Sport Courses at The Manchester College

If you’re never happier than when you’re active, then a career in sport could be calling to you. Whether you want to play professionally, support top athletes or inspire other people to discover the enjoyment of sport for themselves, we can help you to reach your goals.

If you’re prepared to put the hours in, we can help you to improve your fitness, knowledge and skills. It doesn’t matter what your starting point is, how old you are or what grades you got at school, we have a Sport course to suit you at The Manchester College – the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for achievement*.

Whether you want to become an athlete, coach, physiotherapist, P.E. teacher, fitness instructor or personal trainer, our courses can help you to kick-start your journey to a fantastic career.

*As per the latest Government National Achievement Rates Tables (NARTs)

3 reasons to study Sport with us

Elite facilities

Train on a full-size FIFA‑approved 3G pitch, in testing labs, fitness suites, gym spaces and sports halls

Expert coaching

Learn from tutors who are industry‑experienced coaches and sport scientists

Career ready

Gain hands‑on experience through placements, coaching sessions, visits to professional clubs and employer-led activities

Available courses

Personal Training and Sport Science

Sport

Level 3

Physical Activity and Sports Coaching in partnership with FC United

Sport

Level 3

Sport

Level 2

A personal trainer giving advice and motivation to a client

Sport and Active Leisure

Sport

Level 1

Sport and Exercise Science

Sport

Level 3

Sport and Physical Activity

Sport

Level 3

Sports Coaching and School Sport

Sport

Level 2

Where you'll learn

With excellent transport links, modern classrooms, and vibrant social spaces, you can study Sport courses at our Openshaw Campus close to the Etihad Stadium!

Our new £25 million development, which opened in September 2021, features a six court sports hall, which host five-a-side football, netball, basketball, badminton, futsal, volleyball and more. We’ve also built an industry standard match and performance analysis suite and an outdoor 3G pitch with spectator seating.

You’ll benefit from a fully equipped fitness suite and gym, including treadmills, rowers, exercise bikes, free weights, squat racks and much more. You'll even have access to an industry standard sports lab for fitness and performance testing.

Our facilities include:

Fitness and performance testing lab with Douglas bags, Cortex Metalyzers, and other specialist equipment
Full-size, floodlit FIFA-approved 3G pitch with changing and officials’ rooms
Fully equipped fitness suite with treadmills, rowers, bikes, free weights and squat racks
30-station gym and strength and conditioning room
Bookable sports hall and 3G pitch with spectator seating.

Aerial view of a full‑size artificial football pitch beside a college building and car park.

A sled‑push track in a modern gym, featuring strength equipment and cardio machines along the sides.

A basketball player taking a free throw during an indoor college game while teammates and opponents line up along the key.

A group of learners playing volleyball in an indoor sports hall, with one player jumping to hit the ball over the net while teammates and coaches look on.

Where a career in Sport can take you

Physiotherapist

Average Salary £34,222

Leisure and sports manager

Average Salary £32,443

Fitness instructors

Average Salary £20,353

I love it at The Manchester College. The tutors and support staff really show that they care. I know that if I want to start early or use the facilities late, I’ll be allowed; they are really flexible.

Joel Fletcher • Level 3 Sport

Being at The Manchester College has shown me different career paths that I could take and I have met new people that have helped me over the years.

Lenin Sibanda • Level 3 Sports and Exercise

More about our Sport courses

About our courses

Whether you want to become an athlete, coach, physiotherapist, P.E. teacher, fitness instructor or personal trainer, our courses can help you to kick-start your journey to a fantastic career.

16-18 courses

If you’re 16-18, you’ll join our Centre of Excellence for Sport where you’ll have the opportunity to study a range of courses from Level 1 to Level 3, in coaching, leadership and sport science.

You’ll also get the opportunity to hear from well-known sports people such as Anthony Crolla, enjoy masterclasses from sports brands and experts, and take part in local and national trips to famous professional sports clubs and venues. Plus, you’ll spend at least 35 hours on a work experience placement in places such as professional and semi-professional sports clubs, physios, sports centres, sports clothing brands, and local schools.

You could also even enrol on our Basketball or Football Scholarship programmes. These scholarships allow you to specialise in your chosen sport, gain a qualification equivalent to three A Levels, learn from current and former professional players and coaches, and join The Manchester College’s first team academy squad.

Adult courses

If you’re over 18 and you’re already working in the fitness sector or you’d like to, you might be interested in one our specialist personal training course.

As an Active IQ approved centre, you’ll receive high-quality, industry-relevant training in personal training.

You’ll leave with a recognised qualification and the skills you need to get a job as a personal trainer.

Our teams

Enrolling into our Centre of Excellence for Sport isn’t just about discovering more about the sport you love and working towards a bright career.

If you’re 16-18, you’ll also get the chance to represent The Manchester College at local, regional and maybe even national level!

By joining one of our college sports teams, you’ll develop a range of skills in a fun and welcoming environment. Our highly qualified and experienced coaches can help you to fulfil your ambitions on the pitch or the court. You’ll also be able to put what you’ve learnt in the classroom into practice.

The Manchester College Men’s Football Team

Our football team competes in the AoC National Championship League. We were crowned champions in 2023/24 after winning the Men’s Regional League 1.

Trials are open to students aged 16-18, and run from enrolment until early September. If you’re successful, you’ll train three times a week on our full size 3G pitch at our Openshaw campus. Matches are played on Wednesdays.

The Manchester College Women’s Football Team

Our football team was formed in 2023 and plays in the AoC League.

Trials are open to students aged 16-18, and run from enrolment until early September. Training will be on a Monday evening 4:30pm - 6:30pm on our full size 3G pitch at our Openshaw campus. Matches are played on Wednesdays.

The Manchester College Men’s Basketball Team

Our basketball team competes against colleges from across the region in the AoC North West Basketball League.

It’s open to students aged 16-18, and trials take place from enrolment until early September. If you’re successful, you’ll train three times a week with games taking place on Wednesdays.

The Manchester College Women’s Netball Team

Our netball team competes against colleges from across the region in the AoC North West Netball League.

It’s open to students aged 16-18, and trials take place from enrolment until early September. If you’re successful, you’ll train twice a week with games taking place on Wednesdays.

For more information, please contact:

Ambokile Bell - BellA@tmc.ac.uk - Basketball

Justine Stevenson - JStevenson@tmc.ac.uk - Women’s Football and Netball, Volleyball, Rugby and Rowing

Jake Richardson - JRichardson@tmc.ac.uk - Men’s Football

Do you have an EHCP or SEND need?

The Manchester College is committed to ensuring all our students receive the support they may need to achieve and enjoy college. We do this in a number of different ways including: