For anyone passionate about fitness, coaching, or wellbeing, gaining a recognised qualification can open the door to a successful and rewarding career in the sport and active leisure industry. At Focus Awards, we’re proud to offer a wide range of regulated qualifications that not only meet national standards but are also eligible for government funding. These funded qualifications in sport give learners the chance to develop valuable skills and professional credibility while making training more financially accessible.
We at Focus Awards develop high-quality qualifications that meet the needs of learners, employers, and training providers across the health, sport, and fitness sectors. While Focus Awards does not directly provide or manage funding, many of our qualifications are approved on the government’s funded qualification list. This means learners may be able to access support through routes such as the 16–19 Education, Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) or an Advanced Learner Loan. This makes professional training more achievable for those looking to progress or start a new career.
What are funded sport qualifications?
Funded sport qualifications are regulated awards that learners may be able to study without paying fees directly upfront because they are approved for government funding. These funding routes are administered by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and can include young people’s funding, adult education budgets and Advanced Learner Loans, depending on the learner’s age, qualification level and provider arrangements. Funded qualifications help make professional training more accessible, supporting career entry and progression in sport, fitness, coaching and related sectors.
Several Focus Awards qualifications in sport and leisure are currently listed as funded, including the Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma Practitioner in Personal Training, Focus Awards Level 4 Diploma Master Practitioner in Personal Training, and the Focus Awards Level 3 Certificate in Planning and Delivering Personal Training, each providing a structured pathway for developing advanced fitness and coaching skills. For those interested in specialising further, the Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate for Advanced Personal Trainers and the Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate in Nutrition for Weight Management and Athletic Performance expand professional expertise into higher-level areas such as nutrition, performance, and client-specific programme design.
Why funded qualifications in sport matter
Learners seeking to develop practical skills in rehabilitation, recovery, and wellbeing may also consider the Focus Awards Level 4 and Level 5 Diplomas in Massage Therapy for Sports, both of which are eligible for the same funding routes. These qualifications prepare learners to provide effective sports massage techniques, understand anatomy and physiology in depth, and support clients across a wide range of athletic and therapeutic contexts.
We also offer qualifications that support the growing interest in holistic and mindful movement disciplines. The Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Delivering Pilates Sessions, the Focus Awards Level 4 Diploma in Teaching Yoga, and the Focus Awards Level 3 Certificate in Teaching Yoga to Children Aged 5–16 all combine physical instruction with principles of wellbeing and education. These qualifications are widely recognised within the fitness and wellness industry and give learners the opportunity to work in studios, schools, and community settings.
Because these qualifications are part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), they are recognised nationally and meet the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Training and qualifications are critical to success in sport, fitness and active leisure careers. However, cost can be a barrier for many learners. Government funding helps reduce this barrier by enabling learners to access high-quality education without the full financial burden. Funded sport qualifications support learners in gaining recognised skills, improving employability and developing confidence to work in coaching gyms community sport and other activity-focused roles.
How funding works
Funding routes such as the 16–19 Education, Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), Adult Education Budget and Advanced Learner Loans may support learners depending on their age and the qualification level. Centres delivering Focus Awards qualifications work with the relevant funding authorities to confirm eligibility and manage applications. Focus Awards does not manage funding itself, but many of its regulated qualifications appear on the approved funding list which providers can use when offering funded provision.
By choosing a Focus Awards qualification through a funding stream, learners can gain valuable professional skills while minimising financial barriers to study. These opportunities make it easier for aspiring trainers, instructors, and practitioners to take their first steps or their next steps, toward a fulfilling career in sport, health, and physical activity.
At Focus Awards, our goal is to ensure that access to professional development remains inclusive, credible, and industry relevant. Whether you’re pursuing personal training, massage therapy, Pilates, or yoga instruction, our qualifications offer an accessible route to recognised achievement.
Below are some Focus Awards sport qualifications that have been approved for government funding in the current funding window (qualification status may vary by funding year, so providers should always check the current funded list before delivery):
Focus Awards Level 1 Award in Coaching Weight Lifting
This entry-level qualification is approved for funded delivery under local funding flexibilities. It supports learners to develop foundational skills in coaching weight lifting and preparing safe, structured sessions.
Focus Awards Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Strength and Conditioning for Sport
This qualification is approved for funding and helps learners acquire the knowledge and practical ability to plan design and instruct strength and conditioning sessions. It provides a pathway into sport coaching and fitness support roles.
Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate in Strength and Conditioning
Approved for funding in the current funding window, this Level 4 qualification supports learners already working in sport and fitness to develop advanced strength and conditioning skills, enhancing career opportunities.
Benefits of funded sport qualifications
Accessible training opportunities – Funding helps learners access professional sport qualifications without the full cost upfront.
Improved career prospects – Funded qualifications support learners in gaining industry-recognised skills that employers value in sport coaching, fitness instruction and activity leadership.
Pathway to further study and work – Qualified learners can progress into higher-level sport qualifications, coaching roles, specialist positions or wider health and activity professions.
Who can benefit from funded sport qualifications?
Funded sport qualifications are suitable for:
- Young people aged 16–18 seeking industry training alongside education
- Adults looking to re-skill or upskill in sport and fitness
- Learners seeking to earn while they train
- Individuals aiming to enter coaching, instruction or sport support roles
- Centres looking to offer accessible training pathways
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “funded qualification” mean?
A funded qualification is one that training providers can offer with financial support from government funding streams, reducing or removing costs for learners.
Who decides which qualifications are funded?
Funding eligibility is determined by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and related government bodies, not by Focus Awards itself.
Can adults access funded sport qualifications?
Yes. Adults can access funding through routes such as Adult Education Budget or Advanced Learner Loans where eligible.
How do I check if a qualification is funded?
Training providers should check the government’s official funded list to confirm current eligibility for a specific qualification.
Do funded sport qualifications help with employment?
Yes. They provide recognised evidence of competence and skills for positions in coaching fitness instruction sport development and related roles.
To check if a regulated qualification is funded, you can use the link provided below.
https://submit-learner-data.service.gov.uk/find-a-learning-aim/
More information can be found on the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s website.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/education-and-skills-funding-agency
If you’d like to find out more visit our website on https://focusawards.org.uk/funding/ or contact our team directly at info@focusawards.org.uk or on 0333 3447 388.
