Sport BTEC

Sport is the science that involves the study of human movement. It involves the study of the interaction between our physiological and psychological make up that enable us to create the perfect performance.

In BTEC Sport students are able to examine the physiology of the human body. Each body system and its processes are different but work together to produce movement. The course also examines strengths and weakness in sport through the use and analysis of performance techniques. The opportunity to study the dynamics of the sports industry and possible career paths ensures that students can gain crucial employability skills such as critical thinking, creativity and self-presentation.

At Level 3, we are able to develop many of the basic foundations delivered at Level 2 and take them a step further – increasing the breadth and depth of understanding in this hugely wide-ranging field. Sport is rising in prominence and the study of sport offers a wide career path into fields such as teaching and coaching, physiotherapy, sports massage, sports medicine and the armed forces.

For further study at university, the BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate is accepted alongside other A Levels.

Qualification	BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport
Awarding body	Edexcel
Entry requirements	Grade 5 or higher in GCSE maths and English
Year 12	Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology –The human body is made up of many different systems that interrelate to allow us to take part in a huge variety of sport. Students explore the function of the major body systems as well as additional factors which affect sport and exercise performance. Unit 7: Practical Sports Performance – This unit develops a students’ enjoyment of sport through a better understanding of the associated rules, tactics and strategies followed by the application of skills techniques and tactics to an individual and team sport. Analysis and reflection form an important element of this unit.
Year 13	Unit 2: Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being – Students explore client screening and lifestyle assessment, fitness training methods and fitness programming to support improvements in health and well-being. Unit 3: Professional Development in the Sports Industry – Students explore the knowledge and skills required for different career paths in the sports industry. They take part in and reflect on, a personal skills audit, career action plan and practical interview assessment activities.
Assessment	Units 1 and 2 are mandatory units and are assessed through external examination in January of year 12 and 13 respectively. Units 7 and 3 are assessed internally through assignments that are verified externally.

Why study sport?

BTEC Sport provides progression to the workplace either directly or via study at a higher level where it is accepted by over 150 UK Universities and Higher education institutes for relevant degree programmes. It can lead to careers in teaching, coaching, sports medicine, physiotherapy, sports massage and the armed forces.

I am enjoying the course because it is a mixture of exam and coursework assessment which suits my way of learning.

Year 12 student

The BTEC National in Sports Science is really good fun and allowed me to go on and study sports coaching at Bristol University. Practicing coaching at Teesdale improved my confidence and made me a better coach. I am now coaching regularly in the USA during the summer as part of my degree.

Nathan Guyll, ex-student

Potential career paths and further study

Studying the BTEC National in Sports Science offers up a number of different career pathways. In previous years, we have had students go on to university to study physiotherapy, sports coaching, sport and exercise sciences and sports technology. We have also had students who chose not to go to university employed as sports coaches in Durham, in the USA and in local sports clubs. Other careers that are possible with this qualification include fitness instructors, nutritionists, sport analysts, sport engineers and officiating.

The BTEC Extended Certificate is an interesting course because I can really relate the taught theory to my own practical performance.

Year 13 student