BTEC National Extended Certificate Level 3 Sport (Academies)

Course Code

ESSA-Y1

Course Level

Level 3

Study Mode

Full time

Start Date

07-Sep-2026

Course Type

School Leavers

Campus

Moulton

Course Duration

2 years

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This qualification is slightly smaller version of the Extended Diploma in Sport, and is equivalent to two A-Levels instead of three.

This version of the qualification will allow students to retake their GCSEs in English and/or Maths if they have not yet achieved a grade 4 or above.

You will still study a wide range of sport subjects including subjects such as Anatomy and Physiology, Sports Coaching and Practical Sports Performance.

The breadth of content in this qualification allows learners to widen their opportunities to progress to a number of different higher education courses and sport careers.

To complement your sports studies, we also run sports academies including athletics, basketball, cricket, football and rugby.

These are run in partnership with some fantastic organisations including Rushden & Diamonds Football Club, Titans Basketball Club, Northampton County Cricket Club and Coventry Rugby Club.

Academy members can access high quality coaching sessions, and work experience, with a nationally recognised vocational qualification achieved at the end of the course.

You will learn about a variety of different sport subjects with units changing every four to five months.

The current structure of the course is:

Year 1

Anatomy and Physiology
Fitness Training and Programming
Sports Leadership
Practical Sports Performance
Professional Development in the Sports Industry

Year 2

Investigating Business in Sport and the Active Leisure Industry
Skill Acquisition in Sport
Rules, Regulations and Officiating in Sport
Application of Fitness Testing
Sports Event Organisation

Our Sports Academies will help you to fulfil your sporting ambitions alongside your studies Available to all students studying a relevant course in Sport, our academies provide sport specific coaching sessions to share essential skills and knowledge and help raise your skills to another level.

The sessions cover strength and conditioning, and you’ll be given access to the college physiotherapist, and in-house sports massage clinic.

As part of the academy, you will also undertake commercial work experience and learn and develop the skills you need to excel as a sports professional.