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Community Sport and Physical Activity - HNC

Summary

The HNC in Community Sport and Physical Activity has been designed for anyone interested in starting or developing a career in the sports, fitness or well-being industries. You will begin by examining the significant contribution that physical activity plays in promoting physical and mental health and explore how this impacts both communities and individuals before moving on to study the management and leadership principles which will allow you to implement this knowledge  effectively in a variety of workplace scenarios.

You will learn about community engagement and how to create inclusive sports programmes as well as the techniques used to encourage people of all ages to participate in sport and well-being programmes. As part of the course, you will have the opportunity to see first hand how your classroom and college-based learning translates into the real world through the work exposure module.

The skills you'll learn, whilst sports focused, are very transferable which means you will be just as well-placed to take advantage of exciting opportunities that exist outside the world of sport and fitness as you are to pursue those in it. You'll benefit too from the expertise of a curriculum team that have comprehensive experience in the sector from those who are actively involved in competitive sport at a senior level to those with extensive operational and managerial experience. You will also find that class sizes at B&FC are often smaller than those at other institutions which means we are able to tailor a personalised learning plan for you and ensure you have access to plenty of one-to-one support.

  • Course code TH1HE200
  • UCAS code N890
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Monday and Tuesday
  • Time 09:30 - 17:30

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
1 Year
14 Sep 2026
University Centre
1 Year
  • £20,751 average annual salary
  • State-of-the-art sports facilities
  • 22,802 annual job openings in the North West

What Uni Reviews

Great. Can't fault it. It is second to non and is highly enjoyable. I have been here since I was sixteen and I can't find fault anywhere. Well done Blackpool and The Fylde College. Good job. *****
Anonymous
Love college the teachers are very helpful the support from student admin is great and the course itself is very interesting. I'm excited to see how far I can go. *****
Anonymous
Been a lovely experience, and I'm so grateful for everything I've been taught these last 3 years, and look forward to what the future holds. So grateful for my tutors. *****
Anonymous

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The growth in health and fitness and a focus on developing sports at grassroots levels means this qualification is the ideal springboard for anyone looking to leverage the latest employment opportunities in this dynamic sector. It is also the gateway to further study at Levels 5 and 6 and could lead students to an honours degree in areas like sports science, performance coaching or sports management.

The emphasis on acquiring strong practical skills in this qualification together with the work experience that is an integral part of the course mean that graduates are ideally placed to make a successful transition into a coaching or community sports role.

 

Other study options

The Level 4 Higher National Certificate provides a solid grounding in the discipline of Sport which you can build on, should you decide to continue your studies beyond the Certificate stage.

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities with a Level 4 qualification include:

  • Sports development
  • Sports coaching
  • Health and fitness manager
  • Sports facility management
  • Outreach work

Key information

Entry Requirements

The academic requirement for entering this programme is normally 64 UCAS points:

  • A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Sport
  • 64 UCAS Points = BTEC Extended Diploma: Grade MPP or BTEC Diploma: Grade MM
  • A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject
  • 64 points = 2 x A Levels at Grade C

Mature students will be considered if you can demonstrate:

  • Other related Level 3 qualifications
  • Related work experience in a relevant role

Qualification obtained

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Sport

Fees and funding

Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding.

Extra costs and equipment

You will need clothing and footwear suitable for sports and outdoor activity. A full list will be provided prior to enrolment.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Pearson

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.

Student case study - Dale

Why did you choose B&FC?
It's close to home and a lot of my friends had previously been here so I already had a good impression of the College and also knew one of the tutors.

What have been the benefits of studying here?
The facilities are great but the support of the tutors has been second to none. Nothing was too much trouble for them - it was amazing.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

You will be expected to be working in the community sports’ sector for the one day a week or equivalent, in order to meet the requirements of the Work Exposure unit and inform other assessments.

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Physical Activity Lifestyle and Health TH4MD366 15 No
    The Sport Landscape TH4MD367 15 No
    Project Management TH4MD368 15 No
    Activity Leadership TH4MD369 15 No
    Inclusive Sport TH4MD370 15 No
    Biomechanics TH4MD377 15 No
    Nutrition TH4MD378 15 No
    Technology in Sport TH4MD379 15 No

Study Support - at a glance

We offer a range of services to support you across all areas of student life, with specialist support available for students with disabilities.

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group study support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support

Programme Specification

Download our Programme Specification for this course.

A personal trainer supervises a woman performing exercises in a gym setting, focusing on her technique and posture.
A football rests on grass, with children sat gathered around a coach guiding them in the background.
A coach greets a group of individuals as they walk into a fitness center, ready to begin their workout journey.
A personal trainer supervises a woman performing exercises in a gym setting, focusing on her technique and posture. A football rests on grass, with children sat gathered around a coach guiding them in the background. A coach greets a group of individuals as they walk into a fitness center, ready to begin their workout journey.
A personal trainer supervises a woman performing exercises in a gym setting, focusing on her technique and posture.
A football rests on grass, with children sat gathered around a coach guiding them in the background.
A coach greets a group of individuals as they walk into a fitness center, ready to begin their workout journey.

How will I learn?

Learning methods used will include:

Case studies to illustrate how a range of concepts, theories and perspectives can be applied in the explanation and evaluation of real life examples.

Peer learning workshop sessions to foster collaborative active social learning, the co-creation of knowledge and the sharing of good practice, allowing you to explicate your ideas, arguments and perspectives.

Lectures to provide information on current developments in sports’ practices and processes, theory, and the wider social-political context in which these are located. Lectures will aim to promote an understanding of a range of perspectives that influence the nature of the industry.

The embedding of guest speakers and educational visits will be an integral feature of the programme, as these serve to give you valuable insight and the development of relevant skills and behaviours.

 

Contact hours per week - 10hrs 

Course contact hours:

 102hrs  Independent learning

4 hrs per Module Personal Development and 121

32 hours Taught sessions/Lectures

60 hours over two modules hands on coaching experience 

 

 

 

Expert tutors

Neil Salanki is a dedicated sports and exercise science professional with a distinguished academic background, including a BASES endorsed MSc degree in Sports and exercise science. Over the past decade, Neil has held various roles in higher education and the sports industry, notably as a Programme Leader and Lecturer at Blackpool and Fylde College and other higher education institutions. He has coached world record holders and managed extensive sports programs. Outside of his professional life, Neil enjoys running, hiking, and traveling, and is passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle. He aims to further his career in academia and research, with aspirations to complete a PhD and contribute to the field of sports and exercise science.

Expertise in: Sport and exercise science (Exercise physiology, biomechanics, Nutrition), Sports coaching and skill acquisition, Performance analysis, Research and dissertation.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 359 0 0
Independent 816 0 0
Placement 25 0 0
Total 1200 0 0
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

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How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Students will be assessed in a variety of ways through a combination of  essays, reports, case studies and presentations which are used to support the development of cognitive skills and abilities. The principle rationale for selecting these methods of assessment and feedback are that they support your development to progress into the sector with a comprehensive range of relevant skills.

Modules and assessment methods 

Activity Leadership 15 credits - Practical Coaching 

Inclusive Sport 15 credits - Practical Coaching 

The Sports Landscape 15 credits - Report, professional discussion, essay

Project Management 15 credits - Research Project, Viva

Physical activity, lifestyle and health 15 credits - Report and Presentation 

Biomechanics 15 credits - Needs Analysis and Presentatio

Nutrition 15 credits - Essay and Report 

Technology in sport 15 credits Needs Analysis and Presentation

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 100% 0% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%