Physical Education BA(Hons) with QTS

Intro

Physical Education and teacher training at Brighton is highly respected, with a tradition of excellence going back over more than 100 years.

We were rated Outstanding by Ofsted in our 2018 inspection (pdf).

The course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status, enabling you to teach in England and Wales. You will graduate with the all-round experience and knowledge to teach the National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE).

We have partnerships with over 600 schools where you will spend your school-based training in large, small, urban and rural settings ensuring you will have a well-rounded experience. You’ll have plenty of other opportunities to work with children by taking part in activities such as inclusive festivals, team-building days, outdoor adventurous activity days and alternative activities.

The course is based at our Eastbourne campus which has excellent sport facilities. Our course team have many years’ experience of teaching PE in schools ensuring you will graduate fully prepared to be an outstanding PE teacher.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

UCAS code X1C6

Full-time 4 years

Qualified Teacher Status is awarded by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)

Before starting this course you will need to have passed the Professional Skills Tests; if you have not already completed these you are advised to take them as soon as possible.

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Apply now with UCAS for 2019 entry

Course content

Course structure

Years 1 and 2 are mainly classroom-based, with a two-week secondary school placement towards the end. Years 3 and 4 offer a combination of practical placement experience and classroom- based learning.

There are a range of qualifications and extracurricular activities that you can undertake during your course, including a number of NGB (National Governing Body) awards, sports competitions and the opportunity to perform with the university's KICK-START and FIDGET dance companies. There is also a water sports module and ski trip.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, we will inform you of any improvements or innovations to the curriculum through our admissions portal.

Year 1

Year 1 focuses on developing your knowledge and understanding of physical education.

Modules

Adventurous Activities and Games

In this module you will develop your performance within two elements of physical education. You will develop an appreciation of the distinctive nature of each specific activity and in addition to performance will engage with creative and analytical principles allied to each activity area. You will be introduced to, and develop knowledge and conceptual understanding of performance in selected adventurous activities and selected games activities. You’ll also develop the necessary technical skills to perform.
Developing Practical Performance in Athletics and Dance

In this module you will develop your performance for physical education; consolidating strengths and developing areas of weakness. You will develop an appreciation of the distinctive nature of each specific activity and in addition to performance will engage with creative and analytic principles allied to each activity area. You will study athletics and dance, with one half of the module time allocated to each activity.
Developing Practical Performance in Gymnastics and Swimming

In this module you will develop your performance for physical education; consolidating strengths and developing areas of weakness. You will develop an appreciation of the distinctive nature of each specific activity and in addition to performance will engage with creative and analytic principles allied to each activity area. You will study gymnastics and swimming, with one half of the module time allocated to each activity.
Teachers as Educators

In this module you develop your knowledge and understanding of selected aims of education and physical education (PE). You will explore historical and current developments in PE, develop your understanding of the place of PE within schools and reflect upon your own PE experiences.
Education Studies 1

This module will introduce you to the philosophy and content underpinning the structure of the current National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE). You will explore learning and teaching within PE through a progressive, ‘hands on’ experience of planning and evaluating teaching episodes, together with a concurrent focus on short-term planning activities. The module will also introduce you to the professional context of the PE teacher including the relationship between PE and sport. Issues surrounding health education will be discussed addressing common misconceptions.
Science of Movement

This module combines the study of physiology, psychology and biomechanics into a module designed to meet the needs of PE, sports studies and sports-coaching-based students.

You will develop an understanding of muscular and cardiovascular aspects of human development and movement. You will study skill acquisition and gain an understanding of motor control. Finally, you will develop biomechanical understanding through recording, analysing and evaluating human movement and performance using qualitative analysis.

A group of people in a sports hall laughing

Year 2

In year 2 you will study learning and teaching methods for teaching PE in secondary schools and will also study behaviour management, assessment and examinations in PE. You'll also have a two-week placement in a school setting.

Modules

Learning and Teaching Through Athletic and Adventurous Activities
Creating a Positive Teaching and Learning Environment
Education Studies
Learning and Teaching Through Gymnastics and Swimming
Accredited Physical Education
Learning and Teaching Through Games and Dance
Initial School Experience

Year 3

Modules

Intermediate Professional Semester
Education Studies 3: Inclusive Practice
Physical Education and the National Agenda

Options*

One from:

Primary Physical Education: Active Learning in the Primary Setting
Level 6 Practical Activity
Level 6 Practical Activity
Gender, Sexuality and Physical Culture
Racism in Sport and Popular Culture

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year

Modules

Final Professional Semester
Independent Study (Physical Education)
Physical Education in the 14–19 Curriculum

Options*

One from:

Primary Physical Education: Active Learning in the Primary Setting
Level 6 Practical Activity
Level 6 Practical Activity
Gender, Sexuality and Physical Culture
Racism in Sport and Popular Culture

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Activities

On this course you have the opportunity to take part in a number of activities to help in your development as a physical education teacher, preparing you to teach a more reflective curriculum based on individual needs and pupil activity choices in schools.

Examples of these activities can be seen below.

Inclusive festivals
As part of your induction programme you prepare a series of activities for pupils with moderate, profound and multiple learning difficulties. Activities will include boccia, New Age Kurling, goalball, parachute games and dance.

Gifted and talented days
You will organise gifted and talented days for school pupils, helping them to overcome challenges of an adventurous nature. This includes activities in which success is judged on how efficiently and safely challenges are overcome.

Outdoor adventure days (watch video)
You will facilitate a day of on-site outdoor and adventurous activities for pupils. You learn how to teach realistic and achievable onsite outdoor and adventurous activities to secondary school pupils without the need to take pupils off-site or use specialist equipment and facilities.

Active student volunteer programmes
With the Active Student volunteer programme you provide out-of-school-hours activities for local primary school pupils. The activities include swimming, lifestyle activities, trampolining and gymnastics.

Orienteering festivals (watch video)
As part of the Outdoor Education module you will arrange and manage an orienteering festival for pupils in a local park. You learn how to facilitate and manage a large sporting event while at the same time gaining important professional experience of teaching orienteering skills and techniques to pupils.

Team-building days
You will organise team-building days for school pupils. Pupils will take part in a series of physical challenges and activities that promote communication skills, problem-solving and decision-making through trust games, orienteering, and team building.

Alternative activities
On alternative activities days you teach secondary school pupils a variety of alternative activities including Kin-Ball, street surfing, Rock-It-Ball, goalball and even the Nintendo Wii.

Facilities

The Eastbourne campus has excellent sport and fitness facilities on site which include:

Large six court sports hall
Artificial ¾ length training pitch
Climbing wall
25m swimming pool
Two gymnasiums
36 station fitness suite with a designated cardiovascular area packed with bikes, treadmills, and rowers, cross-trainers and steppers
Two dance studios

Ofsted

In our most recent Initial Teacher Education inspection report, the University of Brighton's was graded 'outstanding'.

Ofsted identified some of our key strengths as:

the very high attainment of the majority of trainees
the expertly designed and diverse range of programmes that respond to trainees' backgrounds, needs and interests as well as to national priorities
the outstanding progress made by trainees as a result of training, which enables them to fulfil their potential
inspirational teaching, tutoring and mentoring that model the best teaching and give trainees the ambition to reach the highest standards
highly reflective trainees who demonstrate good subject knowledge and a breadth of understanding of how to teach
an excellent range of training experiences that effectively prepare trainees to teach in a diverse society
the excellent resources available to trainees
leadership that is dynamic in its approach to anticipating change and solving problems
a visionary approach to innovation and change.

Staff profiles

Warren Smart, joint course leader
Warren is a senior lecturer in physical education and joint course leader for the Physical Education BA(Hons) with QTS programme.

Warren earned a BSc(Hons) in Sports Studies from Staffordshire University before completing a PGCE in Physical Education at the University of Brighton. Warren has been working in education since 2006, initially as a teacher of physical education, before accepting a lecturing position at the University of Brighton.

Warren has contributed to a number of publications in the discipline including How to Mentor Beginning Physical Education Teachers Through the Lesson Planning Process, in Capel, S. & Lawrence, J. (2018) and Secondary School: A Practical Guide (Mentoring Trainee and Newly Qualified Teachers).

Warren is also the curriculum lead for the Football for Peace project, delivering values based coaching and coach education in international contexts.

Hailing from a strong sporting background, Warren has extensive football coaching experience having played and coached at elite and semi-professional levels.

Simon Green, joint course leader
Simon Green is joint course leader of Physical Education BA(Hons)with QTS. He teaches across the PE degree and QTS courses as well as teaching on PGCE/School direct routes, sports studies and sports coaching.

Simon studied at Canterbury Christ Church University attaining a BSc(Hons) in Sports Science followed by a PGCE. Simon has taught for 16 years with specialisms being accredited courses in PE working within various Sixth Form Colleges. Simon has experience as an examiner and understands how to apply these principles within the delivery of accredited qualifications.

Simon has had experience of delivering CPD to staff with regards developing their own pedagogy and preparing staff for upcoming Ofsted inspections. Simon also has a broad range of coaching experience coaching football in the USA and now specialises in coaching striking and fielding games especially cricket. Most recently has become involved with Football for Peace which is organised and run by the university.

Most recent publication Green, S (2017) Learning and teaching accredited courses, in Hayes, S and Stidder, G (eds) ‘The really useful PE book’, 2nd ed, London, Routledge: pp231-245.

Jonathan Binney, Principal Lecturer

“Before joining the university I gained Advanced Skills teacher status and was the lead physical education teacher in Brighton & Hove.

"My school teaching focused on all areas of physical education at Key Stages 3 and 4, teaching GCSE and BTEC examination work in dance and physical education.

“I teach the gymnastics level 4 modules, the teaching and learning through aquatic-based activities level 5 modules and the rugby level 6 modules. I also introduced the nationally recognised 'Alternative Approaches' to physical education."

Numeracy test

Support for the skills tests

You have to pass the professional skills tests before you begin your teacher training. The University of Brighton recognises that these tests may present a challenge to some candidates and hope these support materials will help you to be fully prepared before attempting them.

Department for Education Practise Materials – You will find a range of support materials on this official site, including online tests.

Passing the Numeracy Skills Test – Book by Mark Patmore, including one practice test . Published February 2018. ISBN-13: 978-1526419231

How to Pass the QTS Numeracy and Literacy Skills Tests: Essential Practice for the Qualified Teacher Status Skills Tests - Book by Chris John Tyreman. Published July 2016. ISBN-13: 978-0749478292

Careers

This course is ideal if you want to start a career as a physical education teacher. The knowledge and experience that you gain on the course will also prepare you for a variety of roles across and beyond the sector.

As well as teaching children and young people, our graduates have found success in such varied fields as sport and leisure development for young people, the armed forces, the police, management, coaching and doctoral research.

100% of our most recent graduates were in work six months after graduating (source: Unistats).

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level BBB–BCC (120–104 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DDM–DMM. You will be considered if your predicted grades fall within this range, but any offer will be made based on assessment at interview.

We will generally make you an offer if your predicted grades are at the top of this range. If your predicted grades are towards the lower end of this range we may still make you an offer if you have a good GCSE (or equivalent) profile or relevant non-academic achievements.

International Baccalaureate
30 points, including English at Standard level 5 or Higher level 4, and maths at Standard level 4.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at Level 3, with 24 credits at merit or above.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
At least five GCSEs including English language and maths. Students must have already passed, or be in the process of taking the required GCSEs. No equivalent accepted.

Professional Skills Tests 

You have to pass the professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy before you begin your teacher training. These tests are compulsory and it will not be possible to enter training without having successfully completed them. You are able to book these tests in advance. The Department for Education (DfE) strongly advises you to take the tests soon after you have submitted an application.

As of February 2018 new changes to these tests means that you can make unlimited attempts and the first three attempts are free of charge. The DfE has also removed the lock-out period that previously prevented you from re-taking tests for two years.

You do not need to have completed these tests prior to making an application or attending an interview however your offer will be subject to successful completion.

The University of Brighton recognises that these tests may present a challenge to some candidates and we recommend that you prepare before attempting them. Further resources to help you with the numeracy test can be found in the 'Course in detail' section below.

Find out more about the tests including how to register and prepare on the DfE website.

Further resources to help you prepare for the numeracy test can be found in the 'Course in detail' section below.

Experience

While experience in a school is not a condition of entry for initial teacher education courses we recommend that you take up opportunities to gain a realistic understanding of whether teaching is right for you. The Get Into Teaching School Experience Programme offers opportunities across the country to book a day’s worth of experience.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

Other
All offers are subject to an occupational health check and Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure check.

Fees

Course fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,460 GBP

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location

Local area

Easy-going Eastbourne

The South Downs National Park, the bustling town centre and the beach with the pier, prom and bandstand are all within a 15-minute walk of our Eastbourne campus. Officially the sunniest place in the UK, Eastbourne has loads on offer: a year-round calendar of sporting events, the independent shops and cafes of Little Chelsea, music and arts festivals, theatres, galleries, great restaurants and high street shopping.

Every June, leading tennis players descend on Eastbourne for one of the main warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon. One of the UK's biggest free extreme sports festivals, Beach Life, takes place on the seafront in July, bringing hi-octane action on land and sea. The international airshow Airbourne is another summer highlight.

Every autumn our students and staff participate in and support the Beachy Head Marathon, one of the UK's largest off-road marathons with challenging climbs and descents along the Seven Sisters.

The beach and the South Downs provide sports opportunities including horse riding, mountain biking, paragliding, sailing, canoeing, body boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing.

The Towner Art Gallery has world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and entry is free. Eastbourne also has four theatres, two cinemas and hosts a varied programme of arts and music events throughout the year.

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Our campus is within 15 minutes' walk of the beach, South Downs National Park and the Eastbourne's busy town centre. There are excellent sport and exercise facilities, social sites and on-site halls of residence.

Sport and exercise, events, hospitality, journalism, nursing and midwifery, physical education, physiotherapy, podiatry and tourism students are all based here.

Specialist learning facilities include accredited exercise physiology laboratories, a newsroom, clinical simulation suites, culinary arts studio, and the Leaf Hospital podiatric clinic and occupational health studios. Campus learning facilities include the Queenwood library, computer rooms, a media centre and a learning and technology suite.

Sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and gym, artificial outdoor pitch, dance studio and climbing wall.

Eastbourne Student Centre provides services including careers, volunteering, counselling and wellbeing, student advice, disability and dyslexia support and chaplaincy.

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Accommodation

Eastbourne

All eligible 2019-entry firm and insurance offer holders are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

Welkin halls
Located in the Meads area of Eastbourne, right next to the Students' Union and Student Services, Welkin halls are a short walk or bike ride to other areas of the campus.

Ensuite halls with a choice of room and flat sizes.
Breakfast and an evening meal are provided from Monday to Friday during term-time, this is included in your rent. You have access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
Rent also includes all utilities, 24/7 staff cover, contents insurance, cleaning of communal areas and off-peak access to university fitness facilities including a 25m pool.

Find out more about our accommodation in Eastbourne.

Unihomes
A unihome is a student house which the university manages on behalf of a private landlord. This option can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other life commitments.

Rent includes all utilities, broadband, contents insurance, cleaning of communal areas.
Generally shared bathroom with a variety of locations, room and house sizes. Some unihomes offer off-road parking.

Find out more about unihomes.

Private renting
Eastbourne offers good choice when it comes to student accommodation.

There’s a good supply of affordable, high quality private rented accommodation and plenty of support and advice from us if you choose this option. Your first stop should be our studenthomes database. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards.

Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Student bedroom in Welkin halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Eastbourne campus map

Student views

Kelly Jarvis

"My teachers at school always told me that, if I wanted to go on and be a PE teacher, I should go to the University of Brighton. From the very first minute of visiting, I knew I wanted to go here.

"The course offers a diverse range of module options and opportunities outside of learning time – I went on a ski trip in year one and experienced OAA adventures and camping. I was also given the opportunity to coach and teach gymnastics, dance and trampolining outside of university time in local secondary schools and have gained lots of coaching qualifications such as rugby level 1 and trampolining levels 1 and 2. All of this helped when applying for jobs and coaching roles while studying as well as for when I graduate.

"The tutors were so supportive throughout my whole four years, whether for theoretical, practical or teaching knowledge. There was always someone to talk to if I had any concerns or worries. I was not just a number at a university studying a degree – I was an individual, someone they cared about and wanted to succeed.

"Gaining excellent subject knowledge and high-quality training in all areas of PE will allow me to be the best and most successful teacher I can be. Following graduation I am going to teach physical education and dance in a mixed state school back at home in Kent. I got the job before I had event graduated!

"This is the best thing I have ever done. Not only have I developed into a well organised, skilful and ambitious teacher, I have grown as an individual. I have had the time of my life and if I could I would do it all again."

Liam Turner

"Being able to say that you are a University of Brighton QTS graduate is worth its weight in gold. Schools see Brighton graduates as the cream of the crop and you have an upper hand even before they read the rest of your application.

"I have loved every single minute of my time at Brighton – from the friends I made to the facilities, to the extra-curricular opportunities, to the lecturers whose support was above and beyond anything I expected it to be.

"The two long, block placements were a real selling point – they allowed me to get stuck into and make a difference in both of my placement schools. You teach on a 50% timetable and are observed every lesson by the normal class teacher, who will then provide you with feedback. Both schools had different challenges and set me up perfectly for when I start full-time employment at a mixed secondary academy after graduation.

"If being a PE teacher is what you want to do as a career, then 100% this is the course for you."

Caroline Thomas

"I chose to come to the University of Brighton as it was a place of familiarity to me and within close distance of my home. The school also has a prestigious reputation and is a level-one learner provider, so with this all in mind the university was my number one choice.

"During my first year I was part of the university dance squad and this year have joined the Fidget dance company. I also play an active role in the volunteer programme that the university runs and have used it to teach sports to young children.

"The opportunities at the university are endless: it really is such a great place to study. The facilities are all very modern and the lecturers are all very friendly. One of the best moments was when I was presented with a scholarship; I never thought in a million years that I would achieve something as great as this."

Stay in touch

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Statistics

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification