Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching
Overview
Deepen your understanding of the foundations of quality coaching practice and develop your skills in shaping athletic performance.
Benefit from a program designed by elite coaches, expert academics and world-leading researchers in this unique and engaging program, offering the latest and most innovative theory and practice in sports coaching.
This 8-unit program is designed to support the ongoing development of practicing coaches. Depending on your experience and level of sport accreditation, a relevant degree may also be required.
In this program, you’ll be supported in broadening your understanding of coaching and the coaching environment, and reflecting on your own coaching experience to enhance your craft. You’ll also network with other coaches from a variety of backgrounds as you all strive to excel at what you do.
You’ll be given flexibility within the courses to follow your interests and tailor the assessment to your own coaching context. With courses focused on sport science, movement and performance analysis, applied sport psychology and quality coaching, there are options to enhance every area foundational to your coaching.
Upon completion, you’ll be eligible to use this Graduate Certificate as a pathway into the Master of Sports Coaching, further expanding your expertise and professional opportunities.
Program highlights
- Join the longest running online sports coaching program in Australia, educating coaches worldwide for more than 20 years.
- Enjoy the convenience of flexible, online study and collaboration with your peers, program staff and coaches.
- Gain an internationally recognised qualification through a program designed by elite coaches, expert academics and world-leading researchers.
- Develop your coaching practice through practical, work-based learning approaches that can be tailored to your individual circumstances.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Online study
- Fieldwork
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Quality Coaching: Understanding, Informing and Advancing Practice
- Sport Science: Anatomy, Biomechanics, Physiology
- Movement and Performance Analysis
- Applied Sports Psychology for Coaches
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Coach educator
- Coaching director
- Head coach
- Assistant coach
- High performance coach
- Performance director
- Sports development manager
The Graduate Certificate fit perfectly with my busy coaching lifestyle. It kept me up to date with best practices and gave me practical tools I now use daily. It’s also a fantastic way to connect with sporting peers.
The Graduate Certificate fit perfectly with my busy coaching lifestyle. It kept me up to date with best practices and gave me practical tools I now use daily. It’s also a fantastic way to connect with sporting peers.
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9 June
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Stories
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Careers
What a career in High Performance Management looks like
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Stories
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What a career in High Performance Management looks like
5-minute read
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need:
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
OR
A current coaching qualification endorsed by a recognised sporting body (e.g. a national sporting organisation) or equivalent, and five years coaching/high performance sporting experience, comprising--
(a) 150 contact hours per year, and
(b) 450 hours per year in planning, preparation, self-reflection and learning, and continuing professional development.
High performance sporting experience means experience in performance sport contexts that are primarily focused on peak performances at major competitions. These contexts will typically be characterised by intensive preparation over prolonged periods involving extensive intervention and interpersonal contact.
Applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander who meet the minimum entry requirements for this program will be offered a place. On admission to the program, you will need to provide evidence of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
OR
A current coaching qualification endorsed by a recognised sporting body (e.g. a national sporting organisation) or equivalent, and five years coaching/high performance sporting experience, comprising--
(a) 150 contact hours per year, and
(b) 450 hours per year in planning, preparation, self-reflection and learning, and continuing professional development.
High performance sporting experience means experience in performance sport contexts that are primarily focused on peak performances at major competitions. These contexts will typically be characterised by intensive preparation over prolonged periods involving extensive intervention and interpersonal contact.
Applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander who meet the minimum entry requirements for this program will be offered a place. On admission to the program, you will need to provide evidence of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status.
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Inherent requirements
To complete this degree, you have to meet its inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes. Read the inherent requirements before you apply.
Student visas
This program does not meet the eligibility requirements for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).
To study this program in Australia you will need a temporary visa or residency status with study entitlement. Some programs can also be studied from outside Australia.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Additional application information
Additional application information
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (8 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$14,076
2026
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (8 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $22,896
2026
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
FEE-HELP
Domestic students who are accepted into the Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching pay tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. The program code for the Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching is 5444.
International students who want to study this program will not be eligible for a Student Visa (subclass 500).
To study this program in Australia, you will need an Australian visa or residency status with sufficient study entitlement. Some programs can also be studied from outside Australia.
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching is 5444.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
Visa processing times vary. Apply and accept your offer as early as you can.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (ATSIS) Unit.
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