Learners are able to develop
the general skills, knowledge and understanding that are
required in a whole range of occupations within the
outdoor and sports recreation industries.
Programme content
Depending on the programme you choose, you will be studying the following modules:
- Principles of anatomy and physiology in sport
- The physiology of fitness
- Assessing risk in sport
- Fitness training and programme
- Sports coaching
- Sports development
- Fitness testing for sport and exercise
- Practical team sports
- Practical individual sports
- Sports injuries
- Sports nutrition
- Instructing physical activity and exercise
- Organising a sports event
- Analysis of sports performance
- Current issues in sport
- Psychology for sports performance
- Physical education and the care of children and
young people - Sport as a business
- Work experience in sport
- Expedition experience
- Leading outdoor and adventurous activities
- Outdoor and adventurous activities
Assessment method
This course is continually assessed through assignments.
Equipment needed
Students will be required to purchase a BCA sports kit and participate in Sports Camp in the first term.
Progression
This course prepares learners for employment or progression onto higher level qualifications and university.
Employment opportunities
These courses can lead students into a career within sport and leisure, including leisure centre management, gym instructor, personal trainer, PE teacher, or sports coach. Please note that these programmes are not appropriate for those learners who wish to train to be a physiotherapist.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure)
These programmes are equivalent to one to three A-Levels (subject to the level of qualification) and are ideal for those who wish to pursue a career in the fitness industry or sports coaching, recreation and active leisure. Both Level 3 Diplomas study the same level of content but the amount of work (and credits required) differs across the qualifications.
They are designed to provide you with vocational education, which may be used as an entry route to work or as a progression to further study. Learners are able to develop the general skills, knowledge and understanding that are required in a whole range of occupations within the Outdoor and Sports Recreation industries.
These programmes provide the knowledge, understanding and skills for learners wishing to enter a career in sporting performance, coaching and training or the fitness industry. The programme content will vary dependent on the qualification studied.
Programme content
Depending on the programme you choose, you will be studying the following modules:
- Principles of anatomy and physiology in sport
- The physiology of fitness
- Assessing risk in sport
- Fitness training and programme
- Sports coaching
- Sports development
- Fitness testing for sport and exercise
- Practical team sports
- Practical individual sports
- Sports injuries
- Sports nutrition
- Instructing physical activity and exercise
- Organising a sports event
- Analysis of sports performance
- Current issues in sport
- Psychology for sports performance
- Physical education and the care of children and young people
- Sport as a business
- Work experience in sport
All applicants will have to successfully pass an interview and undertake an initial assessment; the results from the initial assessment must indicate that the learner is working at Level 2 in both literacy and numeracy. This assessment will inform which course should be undertaken by the student.
These conditions may be modified for mature candidates or for those with previous practical experience and training.
Entry requirements
You should possess one or more of the following:
Five passes at GCSE Grade C or above (including Maths, Science, English and preferably PE), or Level 2 Diploma in Sport at Merit or Distinction level.
Plus a satisfactory school reference and successful completion of an Inital Assessment.
Assessment method
This course is continually assessed through assignments.
Equipment needed
Students will be required to purchase a BCA sports kit and participate in Sports Camp in the first term.
Progression
This course prepares learners for employment or progression onto higher level qualifications and university.
Employment opportunities
These courses can lead students into a career within sport and leisure, including leisure centre management, gym instructor, personal trainer, PE teacher, or sports coach. Please note that these programmes are not appropriate for those learners who wish to train to be a physiotherapist.
Level 2 Diploma in Outdoor Adventure
Learners undertaking this course will study the essential
sports components and specialise in developing their
experiences, techniques, skills and knowledge in outdoor
and adventurous activities.
Learners will have the opportunity to participate in
exciting outdoor and adventurous activities such as rock
climbing, snowboarding, kayaking, sailing and caving.
It is designed to provide learners with the opportunities
to learn how to lead others in practical outdoor and
adventurous activities, whilst planning and participating
in expeditions.
Click here details of our Higher Education Courses.
