Physical education can transform lives. Inspire the next generation by developing your knowledge and skills in physical education and school sport.
Prepare for a fulfilling career in education, school sport, physical activity, and health
Learn teaching techniques from experts and find out how to make young people passionate about movement
Access world-leading facilities such as Ponds Forge and the English Institute of Sport
Apply your practical skills and knowledge in real-life situations with work placements
Develop the skills to succeed in sport, health and educational environments

Are you driven by a love for sports and want to help people to embrace physical activity? On the Physical Education and School Sport course, you will explore a wide range of topics to prepare you for the world of physical education and school sports – from practical activities and developing professional practice to sport science, sociology, philosophy and research.

The foundation year is suitable either if you don’t meet the entry requirements for the degree, or if you’d like further preparation before you start. You’ll gain the knowledge and confidence you need to progress onto the course.

Work placements

There’s a mandatory six-week (minimum) placement in an appropriate setting, which is a significant component of the course. You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. 

These school-based opportunities could include early years, primary PE, secondary PE or further education colleges. With the support of your tutors you’ll decide which of these sectors best suits your professional goals. You’ll then personalise your learning pathway through activity-based learning, alongside teachers and leaders in the schools.

Live projects

You can also work on projects with various companies during this course. These might include school sport partnerships and sports clubs, who often lead and manage projects in wider sport and coaching organisations. You’ll likely be working on live projects with sport development and coaching professionals in local community settings.

This provides you with the opportunity to apply theory to real-world practice, further enhancing your employability and professional skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake additional placements, internships and volunteer roles across a range of activities.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

In your foundation year, you will study 4 modules that have been specially designed to prepare you for the degree pathway in your chosen area. The assessments for the course have also been designed with flexibility in mind and allow you to complete assessments on topics that you are interested in and relate closely to your chosen degree pathway.

You’ll learn through problem-based, collaborative frameworks which prepare you for professional work. The course is structured around a combination of taught, directed and self-directed learning opportunities. You’re expected to undertake multiple roles – with our supportive staff helping you to build your skills.

You’ll also have the opportunity to study and work abroad gaining hands-on experience of the education environment –  with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (until 2023) or the Turing Scheme.

You learn through

• lectures
• practical workshops
• work placements
• coursework
• phase testing

This course prepares you for a career in

• secondary education
• primary education
• further education
• leadership and managerial roles
• project management
• the police
• the armed forces

 

UCAS points

• 64

This must include at least 24 (Grade D) from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:

• DDE at A Level.
• MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
• A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

• English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent
• Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent
• Science at grade C or 4 or equivalent

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in a science based subject. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill.

If you do not have any of the qualifications above but have relevant experience you are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.

Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Foundations Of Sport And Physical Activity	60	Coursework
Introduction To Investigating Contemporary Issues In Sport And Physical Activity	60	Coursework Practical

 

Year 2 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Foundations Of Coaching And Teaching	40	Coursework
Foundations Of Professional Practice In P.E. And School Sport	40	Coursework
The Nature And Purpose Of Physical Education And Sport Coaching	20	Coursework
The Science Of Physical Education And Sport Coaching	20	Coursework

 

 

Year 3 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Developing Practical Pedagogy	40	Courseworkl
Professional Practice In Pe And School Sport	40	Coursework
Science And Health In Physical Education And School Sport	20	Coursework

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Alternative Physical Activities	20	Coursework
Analysis Of Sport And Games	20	Coursework
Event Management For Sport And Physical Activity	20	Coursework
Exercise Prescription For The Prevention Of Disease	20	Coursework
Sport As A Tool For Social Change	20	Coursework
Sports Club Development	20	Coursework
Sports Facility Management Simulation	20	Coursework
Technology For Sport And Physical Activity	20	Coursework
Testing And Analysis In Sport And Physical Activity	20	Coursework

 

Year 4 Optional modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Placement Year

 

Final Year Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Pe Spaces And Social Change	40	Coursework Practical
Independent Project In Sport And Physical Activity	40	Coursework

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Approaches To Talent Development	20	Coursework
Coach Education And Development	20	Coursework
Economics And Finance Of Sport	20	Practical
Entrepreneurship And Innovation For Sport And Physical Activity	20	Coursework
Exercise Prescription For Long Term Conditions	20	Practical
Health Promotion	20	Coursework
Innovative Practical Pedagogy	20	Practical
Major Sport Events	20	Practical
Nutrition For Sport And Physical Activity	20	Coursework
Performance Analysis Of Sport	20	Practical
Programming And Prescription Of Training In Sport And Physical Activity	20	Practical
Psychology Of Sport And Exercise	20	Coursework
Sport And The Media	20	Practical
Sport, Brands And Culture	20	Practical
Sport Data Analytics	20	Coursework
Sport Injury	20	Coursework
Sport Journalism	20	Coursework
Teaching As A Profession	20	Practical