BA (Hons) Physical Education and Sports Coaching

This course gives you a balanced mix of pedagogy (teaching) and coaching, so whether you want to train future athletes or lead PE in schools, you'll be well prepared. It’s ideal if you love sport, want to work with young people, and are open to multiple career pathways — from coaching in clubs to teaching PE, or even advancing into youth leadership roles.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you'll build a strong base in both learning theory and physical activity. Key modules include Foundations of Learning and Teaching, where you examine how people learn in sport and education, and The Enquiring Practitioner, which introduces you to biomechanical principles and enquiry-based practice to improve coaching and teaching. You’ll also study Outdoor and Adventurous Activities in Education, gaining experience in planning and leading outdoor learning, and practical modules like Principles of Play Through Invasion Games, Knowledge and Understanding of Individual Activities (Aesthetics) for dance/gymnastics, and Active Schools, where you explore how PE contributes to broader health and social agendas. You'll analyse how to design effective games-based learning and understand the theory behind practice through Theoretical Physical Education 1.

Year 2

In your second year, you go deeper into teaching, coaching, and inclusion. You’ll take Conceptualising Sports Coaching, where you reflect on your coach identity, explore evidence-based coaching behaviours, and begin forming your coaching philosophy. You also study Practical Pedagogy in Sports Coaching, gaining hands-on experience in coaching environments, and Managing Individual Differences and Behaviours, which helps you learn to adapt your coaching and teaching approach to support diverse learners. Optional modules (depending on your interests) may include athletics and swimming pedagogy, net/wall games, or even international education, making your experience very flexible.

Year 3

In your final year, you consolidate your coaching and teaching expertise and complete a Dissertation Project, where you research a topic of your choice (for example, coaching pedagogy, youth sport, or PE curriculum). You’ll also take Applied Coaching, a very practical module that asks you to put into practice your coaching philosophy, refine your behaviours, and demonstrate your coaching skills. There’s also Pedagogical Behaviours in Practice, where you reflect critically on how your teaching/coaching style has developed, and you’ll likely complete a placement or work in a school or club setting to demonstrate your readiness for professional roles.

Focus Areas

• Coaching and teaching pedagogy

• Physical education theory and practice

• Biomechanics and movement analysis

• Outdoor and adventurous activities

• Inclusion and behaviour management in sport and education

• Reflective coaching and independent research in sport

Learning Outcomes

By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to design and deliver effective PE lessons and coaching sessions, adapt your practice for different learners (age, ability, behaviour), coach in both school and community settings, articulate your own coaching philosophy backed by evidence, and carry out a research‑oriented project in sport education or coaching.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course includes three work placements (for example, in primary schools, secondary schools, and coaching environments), helping you build real experience alongside your academic study. This prepares you well for a variety of career paths — including PE teaching (you could progress to a PGCE in PE), professional coaching, youth sport development, or leadership roles in sport organisations.

Reputation (Employability)

Chichester’s sport‑education team is strong; you’ll learn from experienced PE specialists and coaches, using excellent facilities including sports halls, outdoor activity spaces, and a dedicated sports-performance centre. Graduates of this programme go on to work in schools, clubs, charities, coaching organisations, or continue into postgraduate study in sport pedagogy, coaching, or education.