NPA Sports Coaching at SCQF levels 5 & 6
This National Progression Awards (NPA) in Sports Coaching will develop a learner’s interest in coaching. Set at SCQF levels 5 and 6, the NPAs take a very practical and vocational approach, with much of the delivery taking place within a variety of sporting contexts.
At SCQF level 5, the NPA introduces learners to the role of a coaching assistant within a supervised environment and develops an understanding of professional practice in coaching. This will be done through assisting a coach in the planning, delivery and review of sports coaching sessions.
At SCQF level 6, the NPA introduces learners to the role of a coach within a supervised environment. By leading the planning, delivery and review of coaching sessions, learners will experience the preparation of the coaching environment, and the needs and expectations of participants while meeting required safety standards.
After completing an NPA in Sports Coaching, there may be opportunities for deployment in volunteer and paid roles, as well as undertaking further training in this area.
Both NPAs in Sports Coaching also develop Core Skills and are endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). They are also fully mapped to the Coaching Assistant Professional Standard.
The courses have been designed to be delivered in schools, colleges and external training providers. Within school environments, these qualifications can complement the Physical Education (PE) curriculum and or leadership programmes. Within colleges, they can support learners to progress onto the HNC in Sports Coaching and Development.
Qualification structure
Group Award Specification - NPA Sports Coaching SCQF levels 5 & 6 (659 KB)
Group award code:
GV78 45 (18 SCQF credit points)
GV78 46 (18 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level 5 (GV78 45)
This NPA consists of 2 mandatory units (18 SCQF credit points):
- J8M0 45 Sports Coaching: Knowing Yourself and Knowing Others
- J8LY 45 Sports Coaching: Knowing Coaching
SCQF level 6 (GV78 46)
This NPA consists of 2 mandatory units (18 SCQF credit points):
- J8M0 46 Sports Coaching: Knowing Yourself and Knowing Others
- J8LY 46 Sports Coaching: Knowing Coaching
How to assess
There are no restrictions on the instruments of assessment that can be used within these units. Centres are encouraged to be creative in the methods of assessment they use to generate evidence. However, where specified an assessor observation checklist must be used to assess appropriate performance criteria.
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Approval
SQA centres who wish to deliver this qualification should contact sportscotland in the first instance to obtain a letter of support before seeking SQA Approval. This should be submitted with the approval application to SQA.
sportscotland Application for a letter of support For Sports Coaching NPAs
Approval applications will be processed during four windows throughout the 2025–26 academic year. The windows are as follows:
- 30 May 2025
- 26 September 2025
- 6 December 2025
- 27 March 2026
Centres must not deliver the qualification until they are approved by SQA.
Resources
Where can you take this course?
Why study this qualification
The NPAs in Sports Coaching are designed for a wide range of learners, including:
- learners who are at school or who have just left school
- adults returning to education who have an interest in sport and coaching
- individuals who are currently in employment and wish to obtain a formal sports coaching qualification
- those who are looking to access HN sports coaching programmes
These qualifications enable learners to demonstrate both underpinning knowledge and performance evidence of competence in a sports coaching vocational area.
Learners will develop an understanding of professional practice in sports coaching and how to assist and/or lead in the planning, delivery and review of sports coaching sessions.
Access
Entry is at the discretion of the centre. Learners do not need to have prior coaching experience, but it would help if they regularly participated in sport or physical activity, and if they are interested in sport and coaching and would like to develop their knowledge and skills as a coach.
Learners must be at least 14 years of age on completion of the SCQF level 5 award and at least 16 years of age upon completion of the SCQF level 6 award.
Employment and progression
Learners could use the SCQF level 5 award to progress to:
- study at SCQF level 6
- deployment in volunteer and paid sports coaching roles
Learners could use the SCQF level 6 award to progress to:
- an HNC or HND in Sports Coaching and Development
- a PDA in Sports Coaching
- deployment in volunteer and paid sports coaching roles
Qualification structure
Group Award Specification - NPA Sports Coaching SCQF levels 5 & 6 (659 KB)
Group award code:
GV78 45 (18 SCQF credit points)
GV78 46 (18 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level 5 (GV78 45)
This NPA consists of 2 mandatory units (18 SCQF credit points):
- J8M0 45 Sports Coaching: Knowing Yourself and Knowing Others
- J8LY 45 Sports Coaching: Knowing Coaching
SCQF level 6 (GV78 46)
This NPA consists of 2 mandatory units (18 SCQF credit points):
- J8M0 46 Sports Coaching: Knowing Yourself and Knowing Others
- J8LY 46 Sports Coaching: Knowing Coaching