Physical Education (Secondary) (with QTS) BA (Hons)

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Summary:

Applying through UCAS? Apply here (X1C6)
Course Code: X1C6

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Why choose the School of Education

Find out more

Our education rank in the UK top 15 in their subject field for career prospects and in the UK top 20 for satisfaction with teaching (Guardian, 2025)

Our teacher training courses rank in the UK top 20 in their subject field for academic support (NSS, 2024).

Our Education courses rank 8th in the UK overall in their subject field (Daily Mail university rankings, 2024)

About the course

This three-year degree is designed to support graduates to become teaching professionals who can influence change, inspire young people and progress into a successful career in physical education. It develops student teachers who have a deep understanding of why, how and who they are teaching through a broad but deep curriculum. An extensive range of practical learning experiences ensures you put theory into practice as a PE teacher as well as building your skill set ready for your wider professional role.

Course accreditation

This course is accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) and successfully completing the course allows you to apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as a PE teacher.

Facilities and specialist equipment

A wide range of sports facilities including the Polhill Sports Arena, an international PE venue; Alexander Sport Centre; multi-use games areas; sport science labs; and other external sports facilities across Bedford.
Mock classrooms with specialist technology so you can watch and assess your lesson.
Forest School where you can deepen your understanding of the long-term educational benefits of outdoor learning.
Specialist sensory centre for practice in teaching SEND and early years pupils.
Multi-media space for webinars and podcasting.

Industry links

As one of the largest providers of teacher education in the eastern region, we have well-established partnerships with more than 500 schools and other associated organisations, a network that puts us at the forefront of educational developments.

You also benefit from opportunities with our official partners, Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC and Foundation, as well as other sporting organisations such as Ampthill RFC, MK Dons, Cricket East and Be Active.

Student experience

Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well. We have a rich history and expertise in training PE teachers going back over 120 years.
You undertake a school placement every year, working closely with our trained mentors, many of whom are alumni of this course.
You learn through classroom experience and practical application, developing the skills you need to teach a range of physical activities to young people aged 11-16 (16-19 with enhancement).
You benefit from opportunities to teach personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education as well as another curriculum subject.
You apply the scientific principles of physical education and sport to a range of practice activities including athletics, dance, games, gymnastics, swimming and outdoor, adventurous activities.
You are taught by an experienced University teaching team at the cutting edge of theory and practice.
You participate in a field trip to develop your knowledge of teaching adventure activities in an authentic outdoor context.
We have regular visits by professionals from schools and academy chains including teachers and senior leaders; schools that support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND); and local education authorities.

with Professional Practice Year

This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.

There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.

*Only available to UK/EU students.

with Foundation Year

A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.

Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.

With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.

The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.

This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.

Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?

Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees

The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.

During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.

Course Leader - Sophy Bassett-Dubsky

I have significant experience of teaching and leading Physical Education in secondary schools and prior to joining the University, coordinated the Physical Education provision for a SCITT scheme and mentored student teachers from the University.

I have a passion for supporting and developing trainee teachers and as the interim Course Coordinator, have many opportunities to ensure their learning and progression is optimal. I enjoy meeting potential trainees in my role as Course Coordinator, listening to the aspirations and intentions of the next generation of teachers.

Find out more about Sophy Bassett-Dubsky

What will you study?

The following unit titles are subject to approval:

Teaching, Learning and Inclusion in PE
Developing Pedagogical Approaches for Games, OAA and Health
Developing Pedagogical Approaches for Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics and Swimming
Teaching Accredited Courses in Physical Education
Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Physical Education
Mastering Pedagogical Approaches for Games, OAA and Health
Mastering Pedagogical Approaches for Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics and Swimming
Teachers' Wider Professional Responsibilities
Entering the Teaching Profession
Promoting Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing in Schools
Contemporary Perspectives in Physical Education
The Physical Education Teacher as Researcher

How will you be assessed?

The assessment strategy is based upon the premise that critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives as they apply to your own teaching is an intrinsic element of best teaching practice. Throughout the course, therefore, you will continually be encouraged to explore what is known about teaching and learning, and to demonstrate independence and creativity in evaluating the relevance of that knowledge in your own context. Assessed work will be directly applicable to your future role as a PE teacher and predominantly includes essays, reflective writing, reports, presentations and portfolios.

During your placements you will be assessed directly against the Cumulative Evidence Record, a tracking document that charts your progress against the expectations of the course at different points. At the end of the course you will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards in order to meet the requirements for the recommendation of qualified teacher status (QTS).

In years one and two you will complete in-class tests to assess your developing knowledge and understanding. Sound subject knowledge is a fundamental quality of an effective teacher and you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing development of that knowledge throughout the course.

Also key to the course is a focus on the development of research informed teaching, culminating in an extended systematic study of your own practice (action research project/dissertation). By embedding the professional requirements for Qualified Teacher Status within the academic requirements of the degree, the course supports you in developing the qualities which define the University of Bedfordshire Graduate Teacher: an independent, reflective, creative, innovative, collaborative and resilient professional who is committed to ongoing personal and professional development.

The assessment for this course seeks to support you in developing your understanding of the interplay between theoretical perspectives and practice based experience. You will be developing your skills of research and evaluation, critical thinking, creativity and independence. The themes for your reflective writing are developed from local and national priorities and, therefore, allow you to develop the evidence of your understanding of values and principles underpinning the Teachers’ Standards as they apply to your working context. Formative use of assessment is embedded throughout the course and is a principle which we would expect you to adopt in your own teaching. You will be supported to become familiar with self- and peer-assessment approaches and to make effective use of feedback on both academic and practice-based aspects of the course, to identify targets for your ongoing development and plan actions to address them. Engagement with published research is a fundamental aspect of the course and you will be supported in developing skills of critical analysis of the literature. Rigorous attention to referencing conventions is, therefore, essential and you will be required to adopt the Harvard system. You will be supported in developing your understanding of plagiarism and poor academic practice to ensure that your work meets the highest standards of ethics.

Careers

Local and national demand for University of Bedfordshire graduate teachers is high. Recent annual destinations surveys show that typically 95-100% of graduate teachers will have secured full-time teaching posts to begin in the year of graduation.

For those who wish to gain promotion within schools evidence shows that this is highly likely with many graduates securing a variety of leadership responsibilities. Recent graduates are now in roles such as Head of Department Head of Year Head of House Assistant Head Deputy Head and even Head Teacher. Other graduates who wanted to work in education internationally are now in teaching and leadership positions around the world.

If you decide that school teaching is not for you there are opportunities for you to use the skills that you have gained in other areas of training coaching and adult education as well as more broadly in sports or education organisations. Occasionally other graduates use their transferable knowledge skills and understanding in unrelated fields and industries.

Entry Requirements

112 UCAS tariff points including 96 from at least 3 A-levels or equivalentGCSE grade 4 English (or a C)GCSE grade 4 Maths

Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required

Fees for this course

UK

The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance

Excellence Scholarships

Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*

» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**

» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available

* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.