Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching

During this course you will:

1. Join the longest-running online sports coaching program in Australia, educating coaches worldwide for 20 years.
2. Enjoy the convenience of flexible, online study and collaboration with your peers, program staff and coaches.
3. Gain an internationally recognised qualification through a program designed by elite coaches, expert academics, and world-leading researchers.
4. Develop your coaching practice through practical, work-based learning approaches that can be tailored to your individual circumstances.

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.

Please note that select subjects and assessments may require in-person attendance. Please review the courses and program structure on the University's website for further details.

Recommended study pattern

The Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching is a 1 year course for a part-time student. Each year consists of 2 Study Periods, also known as semesters. The recommended study pattern consists of 4 core subjects, with 2 to be completed in your first study period and 2 in your second.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching, students must satisfactorily complete a program of study consisting of 4 subjects.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $14,076

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying part-time, which is typically 4 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Postgrad study at UQ equips you with the mindset to master any challenge and every journey.

The University of Queensland (UQ) is ranked among the world’s top 50 universities and one of Australia’s leading teaching and research institutions.

UQ delivers for the public good through transformative education, pioneering research, and meaningful engagement with communities.

The University of Queensland has Australia’s most awarded teachers and graduates are highly sought after. UQ researchers work with government and industry – from discovery to commercialisation – to solve global challenges.

The UQ community includes 54,000+ students, 365,000+ alumni, and 450 international partners and the university is a member of Universitas 21, Group of Eight, Universities Australia, Worldwide Universities Network, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

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6

To be eligible for entry, you'll need:

• a bachelor's degree and current coaching qualifications endorsed by a recognised sporting body (e.g. a national sporting organisation) or equivalent, and one year's coaching experience. The minimum GPA to be considered for admission into this program is 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.

All applicants must satisfy the UQ English language proficiency requirements for admission.

If you've completed previous study, you may be eligible to receive credit for – or exemption from – certain subjects in a UQ program. 

Please note that select subjects and assessments may require in-person attendance. Please review the courses and program structure on the University's website for further details.