Intro

Physical education and teacher training at Brighton is highly respected, with a tradition of excellence stretching back more than 100 years. We were rated Outstanding by Ofsted in our most recent inspection.

This degree leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status for the 11–16 age range and offers enrichment opportunities to teach age 16–18. 

You will graduate with the all-round experience and knowledge required to teach the National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE). We also offer a range of qualifications and extracurricular activities that you can take during your course,

At Brighton we have partnerships with over 600 schools enabling us to offer our student very varied school-based training options. You’ll also be able to work with children by taking part in inclusive festivals, team-building days, and outdoor adventure activity sessions.

You will have access to excellent sport facilities and a course team have many years’ experience of teaching PE in schools. 

Book your place: Falmer campus open day

See all of our upcoming events

Key facts

Location

2023 entry – Eastbourne year 1 then Brighton: Falmer from year 2

2024 entry – Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code X1C6

Full-time 3 years

Interviews for this course are taking place online

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

Clearing 2023: Apply now

Places are still available on this course to start in 2023.

If you have your results you can apply online for a place through Clearing.

Apply online now

Our hotline opens

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.

International Baccalaureate
30 points, including three subjects at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 24 credits at distinction and 21 credits at merit.

T-level
Merit in the Education and Early Years T-level. Other T-level subjects are not accepted.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
At least five GCSEs including English language and maths. 

If you do not have the required GCSEs, find out which equivalent qualifications we accept instead.

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. 

English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

Other

  • All offers are subject to an occupational health check and Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure check.
  • We are committed to safeguarding and child protection. As part of our selection and interview process, we will undertake additional checks to confirm the suitability of candidates.

Interviews

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview. These are currently being held online.

Flexible admissions

When you apply to Brighton we want to hear about who you are. Grades are never the whole picture; we're interested in things like creativity, resourcefulness, persistence and the capacity to think big and find new ways of doing things. And we recognise that not everyone has the same background. That's why we treat everyone who applies as an individual. We recognise many qualifications and we care about all of your achievements and the experiences you've had that set you apart.

Find out more

Graphic with the text 'Potential + possibility'

Course content

Course structure

Year 1 of your course is mainly university-based, with a short secondary school placement towards the end of the year. Years 2 and 3 offer a combination of practical school experience and university-based learning.

You can choose to take NGB (National Governing Body) awards and participate in sports competitions. We also offer an optional water sports module.

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 Student View.

PE QTS inclusive sport

Year 1

In your first year of study you will focus on developing your knowledge and understanding of PE and PE teaching in a secondary school setting. This will include the study of contemporary issues in education, practice and policy. Practical modules align to the six activity areas of the National Curriculum for PE; adventurous activities, games, athletics, dance, gymnastics and swimming.

You will develop personal competence and confidence in each of these disciplines and learn how to apply pedagogic techniques to enable high quality teaching that is innovative, safe and inclusive for all pupils. You will also spend two weeks on school-based training in one of our quality assured partnership schools at the end of your first year.

Modules

  • Performance in Physical Education: OAA, Gymnastics and Swimming

    This module will develop your performance for physical education. You will study outdoor and adventurous activities (OAA), gymnastics and swimming. You will acquire the foundation knowledge, skill and understanding necessary for further study. You will develop an appreciation of the distinctive nature of each specific activity, engage with the relative creative and analytic principles, explore physical literacy and what it means to be physically educated.

  • Performance in Physical Education: Games, Dance and Athletics

    In this module you will develop your performance for physical education. You will study games, dance and track and field athletics, enabling you to acquire the foundation knowledge, skill and understanding necessary for further study at level 5 and 6. You will develop an appreciation of the distinctive nature of each specific activity, engage with the relative creative and analytic principles, and explore physical literacy and what it means to be physically educated.

  • Education Studies 1: Applied Pedagogy

    This module introduces you to the content and structure of the National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE) in relation to lesson planning. You will develop your lesson planning and pedagogical skills through practical experience of planning and evaluation, and gain an understanding of the theory and practice of formative assessment. You'll also become familiar with the Professional Standards for Teachers: Qualified Teacher Status.

  • Learning and Teaching Through Games, Dance and Swimming

    This module will increase your understanding of the teaching and learning of games, dance and swimming-based activities to support the National Curriculum for Physical Education. You will study games, dance and swimming, with one third of the module time spent on each activity. This will enable you to gain the knowledge needed to develop related learning and teaching strategies before your school-based placements, whilst working on your own practical performance skills.

  • Learning and Teaching Through Adventurous Activities, Athletics and Gymnastics

    This module will increase your understanding of the teaching and learning of athletics, gymnastics and adventurous activities in supporting the National Curriculum for Physical Education. Within each activity you'll focus on particular aspects of each activity: the teaching of running, throwing and jumping in athletics; teaching compositional gymnastics from a skills-based approach; and problem solving, physical challenges, navigation and orienteering activities. You'll develop practical knowledge and understanding through planning, performing and evaluating.

  • Contemporary Issues in Physical Education

    This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the national curriculum, and selected aims of physical education (PE) specifically. You will explore historical and contemporary developments in PE, building your understanding of the place of PE within schools and reflecting upon your own PE experiences. You'll also develop key study skills needed for studying at undergraduate level.

  • Initial School Experience

    This module is your initial placement experience in a secondary school, where you'll develop your understanding of the professional role of a physical education teacher. You'll become familiar with school and departmental procedures relating to health and safety, class management and lesson planning. You will engage with your e-portfolio throughout the placement to reflect on your progress towards meeting the Teachers’ Standards (Department of Education, 2012).

A group of people in a sports hall laughing

Year 2

You will spend 75 days on school-based training in the same secondary school as in year 1. You will work alongside an experienced mentor and university staff to develop and apply teaching methods consistent with the needs of your pupils and with your professional role.

You will develop your subject knowledge further through optional module choices, discover how to create a positive teaching and learning environment, and explore current discourse in PE.

Modules

  • Education Studies: Policy and Practice
  • Creating a Positive Teaching and Learning Environment
  • Intermediate Professional Semester

Options*

  • Practical Performance
  • Primary Physical Education: Theory and Practice of Teaching KS1 and KS2 PE
  • Globalisation and Sport
  • Sport for Development and Peace

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

Student on a climbing wall

Final year

You will complete a research project that critically examines an area of educational interest based on reflections from your year 2 placement. You will learn how to teach accredited PE and dance as part of the 14-19 curriculum, and practical option modules will give you the flexibility to study and specialise in activity areas that interest you most.

You will also complete your final phase of school-based training with a 15-week placement at a contrasting secondary school. Throughout both formal placements you will work towards meeting the Teachers Standards for Qualified Teacher Status.

Modules

  • Education Studies 3: Inclusive Practice
  • Physical Education in the 14–19 Curriculum
  • Final Professional Semester

Options*

  • Physical Practical Activity
  • Primary Physical Education: Active Learning in the Primary Setting
  • Community Sport Development: Policy and Practice

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

Three students playing lacrosse

School-based training 

School-based training in a partnership school forms an important element of the course. You will spend time in schools in your second, third and final year teaching under supervision.

You will be asked to complete a school-based training information form when you start your course and we will use this information to match you to a suitable placement. We will consider your previous experience, travelling distance, and your current needs.

You will be fully prepared leading up to your school-based training and will be supported by both the university and a school-based mentor throughout your training.

In your first year, you will spend 10 days in a secondary school to become familiar with school and departmental procedures relating to health and safety, class management and lesson planning. You will teach a minimum of 3 lessons in this time.

In your second year, you will spend 75 days in a school and teach a 40% timetable, 8–10 lessons, using the remaining time for preparing and evaluating lessons, researching specific activities, lesson observations and updating your e-portfolio with appropriate evidence of achieving the Teachers’ Standards with personal reflections. 

In your final year, you will spend another 75 days in a school setting teaching a 60% timetable which is between 10 and 13 lessons per week.

Facilities

From September 2024 this course will be taught at our Brighton, Falmer campus. The Falmer campus is being redesigned, renovated and upgraded and will have lots of new facilities for sport and health science students.

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.

Find out more about the facilities available to our sport and exercise students.

Sports students teaching with coloured parachute

 Ofsted

In our most recent Initial Teacher Education inspection report, the University of Brighton 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.
Ofsted outstanding provider logo

Meet the team

Jonathan Binney, joint course leader

Jon introduced the innovative and nationally recognised Alternative Approaches to Physical Education approach, which has received both international and national praise for both the postgraduate and undergraduate provision. Jon has been asked to deliver at numerous conferences, most recently at the AfPE National ITE conference, regarding the delivery of this module and its impact upon the occupational socialisation of initial teacher trainees.

Jon also delivers all of the gymnastics first year modules, the teaching and learning through aquatic-based activities year 2 modules, the rugby year 3 modules whilst leading all of the non-traditional-based activities teaching and dance modules within the postgraduate PGCE training route.

Before working at the university, Jon gained Advanced Skills teacher status and was the lead Physical Education teacher within Brighton & Hove. Jon also worked for both the University of Brighton and University of Sussex lecturing and tutoring on the undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Jon was also one of the university’s lead mentors, subject tutor and curriculum tutor and spent time visiting numerous trainees in variety of educational establishments from all over the world. Jon's teaching in schools focused on all areas of Physical Education at Key Stage 3 and 4, teaching GCSE and BTEC Examination work in dance and physical education.

Jon is the recipient of the university's Excellence in Facilitating and Empowering Learning Award, nominated by the students, recognising his work within his academic areas. Further academic awards were received from the university's Centre of Teaching and Learning and also from the Brighton Students’ Union in their annual Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Jon's main academic interests include the use and delivery of alternative activity areas within physical education, the effective use and implementation of ICT as a learning device, and the effective teaching of swimming, both theory and practice.

Jon Binney

Warren Smart, joint course leader

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

Warren earned a Sports Studies BSc 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.

warren smart

Other key members of the team:

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you’ll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports Scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about Sport Scholarships.

Students throwing frisbees

More about this subject at Brighton

Guardian University Guide 2024 results

The Guardian University Guide 2024 arrived this week and we’re delighted to report that: Brighton is 1st in England, 2nd in the whole of the UK, for physiotherapy courses Brighton is 7th in the UK for sport science courses Brighton is 6th in the UK for education courses Brighton is 16th in the UK for Children’s.

Starting at uni with us in 2023?

We know you’re going to have a brilliant time here!

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The University of Brighton has come to the rescue of Australian elite athletes Matthew Hussey and Will Lewis.

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Brighton rose to 68 in the rankings – an overall improvement of 13 places on last year – and has now climbed a total of 44 places over the last three years.

Read more from our blog

Careers

Preparing for your teaching career  

This course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the professional qualification for teachers. QTS enables you to teach in schools in England and is also recognised in Wales once registered with The Education Workforce Council (EWC).

You will graduate with the all-round experience and knowledge to teach the National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE) and have the skills to meet the Department for Education’s Teachers’ Standards in relation to key stages 3 and 4 (11–16 years).

The course will enable you to play a prominent and constructive role in the development of physical education, dance and sport for children and young people, both within the school, and in partnership with other children’s services and agencies in the community. You will acquire a specialist understanding and competence in physical education.

University learning will be complemented with school-based training so that you graduate as a competent newly qualified teacher with insight into your own professional development.

You will gain plenty of practical hands-on experience in physical education and dance during your course.

School-based training  

Your three school-based training phases will give you supported experience and help you gain confidence in your teaching ability.

Our staff will ensure that you are well prepared for each phase of school-based training, and that you have all the support and guidance you need to make the most of these opportunities.

We have partnerships with over 600 schools and colleges which offer you opportunities in large, small, urban and rural settings ensuring you will have a well-rounded experience. You will experience time in two contrasting schools during your course.

Your school-based training experiences will include:

  • teaching and assessing Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils (under supervision) in a range of physical education activity areas, including where appropriate accredited courses.
  • writing lesson plans and evaluations for the classes you teach
  • engaging in both formative and summative assessment of pupils learning and performance.
  • completing your e-portfolio as evidence of meeting the Teachers’ Standards.

School-based experience will enable you to demonstrate and grow your knowledge. It will also enable you to make valuable contacts in schools which will help when you are looking for your first teaching role.

Work-related experience  

In addition to your school-based training you will 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 are:

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 on-site 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.

Graduate destinations  

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

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 finishing this course (Source: Destinations of leavers from HE record).

PE trainee teacher with pupils

Further study 

This degree opens up a range of postgraduate study options.

At Brighton, you could progress on to one of our sport and exercise postgraduate degrees or one of our other subject areas if you are looking to change course.

You could also apply for a research degree.

students in the Eastbourne sports centre foyer

Supporting your employability 

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more...

Coloured background with the words Be More, Connected, Skilled, Employable

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 15,300 GBP

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2023–24.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. 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. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Health Sciences in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • Where health course includes a placement
    • UK students – travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund.
    • Overseas students are not covered by the NHS scheme, this means that any additional travel or accommodation costs for this course will be your responsibility. Travel to placement may be up to 90 mins each way/ travel on public transport at peak time cost, and you may incur additional accommodation and living costs if staying away from your usual home base for the length of your placement.
  • An initial set of specialist clothing and uniforms, where required, are included in the course fees.
  • DBS checks and occupational health checks, where required, are included in the fees.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £100 if buying your own copies.
  • In sport courses, UK-based field trips are available in some option modules in the final year. You do not have to take these option modules to complete the degree programme. Where a field trip is present costs are covered but you are expected to make a contribution towards food. Typically this is £50.
  • For sports courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your living costs and travel. Physical Education (QTS teacher training) students can claim travel costs to their school placement.
  • The school runs a number of day trips which students do not pay for. There may be some food and drink costs and you should budget around £30 per year.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and student life

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.

Campus learning facilities include the Queenwood library, computer rooms, a media centre and a learning and technology suite – and there is a wide range of subject-specific facilities for our sport and health students. Welkin halls are also on campus.

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

Queenwood Library at Eastbourne

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. Students based here study a range of subjects – from 2024 these will include education studies, teaching, sport and exercise, nursing and midwifery, allied health professions and medicine. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes and the students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources, and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. New facilities are being developed ready for September 2024 when all of our sport and health students will be based here. Learn more about the changes at Falmer.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

Eastbourne

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.
  • All rooms are self-catered with access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
  • Rent includes all utilities, 24/7 security and support, contents insurance and cleaning of communal areas.

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. 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 accommodation in Eastbourne

Welkin bedroom

Student bedroom in Welkin halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

Brighton: Falmer

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

  • You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls offer a range of rooms on our Falmer campus, minutes from your classes, and on the edge of the South Downs.
    • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Falmer campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Students dining at Westlain

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.

It's only 90 minutes by train from Eastbourne to central London and less than 40 minutes to Brighton. There are also daily direct trains to Ashford International and Gatwick Airport.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Enjoying sport above Eastbourne

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Eastbourne campus map

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Falmer campus

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Student views  

Emma Chapman

"I have always been passionate about sport and physical activity as well as enjoying working with children and young people, so this was the perfect course as it is tailored specifically to teaching young people to learn new sports with the potential to inspire them to take part in physical activity for the rest of their life.

"I feel that my course has prepared me to become a good teacher. I have learnt the most on teaching placement as this is great opportunity to get involved and learn on the job. The course includes two 15-week placements at a secondary school teaching PE. We are assessed mainly through practical assessments including teaching lessons and performing physical activity as well as a few essays.

"We get various opportunities to teach a range of lessons and we are provided feedback on each lesson to help us improve. I have developed communication skills by being required to communicate effectively and appropriately during lessons. I have learnt great leadership skills when required to lead a lesson.

"I feel supported by all lecturers, they are all approachable and most have experienced the pathways of university and teaching as we currently are, so we can relate to them personally and academically."

Emma Chapman

Riley Chalfen

"I had my heart set on coming to Brighton as soon as I started looking! One of the big influences was how highly my PE teacher recommended it - he studied himself at Brighton and has been a big inspiration for me.

"When I first looked at my timetable and saw the wide range of sports and activities I would be doing during my lectures, I knew that this was the right choice for me. I have had so many opportunities to step out of my comfort zone and try things I have never done before such as mountain biking, raft building, dance and many more.

"My favourite thing about studying PE with QTS is how practical the majority of the lectures are. I would say in the first year around 70-80% of your lectures are in a practical environment, whether that’s on the astro, in the sports hall, dance studio, gymnastics gym, swimming pool or athletics track. I have never been a huge fan of academic assessments and my course is tailored to that perfectly because all of my practical lectures get assessed through practical performance.

"PE with QTS fully prepares you for a career in teaching. During each academic year you will spend time in a school on placement learning through experience and eventually teaching yourself. Each lecture always gets linked back to a school environment; for example in a rugby lecture you may pick up pointers from the way the lecturer is running the lesson that you can then use when you teach yourself.

"I am very excited for what the future holds. I can't wait to get into schools and start teaching."

Riley Chalfen

Hannah King

"The transition from college to university was really smooth as the university provided so much information to me. Don’t panic as everyone will be in the same position as you.

"I settled in fine, helped by joining societies and getting to know the other students.

"The University of Brighton is very inclusive and allows students to learn and succeed in their own individual way.

"I have met so many successful people in the field of physical education, such as the lecturers, and learning from them has been the highlight of my course so far.

"Eastbourne is a nice place to live as everything is very accessible - student accommodation and uni houses are either in or near town and close to the university."

Hannah King

 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."

Kelly Jarvis

 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."

Liam Turner

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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 below). You can find out also about the support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Course and module descriptions on this page were accurate when first published and are the basis of the course. Detailed information on any changes we make to modules and learning and assessment activities will be sent to all students by email before enrolment, so that you have all the information before you come to Brighton.

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Programme specification

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