Skip to main content

Sport and Fitness - Level 3

Summary

The aim of the L3 National Diploma in Sport is to equip you with the knowledge, skills and expertise in order to build a career within the sports industry.

The main aim of our course is to develop your understanding and knowledge of the roles, responsibilities, skills and techniques involved in sports coaching and development. You will learn the importance of good nutrition and fitness testing, how to organise sports events and take part in a wide variety of team and individual sporting activities that will allow you to demonstrate your practical skills and analyse your performance.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
01 Sep 2025
Bispham Campus
2 Years

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This programme benefits from a 96% success rate, with students progressing onto their chosen career path either directly or after completing a relevant degree-level programme.

The programme carries a maximum of 112 UCAS points needed to gain entry onto degree-level programmes. You could progress to one of B&FC's own degree-level programmes, delivered at our University Centre in Blackpool. Choose from Foundation Degrees in either Sports Coaching and Performance or Physical Activity, Health and Nutrition.

Both these two-year programmes lead onto a final top-up year to give you a BSc (Hons) degree awarded by Lancaster University, ranked among the UK's top 15 universities.

Key information

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs grade 4 or above including English and Maths or Level 2 relevant qualification, along with the following:

  • A successful interview with a tutor
  • The ability to study independently
  • A genuine interest in the subject
  • Good communication skills
  • Hardworking approach towards the industry

All 16-18 year old applicants will be invited to attend an interview to meet a tutor and ask any questions they may have about the course.

Qualification obtained

BTEC National Diploma in Sport, Fitness and Personal Training

Fees and funding

Visit our Financial Support for School Leavers page for more information.

Extra costs and equipment

Other than basic stationary (pens, paper, folder, etc) all resources are available at B&FC and are not required to be purchased by the student.

There are no additional costs for educational trips including the NCS field trips as part of work placement - with no cost to students for activities, accommodation, travel and three meals a day.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Pearson

Regulatory Body: Ofsted

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

What will I learn?

For the main qualification you will study the following units:

First Year Units: National Extended Certificate (1 A Level)

  • Principles of Anatomy & Physiology in Sport (33%)
  • Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being (33%)
  • Sports Leadership (17%)
  • Professional Development in Sports Industry (17%)

After your first year, you will progress into year 2 to complete the full BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport, equivalent to 2 A Levels. To gain entry to the second year you will need minimum 90% attendance and to meet your target grade (TG). Your target grade is set from your GCSE results. Your tutor will tell you more about this in induction.
 

Second Year Units: National Diploma in Sport (2 A levels)

  • Application of Fitness Testing (16%)
  • Sports Psychology (16%)
  • Practical Sports Performance (16%)
  • Coaching Sports Performance (16%)
  • Sports Event Organisation (16%)
  • Research Methods in Sport (16%)

Essential skills: English and Maths

If you achieve a grade 3 in GCSE Maths or English you will have to work towards re-sitting these subjects as part of your main study programme.

At B&FC, this won’t delay your career journey because you’re working towards these subjects at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

This course features a compulsory 20-hour work placement with the opportunity to develop your skills in a realistic industry setting and discover what an employer will expect of you in a similar role.

We will encourage and support you to take part in voluntary work throughout the course as volunteering will enhance your career prospects and often leads to offers of permanent employment. Our students regularly volunteer at local sports clubs, youth organisations, schools and provide support at events such as the Great North Run, London Marathon and Football Aid.

The course also features a mandatory field trip.

How will I learn?

Our expert tutors understand that everyone learns in different ways so they use a range of teaching methods to enable everyone to achieve their potential. A key method used is demonstration, which allows you to observe the practical application of skills before having a go yourself.

The course combines group work, practical sessions and dedicated self-study periods. This needs to be supported by your own study outside of College, using online development platforms such as Moodle, our virtual learning environment.

E-learning is a key element of all our courses and we also use a range of online apps to support, enhance and motivate learning. Your tutors will support you with these technologies and also in preparing for examinations.

The main programme totals 540 learning hours a year, which equates to around 16 timetabled hours a week. On top of this you will spend up to 2.5 hours a week developing your maths and English depending on the level you are already at. A further 1.5 hours a week is needed for progress meetings to ensure you're on track to achieve your learning goals.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of further education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

The course allows you to develop knowledge, skills and attributes that are essential for success in your working life.

There is a strong emphasis on the development of interpersonal skills to provide confidence in dealing with clients and the general public. You will hone skills specifically required for the sport and leisure industry, such as communication, organisational and team-working skills. The course also provides an opportunity to develop your cognitive and functional skills along with your understanding of associated topics such as health and safety.

Assessment is a combination of internally set assignments (75%) and externally set exams (25%) across the qualification.