Advance Your Coaching Career with the IJF Academy 2026
June 24, 2026
We are excited to continue to share IJF Academy development opportunities with our coaches as the IJF Academy once again returns this August.
Entry for the second 2026 cohort of coaches for the IJF Academy Undergraduate Certificate as Judo Instructor (UCJI) and Undergraduate Diploma as Judo Coach (UDJC) programmes are now open.
Both programmes require students to complete an 18-week online course, with assessments along the way. Subsequently, students can complete the qualification at an IJF Academy practical assessment which take place all over the world.
British Judo have been proud to host an IJF Academy practical assessment for the past four years, with students from Great Britain, United States, Iceland, Ireland, Poland, Jamaica and Germany in attendance. We are currently awaiting the news as to whether Great Britain will be selected to host a practical assessment.
The demanding practical sessions push all participants to challenge themselves and their partner to develop their technique in a positive learning environment. IJF Academy experts shared their expertise across the week, offering support to participants where necessary to uphold the high standard of teaching delivered in both practical sessions and the learning process behind the techniques.
The course was very well received by all participants with many sharing their experience through feedback upon completion.
As part of the 2025 cohort, we welcomed the courses’ oldest-ever participant, Eddie Cassidy, an 8th Dan Judo Scotland Hall of Fame judoka, at an incredible 81 years old.
“I would recommend it for people who are trying to achieve something, and coaching is the thing, especially with katas and teaching involved. It’s very good for that aspect.Mark Huizinga and Daniel Lascau are ex-European and World champions, and they see this as a way forward for judo, and I see it that way as well.”
“I recently stopped competing around a year ago now, and I wasn’t sure what avenue to go down. But coaching is definitely something that I’m very passionate about, and this is a great opportunity to learn all the techniques on both sides and learn to be a good uke.” Natalie Powell, former World No.1 and GB athlete.
The IJF L1- Instructor and UCJI qualification is mandatory when coaching matside on the IJF World Tour and at EJU European Championship events.
Martin Rance became the first British Coach to complete the Undergraduate Diploma as Judo Coach (UDJC) back in March this year.
“I have approx 30 hours spent on the mat training, learning and developing this week, finishing with three practical exams on Tachi-waza, Ne-waza and Katame-no-kata. Prior to this event, it has taken 18 weeks of online learning and tests spread over two semesters.”
“I’m proud to have successfully completed the IJF Academy Level 2 programme – a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience that has helped me grow both personally and professionally as a coach.”
Dates and Fee below:
COURSE FEE
- £800 for the Undergraduate Certificate as Judo Instructor (UCJI)
- £1350 for the Undergraduate Diploma as Judo Coach (UDJC)
These fees does not include the participation cost of the practical session. The students or the Federation must cover flights and the cost of board and accommodation during the practical session.
NEXT SEMESTER TIMELINE
First day: Monday 3rd August 2026
Last day: Monday 7th December 2026
The upcoming courses are fantastic development opportunities for coaches to gain the UCJI and UDJC whilst also connecting and up skilling with the support of IJF Academy experts.
Minimum requirements to apply:
Students complete an 18 week online course, on successful completion they choose a practical session to attend- hosted worldwide.
Undergraduate Certificate as Judo Instructor (UCJI): British Coaches must be a minimum Level 2 Coach and have a minimum grade of 1st Dan to register.
Undergraduate Diploma as Judo Coach (UDJC): Students must have completed the UCJI Certificate and achieved a score of 80% or higher in both Nage-waza and Katame-waza during the Instructor-Level 1 or UCJI Practical Session.
Applications are now open for the course, and will close on Sunday 12th July 2026.
If you have any questions about the course, please contact Joyce Heron (Head of Technical and Education) at joyce.heron@britishjudo.org.uk
