BA Hons Physical Education and School Sport

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edge Hill University

Program Overview

This degree combines theory and practical training to prepare you for working with children and young people — helping them develop healthy habits, physical skills, and a lifelong love for movement and sport. Whether you see yourself working in youth sport, school-based physical education, community sport, or health promotion, this course gives you a strong foundation.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year you begin with core modules such as Children and Young People’s Movement Science, Children and Young People’s Physical Activity and Health (1), Psychology of Physical Education and School Sport, and Practical Physical Education Teaching: Games. These help you understand how children grow physically and mentally and what influences their activity levels. You also build academic skills and begin learning how to plan and deliver basic PE and sport sessions in a school or youth-sport setting.

Year 2

In year two you deepen your knowledge with modules like Applied Knowledge of Physical Education Teaching: Models, Children and Young People’s Movement Science (2), Physical Activity and Health (2), and Practical PE Teaching: Dance and Gymnastics. You also explore the social side via Sociology of Physical Education and School Sport, learning how factors like background, community, and culture affect participation. This helps you design inclusive, socially aware PE and sport programmes for young people.

Year 3 (Final Year)

In your final year you focus on applied and specialised learning. Core modules include Applied Knowledge of Physical Education Teaching: SEND (for working with pupils with special educational needs and disabilities), Practical PE Teaching: Individual Activities, and a Dissertation where you investigate a topic of your interest in PE or school sport. You also choose from options like Applied Psychology for PE and School Sport Teachers, Children and Young People’s Physical Activity Development, Professional Practice and Work Placement, or School Realities of PE. Years of theory, practice, and research come together — preparing you for real-world work or further training.

Focus areas

Children’s growth, movement and development; physical activity and health in youth; pedagogy for physical education and sport; sport psychology; social and cultural factors in sport participation; inclusive PE (SEND); practical teaching in games, dance, gymnastics, and individual activities; research and programme design; school and community sport settings.

Learning outcomes

You’ll graduate with the ability to plan, deliver, and evaluate high-quality physical education and sport programmes for children and young people; understanding of the physical, psychological, and social aspects of youth sport and activity; competence in designing inclusive and accessible PE for diverse learners; the skills to analyse, research, and reflect on practice; and readiness either to enter the workforce in schools or community sport, or to proceed to further training (e.g., a PGCE).

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The degree is endorsed against the professional standards of CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity). Students gain CIMSPA student membership — giving access to resources, guest lectures, placements, and networking — which helps align what they learn with industry-level standards.

Reputation (employability & student outcomes)

Edge Hill’s Sport & Physical Activity department reports that a large majority of its students are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
Additionally, the department benefits from excellent facilities — labs for biomechanics, physiology and psychology, a sport-therapy clinic, functional rehab centre, and a full-featured sports centre — giving you practical training under realistic conditions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you enrol in the BA (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport course at Edge Hill, you won’t just spend time reading about sport and health — you’ll regularly get hands-on, practical experience. The course balances theory (about movement, child development, health, psychology) with real physical activity teaching practice, labs, and opportunities to work with actual groups. As you progress, you’ll gain important skills: planning and delivering PE, understanding children’s physical development, analysing movement scientifically, and designing activity programmes for different needs.

On campus, Edge Hill supports this with top-notch sports and science facilities — ideal for both athletic and academic work.

Facilities and learning environment include:

Dedicated laboratories for biomechanics, physiology, psychology, performance analysis, musculoskeletal assessment, biochemistry, vision analysis, exercise/sleep/performance science, functional rehabilitation, plus a sports therapy clinic — combining scientific understanding with practical sport and physical activity.
Full use of the university’s sports infrastructure: 3G football and rugby pitches, hockey pitches, tennis courts, a competition-standard athletics track and field, a 25-metre swimming pool, a double sports hall (for badminton, basketball, netball, squash), a large fitness suite (100 stations), aerobics/dance studio, and a health suite with sauna and steam rooms.
A mix of teaching and learning formats: lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, workshops, independent study, and ICT-based learning.
From Year 3, a work placement option (or professional practice placement) providing real-world experience in schools or sport/health settings.
A dissertation component, applying research methods and investigative skills to a topic within physical education or school sport.

Course Structure and Modules

Over the three years, the course builds from foundational to advanced knowledge:

Year 1 — foundational modules on movement science, children’s physical activity and health, fundamentals of PE teaching (games), psychology of PE and sport, and academic and critical-enquiry skills.
Year 2 — more advanced modules: movement science (level 2), physical activity & health (level 2), research methods, practical PE teaching covering dance & gymnastics, and a sociology module exploring how social backgrounds affect sport and health.
Year 3 — focus on inclusive practice (e.g., Special Educational Needs & Disabilities), individual physical activities teaching, dissertation, and optional modules such as applied psychology for PE, physical activity development, work placement/professional practice, or school realities of PE.

Assessment includes delivering teaching sessions, planning and running practical classes, writing essays, preparing presentations and projects, and conducting independent research.

The course is professionally endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), and students receive membership for access to resources, guest lectures, and networking opportunities.

Career Preparation and Future Options

Graduates are well-equipped for several career paths:

Progress to a PGCE and become a PE teacher in secondary schools.
Work in youth sport, children’s physical activity and health, sports coaching, sports therapy, fitness and gym training, or as a sport and physical activity coordinator.
Roles as a PE or physical-activity officer, community health or public-sport programmes, rehabilitation, or wellness roles — supported by lab and therapy training.
Further study in sport science, health, coaching, or therapy, with the dissertation and lab experience providing a strong foundation for postgraduate work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this programme are prepared for a variety of roles in schools, community settings, and sports organisations. Early-career positions include Physical Education Teacher (with further teacher training), School Sports Coordinator, Community Sports Officer, Fitness/Wellbeing Coach, or roles supporting extra-curricular and youth sport programmes. Graduates are also well placed to work in health and physical activity initiatives within schools or local communities.

This programme supports your career through:

Professional placements and hands-on experience, providing exposure to teaching, coaching, and school sport delivery in real educational and community environments.
Strong employability preparation, including support with CVs, applications, interviews, and career planning through dedicated university services.
Comprehensive subject knowledge, covering PE, school sport, youth development, health, and wellbeing, enabling graduates to work with pupils and young people of different abilities and backgrounds.
Partnerships with schools and sports organisations, offering opportunities to gain practical experience and build professional networks.
Positive graduate outcomes, with graduates able to work immediately in school sport, youth sport, or community physical activity roles, and many pursuing further teacher training for QTS.

Typical job roles include:

School Sports Coordinator
Physical Education Teacher (following PGCE or teacher training)
Community Sports Officer or Youth Sport Leader
Fitness / Wellbeing Coach
Extra-curricular Sports Coach or Programme Leader

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can pursue postgraduate study in areas such as Education, Sports Science, Sports Coaching, Strength & Conditioning, or School Leadership. Further study can lead to senior roles in schools, community sports development, youth programme management, health promotion, or sports performance analysis. Additionally, those wishing to teach formally can progress to PGCE or other teacher training routes to gain QTS.