Intro

This course enables you to gain a broad practical understanding of physical education, combined with sport science and social science perspectives of physical education and sport.

Taught by an inspirational and experienced course team and offering a range of exciting placement opportunities this course develops a broad practical understanding of physical education, informed by both sport science and social science perspectives.

You will be based at our Eastbourne campus with its extensive sport and fitness facilities, and BASES-accredited sport science labs. You will also have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities.

You will develop your experience in practical activity areas including dance, athletics and swimming, as well as learning about more alternative sports and activities. Areas of personal interest can be explored in more depth through option modules.

Placements will enable you to develop practical experience and apply what you have learned in the real world.

You’ll be taught by a course team with many years’ experience of working in physical education and who are widely published.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

UCAS code XC36

Full-time 3 years

Join an online event

Apply now with UCAS for 2022

Course content

Course structure

Year 1 provides the foundation for years 2 and 3, during which you can tailor your degree according to your individual career goals and interests by selecting from a wide range of optional modules.

A variety of teaching methods are used including lectures, first-hand teaching experience, seminars, group tasks and practical performance.

These approaches to your studies will help you to develop both specific skills related to physical education and a set of transferable skills that can be used in a variety of jobs.

The course also offers you opportunities to undertake work-related placements in years 2 and 3. An opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities is also an option.

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.

Areas of study

The course enables you to study practical activity areas within physical education, along with sport-science and social-scientific aspects of physical education and sport.

In addition you are able to choose modules from areas such as leisure and recreation, competitive sport, dance performance and choreography, special needs, and gender issues in physical education and sport.

The study of physical education is underpinned by understanding how learning occurs and the factors that determine how individuals engage with and experience physical activity cognitively, emotionally, socially and the impact of culture, environment and politics.

Fundamental concepts of physical education are explored including physical literacy, pedagogy, motor development and skill acquisition.

Year 1

Modules

Practical 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.
Practical 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.
Nature and Values of Physical Education

In this module you will develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of key issues in physical education in England and Wales. You will explore key features of historical developments in PE, become familiar with aspects of the social and cultural context of PE and develop your understanding of the place of PE within schools.
Health, Physical Education and Sport

In this module you will explore the role of physical activity, physical education and sport in promoting health through a healthy, active lifestyle. You will examine policies and practices in physical activity, physical education and sport to promote greater participation in health promoting activity.
Applied Pedagogy In Physical Education

This is a predominantly practical module, in which you will develop knowledge, skills and understanding of how to plan, deliver and evaluate learning and teaching, whilst reflecting on your own professional development. You will apply pedagogic theory to the practice of teaching in a range of contexts.
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.

Year 2

Modules

Reflection and Research in Physical Education
People, Place and Pedagogy: The Practice of Teaching Physical Education
Pedagogy and Practice in Physical Education and Sport

Options*

Sport for Development and Peace
Learning and Teaching Through Games and Dance
Learning and Teaching Through Athletic and Adventurous Activities
Learning and Teaching Through Gymnastics and Swimming
Creating a Positive Teaching and Learning Environment
Accredited Physical Education
Nutrition for Physical Activity
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Exercise Referral and Rehabilitation
Performance Assessment and Training Prescription in Strength and Conditioning
Performance Analysis
Globalisation and Sport
Young People and Youth Subcultures
Outdoor Adventurous Activities
Primary Physical Education: Theory and Practice of Teaching KS1 and KS2 PE
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: Physical Education and Wellbeing
Teaching Physical Education
Games

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

Final year

Modules

Professional Work-based Experience
Dissertation
Contemporary Issues in Physical Education and Sport

Options*

Community Sport Development: Policy and Practice
Education Studies 3: Inclusive Practice
Physical Education in the 14–19 Curriculum
Physical Education and the National Agenda
Physiological Aspects of Exercise, Nutrition and Health
Advanced Strength and Conditioning
Advanced Performance Analysis
Martial Arts and Combat Sports: Theory and Practice
Sport and Deviancy
Gender, Sexuality and Physical Culture
Racism in Sport and Popular Culture
Sport for International Development and Peace
Practical Activity 1 and 2
Primary Physical Education: Active Learning in the Primary Setting

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

Facilities

Sport and fitness
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.

Laboratories
Accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). our laboratories are equipped with the latest modern facilities.

You will have access to a -10 to +50°C hot-cold chamber, an altitude/hypoxic chamber that rises to the equivalent of 5500m, 3D motion analysis, ground reaction force plates, a DXA bone scanner, exercise physiology laboratories, biomechanics laboratories and three biochemistry laboratories.

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

Placements

You'll go on two placements during your course - one in year 2 and one in your final year.

For the year 2 placement you'll spend a minimum of 20 hours with an organisation.

In your final year you’ll go on placement as part of the Professional Work-based Experience module and spend 40 hours with your placement organisation.. The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, the work-based experience within a related field to physical education and the completion of a reflective journal.

Placements are arranged under the guidance of the course leader or academic tutor with the assistance of the careers and employability team who will help ensure the placement location fits your professional development needs and career aspirations.

We will support you before, during and after your placement and keep in touch with your placement host to see how you are getting on.

Many students choose to extend their time in a volunteer capacity with the organisation to enhance their professional development and CV.

Meet the team

Dr Gillian Teideman, course leader

Dr Gillian Teideman is principal lecturer and course leader for this degree. Gillian teaches on a range of theory and practical modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level, predominantly in the fields of education, pedagogy and research methods. Gillian is an executive committee member of the Football for Peace project contributing to the training of student coaches and helping to lead local and international events.

After completing her Bachelor of Education (Hons) Physical Education at the University of Brighton, Gillian gained 18 years’ experience working in secondary education as a PE teacher, head of department and assistant head teacher. Gillian was the West Sussex representative for the QCA National Curriculum review and a lead PESSCL tutor.

Her work developing Student Voice (removing barriers to learning) was adopted as an exemplar of good practice by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Gillian has a masters degree in Education (University of Sussex) and Doctor of Education (University of Brighton). Her research interests are in the field of applied pedagogy, specifically issues of teaching and learning, transition, and student experience.

Other key staff on the Physical Education BA(Hons) course include:

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.

Cricket Academy

New for September 2023, our Cricket Academy offers aspiring players the opportunity to continue their cricket development alongside studying for a degree. The programme offers a world-class training environment with the highest quality coaching.

Find out more about the Cricket Academy.

How this course is delivered

How will my course be taught?
For the academic year that starts in September 2022 we’re planning for all students to be taught face-to-face on campus, enhanced by some online learning.

Students who started their course with us in 2021 are on campus for some face-to-face learning including tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes and studio sessions. They are also taking part in off-campus learning activities such as placements, field trips and study visits. And all of our campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more are open.

Like all universities we are following government guidance and we are monitoring the pandemic very closely. Should Public Health advise it we have robust plans in place for additional safety measures to be introduced to enable everyone to continue learning on campus, and, as a last resort, for students to continue their learning remotely.

We will update you regularly on our teaching plans for the next academic year as you progress your application with us.

When does my course start?
The 2022 academic year begins on Monday 26 September 2022. Teaching for most courses starts the following week.

Many education courses, some health science courses including Medicine, and some postgraduate business courses have an earlier start date. Check your offer letter for the start date of your course.

Our latest news

Top New Year Honour for Brighton Professor

University of Brighton’s Nick Webborn has received a CBE in recognition of his hugely influential contribution to sport and sports medicine.

Students visit Berlin Sport for Development Projects

Covid has impacted many aspects of our lives, but the lack of opportunities to meet face-to-face and to build and maintain our friendships and relationships has been particularly difficult.

Brighton student bodybuilder stars at major UK championship

University of Brighton student Ally Lantos has come second at the UK women’s championships, setting her up to compete in the world championships in 2022.

Graduates return to inspire students

Kelly Smith and Martina Fricano who graduated from our Sport Management BSc(Hons) in 2015 returned this month to the Eastbourne campus.

Careers

Prepare for your career

In your career you need a combination of knowledge, skills, personal qualities and relevant experiences – and you’ll get all of this from your degree.

Your placement will give you valuable experience and help you stand out to potential employers
You’ll keep an e-portfolio and examine your skills set in order to plan and carry out appropriate professional development activities, engage with research, and develop skills of enquiry throughout the course.
Option modules will enable you to tailor your degree to your career aspirations and specialise in the areas that interest you most.
Our extensive on-site facilities will help you develop your professional expertise.

students doing outdoor adventurous activities

Placements

The benefits of the two placements on this course include:

enhancing your CV
informing your final year project
allowing you to explore a potential specialism
giving you an opportunity to make professional contacts
giving you practical experience, increasingly vital in today's competitive graduate jobs market
developing your personal skills including communication, problem solving and confidence.

Some students are offered a job in their placement company after graduation, or find that their job applications are prioritised.

Placements our students have undertaken include:

primary, secondary, pupil referral and SEND schools for those interested in a career in education.

outdoor and adventurous activity centres such as Bewl Water and Blacklands Farm – some have travelled to Snowdonia or Devon to specialist camps and activity centres
cadet training centres and St John’s Ambulance Service for those interested in public or military service
public and private health and leisure facilities.

We are also able to arrange bespoke placements; these have included:

Sky Sports - Soccer AM
Fulham Football Club - links to player nutrition, training and HR departments
NHS Cardiac Rehabilitation
East London Community Boxing Development Programme - engaging Asian females in physical activity through boxing)

Facilities for learning

Facilities are an important element of this course and you'll use them to develop your professional skills and experience. There are extensive facilities on the Eastbourne campus, where the course is based, which you will use throughout your studies:

Sport and fitness
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.

Laboratories
Accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). our laboratories are equipped with the latest modern facilities.

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

Graduate destinations

Physical activity is important to the economy, and to the culture and health of people. The course opens up a wide range of employment opportunities.

Our graduates have gone on to careers in sectors that include:

the military
the emergency services
further and adult education
community, special, medical, and health education
the fitness sector
youth work
leisure in both public and private sectors
formal educational settings; primary, secondary, Further Education, Special Educational Needs and Disability and Pupil Referral Units.

Many have also continue their studies to enter the teaching profession with a one-year PGCE course that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). See what graduates get up to during their PGCE course on our blog.

Further study

If you would like a career as a teacher then you could qualify through our PGCE courses – we offer primary, Physical Education, Dance and a range of other secondary subjects.

We also offer masters including in Sport and International Development, and Education.

You could also choose to join our team of world-renowned researchers. Our areas of expertise include sport and leisure cultures, and sport and exercise science.

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, Emlployable

Professional links

We were one of the first 10 institutions nationally, selected by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), to become a CIMSPA Higher Education Partner. The partnership acknowledges our commitment to producing graduates with the skillset needed to be deployed straight into the sport and physical activity sector.

The partnership offers many benefits for students studying this course including substantially discounted CIMSPA student membership. Membership will improve your employability and includes free CPD e-learning, magazines and digital newsletters, networking opportunities, and access to graduate work placement, volunteering, internships and job opportunities.

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. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

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.

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.

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.

Other
All offers are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure check.

Don’t meet these entry requirements?
Our Sport BSc(Hons) with integrated foundation year provides an extra year of study at foundation level if you do not have the academic qualifications or experience needed for entry to this course.

Successful completion of the foundation year enables you to progress onto year 1 of this degree.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,892 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 in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Health Sciences in the 2021–22 academic year are listed here.

Where health course includes a placement, 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 and travel costs for this course will be your responsibility. Find out about the NHS learning support fund.
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.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

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 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

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. 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.

Accommodation

Eastbourne

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

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. 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

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.

Maps

Eastbourne campus map

Student views

Mckenzie Howell

"The University of Brighton is an amazing place to study with a chilled environment.

"I’m in my third year and the highlight for me so far has been seeing my results. Feeling that your hard work has paid off.

"It’s challenging but worth it and everyone is in the same boat. My advice is to jump straight in and give it all a go – it’s a big jump from college but not too much to handle. And no question is a silly question!

"There is loads to do in Eastbourne and never a dull moment. It’s definitely somewhere I’d like to live in the future."

Stay in touch

Join an online event

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Statistics

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.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni enables you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Discover Uni data on their website.

Programme specification

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

Programme specification