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Working with people in sport and fitness

This is a work-related module that’s invaluable if you work, or are intending to work, in sport and fitness. It will be of particular value to sports coaches, fitness trainers and aspiring P.E. teachers who are interested in developing their personal skills and becoming more effective as practitioners. The module uses a reflective approach to developing personal skills such as communication, motivation, team working and leadership, and learning physical skills.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

Browse qualifications in related subjects

Module

Module code

E119

Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
60

Study level

Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU module levels correspond to these frameworks.
Level of Study
OU SCQF FHEQ
1 7 4

Study method

Distance Learning

Module cost

See Module registration

Entry requirements

See Entry requirements

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Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

This module will allow you to engage and develop your knowledge and understanding of key personal skills in sport and fitness alongside developing a range of cognitive and professional skills that will underpin your future study.

The module consists of six study topics, each covering different personal skills required in sport and fitness settings:

Study Topic 1: Learning in sport and fitness settings
You’ll look at how careers in sport and fitness develop, and how we learn to become effective practitioners in sport and fitness work roles. There’s a particular focus on how we can reflect on our performance and the role of setbacks in the learning process.

Study Topic 2: Getting the message across: interpersonal communication
You’ll assess different channels of communication used in sport and fitness roles – verbal, non-verbal and written – and the characteristics of effective communication. You’ll look at how you can use communication to develop effective relationships and influence other people.

Study Topic 3: Effective teamwork in sport and fitness
You’ll study what is meant by the term ‘team’ in sport and fitness contexts; the stages teams go through during their development; the differences between successful and unsuccessful teams and the role that team culture plays in their functioning.

Study Topic 4: Insights into leadership in sport and fitness
You’ll examine examples of effective and ineffective leadership in sport and fitness and the impact of different styles of leaders in the people. You’ll study how theories can contribute to your understanding of leadership and the value of good followers to the leader.

Study Topic 5: Motivation in sport and fitness settings
You’ll assess a range of factors that influence individuals’ motivation in sport and fitness settings and in their working roles; how theories can account for their motivation; and which techniques can be employed to influence people’s motivation.

Study Topic 6: Developing physical skills for sport and fitness
You’ll look at different types of physical skills – and how participants in sport and fitness settings learn them. You’ll explore the roles of the environment, feedback and technology in the learning of physical skills.

You will learn

This module will enable you to:

  • demonstrate an ability to apply a range of motivational techniques and adapt to individual/group needs and motives
  • demonstrate an awareness of the need to communicate in different ways to meet the needs of groups and individuals
  • apply insights gained from working practice of training, instructional or coaching roles and relate this to instructional frameworks
  • describe the characteristics of effective leadership and team working
  • analyse case studies and draw out relevant information to inform your own learning.

Vocational relevance

This module is relevant to those with a work-related interest in sport and fitness who want to develop their career in this area.

Outside the UK

Synchronous tutorials and communications could be difficult to deliver to students outside UK due to time differences. If you can’t attend the synchronous tutorials or make synchronous communications, you’ll have to use asynchronous alternative methods, such as watching recorded tutorials and emailing questions.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module. They’ll help by:

  • marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
  • providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
  • guiding you to additional learning resources
  • facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Online tutorials run throughout the module. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate.

Assessment

You can find the assessment details for this module in the facts box.

Future availability

Working with people in sport and fitness (E119) starts once a year – in October.

This page describes the module that will start in October 2025.

We expect it to start for the last time in October 2025.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Course work includes:

3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
No examination


Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements to study this module.

However, it would be beneficial for you to have a paid or voluntary role in sport and fitness or be familiar with sport and fitness settings as an active participant.

If you’re not sure you’re ready, talk to an adviser.

Preparatory work

If you want to get a flavour of one of the study topics (Study Topic 2: Getting the message across: interpersonal communication) or get a head start with this module, complete our free badged open course Communication and working relationships in sport and fitness. The quiz questions are very similar to part of the module assessment.

Register

Start End Fee
- - -

No current presentation - see Future availability
This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2025.

Additional Costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

  • Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
  • Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Joint loan applications

If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.

As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.

Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).

Employer sponsorship

Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. 

  • Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
  • You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.  

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module. 

We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron. 

Mixed payments

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).


Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.

This information was provided on 22/12/2024.

Can you study an Access module for free?

Depending on eligibility and availability of places, you could apply to study your Access module for free.

To qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a household income of not more than £25,000 (or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above or successfully completed 30 credits or more of OU study within the last 10 years

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you've started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we'll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible and funded places are still available.

If you're unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069, or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don't worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you'll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

What's included

  • Access to the module study materials via the module website
  • Printed reader

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying E119 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.