
Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma in Sport & Exercise Sciences
About The Course
Please be aware that we have a waiting list in place for this course for students looking to join us in September 2022. If you submit an application, you will be added to this existing waiting list but may not be interviewed until a later date.
This qualification is ideal for anyone with a passion for the science behind sport and how it can be applied to help optimise sporting performance, help athletes overcome injuries and enhance athlete potential. The course will be made up of a combination of academic and practical modules, which will help you to develop the key knowledge and skills you will need to progress towards your intended career goal. It will also help to develop important research and study skills that will be important for those students wishing to progress into Higher Education. The full two year programme is the equivalent of three A-Levels, preparing the students to progress onto Higher Education studying a range of subjects at University such as Sports Therapy, Sport and Exercise Science, Sports Coaching and Performance, Sports Teaching, and many more. Alternatively, this course is perfect preparation for students wishing to go into employment or an apprenticeship in the sport and/or fitness industry. Why BCA? At BCA we have: 100% pass rate across all sports programmes. 98% of our students go on to full-time employment or further higher education Sports Academy opportunities in Men’s/Women’s Football, Rugby and Netball Excellent links with local sports clubs including our Football Academy partnership with Maidenhead FC |
Entry Requirements
5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, maths and PE and/or science or a Level 2 Diploma in Sport at Merit/Distinction grade (or equivalent) and GCSE English, Maths, PE and/or Science at grade 4 or above.
All applicants must successfully complete an academic interview.
More information
The full two-year programme is equivalent to three A-Levels, preparing the students to progress onto Higher Education studying a range of subjects at University such as Sports Therapy, Sport and Exercise Science, Sports Coaching and Performance, Sports Teaching, and many more.
Alternatively, this course is the perfect preparation for students wishing to go into employment or an apprenticeship in the sport and/or fitness industry.
What careers can this course lead to?
- Sports Therapist
- Sports Rehabilitation
- Sports Physiotherapy
- Sport & Exercise Scientist
- Sports Analyst
- Sports Teacher
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
Over the duration of the two-year course, you will study a wide variety of modules developing your skills and knowledge in a range of sports-related disciplines.
Students must study all of the following core modules:
- Applied Exercise Physiology
- Fitness Training & Programming
- Sports Nutrition
- Biomechanics
- Sports Injuries
- Analysis of Sports Performance
- Applied Strength and Conditioning
- Laboratory and field-based Experiment Methods
- Research Project in Sport and Exercise Science
You will learn in dedicated classrooms equipped with interactive learning technology, with access to high quality facilities including a full sized Sports Hall, a fully equipped fitness centre and a separate strength and conditioning facility. You will also learn through a range of relevant trips, visits and guest lectures.
- Modern classrooms, fully equipped with IT support
- 3 full-size football pitches & a full-sized rugby pitch
- A state of the art sports hall, incorporating 4 badminton courts, a full-sized basketball court and cricket nets
- Indoor and outdoor climbing facilities
- High & low rope courses
- Archery range
- A fully-equipped fitness centre and a separate strength and conditioning facility
Uniform and PPE: All Sports students will be required to purchase the compulsory BCA kit, which is appropriate for their programme. You are only expected to purchase 1 kit bundle, so if you are part of an Academy, please order the specific academy kit, as detailed below. We try to keep all compulsory kit bundles to a minimum cost and then give the option for you to purchase additional items. Clean, practical kit must be brought in every day.
Please click on the link below to place your online kit order.
Non-Academy Sports Students
www.clubwebshop.com/a-z/clubs/bca/club-bundles
You will have to register and create an account before ordering.
Football Academy
www.mufcdirect.co.uk/collections/mufc-academy-bca
Netball Academy
www.hawkinsport.co.uk/schools/berkshire-college-agriculture
Rugby Academy
www.hawkinsport.co.uk/schools/berkshire-college-agriculture
Returning students are very welcome to order another complete bundle, however, you will already have some kit from last year, so you may decide just to order a few additional items. Please email Nicky Cornelius, Curriculum Assistant nacornelius@bca.ac.uk for the specific link to order individual items.
Stationery: All students will be required to bring appropriate stationery and a notebook to all lessons. We advise students to purchase a ring binder folder to keep class notes and resources in, for future reference. BCA does not supply pens, pencils, rulers, or notepads.
All students will be required to bring their own set of headphones for blended learning sessions. The headphones do not need to be expensive but must be PC compatible.
Students will begin on a one-year diploma, equivalent to 1.5 A-Levels. Successful completion of year one will lead to progression onto the second year where they will study for additional credits to achieve an Extended Diploma, equivalent to three A-Levels. Students will also have the opportunity to gain further qualifications in leadership, coaching and fitness instructing.
You will learn through a variety of theory and practical sessions and be assessed via a range of methods including:
- Presentations
- Written reports
- Practical observations
- Discussions
- Debates
- Projects
- Timed assessments
One week of external work placement in the sports industry is required in each year of study.
NCFE