Pearson Extended Certificate in Sport

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sport, is equivalent to one A-level, combining exams, coursework, and practical assessment.

This qualification is widely recognised by universities and employers. It works particularly well for students who are practical, motivated by sport, and interested in turning that passion into future study or a career.

One of the biggest strengths of the course is that it blends academic understanding with real-world application. Students are assessed through a mixture of exams, coursework and practical tasks, which suits learners who thrive beyond purely exam-based subjects.

The core units delivered are:

• Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology
  Students develop a strong understanding of how the body works during sport and exercise, including the muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. This underpins progression into sport science, physiotherapy, PE teaching and related degrees.
• Unit 2: Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Wellbeing
  A highly applied unit where students learn how to assess individuals, understand lifestyle factors, and design safe and effective training programmes. This links directly to careers in coaching, fitness and health-related fields.
• Unit 3: Professional Development in the Sports Industry
  This unit focuses on careers, employability and progression. Students explore different pathways in sport, complete a personal skills audit, develop a career action plan, and take part in interview and application-style activities. It’s excellent preparation for both university and the workplace.
• Unit 5: Application of Fitness Testing
  A very hands-on unit where students administer, analyse and evaluate fitness tests, then provide feedback to performers. This develops confidence, communication skills and applied sport science knowledge.