Diploma of Higher Education in Sport and Fitness

This diploma will help put you on track for a career in fitness training, sports coaching or similar roles. It will develop work-related and academic skills to enhance your performance; and explore the key principles of sports science, psychology, training, coaching and leadership. You’ll apply your learning to practice, focusing on meeting participants’ physical and psychological needs. By the end of the course, you’ll be a more effective, reflective practitioner and you’ll be well on the way to a degree.

Key features of the course

• Offers flexible learning that fits around your sport, fitness and work commitments
• Demonstrates a strong applied focus through the extensive use of audiovisual case studies
• Uses innovative technology such as augmented reality to enhance your learning
• Builds a solid foundation for further study

A nationally recognised qualification in its own right, this diploma of higher education is also equivalent to the first two-thirds of our BA (Honours) Sport, Fitness and Coaching (Q76).

Accessibility

We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Diploma of Higher Education in Sport and Fitness uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:

• studying online – some modules have a mixture of printed and online material, and others are entirely online. Online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
• using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
• working in a group with other students
• using and/or producing diagrams and/or screenshots
• finding external/third party material online
• using technology for research purposes involving access to catalogues and databases online
• continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays and short answer questions
• using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
• engagement with learning and assessment within a pre-determined schedule or timetable – time management will be needed during your studies and the University will help you to develop these skills throughout your degree.

All qualifications require you to complete learning and assessment activities within a required timescale and according to pre-determined deadlines. You will therefore need to manage your time effectively during your studies and the University will help you to develop this skill throughout your degree. Information on assessment will be available to you at the start of each module.

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Course details

This qualification has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• In Stage 1, you’ll study two modules that will introduce you to some of the key topics in sport and fitness.
• In Stage 2, you’ll study two modules that explore sport and exercise science and psychology.

Prepare for OU study with an Access module

We offer two starting points depending on how confident you are or how long it’s been since you last studied. Choose to dive straight in at Stage 1, or if you’d prefer some extra preparation, you can get started with an optional Access module.