Course summary

This physical education degree has been specifically developed to help prepare you for a career in teaching. You will gain first-hand experience of teaching physical education across a variety of schools, the latest child development practices, and issues facing the education sector. Work placements spread across all three years of study ensure that you will graduate feeling fully prepared to undertake your initial teacher training with either a PGCE or School Direct training provider. The curriculum has been put together based on feedback from a panel of postgraduate teacher training providers. This means that you’ll be in the strongest possible position when it comes time to apply for training opportunities. Course themes include physical education; teaching and learning; child development; physical and motor movement in young people; educational psychology; and research methods. You’ll also have the opportunity to specialise your knowledge and prepare to work with age groups that match your personal career ambitions. We are proud to manage the Southampton School Sports Partnership, a scheme that was introduced to improve the quality of sports education within the city. Our involvement in the partnership gives sport development, coaching and physical education students access to 72 primary schools, 15 secondary schools and six further education colleges in and around the Southampton area. Working alongside these partner institutions will help you to put the theory you’ve learnt into practice. This practical work forms an essential part of your assessment. We are proud to be an associated partner with the Association for Physical Education (afPE). This partnership demonstrates the courses aim to develop critical practitioners who may wish to progress into teaching roles. As a physical education student, you’ll work closely with our expert course team. Tutors hold a wealth of experience gained from time spent working across the whole of the education sector, and you’ll benefit from their first-hand knowledge of each discrete population group. Their insight will allow you to better understand the specific pedagogies of child development, and see how proper intervention during childhood can help to create the next generation of physically active adults. Work placements are spread across all three years of this course, helping to ensure that you graduate with experience at all levels of teaching and youth sport. What does this course lead to? This course provides the perfect springboard for those who are working towards a career in PE teaching. Upon completion of the course, you will be in an ideal position to pursue postgraduate teacher training. This training typically includes a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or teacher training scheme (like Schools Direct). If you decide that teaching isn’t for you, the broad range of subjects covered in this degree will still allow you to make an impact in other related careers. These include sports coaching, leisure management and graduate-level roles across the service industry. Who is this course for? Students on this course come from a variety of academic backgrounds, but share a passion for physical education and the positive impact it can make on young lives. Most applicants will be working towards a career in teaching, but the course is also suitable for those who are interested in youth sports development, community sport and leisure management.