Intro

The University of Brighton is one of the UK's largest teacher training universities, rated Outstanding by Ofsted in our most recent inspection.

This course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for the 11–16 age range which enables you to be employed as a qualified teacher in secondary schools in England, it is also recognised in Wales once registered with The Education Workforce Council (EWC). The course also offers enrichment opportunities to teach the 16–18 age phase.

You'll experience practical and theoretical modules that are based upon research-informed practice by the route leader, Dr Gary Stidder, who is an established academic and active researcher in the field of physical education.

Our course focuses on an alternative approach to teaching physical education, emphasising physical activities and non-traditional team games alongside the usual competitive team games. It also includes lifestyle activities that have a wide appeal to a broad population of pupils.

Studying with us, you will have access to excellent resources and gain practical experience in two contrasting schools. We have partnerships with over 600 schools and colleges in the south east offering opportunities in large, small, urban and rural settings.

Tips on applying for teacher training.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

Course code C6XC

Full-time 1 year

Interviews for this course are currently taking place online

Book your place: Postgraduate virtual open event

See all of our online events

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Course content

Course structure

All teaching takes place at the School of Sport and Health Sciences, based in Eastbourne, where there are extensive sports facilities such as six badminton court-sized sports halls, two gymnasiums, plus a fitness suite, Astro turf pitch and swimming pool.

When studying with us at the university, you’ll experience and learn how to teach practical physical education through The A-list of physical activities. These include physical activities considered to be less conventional compared to more established types of activities. The A-list includes the following non-conventional physical activities:

Alternative – Physical activities that depart from or challenge traditional norms and are considered to be non-traditional in a UK context such as tchoukball, kin-ball and korfball.
Adapted – Physical activities suited to pupils with additional learning needs but that can also be practiced by all pupils within secondary schools such as boccia, goalball and new age kurling.
Artistic – Physical activities related to cultural and artistic forms of dance.
Aesthetic – Physical activities that are creative and involve a combination of movements requiring precision, fluency and control such as urban gymnastics, cheerleading and trampolining.
Aquatic – Physical activities that take place in or on the water such as swimming, synchronised swimming, water aerobic dancing, water polo, life-saving and personal survival.
Athletic – Physical activities that require physical skill, agility and stamina such as street surfing.
Adventurous – Physical activities that require precise problem-solving and decision making skills such as orienteering and climbing.
Aerobic – Physical activities that are sustained and require low to high intensity such as jogging, rowing and cycling.
Anaerobic – Physical activities that are non-endurance activities involving speed strength and power such as sprinting, jumping, and throwing.

The university works in partnership with schools and colleges to provide a high quality programme of support, ensuring a sound relationship between theory and practice. You will benefit from undertaking two placements in two schools or colleges, spending two-thirds of your year teaching, under supervision. You'll also have the opportunity to visit additional schools or colleges as part of the Peer Observation programme.

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Our tutors and mentors will advise and support you throughout each placement. You will receive comprehensive feedback during this time, enabling you to see what you are doing well and where you might need to improve.

You will have the opportunity to organise group activities which reflect contemporary expectations of physical education teachers and the individual needs of pupils from diverse backgrounds.

The campus is excellently equipped with multimedia training materials, giving you the opportunity to develop your confidence and competence in the use of ICT. Our multimedia suites are regularly updated to keep up with technological advancements in classroom teaching provision.

Activities which you may take part in or organise yourself include:

inclusive festivals, in which 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
outdoor adventure days allow you to facilitate a day of on-site outdoor and adventurous activities for pupils
active student volunteer programmes give you the opportunity to provide out-of-school-hours activities for local primary school pupils. The activities include swimming, lifestyle activities, trampolining and gymnastics.

Find out all the latest course, student, staff and research news in teaching and education

Areas of study

This course covers the national curriculum range of content for physical education.

The course also includes health-related exercise, the use of new and emerging technologies in physical education, thematic teaching and learning in physical education, inclusive practice in physical education and the teaching of accredited courses in physical education.

There are four strands to this course: subject study/subject education, education studies, school placements and professional development.

Course content is kept up to date with changes in local and national initiatives and legislation, so you can be confident that your working knowledge is based on current theory and practice.

The education studies strand gives you a thorough understanding of the learning process itself, including an appreciation of individual differences. The study of the principles and practices of learning and teaching is through both school and university settings, allowing you to develop practical competency supported by analytical skills. By the end of the course you will:

refine your understanding of pedagogy, including an appreciation of current and emerging educational theories and debate
understand how to use and adapt teaching, learning, management and assessment strategies in order to meet the varying needs of learners
understand how the progress and wellbeing of learners is affected by different influences and know how to take account of the principles of equality, inclusion and diversity.

The subject study/subject education strand builds upon your existing expertise in your specialist subject and provides you with the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of the subject in the secondary school context. You will consider the learning and teaching strategies that are relevant to physical education.

The subject education module is specifically related to teaching PE in school, while the subject study module enables you to take your subject specialist studies to an increased depth. You can earn 20 masters-level credits through the assessment for the subject study module.

Professional development is linked to all strands of the programme and is designed to enable you to evaluate critically and reflect on your learning to make improvements. You will be expected to gather and justify evidence of your achievements on a regular basis and develop and implement improvement plans.

Students use an e-portfolio to record their achievements and this is reviewed throughout the course. An action plan is used to support professional development during placements and makes up a significant part of the improvement planning process.

At the end of the course, the e-portfolio provides evidence that you have met the Teachers’ Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

Placements

Ofsted identify our approach to training in schools as a key strength of this course, with an excellent balance between university tuition and school-based training.

You will spend a minimum of 120 days on school-based activities, with your training shared between the university and the partner school.

Your school-based training will include observing teachers, working with individual pupils and groups of pupils, team teaching and independent teaching. Your training will also entail completing specific subject tasks and developing your knowledge of school policy and effective practices.

You will maintain a professional training portfolio and be supported to review your work critically and analytically as well as to set appropriately challenging targets. We will also develop an action plan with you to identify strengths, development needs and actions, so that your practice is continually developing.

Key aims of the school-based training

Advance the development of your professional attributes, skills, knowledge and understanding.
Provide practical and specific experiences that enable you to critically analyse your professional practice and take responsibility for your own professional development.
Enable you to work collaboratively with colleagues in order to develop an understanding of the ways in which the attainment, development and wellbeing of all learners can be achieved with a unified support and teaching system.
Provide opportunities that enable you to adopt a creative and constructively critical approach towards your practice, supported by appropriate reading and research.

During your school-based training, university tutors, school mentors and teachers will support you and take shared responsibility for your professional development.

Your progress will be observed and assessed throughout your placement by university and school staff, followed by feedback sessions to discuss your development. Your e-portfolio will also be evaluated as part of the overall assessment.

Organising your school-based training
Our Partnership Office will organise the school-based training for you. Each year we organise over 2,500 placements for our students. We work hard to ensure that you have placement opportunities that will give you valuable and varied experiences in the area of education in which you are interested.

How it works
We will ask you to complete a placement information form when you start your course, and will use this information to match you to a suitable placement. We will consider your previous experience, travelling distance, the age ranges you wish to teach and your current needs.

Once we have matched you with a placement, the team in the Partnership Office will confirm the placement as quickly as possible with the school or organisation. They will then contact you with the placement details. Almost all of our placements will be with partner schools or organisations in south-east England, most of them in East and West Sussex.

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.

Staff profile

Dr Gary Stidder

Principal lecturer and route leader: Physical Education (Secondary)

Gary graduated from Brunel University in 1986 with a BEd (Honours) Degree with Qualified Teacher Status in Physical Education and English. Gary is a former secondary school physical education teacher and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to the USA during 1990-1991. Gary completed his Master’s Degree in Education in 1998 and went on to complete his PhD in 2008 both at the University of Brighton.

Gary is co-editor (with Sid Hayes) of ‘The Really Useful Physical Education Book: Learning and Teaching Across the 7–14 Age Range’ (2010) and the first and second editions of ‘Equity and Inclusion in Physical Education and Sport’ (2003; 2012) published by Routledge. Gary holds the University award for teaching excellence, and is the co-founder and Deputy Director of the University of Brighton’s pioneering Football 4 Peace International Project in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland, South Korea, South Africa and The Gambia which has been operating since 2001.

In July 2008 Gary was presented with a national award from the Association for Physical Education (AfPE) for his contribution to research and scholarship in the field of Physical Education and in 2013 was awarded the University of Brighton’s award for Staff Excellence in Community Engagement in recognition of his contribution to widening participation and social engagement. Gary’s single authored publication ‘Becoming a Physical Education Teacher’ was published in 2015 by Routledge. In 2016 Gary co-edited (With Sid Hayes) ‘The Really Useful Physical Education Book; Teaching and Learning Across the 11 – 16 Age Range’.

In 2017 Gary was appointed as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg for his contribution to the development of the National Curriculum for Physical Education in South Africa. In 2018 Gary was awarded the Honoured Members Award by the Association for Physical Education for making a difference at National and International level over a lengthy and sustained period of time. Gary received the highest accolade that the Association can bestow on a single individual at the AfPE National conference held at St Georgie’s Park in Nottinghamshire (National Training Centre of the English Football Association) on July 3rd. His award was in recognition for his outstanding and distinguished long service during which he has contributed significantly to the National and International development of physical education.

Read Gary's full profile.

School Direct

School Direct is an alternative route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the University of Brighton is working with a number of schools to deliver this programme across a range of secondary subjects as well as in the primary phase.

To train as a teacher through the School Direct programme you need to apply directly to a school for a School Direct training place, with schools advertising their vacancies on the UCAS Teacher Training website. The University of Brighton supports School Direct through providing training and assessment opportunities at the request of participating schools.

Find out more about School Direct and view vacancies.

Four students standing in rings in an exercise hall

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

Teaching Values and the holistic development of young people through Physical Education

Trainee Teachers of Physical Education experienced a workshop aimed to promote the teaching of values and the holistic development of pupils in schools through physical education.

Kin-Ball – the perfect inclusive sport

Kin-Ball is described as ‘one of the world’s most inclusive sports’ and has more than 3.

Disability sport awareness training

“One in five people in England have a long-standing limiting disability or illness, and that compared to other groups, disabled people are much less likely to take part in sport or physical activity.

Physical Education on Wheels

Trainee PE teachers were introduced to street surfing as part of their induction.

Careers

Preparing for your teaching career

You will graduate from this course equipped with the skills and knowledge to become a confident and competent secondary school teacher.

As well as gaining a PGCE, you will be assessed against the national Teachers’ Standards in order to be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

You’ll benefit from our partnership with over 600 schools, where you’ll gain practical school-based experience in a wide range of settings – large, small, rural and urban.

You will gain a knowledge and understanding of your specialist subject in the secondary school context. You will consider the learning and teaching strategies that are relevant to this subject and develop leadership and management skills.

If you are considering whether a career in teaching is for you, and you are a UK resident, the Department for Education’s School Experience Programme offers between one and 10 days’ classroom experience in a secondary school.

School-based training

Each phase of your school-based training will give you supported experience and help you gain confidence in your teaching ability.

Our staff will ensure that you are well prepared before your school-based training, and that you have all the support and guidance needed to make the most of these opportunities.

We have partnerships with over 600 schools and settings 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:

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 supporting evidence of meeting the Teachers’ Standards.

Each year we organise over 2,500 placements for our students with partner schools and colleges, offering varied placement opportunities. We work hard to ensure that your school-based training will provide you with learning opportunities and valuable experience with the age group you are qualifying to teach.

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

Facilities for learning

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.

You will also have access to our curriculum centre which is based in Falmer and contains more than 30,000 specialist resources for trainee teachers including books, DVDs, games and an online catalogue.

students in the informal learning space at Eastbourne campus

Graduate destinations

Our teaching graduates benefit from excellent employment rates that are consistently above the sector average.

Career prospects are good; most graduates gain their first teaching posts in school settings as soon as they qualify.

University of Brighton trained teachers are highly sought after by our partnership schools. They are known for their creative and innovative approaches to teaching.

Many of our graduates take on mentoring and leadership roles, or opt for specialist roles such as special education needs.

Our careers service holds an annual teaching recruitment fair on campus which our partner schools attend as they are looking to recruit newly qualified teachers for the next school year.

Former students include:

Joanna Gardiner (Sunday Times Sports Women of the Year 2007 for inspiration), now head of physical education, Helenswood School for Girls, Hastings.
Elisha Riddett, PE teacher, head of swimming, assistant KS3 coordinator, St Andrews International School, Bangkok.

Further study

After completing your NQT year we offer opportunities for you to continue your studies.

Successful completion of this course means you'll be awarded 60 masters-level credits which can be used towards our Education MA which further integrates academic study with work-based learning and research.

We also offer specialist PGCerts which will enable you to develop in-depth knowledge of a particular subject.

Students sitting outside at the Falmer campus

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

Early career support

We will continue to support you after you qualify through our early career support programme.

We’ll offer resources, advice, events and drop-in sessions to help you overcome the challenges that many new teachers face in their first few years of working as a qualified teacher. We’ll help you with the next stage of your journey and offer support that will enable you to develop and thrive in your early career.

Our website provides guidance and support for after you graduate, including the latest teaching job vacancies, personal statement feedback, short mock interviews, useful contacts for advice and a variety of helpful resources including videos.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2022. They should be used as a general guide.

Degree
Normally an honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in the subject specialism or a subject that is directly relevant.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
At least English language and maths. Equivalence tests are available for suitable candidates.

How can I develop my subject knowledge?
Students should gain a range of National Governing Body coaching qualifications before beginning this course, particularly in swimming, trampolining and athletics. Students are also expected to have experience of working in schools.

What should I include in my personal statement?
In your personal statement we are looking for a positive motivation and commitment to physical education teaching in schools; an understanding of the nature, place and value of physical education in the curriculum and the relevance of your experience and education to this chosen path. Reading Becoming a Physical Education Teacher written by the route leader, Dr Gary Stidder, will help you write your personal statement and when attending interview.

Desirable qualifications and experience

GCSE PE; A-level PE; BTEC Sport; UK Sports Leaders Awards
Teaching/coaching qualifications (swimming, athletics, trampolining, for example)

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.

Other

Interviews for this course are currently taking place online.
All offers of places are subject to a satisfactory health check and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check.
Applicants from minority ethnic and other groups under-represented in the profession are particularly welcome.

English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 in all elements.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,892 GBP

As a postgraduate trainee teacher there is a range of funding available which you could be eligible to receive whilst you are studying:

Tax-free bursaries and scholarships – these depend on the subject you are training to teach and your highest relevant academic award.

On our website you will find information about other funding including:

the student finance package from Student Finance England – tuition fee loans and maintenance loans
Parents’ Learning Allowance
Childcare Grant
Care leaver’s bursary
Disabled Students’ Allowance.

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.