Sport and Physical Education

BA (Hons) Sport and Physical Education
Mode: full-time

The Bedford campus has over 100 years experience of PE teaching, and as such, staff expertise is well established and varied. The course reflects the National Strategy for Sport for those who want to teach in schools and colleges. It offers a potential route for teacher training and has a school based work placement.

In stage one, you will cover the key foundation issues in sport and PE through academic study and by undertaking extensive practical work. In stage two, you will deepen your understanding of the key issues and expand your practical applications. At the end of stage two, you get the chance to undertake a work placement in a school, a local authority setting or a sports centre.

In stage three, you will develop specialist knowledge, both in the theoretical area and in the sector of your choice, which can include sport development, health related fitness, sport management or physical education in schools.

Stage three includes the opportunity to undertake a work placement in a variety of settings including schools, local authority settings or sports centres. Key features of the course are the inclusion of practical elements in all three years and a variety of dissertation routes including the possibility of a work placement based dissertation.

Areas of study include:

• Psychology of Sport
• Physiology and Anatomy
• Socio-Cultural Aspects of
• Sport and Physical Activity
• Research Methods
• PE (History, Theory and Current Educational Issues)
• PE (Applied Studies)

Why choose this course?

• Established, varied staff expertise
• Optional work placement (potentially school-based)
• £8m state-of-the-art PE and Sport Science Centre, set to train athletes for the 2012 Olympics
• Practical courses in all six national curriculum areas of activity
• An excellent route into teacher training
• Reflects the national strategy for PE and school sport for those who want to teach in schools and colleges

Career Opportunities

Graduates can consider an initial teacher training course leading to qualified teacher status (QTS), including our own PGCE in Secondary PE. There are opportunities in sports development, sport and leisure management, health promotion, coaching, the police, the armed forces and corporate fitness.

Teaching/learning methods and strategies

Teaching is delivered through a variety of methods including lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions and individual tutorials. All students use the University’s Virtual Learning Environment to supplement and enhance the learning experience.

Assessment

Assessment on the course is through essays, group research, presentations, seminar papers and exams.