Physical Education BA(Hons) with QTS

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 2018 inspection (pdf).

This 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 required to teach the National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE).

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.

Based at our Eastbourne campus, you will have access to excellent sport facilities and a course team have many years’ experience of teaching PE in schools. We offer a range of qualifications and extracurricular activities that you can take during your course,

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

UCAS code X1C6

Full-time 3 years

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

This new course replaces the four-year degree and is in the final stage of development and may change. Check back for the latest information.

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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 a range of NGB (National Governing Body) awards, participate in sports competitions and have the opportunity to perform with the university's KICK-START and FIDGET dance companies. We also offer an optional 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

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

Developing Practical Performance in Outdoor and Adventurous Activities, Dance and Swimming
Teaching and learning through Outdoor and Adventurous Activities, Dance and Swimming
Developing practical performance in Athletics, Games and Gymnastics.
Teaching and learning through Athletics, Games and Gymnastics.
Natures and values of Physical Education
Applied Pedagogy of Physical Education

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
Behaviour management
Intermediate Professional Semester
Option Module

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

Independent Study
Exams in Physical Education
Option Module
Final Professional Semester

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

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 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.

Meet the team

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 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."

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 Wales.

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 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.

Graduate destinations

This course 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).

Further study

After completing your NQT year we offer a range of opportunities should you wish to continue your studies.

Our Education MA further integrates academic study with work-based learning and research.

We also offer specialist PGCerts:

There are also a range of non-teaching related postgraduate opportunities and research degrees.

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...

Employability is ... a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that make graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy. Professor Mantz Yorke

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
26 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 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.

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 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) 14,604 GBP

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, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Service Management are listed here.

DBS checks, where required, are included in the fees.
For all journalism students there are professional body examinations from the National Council for Training of Journalists. The university pays for your first attempt at each examination and this cost of around £400 is included in the course fees. But if you don’t pass an exam you will be responsible for resit fees, at an average cost of £45 per examination.
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 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.
All work is electronically submitted. You may need to provide a printed copy of your final dissertation. Estimated cost £5 per student in the final year.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further 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.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2020–21.

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.

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.

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

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 offer holders for Eastbourne-based courses 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.

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 and university halls accommodation.

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

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."

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."