New for 2026!

BTEC National Diploma in Sport

Minimum Grade Requirement: 

Grade 4 in PE or 4:4 in Combined Science

Exam Board:

Pearson Edexcel (BTEC)

Assessment:

Mandatory content (75%).  External assessment (45%).

Course Overview

The BTEC National Diploma in Sport course provides you with a qualification which is obtained through a mixed approach to assessment – some internal and some external.  This course will give you the opportunity to complete assignments and activities based on realistic situations linked to working in a variety of sports-related environments.  It will give you a good feel for what it will be like to be at work as well as developing your communication, numeracy, IT, time management and teamwork skills.  Assessment is carried out through examinations, controlled assessment and through the submission of assignments.

The National Diploma in Sport is the equivalent to two A level’s and is made up of nine units in total.  You must pass all nine units to obtain at least a pass in the qualification.  Every unit delivered in the framework has a credit value.  The credit value of a unit specifies the number of credits that will be awarded to a student that has achieved the learning outcomes of the unit.  Nine units of which six are mandatory and three are external.

Modules covered are:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Fitness training and programming for health, sport and well being
• Professional development in the sports industry
• Sport leadership
• Application of fitness testing
• Sport psychology
• Investigating business in sport and the active leisure industry
• Skill acquisition in sport
• Rules, regulations and officiating in sport

The aim of the course is to provide a coherent introduction to the study of the sports sector as part of a two-year programme. This qualification is designed to be taken in conjunction with one or more qualifications. It is designed to facilitate learners progressing into higher education as part of a study programme which includes other vocational and or general subjects such as A levels.