UKCC FAQ's

What are the benefits of a UKCC qualification?

The UKCC provides a recognised stamp of quality coaching across sport and across the UK.  It makes it easier to identify the right coach for the right job and will help to professionalise coaching by establishing a recognised framework for coach education.  The UKCC will ensure that sports are delivering the best available, athlete centred coaching and in due course reap the rewards of sporting success, both in performance and recreational enjoyment of sport.

What am I qualified to do at each level?

A coach will be able to perform different duties at each of the 5 levels:

 Level 1 – Assist more qualified coaches, delivering aspects of coaching sessions, normally under direct supervision.

Level 2 – Prepare for, deliver and review coaching session(s)

Level 3 – Plan, implement, analyse and revise annual coaching programmes

What are the main differences between the current ASA qualifications and those being developed in line with UKCC?

 There are four main differences:

• Swimming Coaching and Teaching are now split into separate strands; they sit alongside the other disciplines of Water Polo, Synchronised Swimming and Diving
• The qualifications are athlete centred, working along the principles of Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD); it allows teachers and coaches to progress through levels 1-5 of qualification appropriate to the environment within which they work. 
• At levels 1 and 2 there is a greater emphasis on the ‘how to coach’ rather than the ‘what to coach’.
• The Teaching strand will have a greater emphasis on a multi-disciplined approach – Swimming/Diving/Water Polo/Synchronised Swimming.  Teachers will be assessed on their ability to deliver skills and drills associated with all of the four Aquatic Disciplines.

 How long is the training for each level?

Level 1 – Approximately 32 hours

Level 2 – Approximately 66 hours

Level 3 – Approximately 100 hours

All timings include pool time, delivery, theory aspect and assessment

How will I be assessed?

Level 1 – Multi choice exam, practical delivery and written assessments

Level 2 – There will be assessment through written exams, practical delivery to include vocational assessment, and written assessments

Level 3 – There will be assessment through written exams, practical delivery to include vocational assessment, and written assessments.

How much will the training cost?

All course costs vary depending on the cost of hosting the course in a swimming pool, hiring a room for theory delivery, tutor costs, resources and assessment costs.  Therefore we cannot give a definitive cost.  However all registration and assessment costs will stay at the current level. 

The maximum cost for a Level 1 course is £300 and £600 for a level 2 course.

Can I gain exemption to entry criteria?

There will be an exemption process in place for those who feel they could enter the system beyond entry level.  Application forms can be found under UKCC Info and courses/ forms. 

What if I want to do teaching and coaching? What qualification will I sit?

There will now be a clear split between the teaching and coaching courses however the ‘How to’ part of both course is classed as a core unit i.e. common to all.  For example, this means that at level 1 which consists of 2 units: Unit 1 is the How to Coach/Teach part with Unit 2 being the technical unit i.e. Teaching Swimming, Coaching Swimming, Coaching Diving etc. You will therefore only have to do Unit 1 once but you can do as many of the unit 2 technical units as you wish.

What is the difference between teaching and coaching?

Teaching Aquatics: Once qualified the holder of the Level 1 Certificate for Aquatic Teaching is able to actively support a more senior qualified / licensed aquatic teacher at any level, in the delivery of a pre-prepared session. This person will be expected to have an understanding of the aquatic and a basic understanding of appropriate correction to common aquatic faults.

Coaching Swimming: To actively support a more senior qualified / licensed swimming coach, at any level, in the delivery of a pre-prepared coached session. This person will be expected to have an understanding of speed swimming techniques, a basic understanding of appropriate corrections to common faults and be able to deliver a series of effective training sets. 

Is there a bursary available?

Scottish Swimming is pleased to announce the availability of bursaries for Scottish Swimming members who wish to attend a Scottish Swimming UKCC course.

Bursaries are currently available for all Level 1 and 2 courses held in Scotland, with a maximum of £150 available for a Level 1 course and £300 for a Level 2 course.

Please note that candidates wishing to apply for a level 1 bursary you are required to apply to sportScotland at least 4 weeks prior to the course. Once candidates have been accepted by sportScotland then a Scottish Swimming Level 1 Funding Payment Form must be submitted to Scottish Swimming for processing. More information can be found on the Education section of the Scottish Swimming website.

Bursaries will be paid subject to membership, satisfactory attendance of the course but are not dependent upon result. For level 2 candidates assessment of unit 6 must be completed along with the above. More information can be found on the Education section of the Scottish Swimming website.

When will I receive results from my course?

Scottish Swimming state that results will be issued up to 8 weeks after the course has finished and Scottish Swimming has received all relevant documentation.

Please note that results cannot be disclosed over the telephone and can only be issued to candidates by letter.

How can I arrange a resit?

Candidates who fail a theory exam can apply for a resit by filling in the reassessment application form and returning along with the correct fee, Please note that without the fee, a resit cannot be arrange.

Once Scottish Swimming has received the application form and fee they will arrange the resit with the tutor/course organiser and let the candidate know.