The NCFE Level 3 certificate in sport is for students who enjoy participating in physical activity and enjoy the outdoor environments such as hiking, climbing and team challenges. Learners enrolled onto this programme learn through hands on activities and have the desire to develop their leadership skills.
2-4 GCSEs at grade 3 (D) or above (or equivalent qualifications)
Level 1 qualification in sport
The NCFE Level 2 Certificate is Sport (Outdoors) is designed to provide learners with a broad and engaging introduction to both practical sport and outdoor activities. Throughout the course, students take part in a variety of team and individual sports, where they develop their skills, improve their fitness, and gain an understanding of the rules and techniques involved. This practical participation helps build confidence and encourages learners to improved their overall performance.
In addition to this, the course introduces learners to outdoor and adventurous activities such as orienteering, hiking, and team building exercises. Students learn how to work safely in outdoor environments by understanding risk assessments, following health and safety procedures, and using equipment correctly. This element of the course helps learners develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and an appreciation for outdoor activity settings.
A key part of the course focuses on leadership, where learners are taught how to plan, deliver, and evaluate their own outdoor activity sessions. They learn how to organise activities, communicate clearly with others, and lead groups in a safe and effective way. This helps to build important skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and confidence when working with others.
Alongside the core units, learners also study an optional unit, which allows them to focus on a specific area of interest such as physical fitness, sports injuries, expedition planning, or anatomy and physiology. This provides an opportunity to personalise their learning and explore potential career pathways in more detail.
The course is delivered through a combination of practical sessions, classroom-based learning, and group activities. Overall, it provides learners with a strong foundation in sport and outdoor education, while developing key life skills that are useful for further study or future employment in the sport and leisure industry.
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Sport (Outdoors) is mainly practical and interactive, designed to suit learners who prefer hands-on experiences rather than purely classroom-based study. Students learn by actively taking part in sports and outdoor activities, which allows them to develop their skills through real-life situations instead of just theory.
Lessons are delivered using a mix of practical sessions and classroom learning. In practical lessons, learners participate in activities such as team sports, outdoor challenges and leadership tasks. These sessions help them build confidence, improve fitness and develop teamwork and communication skills. In the classroom, learners cover the theoretical side of the course, including topics like health and safety, rules of activities and planning sessions.
Learners are assessed through a combination of written coursework, practical activities, observations, and self-evaluation, allowing them to demonstrate both their knowledge and their ability in real-life situations.
Further Education
Level 3 Diploma in Sport
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport
Level 3 Outdoor Education Courses
Apprenticeships
Sports coaching apprenticeship
Leisure operations apprenticeship
Outdoor activity instructor apprenticeship
Long term progression
Sports coach
PE Teacher
Outdoor instructor
Fitness instructor
