Higher-level qualifications are available at undergraduate and postgraduate level.  These include degrees in subject areas such as physical education, sports development, sports coaching, sport science and physiology and sport and recreation management.

In 2004, one in five (18%) of the 81,000 higher education applications in England onto SkillsActive courses were accepted.  By industry the number of entrants varies, including:

• 11,561 on sport and recreation courses
• 3,897 on health and fitness courses
• 5,25 on the outdoors courses
• 78 on playwork courses

Most higher education acceptances are on playwork and outdoors courses, but applications are highest for sports and fitness related courses.

However, there were over 1,550 entrants on coaching courses in the UK in 2004.  The number of applications on coaching courses has doubles in the last five years and there has been a 145% increase in acceptances since 1999.  The gender imbalance has remained unchanged with approximately seven in ten entrants who are male.

In Scotland, one in five applicants were also accepted onto higher education courses.  However, there are currently no higher education qualifications available in playwork or the caravan industry.  In 2004, there was an increase of 78% for acceptances onto sport and recreation courses and a higher proportion from men (7 in 10 entrants).

Graduate Apprenticeship, to be re-launched in the future, will be designed to act as a Higher Education and employment bridging programme that develops the occupational competence required by employers.  A foundation degree has been agreed and will be available in the future.

Source: Assessment of Current Provision – England 2006 and Assessment of Current Provision – Scotland 2006

For data on graduates on Active Leisure and Learning related courses see: