BA (Hons) Sport, Coaching and Physical Education, 2026, Student, UK
“The amount of opportunities, the amount of things I’ve done here, it's been massive for my development as a coach.”
“Each year of the course includes a strong coaching component, combining practical delivery with an exploration of what makes an effective coach.”
During my A-levels, I studied at a college in Essex. Football has always been a major part of my life, and I knew I wanted to study something I genuinely enjoyed. When applying through UCAS, I focused on universities with strong reputations for sport. Oxford Brookes stood out, as it offered the opportunity to study while actively participating in sport. I was also keen to move far enough away from home to gain independence.
“I clearly remember my first meeting with my academic adviser.”
We have built a strong working relationship, and he encouraged me to take on a coaching role with the university’s football first team. I am extremely grateful for his support and guidance. Learning from someone with extensive international experience in coaching and development has been invaluable.
The course has a strong sense of community. We collaborate regularly and support one another, both academically and practically. I live with two close friends from the course, and we study the same modules, which makes it especially rewarding to learn and coach together.
“We learn not only how to coach, but why we coach in certain ways, developing our understanding of coaching practice in different contexts.”
The course provides valuable insight into coaching practice, helping us understand how and why we coach as practitioners. We explore the factors that influence participants across different settings, including working with adults, young people, and disabled participants. I am particularly interested in the role of societal values in sport, which led me to base my dissertation on the under representation of South Asians in English football, examining what institutions and governing bodies are doing to support South Asian footballers.
“Through my studies, I now see myself confidently as a coach.”
Compared to when I started university, I feel like a very different person in terms of how I conduct myself within coaching environments. I am currently completing my UEFA C coaching qualification and, alongside my studies, I work with Oxford United Football Club. I secured this role in my first year and have been able to apply my academic learning directly to my coaching sessions. My long-term ambition is to coach at an elite level.
This year, I am coaching three different age groups, and it has been a genuinely enjoyable experience. I love coaching, and the level of support around me — has been exceptional.