Sport - BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 1st September 2026

Entry Requirements: Please see courses for more information

How to Apply: Via Kent Choices website

This Level 3 qualification is equivalent in size to three A Levels, therefore all of your three subject choices in sixth form. It has been designed as a full two-year programme for post-16 learners. This qualification is particularly appropriate for learners who are interested in Sport and progressing to a career in sport and physical activity development, either directly, or through higher education at University. There are 14 units of which 10 are mandatory and 4 of these are externally set and marked. These are Units 1, 2, 19 & 22. There are 4 optional units which are internally set and externally verified.

Unit 1: Anatomy & Physiology

Learners explore how the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems function and the fundamentals of the energy systems. This is assessed by an external exam.

Unit 2: Fitness Training and

Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being. Learners explore client screening and lifestyle assessment, fitness training methods and fitness programming to support improvements in a client’s health and wellbeing. This is assessed by an external exam.

Unit 3: Professional Development in the Sports Industry

Learners explore the knowledge and skills required for different career pathways in the sports industry. Learners will take part in, and reflect on a personal skills audit, career action plan and practical interview assessment activities.

Unit 4: Sports Leadership

Learners study what makes a good leader, the different capacities of this role, and the leadership skills and techniques necessary when leading activities in different roles.

Unit 5: Application of Fitness Testing

Learners gain an understanding of the requirements of fitness testing and learn how to safely conduct a range of fitness tests for different components of fitness. Unit 7: Practical Sports Performance Learners study the skills, techniques, tactics and rules of selected sports through active participation in individual/team sports.

Unit 18: Work experience in Active leisure

Learners prepare for, undertake and reflect on a work placement in the sports industry.

Unit 19: Development and provision of Sport and Physical activity

Learners study the development and provision of sport in the UK and its relationship with global sport, including understanding what is needed to write a proposal for a sports development project. This is an external synoptic task.

Unit 9: Research methods in Sport

You will cover the importance of research, factors affecting the quality of research, an introduction to research and the different research methods commonly used in sport-based research.

Unit 25: Rules, regulations and Officiating in Sport

Learners will explore the development of the roles and responsibilities of Officials in a selected Sport. They will explore and analyse the performance of an Official, officiate themselves and analyse their own performance.

Unit 26: Technical and tactical demands in Sport

Learners will examine and measure technical skills and tactical components and learn about the performance continuum.

Unit 8: Coaching for Performance

Learners will explore, demonstrate and then reflect on the skills and qualities required for coaching and leading physical activities for participation.

Unit 23: Skill acquisition in Sports

Learners investigate the nature of skilled performance, how information is processed and learn theories of teaching and learning.

Unit 22: Investigating business in sport and active leisure

Learners will investigate how business operates in the sport and active leisure industry and how it responds to trends and other influences. This is an external synoptic task.

Unit 1: Anatomy & Physiology - 1.5 hour exam

Unit 2: Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being.

This involves a task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions. In part A, learners will be provided with a case study two weeks before a supervised assessment period in order to carry out research. In part B, the supervised assessment period is two hours in a period timetabled by Pearson.

All other units are assessed by externally set assignments with a range of evidence externally verified by Pearson.

Unit 19: Development and provision of Sport and Physical activity and unit 22: Investigating business in sport and active leisure Both of these units involve a task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions. In part A, learners will be provided with a case study two weeks before a supervised assessment period in order to carry out research. In part B, the supervised assessment period is two hours in a period timetabled by Pearson All other units are assessed by externally set assignments with a range of evidence externally verified by Pearson.

At least 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, Maths and Science

The BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity Development is recognized by all Universities so it can lead to study at Higher Education for entrance in to Sports Careers such as PE teaching, Sports Therapists and Sports Development. It is also recognized by Employers so it can lead directly to a variety of jobs and careers in the Sports Industry such as Fitness Instructors, Personal Trainers and Recreation Assistants.