Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity)

This Course at a Glance

• Take the first steps towards a sports-related career
• Go to university without A Levels
• 100% online learning
• Get prepared for degree-level study
• Gain essential sports science knowledge
• Earn a nationally recognised qualification

About Your Diploma

A passion for sports coaching and fitness can lead you into an exciting and rewarding career. If you follow competitive sports and have always been fascinated with the intricacies of training and development, studying the right qualifications will guide you towards your dream job. The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity) is an ideal way to kick-start your career.

As an equivalent to 3 A Levels, an Access to Higher Education Diploma is perfect for you if you do not already possess A-Levels. Most universities will accept an applicant if they have an Access to Higher Education Diploma that is related to their chosen degree instead. However, it is important to check the university’s entry requirements prior to application.

By obtaining an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity), you can progress to degree-level study, focusing on a subject related to your career goals. For example, you could go on to study a foundation degree in sports coaching and development, physiotherapy, exercise science and many more.

The career options are vast, and by gaining a foundation knowledge of sports science, you will be able to carve out a career path that matches your ambitions.

Getting Started

With the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity) being 100% online, you have the freedom to study from the comfort of your own home. Also, unlike traditional classroom study, you don’t have to wait for term times, so you can begin your learning journey instantly. This is because you will be given 24/7 access to all online learning materials as soon as you enrol.

As part of your course, you will be issued with an Individual Learning Plan that includes the submission deadlines for your assignments, helping you stay on track. While you have two years to study this course, learndirect students take around 9-12 months to complete it, so you could have your qualification in less than one year.

Our innovative online platform allows you to tailor your study schedule around your existing commitments. So, if you work full-time or look after young children, you can study at a time that suits you.

Modules

Module 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to structure a written response
• Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
• Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
• Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Module 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
• Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

Module 3: Sports Development

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the relationship between key concepts and contexts of sports development
• Understand the targeting of particular groups for sports development
• Understand the barriers to participation in sport

Module 4: Psychology of Sport and Exercise

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the impact of personality and personal motivation on physical activity
• Understand the effects of arousal, stress and anxiety on sports performance
• Understand the psychology of group dynamics in sport
• Be able to analyse psychological factors that affect people in exercise situations

Module 5: The Body in Sport

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand anatomical terms of reference and the anatomical position
• Understand different body systems
• Understand homeostasis and the operation of negative feedback mechanisms

Module 6: Exercise Physiology: The Respiratory System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the structure and functions of the respiratory system
• Understand lung volumes and capacities
• Understand the long and short-term effects of exercise on the respiratory system

Module 7: Nutrition in Sports

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the structure and function of the digestive system
• Understand how nutrition impacts sporting performance
• Understand the link between hydration and sports performance
• Understand energy balance in sports performance
• Be able to create and evaluate a nutritional plan for a sporting activity

Module 8: Nutrition: Hydration and Performance

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the signs and symptoms of dehydration, hypohydration and hyperhydration
• Understand hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic sports drinks
• Understand the importance of fluid intake; pre-event, inter-event and post-event

Module 9: Exercise Physiology: Cardiovascular System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the cardiac cycle and electrocardiogram
• Understand blood pressure and be able to measure it
• Understand the effects of long- and short-term exercise on heart function and blood pressure

Module 10: Sports Conditioning

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how the components of physical fitness can be trained
• Understand the adaptations of training
• Understand how different training methodologies can be applied to meet the needs of different sports

Module 11: Arousal, Stress and Anxiety in Sport

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the impact of arousal on sport performance
• Understand the impact of stress on sport performance
• Understand the impact of anxiety on sport performance

Module 12: Research Skills: Project

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how to construct a testable hypothesis
• Understand how to design an appropriate research study to address a specific research question
• Understand the importance of ethical considerations when conducting research
• Be able to collect and analyse data relevant to the research project
• Understand how to present, interpret and evaluate the results of a research project
• Be able to report a research project using standard formats

Module 13: Sport, Values and Ethics

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the principles of values and ethics in sport
• Understand performance enhancement issues

Module 14: Sports Injuries

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the causes of musculoskeletal injury
• Understand measures to prevent musculoskeletal injury
• Understand the signs and symptoms of common skeletal and muscular injury
• Understand the healing process in skeletal and muscular injury

Module 15: Contemporary and Cultural Issues in Sport

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand professional sports development in the UK
• Understand the influences on modern sport of current media and technology
• Be able to analyse how current issues impacts sport
• Understand how barriers and cultural influences affect sport participation

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: essay, academic poster, fitness plan, series of questions, illustrated report, journal article, diet plan and evaluation, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), research report, academic writing skills tasks

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

A range of units make up this qualification, with an assignment at the end of each. You will submit your work to your tutor for marking and tailored feedback. You must acquire 60 credits in total in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity). Of these credits, 45 will be taken from graded units which focus on the academic subject areas included in the course. The remaining 15 come from ungraded units included to help you to improve your academic writing and study skills.

As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to get the most out of your diploma.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity), (QAA aim code: 4001292X), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Career

For those of you who want to combine your love of sport, fitness, and nutrition and transform it into a career, you need to achieve relevant qualifications to get there. By successfully completing the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity), you will be eligible to apply to universities that accept these qualifications as part of their entry requirements.

Once you have successfully obtained your diploma, you can go on to study a degree in Sports Science or related degrees. Eventually, you could work towards a career in the sports industry. There are plenty of opportunities and roles available to you in various areas within the industry. For example, you may want to pursue the following jobs:

• Sports Coach
• Exercise Physiologist
• Sports Therapist
• Personal Trainer
• Fitness Centre Manager
• Sports Development Officer

Further Qualifications and Prospects

If any of those professions appeal to you, then getting a related degree will help you achieve your goal. An Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity) will enable you to take first steps towards your desired job.

Earning a Sports Science degree does not have to be the final step in your academic career. At this point, you could embark on postgraduate-level study depending on the profession you want to move into. For example, if you are interested in becoming a sport and exercise psychologist, you will need to gain accredited psychology qualifications.

Moreover, if you are keen to work as a sports coach or a PE teacher, you will likely need to gain an approved coaching qualification and postgraduate teaching qualification respectively. One of the many great things about studying for an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Sport & Physical Activity) is that it can open up a realm of opportunities for you.

Frequently Asked Questions