Home Courses Sport BA (Hons) Physical Education (Primary Years)
Physical Education student coaching some primary school pupils

Step towards a career inspiring children under 11 with physical education

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6T30
3 years full-time
Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)

Clearing is now open for September

Clearing is now open for September

92.5%

of our physical education graduates are in work and/or study

Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019

37th

UK University

The Guardian University Guide 2023

7th

in the UK for teaching quality

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022

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Overview

Inspire the next generation through high-quality primary education

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) education partner

CIMSPA logo

Learn to lead the next generation

Our BA (Hons) Physical Education Primary years degree is for those of you that are interested in learning what high-quality Physical Education entails for children aged 5-11.

If you are passionate about inspiring the next generation through high-quality primary education, this is the course for you.

Apply theory to practice

The BA (Hons) Physical Education (Primary Years) degree allows you to apply theory to practice by working with children in a variety of contexts.

Throughout this degree programme you will deliver sessions in schools, organise festivals and learn alongside primary teachers in one of our partnership schools.

Build your degree around your interests

Our Physical Education courses have been specifically designed to give you choices and options that allow you to tailor your course to your own interests and ambitions, so you will graduate with a degree that is individual to you.

Engage in research-led learning

Throughout this course, you will study modules that use the latest research to inform your teaching practice, including aspects relating to schools’ impact on mental and physical health of its pupils.

Gain vital experience on dedicated work placements

Each year, you will have the opportunity to develop your level of professional experience and improve your employability on various work placements that help support your learning and progress through the course.

Proud history of teacher training

The University of Chichester has been training teachers for over 180 years and we look to train employable professionals who will make a positive difference to children’s education.

Learn from expert and experienced staff

Our team of qualified physical education specialists and sports coaches are here to support you throughout your degree and get to know how best to help your reach your full potential.

On this course you will:

  • Gain a thorough understanding of the intricacies of physical education at primary school level.
  • Apply theory to practice through our dedicated work placement schemes.
  • Learn from experienced professionals who will look to support you through your degree.
  • Feel prepared for a career within primary education or coaching with young children.

The Course

Gain an understanding of the role of Physical Education in the development of the whole child

Learn how to be an effective leader within a primary education environment

By the end of the course, you will have a thorough understanding of the importance of physical literacy and the role of Physical Education in the development of the whole child.

A developed understanding in curriculum, assessment and pedagogical practice will put you in an excellent position to continue onto teacher training.

Gain a strong initial footing in physical education

The ‘generic’ first year provides you with a strong foundation of knowledge as well as academic flexibility that is useful if you are unsure of your desired career path.

Personalise your subsequent learning to fit your career ambitions

This course has been specifically designed to provide you give you options to allow you to personalise your learning and prepare you to achieve your ambitions.

Teacher training

If you wish to train as a teacher, you could undertake one of our progression routes onto the PGCE in Secondary PE or Primary Education.

We also provide opportunities to train through school-based programmes such as School Direct and SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training).

Explore other options

If you are not sure that you want to be a teacher but know that you love PE and sport then the degree will equip you with excellent transferable skills such as leadership, organisation, communication, and management of yourself and others.

Indicative modules

You will study a selection of core and optional modules during your degree. Each module is worth a particular number of credits and is delivered differently depending on the needs of the module.

This list is indicative and subject to future change.

Select a year

Active Schools

Explore the issues surrounding Physical Education and its role in the health and activity agenda. Consideration of personal and social barriers and facilitators within and outside the school environment will also be given.

Developing Professional and Academic Skills

This module aims to help you make the transition between UK qualifications levels three and four (Year One at university) by improving intellectual and academic skills, which will support you throughout your programme. As part of the developing professional skills you will focus on issues surrounding employability and developing graduate employability skills.

Foundations of Movement and Principles of Games

Explore the teaching of games with a developmental focus as you learn to break down simple skills into key components to help children learn and understand.

Fundamental Movement Skills and Child Development

This module aims to develop your knowledge of fundamental movement skills (FMS) and child maturation. Emphasis will be placed on how Physical Education teachers and sport coaches facilitate developmentally appropriate pedagogy.

Knowledge and Understanding of Individual Activities (Aesthetics)

This module aims to analyse in detail movement related to gymnastics and dance.

You will explore gymnastics in its broadest sense within elements identified as Formal, Educational, Sporting and Rhythmic.

You will use the application of biomechanical principles, including Laban technique as you explore the evaluation of gymnastic and dance performance.

Principles of Play Through Invasion Games

You will participate in a range of practical sessions that will examine attacking and defensive principles of play, as you analyse the technical and tactical aspects of performance within their application within invasion games.

Professional Issues in Teaching and Coaching

This module aims to address contemporary topics relating to the professional issues surrounding teaching and coaching whilst exploring and debating current developments in both professions.

The Enquiring Practitioner

While learning the technical components involved in the teaching and coaching of specific skills, you will also be introduced to fundamental biomechanical principles which impact performance.

The module will apply research and enquiry to real-life lived experiences that are associated with your potential future career paths.

Learning and Teaching in A Primary School

The module introduces you to research that explores the relationship between good teaching and good progress for all pupils including promoting learning-focussed behaviours, adaptive teaching, and a range of other teaching and learning strategies.

Outdoor Learning: Woodland and Beach Education

This module aims to further develop your knowledge, skills and understanding in contemporary education in the outdoor environment by broadening your experiences and technical practice.

This will be contextualised through the critical analysis of current best practice, consolidating and applying understanding of Meta skills, technical equipment specification and specialist pedagogy.

Pedagogical Skills in Track & Field Athletics and Swimming

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to develop your knowledge, understanding, and personal performance of track and field athletics events and swimming strokes. You may have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and understanding of technical aspects, by planning and leading small group sessions.

Pedagogy for Activity

This module aims to further your understanding as to the ‘why’ surrounding physical activity through Physical Education. You will develop your knowledge and personal philosophy as to what you believe you want to deliver, how, and why, in accordance with school and Governmental policies.

Pedagogy of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities at KS3/KS4.

Through theoretical, practical, and residential experiences, the module provides you with an understanding of the activities that are implicit to the programme and an appreciation of the principles that underpin outdoor learning more generically.

Reflection: Developing Your Teaching and Coaching

This module aims to provide an opportunity to select and develop specialist areas of interest.

You will be required to develop skills in introspection, reflection, and reflective practice drawing upon theoretical concepts relating to pedagogy of sport and education.

You will agree a suitable programme of work within a professional context of your choice which will involve you immersing yourselves in the culture and practices of this working environment.

Striking and Fielding: Net and Wall Games

While learning the technical components involved in the teaching and coaching of specific skills, you will also be introduced to fundamental biomechanical principles which impact performance.

The Enquiring Practitioner 2

This module seeks to develop your knowledge and understanding from the Enquiring Practitioner 1 and help prepare you for your final year dissertation. You will conceive of, plan and execute small-scale research.

The aim of this “dress rehearsal” is to develop your appreciation of the project management aspect of the research process.

Understanding and Managing Individual Differences

Build on your understanding of effective teaching and coaching by understanding and applying principles of equality and inclusive practice.

Active Schools: Mental Health and Wellbeing

The module aims to analyse the contribution of sport and physical activity to mental health and wellbeing. The influence of the role of teachers/coaches and pedagogical practice on the growing and developing brain will be examined.

Approaches to Teaching Primary Games

This module will ask you to critically evaluate a variety of teaching approaches used in schools when delivering games. You will participate in a range of practical sessions that will explore different teaching approaches, and  have the opportunity to plan and lead practical sessions with a focus on a particular teaching approach.

Classroom Pedagogy

This module will use a series of lectures and workshops to explore curricula employed in classroom teaching such as

  • the National Curriculum
  • GCSE PE
  • BTEC Sport
  • A-level PE

to consider how schemes of work and lesson plans are developed for delivery in school and college classrooms.

Dissertation Project

This module is the culmination of previous learning and is the major element of your independent enquiry on your programme.

The module requires that you reflect on, and utilise the knowledge base, context, and application of taught modules, as well as placement experiences.

It is designed to encourage you to generate and explore your own ‘problem’ assisted by supervision from a tutor.

Off-Site Education Trips for Outdoor Learning

This module aims to use a residential experience at an outdoor centre to explore the application of different OAA teaching methods to fulfil a range of pupil needs. You will build upon your understanding of what outdoor learning is and its uses; therefore, facilitating a critical evaluation of the process and output of residential experiences.

Practical Pedagogy (Placement)

An opportunity to experience a placement within a practical setting. This module aims to develop and refine pedagogical skills so that you can enhance pupil/performer progress and learning within a practical environment.

The Role of the PE Subject Leader in Primary Schools

Whilst subject leadership has been embedded in the structure of primary schools for a number of years changes in government funding has led to a need to respond to changes in the structure and organisation of Physical Education.

The module aims to introduce you to the changing role of the subject leader in primary Physical Education and, in so doing, identify the key skills and attributes associated with good subject leadership.

Teaching and Assessment

Innovative teaching methods that develop your full potential as a future teacher

We want you to be creative and innovative teachers so we teach you in creative and innovative ways.

Teaching

You will spend a large proportion of your time in practical sessions and on teaching placements. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff will teach you through a variety of highly-practical approaches.

You will experience a variety of teaching methods across the modules including lectures, group work, seminars, practical workshops and laboratory sessions.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of methods including:

  • Your ability to plan and deliver a range of Physical Education lessons
  • Your understanding of how movement skills are developed
  • Presentations
  • Your ability to plan for learning outside the classroom in the context of forest schools, residential experiences and other outdoor activities
  • Completion of research projects.

Experience

Discover a wide range of excellent sporting facilities that support your learning

Broaden your horizons with residential experiences

Our BA (Hons) Physical Education (Primary Years) course offers the opportunity to partake in residential experiences to increase your knowledge and understanding of outdoor and adventurous activities and to also begin to learn how to plan and run residentials.

Sian

BA (Hons) Physical Education Primary Years graduate
"Being on Physical Education in the Primary Years has given me the subject knowledge to confidently deliver an effective PE lesson to primary age children. The various modules have allowed me to develop my confidence in teaching and to progress onto the primary PGCE where the skills and knowledge I learnt on the primary route-way are transferred into teaching across the curriculum every day."

Work Placements

Discover school placements opportunities that provide you with vital workplace experience

We believe that placements are integral to your development as a student and are integrated within our University-based work.

School placements opportunities are available which provide you with a strong vocational focus as you increase your employability and apply your theoretical learning to a real-world environment.

You will be able to choose your own placement setting, with a dedicated Placement Coordinator available to assist and support students throughout the process. You will be able to utilise their network of contacts across local clubs and schools to find the right placement for you.

You can also choose to complete your placements anywhere in the country, with many students choosing placements within their home towns.

“The use of placements really enhanced my CV.”

“Great real-life experiences through placement.”

“Good range of teaching placements within a variety of schools.”

“It massively improved my ability and confidence to teach a wide range of sports through great experience in placements and lectures during my time here.”

Study Abroad

Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad

As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.

Students who have undertaken this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.

You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to help ensure that you can get the best out of your time studying abroad.

Careers

Prepare for a wide range of careers both in and outside of teaching

Our BA (Hons) Physical Education (Primary Years) course provides you with an engaging and relevant programme that may facilitate progression into a career working with children both within and outside of educational settings.

This course provides you with a valuable degree qualification that will take you forward in whichever career you choose in the future.

You could progress into a career teaching physical education at primary level or look to move into other avenues within the scope of coaching and sporting and physical activity.

Teacher training pathways

This course provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to progress into teaching training pathways to gain qualified teacher status (QTS) so that you can begin a career within education.

Those who wish to pursue a career as a physical education teacher can explore several options, including our PGCE Primary and PGCE Secondary Physical Education courses here at the University of Chichester.

Guaranteed PGCE interview

Graduates from out BA (Hons) Physical Education (Primary Years) course are guaranteed an interview on our PGCE Primary and PGCE Secondary Physical Education courses.

Ellie

Progressed to PGCE Primary
“The three years training on PE in the Primary Years has taught me the fundamental skills to enable me to have the knowledge for my PGCE. It has given me the confidence to take on new challenges and learn a variety of teaching skills I didn’t think was possible. It has been a valuable three years and has started me in the right direction for my career in teaching."

Open up your career options

Many students remain undecided about whether they want to teach Physical Education or coach, but they do know that they are committed to following a career in sport and physical activity.

Some of our well-established and successful alumni of this course have continued into a wide variety of careers, including:

  • Coaching
  • The police
  • Paramedics
  • Intelligence services
  • The military
  • Therapies
  • Research

Postgraduate pathways

You could also continue your academic studies further with a postgraduate degree.

Our postgraduate options include:

  • PGCE Primary (5-11)
  • PCGE Secondary Physical Education
  • MA Sport Leadership and Management
  • Postgraduate Research (PhD)

University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

Gifted Athlete Support Programme

Supporting athletes with their studies and sporting ambitions

The University’s Gifted Athlete Support Programme (GASP) helps students combine academic study with sport by offering support to compete at the highest level.

Our student athletes will have access to our experts in sport coaching, exercise physiology, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, sport nutrition, sport psychology, sport therapy or physiotherapy and receive:

  • Financial Support*
  • Fitness Suite at the Tudor Hale Centre for Sport
  • Administrative support from SU Sport
  • GASP branded kit

* Level of financial support dependent upon level of achievement in sport

Course Costs

Course fees 2023/24

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£15,240

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Course specific costs

You will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check costing £40 which needs to be paid for before the start of the course.

Entry Requirements

UCAS
96-112
tariff points.
A Levels
BBC - CCC
BTEC
DMM - MMM
GCSEs
C/4
or better in both English Language and Maths.
IELTS
6.0 overall
with no element lower than 5.5

Interview and DBS

An entry interview and Enhanced DBS check are required for this course.

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