Join the University of Pretoria’s Sporting Legacy
University of Pretoria (UP): Sports Sciences Programmes for Aspiring Sports Professionals
The University of Pretoria is renowned for producing sports champions who have excelled both nationally and internationally. If you’re passionate about sports or aiming for a career in sports coaching, administration, or education, UP offers excellent opportunities through its diverse Sports Sciences programmes, available fully online or on-campus.
Programme Options
Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences (Fully Online)
Offered through UP’s Comprehensive Online Education Services (COES) via UPOnline, this programme is ideal for students seeking a flexible, structured pathway into sports-related careers such as coaching. It provides foundational knowledge and skills relevant to various sports roles.
Duration: 2 years
Mode: Fully online
Admission: NSC with APS of 20, English proficiency, and access to a sports facility or club for practical experience
Payment: Pay per module, allowing flexibility especially for working students
Student intake: Unlimited
Bachelor of Sports Science (BSportSci) Degree (On-Campus)
Housed in the Faculty of Health Sciences and accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), this full-time programme covers advanced topics like exercise science, sports psychology, and nutrition. It prepares students for careers as sports scientists, coaches, or sports medicine professionals.
Duration: Full-time (usually 3 years)
Mode: On-campus
Admission: NSC with APS of 30, including English, Mathematics, and Physical or Life Sciences (Life Orientation excluded)
Payment: Semester-based tuition, with installment options and potential financial aid
Student intake: Approximately 100 students
Important Notes
The Higher Certificate does not guarantee automatic entry into the Bachelor’s programme. Additional requirements must be met for progression to the BSportSci degree.
The Higher Certificate focuses on coaching and interdisciplinary techniques to improve athletic performance, while the Bachelor’s degree prepares students for roles in health, wellness, and sports science research or practice.
Leadership Insights
Professor Linda van Ryneveld, Director of COES, emphasizes choosing a programme based on career goals. The online Higher Certificate offers flexibility for those targeting coaching careers.
Professor Tiaan de Jager, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, highlights UP’s dedication to sports excellence and the comprehensive training provided by the BSportSci degree, offering a legacy of national and international sports achievement.
Quick Comparison
Feature Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences Bachelor of Sports Science Degree
Purpose Prepare coaches with practical skills and basic sports science knowledge Train competent sports scientists and health professionals
NQF Level 5 7
Mode of Delivery Fully online On-campus
Duration 2 years Full-time (3 years)
Admission Criteria NSC with APS 20, English proficiency, access to sports facility NSC with APS 30, English, Math, Physical/Life Sciences
Payment Method Pay per module Semester or year-based payment with options
Student Intake Unlimited Approximately 100
For more details, visit the Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences and Bachelor of Sports Science pages on the University of Pretoria website.