Sport National Extended Diploma Performance & Excellence Pathway

40000L1 | Leigh Campus
Start Date | 01/09/2025
Time/Day | FULL TIME

Is this course for me?

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sporting Excellence and Performance is a qualification for post-16 learners. The qualification is equivalent in size to three A levels. It is mapped to the Sporting Excellence Apprenticeship Standard. It is not exclusively for apprentices and may be used for a performer who is deemed to have the potential to be a professional in a sport that is unable to pay an apprentice wage. It may also be suitable for a performer whose second career choice is to work in the performance sport industry. The qualification will also enable a learner to progress to higher education as a secondary purpose. There are a wide range of optional units to choose from, enabling a learner to select additional specialisms to support progression to higher education , apprenticeships or to a US scholarship in a specific sport.

What will I study?

The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with employers, educational institutions and professional bodies. It is predominantly derived from the Sporting Excellence apprenticeship standard. We consulted higher-education institutions to ensure that the qualification

allows appropriate progression for those aspiring to higher-level study. Learners taking this qualification will study seven mandatory units:

• Unit A: Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry

• Unit B: Health, Wellbeing and Sport

• Unit C3: Professional Sports Performer

• Unit D3: Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Professional Performance

• Unit E: Research Project in Sport (Pearson-set)

• Unit 4:Nutrition for Physical Performance

• Unit 23: Psychology for Professional Sports Performance.

These units provide the underpinning knowledge, skills and behaviours required for working in the sports industry. Learners undertake a personal audit after developing their understanding of the structure of the industry and of the wide range of organisations in it. They explore positive and

negative lifestyle factors that affect health and wellbeing. Learners also investigate the technical,tactical, physiological and psychological requirements of performing at the highest level. Learners undertake a performance analysis while investigating the coping and management strategies

required for engaging with top-level sport. This will allow learners to actively develop and hone both the skills and behaviours required for working in the performance environment

How long is the course?

Full time for two academic years.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is specifically designed to fit the purpose and objective of the qualification. It includes a range of assessment types and styles suited to vocational qualifications in the sector. For these qualifications, there are two main forms of assessment that you need to be aware of: internal and synoptic

What qualifications do I need?

A minimum of 5 GCSE subjects graded 9-4 or equivalent including maths and English.

What can I progress onto?

This qualification is aimed primarily at those wishing to pursue a career as a professional sports performer. The qualification may also be suitable for a performer whose second career choice is to work in the performance sport industry. It enables learners to progress to a degree apprenticeship

or higher apprenticeship. Depending on the optional units that learners select, the qualification may also qualify them for employment as an assistant coach or gym instructor. The qualification attracts UCAS Tariff points and is recognised by higher-education providers as meeting entry requirements for many related courses. The qualification on its own makes up a two-year, full-time study programme and supports learners in progressing to higher-education degree programmes.

Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with the providers.

Other Information

In the BTEC Nationals in Sporting Excellence and Performance there are a number of opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing employability skills. Where employability skills are referenced in this specification, we are generally referring to skills

in the following three main categories.

• Cognitive and problem-solving skills: using critical thinking, approaching non-routine problems applying creative solutions.

• Interpersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation.

• Intrapersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.

There are specific requirements in some units for assessment of these skills where relevant, for example where learners are required to undertake real or simulated activities as stipulated in the CIMSPA practical assessment requirements.

Course Fees

16-18 Year Olds 19+ year olds Free for eligible learners? Is Loan Available?
FREE £7139.00 Yes Yes

Exam Fee

£256.00

16-18 year olds do not pay exam fees.

Course fees shown are per annum for University Centre courses. Courses lasting longer than one year, fees will be payable per year.

All other courses show the total fees payable for the course.

If you need advice on any financial support that may be available to you, please contact us on applications@wigan-leigh.ac.uk or phone 01942 761111

Wigan & Leigh College endeavours to ensure that the information provided on the website is accurate. All courses are offered subject to student numbers and the College reserves the right to amend, withdraw or amalgamate any of the courses, fees, services, locations or facilities described at any time. The College cannot accept liability arising out of such changes or connected to such changes, however it will undertake to minimise disruption to students.