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Changes to policy and curriculum

Sport, Fitness and Coaching qualifications- Qualification amendment

The Open University will amend the structure of our undergraduate Sport, Fitness and Coaching qualifications from October 2018.

The current modules at Stage 2 will be discontinued and replaced with two new 60 credit modules:

  • Sport and exercise psychology in action (E235)
  • The science behind sports coaching and exercise instruction (E236)

This means that the final dates students can study the existing Stage 2 modules are:

  • Sport and exercise psychology: a case study approach (E233) will begin for the final time in October 2019
  • Sport and conditioning science into practice (E217) will begin for the final time in October 2019
  • Making your exercise certificate count (EXCF224) will begin for the last time in February 2020
  • Making your coaching certificate count (EXC224) will begin for the last time in February 2020

What this means for students

If a student is studying at a rate of 60 credits per year and began their studies in or after October 2017, they will study on the new structure and therefore do not need to take any action.

If a student began their studies in October 2017 and are planning to study in the 2018/19 academic year at a rate of 120 credits per year (full time study intensity), or began their studies before October 2017 and have not yet completed their Stage 2 studies, they may be affected by the changes.

Students on the new structure will no longer be required to complete the externally validated Level 2 Coaching or Exercise Instruction Certificate. Whilst students will still be encouraged to do this, it will no longer be compulsory. The new level 2 modules will have similar learning outcomes to the existing level 2 modules, so all students will have a comparable learning experience.

Students will either need to ensure that they complete the existing Stage 2 modules by the final dates shown above, or if they decide to reduce to studying 60 credits per year, they may study a mixture of modules from the existing and new structure.

Why this is happening

Student feedback has indicated some concerns around the existing modules and we want to improve our students' study experience. We’re making these changes to create a simpler route through the qualification.

Please talk to your Student Support Team if you need any further information. You can find out how to contact them on Contact the OU.