Entry requirements

To enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Sport Coaching you must have one of the following:

• an approved bachelor's degree, or equivalent, or
• satisfactory evidence that, based on relevant post-secondary school study and work experience, you are suitably qualified for entry.

Approval of entry based on post-secondary school study and work experience would be likely to include a minimum of five years of sport-related work experience and accompanying industry qualifications (for example NZRU Advanced Coaching Course Certificate, NZ Football Senior Level 2 Coaching Certificate, or Advanced Youth Coaching Certificate). Approval for course entry in this instance would be determined by a Selection Committee from Te Kura Mātai Hauora | School of Health Sciences.

If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.

For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Graduate Certificate in Sport Coaching or use the admission requirements checker.

The government has announced new vaccination requirements for the health and education sectors. At UC, our programmes are strongly connected to our communities of practice. For many of our programmes, you will not be able to complete research or practice-oriented courses if you are not vaccinated. This is due to research/practice taking place in health centres and schools/kura where all employees and volunteers are required to be vaccinated.

For these courses you will be required to be vaccinated in line with the NZ Government regulations, and supply evidence of your vaccination status.

You can apply online at myUC.

See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.

Subjects and courses

The qualification is a unique blend of practical application and theory which immerses you in the sociological, pedagogical, and scientific aspects of sport and sport coaching. Theory and practice are linked through the completion of the practicum course where you can select a performance sport coaching context according to your interests and areas of specialisation.

You will complete three compulsory 15-point courses, and one further 15-point course from 200 or 300-level Sport courses.

• SPCO301 Sport Coaching and Leadership
• SPCO302 Skill Acquisition in Sport
• SPCO310 Practicum 3
• One course chosen from these options

Further study

UC has students engaged in postgraduate Sport Coaching research at master's and doctoral level, under an Education or Health Sciences major.

You may also consider the Master of Sport Science to broaden your expertise in the sports industry.

Career opportunities

The Graduate Certificate in Sport Coaching will develop your knowledge and expertise in contemporary sport coaching skills and also gives you the chance to develop leadership and planning, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, rehabilitation and reconditioning, and nutrition skills.

• Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student stories.
• Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers, or find a job.
• For research into career destinations by qualification, visit Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand website.
• Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
• Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.