Professional Golf PGA DipHE

What is special about this course?

The DipHE Professional Golf PGA, unique in Scotland, is a result of a partnership between the university and The Professional Golfers’ Association (The PGA). The 3-year, structured part-time Diploma in Higher Education is aimed at those currently employed, or seeking employment, as PGA trainees working full-time at golf facilities across Scotland. The programme is recognised by The PGA and graduates gain membership of The PGA (subject to application).   

The DipHE will incorporate themes relevant to the varied demands of the golf industry and address issues faced by professional golfers and coaches. These themes will develop from year one and encompass individual and group coaching, equipment technology, sports science and business elements. The work-based component of the programme is key as it allows you to apply your learning to your own employment circumstances and also provides you with access to a PGA qualified employer who can support your learning.

Additional Coaching Qualifications

All students will undertake two additional coaching qualifications during the training programme. Successful completion of these qualifications is compulsory for PGA Membership. The first coaching qualification will introduce the core elements of coaching and provide you with the key knowledge, understanding, skills, and abilities to begin coaching golf.

The second qualification will build on the foundations laid by the first and seek to ensure that you are competent in planning, delivering, and reviewing coaching sessions, with the clear ability to review and improve your own coaching practice.

Both qualifications are a blend of online learning and face to face delivery, and successful completion of each one relies on passing a combination of theoretical and practical assessments of your coaching knowledge and skills. The cost of these courses is part of the Additional PGA elements fee, which you pay directly to the PGA each year.

Special features

• Graduates can gain PGA membership (subject to application) and must also: hold a current Safeguarding and Protecting Children certificate; complete the 2 additional coaching qualifications; hold a current first aid certificate; pass the PGA Coaching Assessment. You must play and fund a minimum of twenty one PGA recognised tournaments before applying for PGA membership. Full details are provided on application and during open days
• You will access dedicated specialist teaching facilities and equipment during annual residential components where you will integrate with PGA trainees from across the country
• Benefit from PGA tutors, mentors, markers and examiners
• Get the opportunity to improve and develop personal golf-related skills and performance
• Work in industry and complete academic award during off-season with opportunities to meet and learn with peers and experts in residential teaching and assessment periods
• Undertake NGB coaching qualifications as part of the programme and training

Entry requirements

• 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above 
• Alternatively consideration will be given to applicants with four National 5 awards at Grade C or above or equivalent (including English and Maths)
• Applicants must be working in the golf industry under a PGA Professional
• Applicants must provide evidence of a current golf handicap of 6.4 or better for men and 8.4 or better for ladies. Details of playing requirements during the course will be provided on application
• Applicants should be over the age of 18 at the course start date
• Successful applicants will be required to complete a PVG Disclosure Check and become PVG Scheme Members in order to undertake this course

• The application deadline for September starts is 31st August

Year 1 - DipHE

First year will introduce you to general concepts in the golf industry and professional sport. Core modules are:

• PGA Introduction to sport and exercise science
• PGA Introduction to sports coaching
• PGA Introduction to equipment technology for golf
• PGA Professional practice and personal development for the golf industry
   

Year 2 - DipHE

You will continue to build on and develop the concepts from year one and begin to evaluate their application in practice. New topics will also be introduced. Core modules are:

• PGA Application of sports science
• PGA Golf equipment and analysis
• PGA Applied coaching
• PGA Introduction to business

Year 3 - DipHE

In third year, academic skills will be further developed alongside the practical and industry-specific skill sets. Core modules are:

• PGA Retailing
• PGA On course and career development skills
• PGA Applied coach development
• PGA Using sports science in golf coaching

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

You will also be required to pay annual PGA membership fees**.

If you do not have a term-time address in Scotland you will pay the fee detailed below for the rest of the UK students.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

The fee above includes the cost of additional PGA elements.

You will also be required to pay annual PGA membership fees (see below**).

International students

This course is not available to students domiciled outside of the UK or for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study here. For students living in the UK and assessed as international for fee status, the following fees will apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

The fee above includes the cost of additional PGA elements.

You will also be required to pay annual PGA membership fees (see below**).

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

You should have maintained a handicap of 6.4(males) or 8.4 (females).

**PGA Trainees will be required to pay annual PGA membership fees of approximately £238 (VAT not applicable). Please note the Board of Directors annually reviews subscription fees and this figure is based on the current rate.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Funding

If you live in Scotland and you have an individual income of £25,000 per year or less, you may be eligible for a part-time fee grant. Further information on eligibility and how to apply is available from the Scottish Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

Additional costs

• You will be required to attend residential components, where you will engage in face-to-face lectures and workshops. The cost of the residential elements are funded by you and are not part of the teaching fees or academic funding available. The additional fee will provide access to additional PGA resources and cover costs of supplementary PGA membership elements.
• You must also pay the annual PGA Assistant Membership fee, currently £215. 
• You are required to play and fund a minimum of twenty one PGA recognised tournaments before applying for PGA membership.