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Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development (with a Placement Year) BA (Hons)

Start date

September

UCAS code

CX9H

Duration

4 years

UCAS points

96 - 112

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 10 for Student ExperienceThe Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 5 for Teaching Quality

Support young people in sport with our hands-on Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development degree

Kickstart a career in teaching, coaching, or sport development with our Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development degree. You will develop a solid foundation in topics like teaching and coaching pedagogy, sociology, and the holistic development of young people.

Hands-on learning

Our Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development course will blend theory and practical application, allowing you to learn hands-on. For example, you will take part in school-based lessons and applied activity sessions.

Support from experts

We have an excellent reputation for physical education and sport. You will learn from a team of lecturers with a wide range of expertise in:

  • physical education (PE)
  • sports coaching
  • sport sociology
  • adapted PE & disability sport
  • dance.

Our academics are also devoted to your personal and professional growth. Our student, Sophy, tells us that their tutors “always offered support and encouraged us to push [our] boundaries”.

Work placements: build professional experience

You will complete a work placement to apply your learning to a professional environment. We have strong links with over 200 schools, as well as National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and sports clubs in elite and disability sport.

Postgraduate progression

Following your Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development degree, any student meeting the entry requirements at the time of application will be offered the opportunity to interview for the PGCE Secondary PE programme.

About the Placement Year

A placement year enables you to undertake a year of experience in an organisation between your second and final year.

It will enable you to:

  • apply the knowledge and skills you gain from your course in a work setting
  • build your commercial awareness and insights into organisations and industries you might want to work in
  • develop your professional skills through company training, networking skills and confidence in the workplace
  • get some great experience for future job applications or even land a graduate job.

Support from St Mary’s every step of the way

Securing a placement can really help you develop your job search skills and the Employability Service placement and Careers Teams can support you to find and apply for available opportunities.

Please note: in the event that you cannot secure a placement you will be able to transfer onto the three year version of your degree programme.

Please note: this course is subject to validation.

Laura Davies

Lecturer in Physical Education, Sport and Youth Development

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Course content

Modules

These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2023/24 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2024/25. 

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Entry requirements

96 - 112

We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:

  • subjects studied at Level 3
  • your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
  • non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
  • your references and motivation.

GCSE

If you wish to go on to train as a teacher, you will also require GCSE Grade 4/C (or equivalent) in English, Mathematics and Science.

We offer GCSE equivalency tests for those who need to improve their GCSE grades.

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

Further Information

For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees

Home

£9,250

International

£17,100

1200 during placement year)

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Government's review of Higher Education Funding.

Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage

Scholarships

Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students .

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

How the degree is taught

Contact time - 45%

Independent study - 55%

*Contact time includes 27% of guided learning

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

Teaching approaches reflect the educational nature of the degree and embrace a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars, study groups, workshops, practical tutor-led sessions, applied (student-led) practical, and theoretical sessions.

School-based observation and applied activity sessions are mirrored by experiences in coaching and sport development contexts. Blended learning approaches include the use of technology and online teaching platforms to enhance the variety of skills, knowledge and understanding required to be successful in today’s modern job markets.

Class sizes vary depending on the modules undertaken. Typical class sizes range from 20 to 70 students in different teaching settings.

Assessment methods

Modules are assessed through a range of innovative methods including assessing practical skills - self and peer evaluations, examinations, essays, portfolios, case studies, seminar and ICT-based presentations, online assessments, video and oral presentations, work-based learning portfolio vivas and a Research Project/Dissertation.

Guidance and support are given in adopting an academic approach to your work. Tutorials are provided to give detailed feedback and target setting especially in the early years of study.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.

Career opportunities

With our Physical Education, Sport, and Youth Development BA, you will build valuable essential skills, including communication, collaboration, and resilience.

You can also contact our Career Services at careers@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities.

Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of undefined include:

PE teachingsports coachingsport developmenthealth and fitnesseducationacademia

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Open Days

Open Days are a fantastic opportunity for you to meet academic staff. You'll also be able to look around the campus, speak to current students and find out more about services such as Accommodation and Student Wellbeing.