Higher National Diploma in Sport 

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Sport

Take your sporting ambitions further with our Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Sport (240 credits). Building on your Level 4 foundation, this Year 2 programme blends in‑depth theory with practical application to prepare you for a wide range of careers in the sports industry.

What You’ll Study

Research Project
Plan, execute and present an independent sports‑related investigation.

Sport‑Specific Nutrition
Master the fuelling strategies that optimise performance and recovery.

Physical Literacy & Health
Explore how movement skills and wellbeing underpin long‑term athlete development.

Personal & Professional Development
Build your leadership, communication and employability toolkit.

We believe hands‑on experience is just as significant as classroom learning, which is why you’ll continue to coach and play within our academy environment—gaining real‑world skills, confidence and industry insight.

Whether you’re aiming for sports management, coaching, fitness or a specialist performance role, this HND equips you with the qualifications, know‑how and practical experience to hit the ground running.

Year 1: Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Sport

In Year 1, you’ll embark on a Level 4 journey worth 120 credits, where theory and practical learning go hand in hand. You’ll explore how physical activity, lifestyle and health interconnect to support optimal performance, and examine the wider sports landscape—from local clubs to international governing bodies. You’ll build your planning and organisational know‑how through project management, then put that into action by designing and leading engaging activity leadership sessions. Inclusion is at our core, so you’ll develop coaching techniques that welcome athletes of all abilities. Alongside this, you’ll learn the ins and outs of sports marketing, get hands‑on with technology and data‑capture methods in sport, and gain valuable work exposure through real‑world coaching, administration or event support placements. Throughout the year, expert tutors and guest industry speakers will share their insights, while practical coaching and playing opportunities bring your studies vividly to life.

Year 2:

Building on your HNC, Year 2 elevates you to Level 5 and takes you through the remaining 120 credits of the 240‑credit HND. You’ll take on a major research project, designing and delivering an independent investigation into a sports‑related topic that ignites your passion. Nutrition science is front and centre as you master fuelling strategies to optimise training, performance and recovery. You’ll deepen your understanding of physical literacy and health, discovering how fundamental movement skills underpin long‑term athlete development and wellbeing. Finally, our personal and professional development unit equips you with leadership, communication and career‑planning skills to thrive in the sports world. By combining these specialist studies with continued coaching clinics, performance labs and competitive fixtures, you’ll graduate ready to step confidently into roles in coaching, sports management, fitness instruction or performance support.