Students who study Sports Coaching at university typically go on to careers in athlete development, performance coaching, sports management, and education. They work in a range of settings, including professional sports teams, community clubs, schools, and sports governing bodies.
Career Paths After Studying Sports Coaching
1. Performance & Elite Coaching
- Professional Sports Coach – Works with athletes in academies, clubs, or national teams to develop skills and tactics.
- Strength & Conditioning Coach – Focuses on fitness, endurance, and injury prevention.
- Performance Analyst – Uses video and data analysis to improve team and athlete performance.
? Where They Work: Professional sports teams, national governing bodies, training academies.
? Salary: £25,000 – £60,000+ (higher for elite-level coaching).
2. Community & Youth Coaching
- Grassroots Coach – Introduces children and beginners to sport through schools and community programs.
- Disability Sports Coach – Works with individuals with disabilities to make sport accessible.
- Multi-Sport Coach – Delivers coaching in various sports for schools and local sports clubs.
? Where They Work: Schools, councils, charities, sports academies.
? Salary: £20,000 – £35,000+.
3. Sports Development & Management
- Sports Development Officer – Encourages participation in sport through initiatives and events.
- Academy Director / Club Manager – Manages a sports academy or professional club, overseeing coaching staff and player progression.
? Where They Work: Local authorities, governing bodies (e.g., FA, RFU), professional clubs.
? Salary: £30,000 – £50,000+.
4. Teaching & Education
- PE Teacher – Teaches physical education in schools (requires a PGCE).
- Sports Coaching Lecturer – Educates future sports coaches at universities or colleges.
? Where They Work: Schools, universities, coaching academies.
? Salary: £30,000 – £50,000+.
Further Training & Specialisation
Many coaches pursue additional qualifications to advance their careers:
- UK Coaching Certificates (Level 1–4, sport-specific qualifications).
- FA Coaching Badges (for football coaching progression).
- UEFA Licences (for elite football coaching).
- Strength & Conditioning Certifications (UKSCA, NSCA).
Salary Expectations
- Entry-Level Roles: £20,000 – £30,000 per year.
- Mid-Level (3–5 years experience): £30,000 – £45,000.
- Senior & Elite Roles: £50,000 – £100,000+ (especially in professional sports coaching).
Graduates work in schools, professional clubs, sports academies, local councils, and national governing bodies.
Detailed Career Paths, Further Training & Specialisation for Sports Coaching Graduates
A degree in Sports Coaching offers a variety of career paths in performance coaching, athlete development, education, sports management, and health promotion. Many graduates specialise further through additional coaching certifications, postgraduate study, or industry experience. Below is a breakdown of career opportunities, salary expectations, and training options.
1. Career Paths & Specialisations
a) Performance & Elite Sports Coaching Careers
Professional Sports Coach
? What They Do:
- Coaches athletes in elite sports clubs, national teams, and academies.
- Plans training sessions, tactical strategies, and team development.
- Works with sports scientists and strength & conditioning coaches to improve performance.
? Where They Work: Professional sports clubs, national teams, training academies.
? Salary:
- Entry-level: £25,000 – £35,000
- Senior roles (Professional/Elite Teams): £50,000 – £100,000+
✅ Further Training Options:
- National Governing Body (NGB) Coaching Qualifications (e.g., FA Level 1–4 for football).
- UEFA Licences (for elite-level football coaching).
- MSc in Performance Coaching or Sports Science.
Strength & Conditioning Coach
? What They Do:
- Focuses on strength, endurance, and injury prevention.
- Designs fitness programs for athletes based on sport-specific needs.
- Uses data analysis, biomechanics, and sports science to optimise performance.
? Where They Work: Professional sports clubs, Olympic training centres, private gyms.
? Salary:
- Entry-level: £25,000 – £40,000
- Senior roles: £50,000 – £80,000+
✅ Further Training Options:
- UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA) Accreditation.
- NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
- MSc in Strength & Conditioning or Sports Science.
Performance Analyst (Sports Data & Tactics)
? What They Do:
- Uses video analysis, GPS tracking, and performance metrics to enhance team and player performance.
- Works closely with coaches and sports scientists.
? Where They Work: Professional sports teams, national governing bodies, sports academies.
? Salary: £25,000 – £50,000+.
✅ Further Training Options:
- MSc in Performance Analysis or Biomechanics.
- Data Analytics & Sports Technology Certifications.
b) Community & Youth Coaching Careers
Grassroots Coach (Youth & Community Sport)
? What They Do:
- Introduces children and beginners to sporting activities.
- Develops fundamental movement skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
- Works in schools, leisure centres, and local clubs.
? Where They Work: Schools, sports clubs, local councils, sports charities.
? Salary: £20,000 – £35,000+.
✅ Further Training Options:
- UK Coaching Certificates (Level 1–3 in various sports).
- Youth Coaching Courses (e.g., FA Youth Coaching Pathway).
Disability Sports Coach
? What They Do:
- Works with individuals with disabilities to ensure they have access to sports.
- Helps improve mobility, coordination, and physical health.
- Supports Paralympic and disability sports teams.
? Where They Work: Schools, charities, sports organisations (e.g., Disability Sport UK).
? Salary: £22,000 – £40,000+.
✅ Further Training Options:
- Inclusive Coaching Certifications.
- Specialist Disability Sport Coaching Courses.
c) Sports Development & Management Careers
Sports Development Officer
? What They Do:
- Promotes sports participation in schools, community clubs, and local authorities.
- Develops grassroots coaching programs and sports initiatives.
- Works for local councils, national governing bodies, and charities.
? Where They Work: Local councils, sports federations, community organisations.
? Salary: £30,000 – £50,000+.
✅ Further Training Options:
- MSc in Sports Development & Policy.
- Leadership & Management Certifications.
Academy Director / Club Manager
? What They Do:
- Manages youth development programs in professional sports clubs.
- Oversees coaching staff, athlete progression, and club operations.
- Works closely with national governing bodies and sponsors.
? Where They Work: Sports clubs, academies, training centres.
? Salary: £40,000 – £70,000+.
✅ Further Training Options:
- MSc in Sports Management or Coaching.
- UEFA Elite Youth Licence (for football coaching roles).
d) Teaching & Education Careers
PE Teacher (Physical Education)
? What They Do:
- Teaches sports and fitness education in schools.
- Organises school sports competitions and extracurricular activities.
? Where They Work: Primary & secondary schools, colleges.
? Salary: £30,000 – £50,000+.
✅ Further Training Options:
- PGCE in Physical Education (1-year teacher training).
Sports Coaching Lecturer
? What They Do:
- Educates future sports coaches in universities or coaching academies.
- Conducts research in sports coaching techniques and athlete development.
? Where They Work: Universities, coaching academies, national governing bodies.
? Salary: £35,000 – £60,000+.
✅ Further Training Options:
- MSc or PhD in Sports Coaching, Sports Science, or Education.
- Teaching & Assessing Qualifications (PGCert Ed).
2. Salary Expectations Based on Career Path
| Career Path | Entry-Level Salary (£) | Experienced (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Sports Coach | £25,000 – £35,000 | £50,000 – £100,000+ |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | £25,000 – £40,000 | £50,000 – £80,000+ |
| Performance Analyst | £25,000 – £35,000 | £50,000+ |
| Grassroots & Community Coach | £20,000 – £30,000 | £35,000+ |
| Disability Sports Coach | £22,000 – £35,000 | £40,000+ |
| Sports Development Officer | £30,000 – £40,000 | £50,000+ |
| Academy Director / Club Manager | £40,000 – £60,000 | £70,000+ |
| PE Teacher | £30,000 – £40,000 | £50,000+ |
| Sports Coaching Lecturer | £35,000 – £45,000 | £60,000+ |
Final Thoughts
A Sports Coaching degree opens up various career paths in elite performance, grassroots coaching, education, and sports management. Many coaches gain specialist qualifications to progress in strength & conditioning, professional coaching, or sports development.
Choosing the Correct Pathway
The units listed below include 15 ungraded and 45 graded credits at Level 3, enabling you to apply to university for a Sports Coach course. Most UK universities accept the Access to Higher Education Diploma; however, we recommend checking the entry requirements on the undergraduate course webpage of your chosen institution.
For more details about the Access to HE (Health Science Professions) Biology Pathway, click HERE.
If the units do not match the University entry requirement we may be able to tailor a custom course with 60 credits to make a Level 3 Diploma.
