BTEC Level 3 in Sport (Diploma / Extended Diploma)

Wanting to combine your passion for football, fitness or media with a career in the sports industry? The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport provides an opportunity to gain an industry-recognised post-16 qualification while being affiliated to your local professional football club.

• Courses Delivered at Westfield LU and Handsworth FC: Enjoy professional facilities for a unique learning experience.
• Football Pathway: Benefit from UEFA-qualified coaching, represent Sheffield United Community College in NFYL/EFL competitions, and gain access to performance analysis, matchday media, physio support, GK training and physical conditioning programmes.
• Fitness Pathway: Qualify to work in the fitness industry as a gym instructor. Gain essential knowledge, skills, and experience, and obtain 5 industry-recognised qualifications.
• Media Pathway: Prepare for a a career the sports media industry by gaining hands on experience, build up a portfolio of work and obtain an additional A-level qualification (Level 3 Certificate in Creative Content & Production).
• Individualised Work Experience: Access hands-on opportunities in various industry roles.
• Additional Qualifications: Obtain certifications in coaching, fitness, mental health, first aid, and safeguarding.
• Value-Added Opportunities: Participate in end-of-term Trips, Residentials, Industry Speakers, Career Events, Malaga CF Tour, Varsity Competition, and enjoy College Rewards and Awards Evening.
• English & Maths GCSE Resits Available
• Unique Student-to-Staff Ratio: Ensures comprehensive, personalised support for every student.

• Football Development Pathway
• Fitness Pathway
• Esports Pathway
• Media Pathway

• E-Learning Hub: As part of the learning experience, each student is provided access to their own E-learning platform which includes access to virtual classrooms, email, and cloud storage.
• Additional Qualifications: During their study programme our students will have numerous opportunities to undertake additional vocational qualifications and workshops designed to help facilitate their personal, and professional development. This includes qualifications in coaching, leadership, officiating, safeguarding, first aid, mental health and fitness.
• Tutorial Programme: Through our tutorial programmes, learners will engage with a diverse range of thought-provoking, challenging, and relevant topics that extend beyond their core post-16 qualification. These topics not only prepare students for their future endeavours, but also broaden their understanding and knowledge of current and practical matters in today’s society.
• Careers and Progression: this programme is in place to support and guide our students through the various progression pathways offered to them after they complete their studies with us. Our programme includes; Careers week, CV and Interview workshops, UCAS and University Workshops, Progress Meetings and Career / Open Day events.
• Work Placement: Work placement is an integral part of the study programme at Sheffield United Community College, with students expected to complete a minimum of 30-hours work experience throughout their time at the college. At the start of the study programme, each student is given their own personal record portfolio. The purpose of this portfolio is for students to keep a log of the additional skills, experiences and qualifications that they build up throughout their study programme.
• Recognising Achievement: To motivate and inspire our students, we have clear guidelines and boundaries, as well as a defined policy that focuses upon positive behaviour. This encourages students to reach their goals and are rewarded for doing so. Students build up weekly points by excelling in the following areas: attendance, punctuality, engagement, meeting deadlines and outstanding contributions. At the end of each month, the top performing students will make it into the Colleges Squad of the Month (SoTM). Students are rewarded with access to our end-of-term trips and activities, Residential trips, European tours and SUFC match tickets. At the end of the academic year all students are invited to the College Awards Evening. This event is an opportunity to recognise and reward achievement, with trophies handed out to those who excel in education and/or enrichment.
• PLT4M (Fitness Application): PLT4M is a training, teaching and tracking platform which has been developed for sports Colleges with the aim to provide its students with training programmes, exercise plans and fitness training sessions which they can then complete in and around their studies. Students are given access to a free application which allows them to access a wide range of programmes which are populated and updated by college staff. Activity is monitored so that coaches can track engagement, set challenges and oversee progress. Coaches from the college will use this application to post fitness related sessions, challenges and programmes to students which they can then complete around lessons or during times away from college.
• College Residential Trip: During the early stages of joining the college, all new students are invited to attend a free residential trip. This trip will include a wide range of team building and skill development activities that help familiarise the new students with each other, as well as college staff. The students will then work together to complete a social action project, such as raising money for a local charity.
• European Tour: All second year students will get the opportunity to attend a European tour to our affiliated club partner Malaga CF, located in Spain. This trip involves a combination of sporting enrichment, leisure and cultural experience.
• Community Blades Podcast: SUCC Podcast channel which is hosted, edited and organised by Community College students. The podcast will provide weekly updates, college sports and esports roundups, as well as appearances by industry guests. This channel was developed to provide real-world work experience opportunities for our students, allowing them to gain transferable skills that can be used in media, journalism, marketing and more.
• CIMPSA Student Membership - As a student, you’ll receive free CIMSPA membership with access to exclusive resources, CPD courses, career support, events, and networking opportunities, while gaining nationally recognised professional status that strengthens your CV and employability in the sport and physical activity sector.

This BTEC qualification consists of units; the BTEC Diploma has 7 units whilst the Extended Diploma has 12 units. All units will be internally assessed through assignments set and marked by tutors. Each unit is made up of two or three individual assignments. Upon completion of each unit, the tutor will inform the learner of what grade they have achieved (either Pass, Merit or Distinction). When all the units of the course have been completed, the learner will receive an overall grade for the qualification. This is the grade that will be shown on the certificate and the one that should be used when applying for higher education or employment. The course comprises both classroom (theory) and practical learning and features various assessment methods that will prepare you for further academic study. Methods of assessment include written reports, business plans, posters/presentations, practical demonstrations, group tasks, interviews, project and event management.

Throughout the two years you will study a wide range of units including;

• Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry
• Health, Wellbeing and Sport
• Developing Coaching Skills
• Applied Coaching Skills
• Sport Development
• Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
• Anatomy and Physiology in Sport
• Fitness Training
• Nutrition for Physical Performance
• Sports Psychology
• Performance Analysis (Technical and Tactical)
• Fitness and Rehabilitation

Towards the end of the second year of study, Extended Diploma students will have the opportunity to tailor some of their studies to suit their progression into university / industry employment*

Students will be able to choose from 3 pathway that comprise of an additional unit:

• Sports Science
• Health & Rehabilitation
• Sports Coaching

English and Maths GCSE

English and maths are an essential part of your studies here at Sheffield United Community College and can sometimes be a real barrier for the future, if you do not gain a pass at GCSE level. Employers and universities really value these essential qualifications, so it is important we help you achieve them. Students who join the college with a grade 3 or below in either or both subjects, will be automatically enrolled onto our GCSE programme or Functional Skill programme. These subject lessons take place weekly at Sheffield College and will include resitting examinations during the summer term.

4 GCSE’s grade 4 or above (or equivalent), including English Language and Maths*

*Those without English or Maths (Grade 4) will complete the BTEC Level 3 Diploma and not the Extended Diploma.

Please Note: a one-year, level two sport qualification equivalent can be offered to those that fall below the entry requirements.

There are a number of different pathways available to our learners once they complete their studies with the college. The following bullet points below show typical progression pathways which students take following completion of their studies with us:

• University: Students progress onto a wide range of academic courses including; Sports Coaching, Sports Science, Sports Business, Physiotherapy or Physical Education.

• Higher Education: Continue your University journey with us by enrolling onto a vocationally focused Sports Coaching or Sports Business degree programmes, delivered in partnership with the University of South Wales.

• Direct Employment: Students may decide to go straight into direct employment. Typical jobs include; sports coach, fitness instructor, personal trainer, leisure centre assistant, teaching assistant or a sports related apprenticeship scheme

• USA Scholarships: students who excel at football have opportunities to obtain a US scholarship. This pathway includes continuing your University study over in America, while representing the universities team in national competitions.

The college recognises the complexity of the education system as it opens up beyond secondary school. Therefore, to help provide correct guidance we want to ensure that all possible information is made available from the onset. While the final progression route of each student is unique and personal to them, the following diagram maps out the various progression pathways which students take both during and following completion of their studies with us;

Progression Pathway Map